Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - 12:02 pm ET

Kentucky Derby Top 10 - Jan 25th

By: Jarrod Horak | Comment

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Here is my first Derby Top 10 of 2010. The posts will start to become more frequent as we inch closer to the first Saturday in May. Please click on the name of each horse to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes news, pedigree, results, and video. Gotta give a shout out to Mark Midland for his assistance on this blog.

In my last Derby post, I stated that a new player (Take Control) had arrived on the scene. Unfortunately, the Baffert trainee has shin problems and needs a few months to recover, so he’s off the Derby trail. Barn also has Conveyance, who had to work for his San Rafael (G3) tally on Jan 16^th. He will have to kick it up a few notches to be considered for top ten status.

I have always liked Eskendereya, and he’s been in my top ten from the outset. He rebounded from a troubled trip in the BC Juvenile with a sharp flat mile allowance tally at Gulfstream Park on Jan 7^th.

Top 10 player Interactif has done the bulk of his damage on the turf, and the Todd Pletcher trainee has the Santa Anita Derby on his radar screen.

Eightyfiveinafifty turned heads in a facile maiden sprint win at Aqueduct on Jan 9^th, and we’ll get a better gauge on him in the Whirlaway on Feb 6^th.

Lentenor looked great graduating in a turf route at the Gulf on Jan 20^th. Barbaro’s baby bro has talent, and he may switch to dirt in the near future.

Ron The Greek stormed home to nab the Lecomte on Jan 23^rd. One run closer needs pace help and racing luck, and he got both on Saturday at the Fair Grounds. Runner-up Maximus Ruler set legit fractions in his first start since breaking maiden in a Churchill allowance event in Nov. This was his first start around two turns, and his aggressive handling can be attributed to his freshness. Should improve in his next outing, which could come in the Risen Star on Feb 20^th.

The Grade 3 Holy Bull was also contested on Jan 23^rd, and Winslow Homer came from off the bench to win his third straight for Tony Dutrow. Jackson Bend was wide throughout in his seasonal bow, and he was beaten less than a length for all the candy. William’s Kitten was along for the show, and the late runner needs more ground.

Jarrod Horak’s Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders

	Derby contenders / Sire	Trainer/Next Start	Jarrod Horak’s Outlook
1.	Lookin At Lucky Smart Strike	Bob Baffert San Felipe, March 13, SA	2yo champ was last seen winning the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity. Working in blinkers and might go next in the San Felipe on March 13th.
2.	Jackson Bend Hear No Evil	Nick Zito Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP	Was clearly 2nd best in the Holy Bull, and that was a decent start to his 3yo campaign. Should learn more about him in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 20th.
3.	Noble’s Promise Cuvee	Ken McPeek	Landed the place behind Lookin At Lucky in the CashCall Futurity on Dec. 19th. No word on his next start.
4.	Eskendereya Giant’s Causeway	Todd Pletcher Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP	Rebounded from troubled BC Juvenile journey with a sharp win in a Gulfstream Park allowance. Gets tested for class in the Fountain of Youth.
5.	American Lion Tiznow	Eoin Harty Robert Lewis, Feb. 6, SA	Solid score in the Hol Prevue (G3) on Nov 21st. Connections (Eoin Harty, WinStar Farms) passed on the CashCall Futurity. Goes next in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis at Santa Anita on Feb 6th.
6.	Vale of York Invincible Spirit	Saeed Bin Suroor	Surprise BC Juvenile winner brought good turf form to Santa Anita, and he proved he could handle synthetic ground. Godolphin runner is not bred for dirt, but the new track in Dubai (synthetic) should suit him.
7.	Super Saver Maria’s Mon	Todd Pletcher	Strong wire job victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill. The Todd Pletcher (WinStar Farm) trainee should only improve with distance and experience.
8.	Buddy’s Saint Saint Liam	Bruce Levine Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP	Followed up his romping Nashua (G2) tally with another easy score in the Remsen (G2). The Bruce Levine trainee figures to make his 3yo bow in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.
9.	Winslow Homer Unbridled’s Song	Tony Dutrow Ftn of Youth, Feb. 20, GP	New to the top ten list. The Tony Dutrow runner came off the shelf and gamely nabbed the Holy Bull. Love his positional speed and finishing kick, and he is expected to go in the Fountain of Youth next.
10.	Interactif Broken Vow	Todd Pletcher Hallandale Beach, Feb. 7	Made a name for himself on the grass and was last seen finishing a rock solid 3rd in the BC Juvenile Turf. Hallandale Beach over the Gulfstream weeds on Feb 7th is next, and the Pletcher trainee has the Santa Anita Derby as an early spring goal.