Derby Contenders  //

Derby Top 20

Ashley Walker's Picks

Last updated May 1, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Tops in looks, speed, and class in my book. Don't see anyone beating him.
2Colonel JohnEoin HartyShould run huge, but I don't see him getting to #1.
3Denis of CorkDavid CarrollDavid Carroll runner should earn a big check here.
4Z FortuneSteve AsmussenRan huge in Arkansas, looking good so far in Louisville.
5GayegoPaulo LoboLove this little colt, but don't think this one sets up for him.
6PyroSteve AsmussenNot too inspired by this one over the past few days.
7Cool Coal ManNick ZitoWorked well last week for Zito, foundation isn't a concern.
8MonbaTodd PletcherHas shown an affinity for dirt and looks to be back in form.
9Court VisionBill MottCouldn't have set up more perfectly for him in the Wood. Too slow?
10Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggGutsy effort in Wood, but ultimately a slow renewal of the race.
11Big TruckBarclay TaggBlue Grass is a throwout, can still recover and run big.
12Bob Black JackJames KasparoffPuts on the shades for James Kasparoff. Big run in Santa Anita Derby.
13VisionaireMichael MatzA fringe player. He has ran well in the past. Closed in the Blue Grass for 5th.
14Cowboy CalTodd PletcherWorked well at Keeneland on Saturday. Looks like he is rounding into form.
15Anak NakalNick ZitoBig work last week. Fondness for Churchill doesn't hurt his chances.
16AdrianoGraham MotionWorried about this one's temperament.
17Z HumorBill MottKeeps plugging away. Not too high on chances in big one.
18Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Health questions arise after fever scare over the weekend.
19Eight BellesLarry JonesI'm not a believer. But even Danica Patrick won a race finally...
20RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIINot a huge fan of his. Looking for a pop and stop effort.

Jill Byrne's Picks

Last updated April 27, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1PyroSteve AsmussenDraw a line through the Bluegrass and he still remains on top.
2Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Doing all his Derby prep work out of town and will be the fresh horse. .
3Colonel JohnEoin HartyImpressive in Churchill workout and looks to be peaking at the right time.
4GayegoPaulo LoboI am a believer after his Churchill work and seeing him in person.
5Court VisionBill MottBlinkers on has given him a better turn of foot and the chance at an upset.
6MonbaTodd PletcherBluegrass win and a win over the Churchill track moves him up the list.
7Eight BellesLarry JonesFilly has the speed , stamina, class and size to handle these boys.
8Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggHe had a gut wrencher in the Wood but should have had time to recover.
9Z FortuneSteve AsmussenWide trip in Arkansas may have cost him. He can improve off that.
10AdrianoGraham MotionHe is improving physically and mentally at just the right time.
11VisionaireMichael MatzHe is talented no doubt but may be hindered by his running style.
12Cowboy CalTodd PletcherHe has the pedigree to love Churchill if he can repeat his Bluegrass effort.
13Denis of CorkDavid CarrollTraining well at the Downs and may surprise if he can get in.
14Cool Coal ManNick ZitoHe is working well and has won over the Churchill track but must improve.
15RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIIIllinois Derby winner may not get to be alone on the front here.
16Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Questionable to go with recent fever. Questionable to be at best anyway.
17Anak NakalNick ZitoHis biggest win came in the KJC at Churchill but he needs to improve.
18Bob Black JackJames KasparoffCan't deny that this one has outrun his pedigree. Now must get in.
19Z HumorBill MottDelta jackpot winner would be a big surprise off his recent form.
20El Gato MaloCraig DollaseOn the outside looking in with limited graded earnings.

Dan Shapiro's Picks

Last updated May 2, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1Eight BellesLarry JonesFits on numbers, size and talent
2Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Could be simply better than these, but the 20 post is scary
3Colonel JohnEoin HartyShould be flying late, but could be a synthetic specialist
4Court VisionBill MottMay be peaking now; Gomez will work out a trip
5Cool Coal ManNick ZitoLikes Churchill; live longshot
6Z FortuneSteve AsmussenUnderrated performance in Arkansas Derby; live
7GayegoPaulo LoboPost and pedigree may be too much to overcome
8PyroSteve AsmussenNot getting good vibes, but last at Keeneland is a complete toss
9AdrianoGraham MotionTrains like he handles dirt; Prado's pick
10MonbaTodd PletcherPletcher's best shot
11VisionaireMichael MatzMay not be good engough, but highly respect Matz
12Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Improving at the right time; best of rest in fast Fla Derby
13RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIIBig effort to win Illinois Derby, but may be a cut below
14Denis of CorkDavid CarrollDon't liek the way he was managed
15Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggWood win final time was slow
16Bob Black JackJames KasparoffFuels the pace
17Cowboy CalTodd PletcherPedigree says dirt shouldn't be a problem
18Z HumorBill MottDisappointing so far this year
19Anak NakalNick ZitoNeeds to show more
20Big TruckBarclay TaggA cut below

John Asher's Picks

Last updated April 21, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1PyroSteve AsmussenBack on top, I'll take it on faith that Monday's foggy work was okay
2Colonel JohnEoin HartySouthern California's best looked great on Monday arrival at CD
3AdrianoGraham MotionNot a good work horse, but has handled Churchill surface okay
4Court VisionBill MottLove the way he's training at Churchill, could win it all for Mott
5Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Much history to overcome and figures to face pace duel
6Eight BellesLarry JonesIf there was ever a year to try a filly against colts, this could be it
7MonbaTodd PletcherToyota Blue Grass winner already proven over Churchill dirt
8Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggWood winner needs to take big step up to win the Derby
9GayegoPaulo LoboArkansas Derby win showed traditional dirt was no worry
10Denis of CorkDavid CarrollVery sharp in wake-up work on Monday at CD, could get in
11Bob Black JackJames KasparoffGood runner-up in SA Derby, California horses have run well
12VisionaireMichael MatzMatz trainee is better than he looked in Blue Grass, but wasn't everyone?
13Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Stutts working on old-time, distance loving schedule
14Z FortuneSteve AsmussenNice rebound effort in Arkansas Derby
15RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIIRoussel hope no Risen Star, but will contibute to the pace
16Cool Coal ManNick ZitoIllinois Derby winner figures to be part of Derby pace
17Anak NakalNick ZitoZito hope ran best race ever in Kentucky Jockey Club at CD
18Big TruckBarclay TaggToyota Blue Grass a complete throwout
19Cowboy CalTodd PletcherWould need easy trip up front in Derby -- how often does that happen?
20Z HumorBill MottWill make the field, but has never shown that he's close to good enough

James Scully's Picks

Last updated May 2, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1Denis of CorkDavid CarrollLate runner is training great and loves Churchill; upset pick
2Z FortuneSteve AsmussenLoved his runner-up in Ark Derby; closer could be a live longshot
3Colonel JohnEoin HartyAppears to be relishing dirt at Churchill; must respect
4Court VisionBill MottHe'll get blinkers and appears to be flourishing at CD; dangerous late runner
5PyroSteve AsmussenHe's bounced back after Blue Grass debacle; no surprise to see him come out on top
6Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Most talented horse in the field, but doubt he can get distance
7Cowboy CalTodd PletcherConsistent as they come; tries to shift his talent to the main track.
8Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Can't recommend, but would love to see underdog get involved in the stretch
9MonbaTodd PletcherBlue Grass winner has won at Churchill before
10Eight BellesLarry JonesFilly doesn't face the deepest field; she's a serious exotics contender
11VisionaireMichael MatzIsn't bred for 10 furlongs, but figures to be running late for Matz
12GayegoPaulo LoboDistance challenged, but would move up on mud
13Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggOwns the right running style, but he might not be fast enough
14AdrianoGraham MotionNice colt, but believe he's better on turf/synthetic
15Cool Coal ManNick ZitoHe runs well from the rail and has Zito in his corner
16RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIIProbably lost all chance with the outside post
17Bob Black JackJames KasparoffHe's ultra game, but 10 furlongs looks too far
18Z HumorBill MottWell-bred but will need to improve significantly to challenge
19Anak NakalNick ZitoHis efforts this year are too disappointing to recommend
20Big TruckBarclay TaggHe's probably not good enough

Joe Kristufek's Picks

Last updated April 30, 2008
RankHorseTrainerComments
1Colonel JohnEoin HartyHe keeps getting better, and has been a dirt monster since arriving at Churchill.
2PyroSteve AsmussenI'm willing to toss the Blue Grass. He hasn't done anything spectacular in his recent training, but the real PYRO may show up on Saturday.
3Big BrownRichard Dutrow, Jr.Dutrow is supremely confident, and believes this colt is simply better than these. He's a freak, but mental toughness is a major factor in the Kentucky Derby equation. Does he have enough experience?
4MonbaTodd PletcherBack on track in Blue Grass, and he already owns a win at Churchill. Pletcher back in the game.
5Denis of CorkDavid CarrollI'm tossing the Illinois Derby. His recent work at Churchill was spectacular, and he does have freshness on his side.
6RecapturethegloryLouie J. Roussel IIICan't help but think about War Emblem. Defection of War Pass helps the cause.
7GayegoPaulo LoboWorkmanlike performance in his Arkansas Derby win; Derby will be much tougher, and the distance is a concern.
8Tale Of EkatiBarclay TaggRan down a tired War Pass in the Wood, but still has room for improvement.
9Eight BellesLarry JonesFemales should never run against the boys unless they have nothing left to prove in their own division. The way this gal is training, perhaps she's an exception to my self imposed rule.
10Court VisionBill MottHe should have run a lot better in the Wood. That being said, perhaps he still has room for improvement. He has trained well this week.
11AdrianoGraham MotionNot thrilled with the way he's trained at Churchill this week. Maybe he is a turf/Polytrack horse.
12Z FortuneSteve AsmussenGot back on track in the Arkansas Derby. What you see is what you get, and it might be good enough for a spot in the Derby Superfecta.
13Anak NakalNick ZitoHas been a mystery horse all spring, but he seems to have picked it up in his recent training.
14VisionaireMichael MatzDid a little late running in the Blue Grass. High Five?
15Bob Black JackJames KasparoffHeld his own against California's best. The distance is a BIG ?
16Cowboy CalTodd PletcherPrefers turf or Polytrack, but you must respect the team.
17Cool Coal ManNick ZitoNot a big fan of the Florida preps. Just don't think he's that good.
18Smooth AirBennie Stutts Jr.Slowed by sickness last week, but he appears to be coming around a bit.
19Big TruckBarclay TaggHe's trained well this week, but is he good enough to make a dent?
20Z HumorBill MottNeeds to bounce back in a big way.