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KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT APRIL 29, 2010 By James Scully With the defection of Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway), Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1) became a much more wide-open race and the first two choices on the morning line, LOOKIN AT LUCKY (Smart Strike) and SIDNEY'S CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), both drew tough posts on opposite ends of the 20-horse field. Lookin at Lucky will have the opportunity to take back and potentially carve out a good trip from the rail, but post 20 puts Sidney's Candy in a difficult spot because his connections probably wanted to sit just off the speed. The Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner now runs the risk of either getting embroiled in a wicked pace battle or carried extremely wide into the first turn. I'll make a case for two horses, AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again) and DEVIL MAY CARE (Malibu Moon). Awesome Act appears to be sitting on a big race for English-based conditioner Jeremy Noseda. Bred to excel on dirt tracks, he raced strictly on turf at two and made his dirt and three-year-old debut in the March 6 Gotham S. (G3), rallying boldly past his rivals on the far turn and into the stretch. Nothing went right for the chestnut next time out in the Wood Memorial S. (G1) as he lost a shoe at the start, never settled into a good trip and perhaps suffered a "Euro-bounce" in his second start stateside, finishing a head back of runner-up JACKSON BEND (Hear No Evil) in third. Awesome Act returned to the worktab 10 days later, breezing five furlongs at Belmont Park, and then shipped to Churchill Downs, where he's recorded a pair of works in preparation for the Derby, including a sharp half-mile breeze on Tuesday. The Kentucky-bred colt appears ready to bounce back in his third start of the year and his tactical speed (102 BRIS E2 rating in the Gotham) is an asset in the 20-horse field. Jockey Julien Leparoux should be able to secure a spot in midpack before launching his rally on the far turn, and Awesome Act's quick turn of foot can carry him into a threatening position at the top of the stretch. I'll look for him to sustain his momentum through the stretch. Devil May Care is a big, athletic filly who could provide Todd Pletcher with his first Derby score. She followed a good-looking maiden victory with a score in the Frizette S. (G1) last fall but didn't handle the synthetic footing in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Santa Anita. The bay miss was fractious in the paddock and post parade when making her seasonal bow in the Silverbulletday S. (G3) and spit the bit early in the race, but displayed her considerable skills in the 1 1/8-mile Bonnie Miss S. (G2) at Gulfstream Park last time, drawing off to a 2 3/4-length decision. Devil May Care really leveled off in midstretch last time, passing the finish line full of run, and she's continued to thrive in the mornings since arriving at Churchill Downs, making an excellent appearance in her gallops and five-furlong workout last Saturday. Distance should be no problem for the lightly-raced filly, who adds blinkers to keep her focus intact, and she's well-drawn in post 11 for a perfect stalking trip. I expect to see her finish strongly. I'll play Awesome Act to win and place and will use him and Devil May Care on top of my exotics. Lookin at Lucky is a must-use underneath -- he remains a serious win threat despite the post -- and I'll include SUPER SAVER (Maria's Mon), who loves the track and has Calvin Borel, in some tickets. ICE BOX (Pulpit) could be along for part for Nick Zito, and MISSION IMPAZIBLE (Unbridled's Song) appears too sharp to be left out. AMERICAN LION (Tiznow), who exits a sharp score in the Illinois Derby (G2) and is listed at 30-1 from post 7, is a bomber that I'll also use in my exotics. Good luck to every one and enjoy the Derby!
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