Justin's Derby Top 10 List of Insanity

We are getting close to that time of year. Derby Top 10 lists will begin appearing in every racing publication, every racing website, and every blog. This blog will follow suit, sort of.

What makes my Top 10 list different? Well, my list will not consist of a single actual horse. Instead, this list will be made up of qualities usually found in Derby hopefuls this time of year.

Here. I’ll show you.

#10 is a Florida-bred who has a sprinter’s pedigree, but he has an impressive win at two turns as a juvenile. Thus, his connections, as well as racing fans, think he might be a factor on the Derby Trail.

#9 broke his maiden at Keeneland, and then ran well in defeat at Churchill in his next start. Maybe that was a stakes race, but maybe not. He has yet to run since. Expectations for his three-year-old debut are high, and he hails from a well-regarded barn.

#8 looked like he would be a factor in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but he skipped that race, perhaps due to injury, perhaps to avoid a grueling juvenile campaign. He showed up late in the year, and ran well enough to merit inclusion on this list.

#7 is the sneaky horse on the list. He has yet to break his maiden, but he has kept good company and run well every time. Savvy bettors have already played him at juicy odds to win the Derby in Vegas.

#6 danced every dance last year. He won some and lost some. His class alone makes him part of this list, but he is probably not going to be on this list come spring.

#5 was once higher on this list, but he lost his last start. Still, excuses can be made for that effort, and he is one to watch. His connections make him a bigger factor than he otherwise would be, and he looks like he might be a miler.

#4 has the right connections, the right race resume, and he likes to come from off the pace. Distance will not be a problem on Derby Day, and his speed figures look legit.

#3 won a fall stakes at Churchill Downs. Need I say more?

#2 is undefeated and has the look of one who will only get better with distance. He has not faced the toughest of the tough, but he will probably be favored when he does.

#1 is whoever the list maker picked to win the Derby last fall.

Now, what I want to know is can any of you match the above qualities to actual horses on the Derby Trail?

Ready. Set. Go!