Contenders

Doug O'Neill

O'Neill, 38, is a Michigan native and currently resides in Santa Monica California with his wife and son. He began working at the track in 1986, learning under trainers Richard Mandella, Doug Peterson, and Hector Palma for eight years before going on his own in 1994. He has been the leading trainer at Fairplex and Hollywood Park, where he is currently based. He is well-known for his ability to move horses up off the claim, as he did with Fleetstreet Dancer, winning the 2003 Japan Dirt Cup at 48-1 after claiming the horse for $40,000 in 2002. He had a great 2005, winning 158 and over $9.4 million in purses to rank fifth nationally. He's been the leading trainer multiple times at Hollywood Park, Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Fairplex Park. O'Neill has yet to have a Derby starter.

David Flores

A native of Tijuana, Mexico, Flores' first win came at Caliente, Mexico in 1984. He captured his first riding title at a major track in '99 at Santa Anita; he also earned his 2,000th career win that year. Was known as "the king of the bull ring" for years for the success he had at Fairplex Park, where he won six consecutive riding titles (from 1989-'94), as well as winning titles at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Oak Tree. He joined the Southern California jockey colony in '89 and has ridden such top horses as Chilukki, Mash One, Tuzla, Keeper Hill, Free House, Siphon, and Singletary. He has ridden in eight Kentucky Derbies, most recently finishing sixth on Action This Day in 2004 and 11th aboard Storm Treasure last year.

J. Paul Reddam

Reddam, a native of Ontario, Canada, has had much success since he became involved with racing in the '80's. He has a PH.D. in Philosophy, and he formed his first racing syndicates with standardbreds some 20 years ago while teaching the same at Cal State University in Los Angeles. He has 40 or so horses in training with several different trainers. His filly Elloluv has earned over $1 million, finishing second in the 2003 Breeders' Cup Distaff (GI); Travers (GI) winner Ten Most Wanted was one of the favorites for Derby 129. Reddam currently lives in Laguna Beach, CA and is the President of Cash Call, a consumer loan company. He also bought 75% of Wilko, the 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (GI) champ, in October, 2004.

Le Retro Bloodstock & 12 Gates Racing Stable (KY)

Coming Soon

LIQUIDITY is a son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) champ Tiznow. The California bred son of Cee’s Tizzy was at his best going two turns. All his wins came at three and four, when he captured five graded stakes in addition to the Breeders’ Cup races. His full brother, Budroyale, was also second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In addition to Liquidity, he has other high-class 3-year-olds in Boutros, Tenfold, and Tiz Wonderful, who swept the fall stakes at Churchill Downs this November. The latter was sidelined from Derby consideration after a minor injury this winter. Tiznow has just two stakes winners from his first three crops, but one of the pair is Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and 2-year-old champion Folklore.

Liquidity is the second foal out of Boa, and he is her first winner. Boa is by Rahy, Group One placed at two in England. Lightly raced (six starts, three wins and two seconds), Rahy has turned out to be an excellent sire with his offspring running well on dirt and turf. He is also a half-brother to Singspiel, winner of the Dubai World Cup (GI) and several other top-class races. Boa lost her only start, but comes from a family that includes French Buster, winner of a small turf stake, and Alyrob, third in the Laz Barrera Handicap (GIII). The further back one goes into Liquidity's tail female line, the more stakes quality horses one finds. His third dam, the unraced Befuddled, had two stakes placed siblings and amazingly, five of her six female offspring produced either stakes winners or stakes placed horses. From this family comes Bosque Redondo, Make Your Mark and the recently retired Buckland Manor.

Liquidity's sire Tiznow traces directly back to Man o' War (on the male side) and also Seattle Slew (on the female side). In addition to these two all-time greats, his dam Boa has a ton of Derby distance blood with the likes of Halo, Hail to Reason and Tom Fool. This colt has a good a chance as any to excel at the Derby's ten furlongs. Dosage Index: 1.86 - by Mark Hoard

LIQUIDITY may be even more reminiscent of Giacomo than Tiago when taking a look at his path to the Kentucky Derby. Like Giacomo, Liquidity is a Southern California based runner who has consistently run good races but enters the Derby still eligible to participate in a first level allowance race; finding the winner's circle has been a tough task for this Tiznow colt. Both Giacomo and Liquidity finished second in the Hollywood Futurity (Grade 1), placed in the money in the Sham (Grade 3), and entered the Kentucky Derby off a fourth place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1). Liquidity has stood in the shadows of his more accomplished stable mate Great Hunter, who also hangs his halter in the Doug O'Neill barn. One of the major concerns regarding Liquidity is his ability to run well outside of California; he has been well beaten in both attempts outside of his home state. Based on his recent performances and poor shipping record, it is tough to make a strong argument for endorsing him as a win candidate.