Kentucky Derby Radar – Chapter 2

By Jude T. Feld

LOOKIN AT LUCKY seems to be Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s best shot at Kentucky Derby (G1) victory number four. The son of Smart Strike is consistent and tough although he missed a couple of days training with a fever earlier this month. We’ll still be patient and keep him in the top spot off his big effort, from a horrible post, in the BC Juvenile (G1).

ESKENDARAYA was the buzz horse the week before the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) and he did not disappoint, cruising to an imposing 8 ½-length victory. Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated the Florida Derby (G1) would be the next stop for the son of Giant’s Causeway and he should be considered the heavy antepost favorite for that one.

INTERACTIF got a rather sanitary ride from Kent Desormeaux in the Hallandale Beach at Gulfstream in his 2010 comebacker. The Broken Vow colt has always had a touch of class and the feeling here is that Kent, who has always liked this colt, didn’t want to abuse the Todd Pletcher trainee in his initial race on the Triple Crown trail. Look for continued improvement in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

BUDDY’S SAINT was run into the inside rail in the Fountain of Youth (G2) on February 20 at Gulfstream Park, losing all chance. It is too early to give up on the Bruce Levine trainee who will reportedly make or break his Kentucky Derby (G1) chances in the Wood Memorial (G1) or Florida Derby (G1).

The recent rains may have tightened up the Fair Grounds main track as the Risen Star (G3) was a parade from start to finish. DISCREETLY MINE went wire-to-wire with the second and third place finishers following him around the track. It was DISCREETLY MINE’s first race around two-turns and he could improve as the distances increase with his outstanding pedigree (Mineshaft – Private Account mare).

Trainer Bob Baffert’s CONVEYANCE continued his unbeaten streak with a wire-to-wire score over D. Wayne Lukas-trained DUBLIN in the Southwest (G3). The winner looked super going postward and ran to his looks. If he continues to learn how to ration his speed in longer races, the Indian Charlie colt could be a force on the first Saturday in May. Lukas has been saying all along that DUBLIN is a legit Derby contender. This was the Afleet Alex colt’s first start after a minor throat surgery and he should improve off the effort.

NEXTDOORNEIGHBOR, always highly regarded by his stable, put it all together going two turns and broke his maiden nicely in a nifty performance on January 24 at Santa Anita. The son of Lido Palace has a professional way about him and could be this year’s Vineyard Haven. He will be tested for class in the Sham (G3) at Santa Anita on February 27.

AMERICAN LION looked sharp winning the Hollywood Prevue (G3). He skipped the Cash Call Futurity (G1) and was scheduled to run in the rained-out Robert B. Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita on February 6. Rescheduled for February 13, the son of Tiznow disappointed as the favorite after breaking slowly. We’ll keep the Eoin Harty trainee on a short leash.

BLIPS

FLY DOWN lived up to all the hype and managed to eke out a hard-fought win in his three-year-old debut for trainer Nick Zito. A Mineshaft colt, he should improve with distance. It will be interesting to see where the Hall of Fame trainer runs this colt next as one would imagine the Poly of Turfway and Keeneland are out as is Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride. I can’t see him contesting the Florida Derby (G1) with just this race under his belt. Maybe Tampa or Arkansas?

TRAPPE SHOT was highly-regarded by his trainer and the crowd and he disappointed neither with a 10-length score in his 2010 debut. By red-hot sire Tapit from a Private Account mare, this one has a nice way of moving and obviously lots under the hood. He could run in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and probably be very live.

OFF THE SCREEN SINCE CHAPTER 1

WILLIAM’S KITTEN – Owner Ken Ramsey, at Gulfstream Park for the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2), said his colt was back at the farm after a small suspensory issue. “He’s in the hyperbaric chamber everyday and we hope to get him back for the Belmont Stakes.”

COOL BULLET – The $4,000 yearling failed to improve off his solid Lemcomte (G3) effort after a great pressing trip in the Southwest (G3). Maybe he is a better sprinter?

RON THE GREEK – He is a plodder and will need a “set-up” type race to do any damage.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 1:16 pm and is filed under Featured Articles. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.