With the 2016 Kentucky Derby only 8 weeks away (May 7), the field is beginning to take shape. While there are many Kentucky Derby prep races still to be run, several horses have stamped themselves as legitimate contenders and will be among the 20 starters in this year’s field. This week I will review 20 horses in contention or moving in the right direction on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Rather than put the 20 horses in any particular order, I have simply profiled them. I would expect many of these horses to run in the Kentucky Derby as well as some horses who will make some noise between now and May 7!
Mohaymen
Recent winner of the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, this undefeated son of Tapit is being pointed to the Florida Derby on April 2. His Beyer Speed ratings have progressed marginally and the horses he has beaten in Florida are somewhat mediocre.
Nyquist
Undefeated 2015 2 Year Old Colt Champion won the San Vicente Stakes in February at Santa Anita Park. He will travel across the country to Gulfstream Park in Florida and take on Mohaymen in the April 2 Florida Derby. Questions remain as to whether he can get the 1 1/4 mile distance of the Kentucky Derby. If Nyquist or Mohaymen win the Florida Derby they will likely enter the Kentucky Derby as this year’s favorite.
Mor Spirit
Trained by Bob Baffert of American Pharoah fame, he won the Bob Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park earlier this year. His next race is the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 12. His come from behind running style should benefit him in the Kentucky Derby.
Greenpointcrusader
Ran second to Mohaymen in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Will possibly run next in the March 26 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Ran well as a 2 year old when he won the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park in October 2015. Bred to run all day as his sire is Bernardini and his broodmare sire is Cryptoclearance.
Gun Runner
Recently won the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in Louisiana. His next race will be the Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds. His sire (Candy Ride) is one of the hottest sires of stakes winners in 2016.
Suddenbreakingnews
His come from behind running style could benefit him in the Kentucky Derby. Recent winner of the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park, he will run next in the Rebel Stakes on March 19 at Oaklawn Park.
Cherry Wine
An impressive winner of an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in January. Indications are he will run next in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 19. Has run well on both turf and dirt so time will tell which surface he prefers.
Shagaf
Undefeated (3 for 3) winner of the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack will run next on April 9 in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. My initial reaction to his Gotham Stakes win was the horses he beat were not very good. The horse who ran second in the Gotham is still a maiden (never won a race). With that said, he won the race coming from behind and no other horses were able to win coming from behind at Aqueduct on March 5. His owners (Shadwell Farm) also own Mohaymen.
Matt King Coal
Won an allowance race at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 6 and will try stakes caliber horses in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 9.
Forevamo
Ran second to Gun Runner in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on February 20. Will run next in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 26. Has continued to improve as the distances of his races have increased.
Mo Tom
Ran third in the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on February 20 despite encountering trouble during the race. Had he not encountered trouble he very likely would have won the Risen Star. Scheduled to run next in the Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds.
Exaggerator
Has been beaten by Nyquist three times. With that said, his sire is Curlin and he should run well as the distance of his races increases. He is scheduled to run in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park on March 12. With Nyquist not running in the San Felipe Stakes it will be interesting to see how Exaggerator does.
Danzing Candy
Won an allowance race at Santa Anita Park in early February and will test stakes caliber horses in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 12.
Brody’s Cause
Has not run yet in 2016. He is scheduled to run in the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on March 12. Some horses struggle running on the sand based track at Tampa Bay Downs. If Brody’s Cause doesn’t run well in the Tampa Bay Derby he will not have many remaining options to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.
Zulu
Ran second to Mohaymen in the Fountain of Youth Stakes on February 27 at Gulfstream Park in Florida. He’s bred to go the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles and his next start in the Florida Derby on April 2 against Mohaymen and Nyquist should indicate how he stacks up.
Outwork
He’s undefeated (2 for 2) sprinting and will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 12. Won an allowance race at Tampa Bay Downs in February so he likes the track at Tampa Bay.
Destin
Won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February. He is scheduled to run in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 12.
Smokey Image
An undefeated (6 for 6) California bred who has been running strictly against other California bred horses. Scheduled to run in the March 12 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park which will provide a better indication of how good he really is.
Whitmore
Ran second to Suddenbreakingnews in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in February. He is scheduled to run in the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 19. With a win and a second at Oaklawn Park he definitely likes the track.
Tale of S’avall
Has not run in 2016 but is scheduled to run in the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs on March 12. He is bred to run the Kentucky Derby distance (1 1/4 miles).