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THOROUGHBRED BEAT DECEMBER 4, 2008 by James Scully Midshipman (Unbridled's Song), Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace [Chi]), Square Eddie (Smart Strike) and Street Hero (Street Cry [Ire]) established themselves as top Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders based on their accomplishments through the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), and I will take a look at some promising two-year-olds since the October 25 event. Bourbon cocktail -- OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song) moved near the top of nearly every Derby list with his smashing 7 1/4-length score in Saturday's Remsen S. (G2), and the gray colt poses a problem for conditioner Larry Jones, who is scheduled to retire from training at the end of the year. How can Jones walk away from such an opportunity? Old Fashioned rolled to a 15 1/2-length victory when making his two-turn debut versus allowance rivals at Delaware Park on November 3, and the unbeaten colt (three for three) smoked his rivals over 1 1/8 miles in the Remsen. The Fox Hill Farms colorbearer registered a 101 BRIS Speed rating in both starts, which were won under a gallop. Calhoun -- Bret Calhoun isn't a familiar face on the Derby scene -- he's never had a starter in a Triple Crown race -- but he's got a couple of good-looking prospects for 2009 in INDYGO MOUNTAIN (A.P. Indy) and SILVER CITY (Unbridled's Song). Owned by Clarence Scharbauer Jr., whose family campaigned Horse of the Year and 1987 Derby winner Alysheba, both colts recently won at Churchill Downs, with Indygo Mountain capturing a one-mile maiden special weight on November 19, and Silver City garnering a 6 1/2-furlong allowance last Saturday. Indygo Mountain was making only his second start after posting a fast-finishing second in a Keeneland maiden special weight, and he finished strongly while dominating under the Twin Spires, recording a 6 1/4-length decision. Silver City crushed his rivals on the front end, registering a 103 Speed rating for his 4 1/2-length win. Well Positioned again -- In 2007, owner Paul Pompa and trainer Pat Reynolds sent Big Brown out to a 11 1/4-length victory in his career debut. On November 22 at the Big A, Pompa and Reynolds were once again represented by a tremendous maiden winner when WELL POSITIONED (Awesome Again) rolled to a 14 1/4-length victory. Overlooked at 31-1, the bay colt improved greatly off a sixth in his first career outing, earning a 103 Speed rating for his win in the one-mile race, and Well Positioned is bred to relish classic distances. Pompa will receive offers, and it will be interesting to see whether he decides to partner up with IEAH Stables like he did with Big Brown. Evans -- QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality) made short work of 12 rivals in Saturday's career bow at Aqueduct, winning off by 2 3/4 lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight, and the colt, bred and owned by Edward Evans, posted a 102 Speed rating for his sparkling effort. Out of a Strawberry Road (Aus) mare, the James Jerkens trainee is bred to run long and looks like one to watch for next season. Evans also bred and owns AMERICAN DANCE (A.P. Indy), a regally bred colt who counts 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam as a half-brother. Trained by Todd Pletcher, American Dance broke his maiden at Aqueduct on November 5 and finished third in Saturday's Remsen. Kentucky Jockey Club -- The Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) hasn't been relevant in a long time, with 1998 Derby winner Real Quiet being the last starter to record a top-three finish in the Run for Roses, but BEETHOVEN (Sky Mesa) will seek to reverse the trend in 2009. A maiden winner at Turfway Park in September, the bay colt finished a close third in a Keeneland allowance before winning at the same level at Churchill on November 1. Beethoven continued to show more in Saturday's Kentucky Jockey Club, rallying from off the pace to gamely prevail by a neck, and the John Ward charge earned respectable 96 Speed and 100 Late Pace figures. Brother and Professor -- BROTHER KEITH (Johar) was a smart debut winner on November 8 for Bobby Frankel, who typically doesn't have his firsters cranked up. From the first crop of 2003 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) winner Johar, the chestnut colt displayed a liking for the dirt at Churchill while compiling the 2 1/4-length decision, and he represents Kentucky's leading owner Ken Ramsey, who promises to bring bright colors and plenty of personality to the Derby discussion if Brother Keith develops into a major player. Zayat Stables' PROFESSOR Z (Grand Slam) looked good breaking his maiden by 2 1/2 lengths in a seven-furlong test at Aqueduct on November 1, and he's one to keep an eye on this winter in Louisiana for Steve Asmussen. West Coast -- CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) made his mark with a victory in the November 8 Real Quiet S. and will be one of the top contenders in the CashCall Futurity (G1) on December 20. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, the Kentucky-bred colt hails from a Seattle Slew mare and needed a few starts before breaking through with his first decision on October 4, and the late runner owns room for further improvement. Chocolate Candy has recorded BRIS Late Pace ratings of 107 and 106 in his last two wins. Couple of others -- ATOMIC RAIN (Smart Strike) broke his maiden over five furlongs at Monmouth Park in early June but wasn't seen again under silks until the Remsen. Bred to run long on both sides of his pedigree, the Kelly Breen runner passed rivals on the far turn and finished up well through the stretch finish a clear second behind Old Fashioned. He's an interesting prospect. GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) raced exclusively on turf and synthetic surfaces in his first three starts, but the chestnut made a seamless transition to the main track in the Kentucky Jockey Club, rallying from far back off a slow pace to finish second by a neck. The Chris Block pupil registered a career-best 95 Speed rating in the process.
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