Kentucky Derby Profiles

KENTUCKY DERBY

PROFILES

Discounted following a last-place finish in the Rebel S. (G3), Afleet

Alex put his name back among the top Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders with a convincing eight-length

score in the Arkansas Derby (G2). The juvenile Grade 1 winner notched his sixth

career victory and, more importantly, his first around two turns. Florida-bred

appears to get plenty of endurance from his female family (dam sire is a Grade 1

winner at 1 1/2 miles), and stalker displayed an explosive late kick when coming

home very fast in the stretch at Oaklawn Park. Afleet Alex could contend for

favoritism but is the likely second choice in the Kentucky Derby.

From the first crop of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi

Pegasus, Andromeda's Hero placed a crucial third in the Arkansas Derby

to get the graded earnings needed to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, but

he's practically an afterthought in a powerful Nick Zito barn that contains four

much more dangerous Derby contenders. The chestnut colt did show heart overcoming

trouble to win Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, but he's

been no factor in his last two starts against better company and has never

earned a triple-digit Speed rating.

BANDINI		Fusaichi Pegasus--Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band
Owner:		Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith
Breeder:		Marvin Little Jr., James Iselin & Ron McKee (Ky)
Trainer:		Todd Pletcher
Jockey:		John Velazquez
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		109 (Blue Grass)

Bandini earned his first stakes victory last out when triumphing by six

lengths over a stellar field in

the Blue Grass S. (G1), the toughest prep race of the year, and will enter the

Kentucky Derby on the upswing for trainer Todd Pletcher. Three of four starts this season have resulted in

trips to the winner's circle, the only setback coming by three parts of a length to High Fly (Atticus) in the Fountain of Youth

(G2), which was Bandini's stakes debut. The dark bay colt improved noticeably

next time out at Keeneland and still owns room for further improvement at

Churchill Downs. The late-blooming Grindstone gave his Derby-winning sire,

Unbridled, a Derby victory in his first crop in 1996, and Bandini could do the

same for Fusaichi Pegasus.

Can Bellamy Road be stopped? He ran away with the Wood Memorial (G1) by a record

17 1/2 lengths after taking his seasonal bow by 15 3/4, and the dark bay has

conditioner Zito plotting his course for success. Bellamy Road is defying Derby tradition with only two prep races at

three, but that doesn't figure to stop him if he's good enough. His pedigree is

also a bit modest, but the speedy colt has looked like a freak so far this year, earning a sensational 115 Speed rating in his

last start. Owned by The Boss, George Steinbrenner, the likely favorite

(Florida-breds will be 1-2 in the wagering) is a threat to run away from his opponents

again on Derby Day.

BUZZARDS BAY		Marco Bay--Lifes Lass, by Senaca Jones
Owner:		Fog City Stable
Breeder:		Jay Shaw (Fl)
Trainer:		Jeff Mullins
Rider:		Mark Guidry
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		103 (Santa Anita Derby)

Buzzards Bay provided trainer Jeff Mullins with his third straight Santa Anita Derby (G1)

win when posting an upset at 30-1, and the Florida-bred also recorded a game victory

earlier this year in the Golden Gate Derby. However, the chestnut didn't handle

his last trip out of California, finishing 10th in February's Risen Star S. (G3), and the California-based three-year-old

contingent probably won't have much impact upon this year's Kentucky Derby.

CLOSING ARGUMENT		Successful Appeal--Mrs. Greeley, by Mr. Greeley
Owner:		Cohen, Philip and Marcia
Breeder:		France Weiner & Irwin J. Weiner (Fl)
Trainer:		Kiaran McLaughlin
Rider:		Cornelio Velasquez
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		107 (Holy Bull)

Runner-up in the $1 million Delta Jackpot S. at Delta Downs, Closing Argument

opened his three-year-old campaign with an upset victory over High Fly (Atticus)

in the Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. The Florida-bred didn't re-appear

for more than two months until the Blue Grass, finishing a commendable

third, and will enter the Kentucky Derby off only two prep races this year.

Closing Argument has proven extremely honest so far, recording a 3-2-2 mark from

seven starts, but his pedigree is questionable on both sides for 10 furlongs.

COIN SILVER		Anees--Beyond a Doubt, by Conquistador Cielo
Owner:		Peachtree Venture
Breeder:		Biggs Farm Inc. (Ky)
Trainer:		Todd Pletcher
Rider:		Pat Valenzuela
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		108 (Lexington)

A late comer to the Kentucky Derby picture, Coin Silver didn't break his

maiden until March and earned his second career victory in the April 23

Lexington S. (G2). The dark bay owns promising BRIS Speed ratings and has made

his last three starts at a route, but the lack of seasoning is a big concern, as

well as the fact that his Lexington win came over a sloppy track against

questionable company. Coin Silver will enter the Kentucky Derby on the upswing

for Pletcher and appears bred to run all day, but there are many questions

surrounding his chances.

DON'T GET MAD		Stephen Got Even--Class on Class, by Jolie's Holiday
Owner:		B. Wayne Hughes
Breeder:		Milton Hendry & Beth Hendry (KY)
Trainer:		Ron Ellis
Rider:		Tyler Baze
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		107 (Derby Trial)

Don't Get Mad will attempt to become the first horse since Tim Tam in 1958 to win the Derby Trial

and the Kentucky Derby. Only five horses have been able to pull off the feat

since the inception of the Derby Trial in 1924, which was run only four days

before the Run for the Roses until 1982 when it was moved to the opening

Saturday of the Churchill Downs meet. Don't Get Mad's stalking tactics could be

beneficial, but the short turnaround period into the grueling 1 1/4-mile event

will be a challenge.

FLOWER ALLEY		Distorted Humor--Princess Olivia, by Lycius
Owner:		Melnyk Racing Stables
Breeder:		George Brunacini & Bona Terra Farms (KY)
Trainer:		Todd Pletcher
Rider:		Jorge Chavez
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		101 (maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park)

Flower Alley doesn't fit the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner with only

four starts to his credit, but he's gained valuable stakes experience in his

last two outings, winning the Lane's End S. (G2) and finishing second to Afleet

Alex (Northern Afleet) in the Arkansas Derby despite racing greenly both

times. Trainer Pletcher will add blinkers to keep the chestnut colt more

focused in Louisville, Kentucky, and 10 furlongs should be no problem given his

pedigree. Flower Alley doesn't own the best Speed ratings, but he has plenty of

upside and could be a factor if he puts it all together in the Kentucky Derby.

GIACOMO		Holy Bull--Set Them Free, by Stop the Music
Owner:		Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Moss
Breeder:		Jim H. Plemmons (Ky)
Trainer:		John Sherreffs
Rider:		Mike Smith
`Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		100 (Santa Anita Derby)

Giacomo wrapped up his juvenile campaign with a close second in the Hollywood

Futurity (G1), but the maiden winner hasn't improved upon that performance at

three, finishing third as the favorite in the Sham S., a well-beaten second in

the San Felipe and a non-threatening fourth in the Santa Anita Derby last out.

Gray colt has come running late for part on many occasions, but he will need to

improve significantly to challenge in the Kentucky Derby.

GOING WILD		Golden Missile--Pola, by Strawberry Road (Aus)
Owner:		Bob and Beverly Lewis
Breeder:		John O'Meara, Charlie Goldberg & Richard Rosee (KY)
Trainer:		D. Wayne Lukas
Rider:		Jose Valdivia Jr.
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		101 (San Miguel)

Going Wild reeled off three straight wins before finishing a respectable

second in the Santa Catalina S. (G2) in early March. His form has turned

drastically downward since then, with a last-place finish in the Wood Memorial

and  fifth in the Lexington, but trainer Lukas is

willing to throw those performances completely out. The dark bay colt doesn't

appear well-suited to 10 furlongs and will need one of the most remarkable

turnarounds in history to be a factor at Churchill.

GREATER GOOD		Intidab--Gather the Clan (Ire), by General Assembly
Owner:		Lewis Lakin
Breeder:		A Lakin & Sons Inc. (Ky)
Trainer:		Robert Holthus
Rider:		John McKee
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		101 (Rebel)

Bay ridgling captured the 1 1/16-mile Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at

Churchill Downs last November and opened this year with victories in the

Southwest S. and Rebel, both going two turns, before finishing a

disappointing fifth in the Arkansas Derby. However, Bob Holthus charge had

a wide trip from post 10 last time and Greater Good is capable of much more than

he showed. Whether that translates to success in the Kentucky Derby is another

matter because the classy sophomore's pedigree (sire is by Phone Trick) isn't

favorable for 1 1/4 miles, but the late-running Greater Good remains dangerous

given his affinity for Churchill and gutsy determination (owns four stakes

victories).

GREELEY'S GALAXY		Mr. Greeley--Ascot Starre, by Ascot Knight
Owner:		B Wayne Hughes
Breeder:		Runnymede Farm Inc (Ky)
Trainer:		Warren Stute
Rider:		Kent Desormeaux
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		108 (Illinois Derby)

With more than 20 horses lining up for the Kentucky Derby, Greeley's Galaxy

needs at least one defection to make the field because he's not nominated to the

Triple Crown and can't exclude any nominated three-year-old from the race. It

will cost $200,000 to start, but owner B. Wayne Hughes says he will pay if

there's room. Unraced at two, the chestnut has really come on since breaking his

maiden in his second career start, winning a 1 1/16-mile allowance by four

lengths at Santa Anita prior to a 9 1/2-length romp in the Illinois Derby (G2).

Greeley's Galaxy earned a terrific 108 BRIS Speed rating last time, but the

lightly raced colt will be sorely tested for seasoning and endurance if he makes

it to the starting gate at Churchill. He's still a very promising individual.

HIGH FLY		Atticus--Verbasle, by Slewpy
Owner:		Live Oak Plantation
Breeder:		Live Oak Stud (Ky)
Trainer:		Nick Zito
Rider:		Jerry Bailey
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		108 (Florida Derby)

High Fly ruled the biggest events at Gulfstream Park this winter, winning

both the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth in convincing fashion,

and earned strong BRIS Speed ratings of 108, 106 and 105 (twice) in four starts

this year. Despite his accomplishments, the once-beaten colt could be overlooked

in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Nick Zito has the probable favorite in Bellamy

Road (Concerto) as well as three other Derby starters in his barn, and High Fly

will be coming off a five-week hiatus. The speedy colt has never started outside

of Florida and will be tested at 10 furlongs with his pedigree, but High Fly has

displayed a ton of class this season and looks extremely dangerous if he can

carry that form forward.

HIGH LIMIT		Maria's Mon--Known Romance, by Known Fact
Owner:		Gary and Mary West
Breeder:		Brookfield Farm (Ky)
Trainer:		Bobby Frankel
Rider:		Ramon Dominguez
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		106 (Louisiana Derby)

Louisiana Derby (G2) winner tasted defeat for the first time when second in

the Blue Grass, but the speedy colt should benefit from the experience.

Following wire-to-wire wins in his first three career starts, High Limit proved

he could rate when tracking the pace last time and offered a good rally to reach

the lead leaving the far turn before being outfinished by Bandini (Fusaichi

Pegasus). The bay colt earned another excellent BRIS Speed rating (103) and is a

threat to move forward for trainer Bobby Frankel at Churchill Downs, but he

remains light on seasoning with only two starts this year and four overall.

However, sire Maria's Mon already has a Derby winner and High Limit owns plenty

of talent. He looks like a serious threat if he improves off the Blue Grass.

NOBLE CAUSEWAY		Giant's Causeway--Mimi's Golden Girl, by Seeking the Gold
Owner:		My Meadowview Farm
Breeder:		Reiko Baum & Michael Baum (KY)
Trainer:		Nick Zito
Rider:		Gary Stevens
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		106 (Florida Derby)

Noble Causeway made his stakes debut in Florida Derby, finishing second by 1

1/2 lengths to stablemate High Fly (Atticus), and the $1.15 million yearling

will enter the Kentucky Derby off three straight races at nine furlongs. The

lightly raced chestnut will have to overcome a five-week layoff, but the

improving colt looms as a dangerous late runner for trainer Nick Zito. Noble

Causeway is bred to relish classic distances and could find the stretch at

Churchill much more receptive to his late rally than Gulfstream. We'll keep

close tabs on how he works in Louisville, Kentucky.

SORT IT OUT		Out of Place--Vex, by Kris S.
Owner:		Preferred Pals Stable & Stonerside Stable
Breeder:		Thomas/Lakin (NY)
Trainer:		Bob Baffert
Rider:		Brice Blanc
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		103 (Whirlaway)

New York-bred was sold and transferred to Bob Baffert following a gutsy win

in February's Whirlaway S. Sort It Out didn't fire in his first start for new

connections, finishing eighth in the Louisiana Derby, but he rallied well in the

stretch to be a close third in the WinStar Derby next out and exits a runner-up

placing in the Lexington. The chestnut should appreciate the added

ground in the Kentucky Derby, but a minor award is probably the best scenario

for this grinder.

SPANISH CHESTNUT		Horse Chestnut (SAf)--Baby Rabbit, by No Sale George
Owner:		Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor
Breeder:		Don Graham and Ocala Oaks (FL)
Trainer:		Patrick Biancone
Rider:		Joe Bravo
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		99 (San Rafael)

Spanish Chesntnut started the year off well, winning the San Rafael S. (G2)

and then followed that up with a third-place effort to champion Declan's Moon (Malibu

Moon) in the Santa Catalina S. (G2). In his last two starts, the

chestnut set fast fractions before fading to sixth in both the Lane's End S. (G2) and Blue Grass S. (G1).

His front-running style will do him no favors against a field loaded with early

speed.

SUN KING		Charismatic--Clever But Costly, by Clever Trick
Owner:		Tracy Farmer
Breeder:		Cambridge Farm & James Daniel Conway (Ky)
Trainer:		Nick Zito
Rider:		Edgar Prado
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		107 (allowance at Gulfstream Park)

Once a top-ranked Kentucky Derby contender, Sun King has become less popular

than a bad cold following his only defeat this year, a fourth in the Blue Grass.

Wide and one-paced the entire way, the dark bay colt never got into the race at

Keeneland, but does one bad performance eliminate a three-year-old from

consideration in the Kentucky Derby? Well, nine of the last 13 horses to wear

the Roses were coming off a loss and most Kentucky Derby winners are far from

consistent in every start beforehand. Sun King owns plenty of back class,

finishing a close third in a pair of Grade 1 events following his maiden victory

last season and opening this year with two impressive victories, and the Grade 3

winner simply didn't show up at Keeneland. He owns excellent BRIS Speed ratings,

appears well-suited for the distance and is capable of a much better performance

on May 7. Edgar Prado chose Sun King over Noble Causeway (Giant's Causeway), and

Nick Zito has been high on the colt's Kentucky Derby chances all year. We

wouldn't be surprised to see him bounce back in a big way.

WILKO		Awesome Again--Native Roots (Ire), by Indian Ridge
Owner:		Reddam, J. Paul and Roy, Susan
Breeder:		Ro Parra (Ky)
Trainer:		Craig Dollase
Rider:		Corey Nakatani
Best 3yo BRIS Speed:		102 (Santa Anita Derby)

European import upset rivals at 28-1 when making U.S. and dirt debut in the

Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), but he's dropped three starts since then for

trainer Craig Dollase and battled quarter crack problems this year. Exits a

close third following a wide trip in the Santa Anita Derby, but the

competition was questionable in that spot and Wilko will enter the Kentucky

Derby off only two preps at three. The chestnut owns a good pedigree for the

Kentucky Derby, but the Juvenile Jinx (no Breeders' Cup winner has captured the

Kentucky Derby winner) appears likely to continue.