With the 2017 Kentucky Derby only 5 weeks away (May 6), this could be the most wide open Derby in years. No horse has established himself as the clear leader among this year’s 3 year olds.
Over the next two weeks the remaining significant Kentucky Derby Prep races will be run and the field for the 143rd running of the Derby will be finalized. The remaining prep races are the:
- Wood Memorial (April 8) at Aqueduct Racetrack
- Santa Anita Derby (April 8) at Santa Anita Park
- Blue Grass Stakes (April 8) at Keeneland Racecourse
- Arkansas Derby (April 15) at Oaklawn Park
The following horses are contenders for this year’s Run for the Roses!
Gunnevera
Won the Fountain of Youth Stakes and finished third as the favorite in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The track on Florida Derby Day was very speed favoring which didn’t favor Gunnevera’s come from behind running style. In addition, he drew post position 11 which was no bargain.
McCraken
An impressive winner of the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs where he set a stakes and track record. Unfortunately, he hasn’t raced since due to an ankle injury. He is scheduled to run next in the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. McCraken has won three races on the dirt at Churchill Downs which is an interesting angle.
Tapwrit
He ran second to McCraken in the Sam F. Davis Stakes and then won the Tampa Bay Derby. His next race will be the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
Girvan
Won the Risen Star Stakes and Louisiana Derby at the Fairgrounds. Horses who have taken the Louisiana route to the Kentucky Derby have not fared well in recent years. I’m not convinced the horses he has beaten are anything special.
J Boys Echo
Won the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack and will run next in the Bluegrass Stakes. The Bluegrass will provide a better barometer as the field he beat in the Gotham Stakes was suspect.
Practical Joke
Ran second to Gunnevera in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Fountain of Youth was his first race since November. I expect him to build upon that race and run well in the Bluegrass Stakes.
Iliad
Ran second in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park. His next race is the Santa Anita Derby.
Mo Town
He was the heavy favorite in the Risen Star Stakes at the Fairgrounds and ran poorly. Prior to the race his workouts in Florida were excellent. The jockey (John Velasquez) who rode him in the Risen Star said he did not seem to like the Fairgrounds track. His next race will be the Wood Memorial in New York.
American Anthem
He shipped into Arkansas for the Rebel Stakes and ran 10th as the heavy favorite. He is back in California and will run next in the Santa Anita Derby.
Irish War Cry
Won the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and went into his subsequent race (Fountain of Youth Stakes) as the favorite. He ran seventh in the Fountain of Youth and will run next in the Wood Memorial in New York. Irish War Cry was bred in New Jersey which is unusual for horses on the Derby Trail.
Always Dreaming
Won the Florida Derby impressively in his first stakes race. He will run next in the Kentucky Derby off a 5 week break.
Malagacy
Won the Rebel Stakes in Arkansas and will run next in the Arkansas Derby.
One Liner
Won the Southwest Stakes in Arkansas and will run next in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
Classic Empire
He was named 2 year old colt of the year in 2016 and has been an enigma in 2017. He ran third in the Holy Bull Stakes after which it was determined he had a foot problem. The foot problem was treated but he apparently developed a back problem. After treatment for the back problem he showed mild interest in training at Gulfstream Park. As a result he was sent to Ocala, Florida to train with the thinking being he might just need a change of scenery. His workout earlier in the week was very good and he is scheduled to run next in the Arkansas Derby.
Guest Suite
Ran fourth in the Risen Star Stakes and seventh in the Louisiana Derby. If he makes it into the Kentucky Derby field he will be a longshot to win.
Fast and Accurate
Won the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park last weekend and will run next in the Kentucky Derby. Turfway Park has an artificial surface which is quite different than the dirt surface at Churchill Downs. He will be one of the longer shots in the Kentucky Derby.
Hence
He was the upset winner of the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park last weekend and will run next in the Kentucky Derby.
Thunder Snow
Won the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Derby in Dubai last weekend and will run next in the Kentucky Derby. The level of competition he will face in the Kentucky Derby will be considerably tougher than what he faced in Dubai.
As evenly matched as this year’s 3 year old colts are the Kentucky Derby should be a wide open race!