Tropical Park Derby

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An overflow field of 16 has been entered in the first Derby of the year, the

$100,000 Tropical Park Derby (G3) at Calder on New Year's Day. Laurel Futurity

romper COWBOY CAL (Giant's Causeway) couldn't have been more impressive in his

two turf starts to date, and he could be a superstar in the making for Todd Pletcher. The Stonerside

homebred streaked clear to a sharp maiden win at Belmont prior to his sublime

effort at Laurel, in which he topped 12 foes and crushed his nearest pursuer by 6

1/4 widening lengths. The dark bay has a world of tactical speed and should take

this nine-furlong turf test rather easily under John Velazquez.

CELESTIAL COMET (Smart Strike) has shown significant improvement with the

addition of blinkers for Bill Mott, and the likely longshot has a good chance of

crashing the exotics party with further progression. The Kentucky-bred just

missed in an entry-level allowance tilt at Churchill Downs most recently while

racing wide, and could run huge in his three-year-old bow. Kent Desormeaux has the call.

WHY TONTO (Indian Charlie) is another exotics threat who could be a square

price in this deep field. Winner of the World Appeal S. in September, the bay

colt was a good second in the Grand Canyon H. at Churchill last out and might be

second-best in this one with a similar showing. The late runner should have some

pace to run at in the lane under Edgar Prado.

CANNONBALL (Catienus) has morphed into a different animal since transferring

to the sod, winning two of three while finishing a strong third in the inaugural

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The King Cugat S. star has been freshened since the

Juvenile Turf and is well drawn on the rail for conditioner Wesley Ward. The

talented turf performer has a big top three chance with smooth sailing beneath

Elvis Trujillo.

TITAN OF INDUSTRY (Giant's Causeway) has been dusted by the top one on two

occasions and we don't see the gelding changing that in this one. Conditioned by

Richard Violette, the chestnut will add blinkers for this event and did

encounter trouble while third in the Laurel Futurity, but he, like many, will be

challenging to complete the gimmicks. Javier Castellano will be in the irons.

King Cugat third MORAL COMPASS (Grand Slam) eclipsed his maiden in sharp

fashion at Belmont in October and has posted useful efforts in his two starts

since for Barclay Tagg. The Kentucky-bred did a good job of rating more off the

early pace last out and it resulted in a fine closing effort, something the dark

bay could use in this speedy group. We've never been that high on the colt, but

he could hit the board with another improved showing.

WISE ANSWER (Wised Up) is the most accomplished entrant in here but must

prove his affinity for the green in his turf debut. The bay was upset

in the Jack Price Juvenile S. last out but did get in a turf drill in

preparation for this and should be in the race from the opening bell. If the

Florida-bred could relax early, he could find a top three placing, but we're not

sure if he's worth backing at small odds versus these. Eibar Coa will ride.

Turf stakes winner DYNHOCRACY (Adhocracy) was nowhere in sight in the What a

Pleasure S. on dirt and has never faced a field this strong for Bill Kaplan. The bay

gelding earned a solid 94 BRIS Speed number in his lone turf start, so he could

hit the board with something like that number. The unbeaten PIR AT THE MOON (Black

Minnaloushe) has been clearly best in both turf starts and could be a nice horse

to follow as the year progresses. We're completely turned off about the gelding

being drawn in the widest post (12), but it's conceivable for him to get a paycheck

with a solid trip.

JOEY THE SCHOLAR (Double Honor) must be applauded for capturing both

turf efforts, but he'd need a big step up to top this bunch. KIM'S DIXIE TUNE (Concorde's Tune) wasn't that far off of Why Tonto

in his turf bow and has displayed decent form for Mary Hartman. The gray colt

looks a cut below the best in here, but could be effective versus lesser in the

near future. HEAVEN'S AWESOME (Awesome of Course) looks up against it, judging

by his ninth-place effort in a first-level allowance last out.

The well-bred FIRE LOOKOUT (Forest Camp) leads the also-eligible list for

Pletcher. The two-time turf winner was fifth in the Bourbon S. in his latest

venture, and his best might not be good enough from this post. HORSE

DOCTOR (Horse Chestnut [SAf]) is eligible to improve with the switch to the Dale Romans

barn and could be a useful sort later in this campaign. EL PROFETA (Double

Honor) has been dominant in three consecutive wins versus lesser but would find

considerably more resistance in this spot. CONCERTOS SONG (Concerto) is coming

off a $32,000 maiden claiming score and appears woefully overmatched.