James Scully's Derby Report

Monday's inaugural running of the Smarty Jones S. turned into a Holy Bull memorial when his sons, LIBERTY BULL and ISABULL, distanced themselves from the rest of the field nearing the conclusion of the far turn. The pair battled to the one-mile finishing pole at Oaklawn Park, but Isabull could never draw even with his rival, falling a neck short on the wire. Liberty Bull garnered his first stakes victory

Trained by Tom Amoss, Liberty Bull was exiting a second, beaten 8 3/4 lengths, to Sok Sok (Trippi) in the six-furlong Sugar Bowl S. at Fair Grounds on December 22. A maiden winner in the mud at Churchill Downs in mid-November, the gray colt was making his first start around two turns in the Smarty Jones. Liberty Bull earned only a 92 BRIS Speed rating and may not want much more ground than a mile, but he showed plenty of heart and owns room for improvement.

Isabull, who wrapped up 2007 with a pair of sixth-placed efforts in allowance races, turned in an encouraging seasonal debut. The Steve Hobby charge overcame post 12 and a wide trip to finish a clear second.

GAYEGO (Gilded Time) captured Sunday's San Pedro S. at Santa Anita, rallying from just off the pace for a 2 3/4-length decision. Trainer Paulo Lobo indicated a willingness to try two turns following the race, but the talented colt is probably best suited for sprints. It's interesting to note that Gayego finished 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:13, with the six-furlong split in 1:06 4/5 over the lightning-fast Cushion Track. Despite the near world-record final time, the dark bay colt received only a 99 Speed rating. They couldn't run much faster on asphalt.

In allowance and maiden events of interest, FIERCE WIND (Dixie Union) stamped himself as one to watch with a resounding 5 1/4-length score at Gulfstream on Monday. A 10 1/4-length maiden special weight winner at Calder in his previous start, the Nick Zito-trained colt led from gate-to-wire in the 1 1/8-mile allowance, improving to two-for-two in routes. Fierce Wind entered the stretch drive with a two-length advantage and quickly drew off from 3-5 favorite SOUTHERN TERMINUS (More Than Ready), who was exiting a sharp debut maiden victory at Aqueduct for Todd Pletcher. Both horses gained valuable seasoning, and both are likely headed to stakes company. Fierce Wind earned a 94 Speed rating, but don't be surprised to see his numbers increase significantly in the future.

DENIS OF CORK (Harlan's Holiday) remained perfect with a good-looking allowance score at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Now two-for-two under David Carroll's tutelage, the bay colt caught a sloppy track while stretching out two turns for the first time in the one-mile and 40-yard heat. He rated off slow fractions and finished up nicely for the narrow win after traveling wide on both turns. Denis of Cork earned a 107 BRIS Late Pace rating when closing from far back in his career debut at Churchill in late November, and the Florida-bred colt packs a formidable late kick.

FERRAGAMO (Vindication) made a favorable impression in his three-year-old debut, taking a six-furlong allowance/optional claiming test at Oaklawn Park on Sunday. Conditioned by Larry Jones, Ferragamo went right to the front and ripped off early splits in :21 3/5 and :44 4/5 on a clear lead en route to a 4 3/4-length decision. While there's no guarantee he'll stretch out, the dark bay colt owns the pedigree to handle longer distances. It will be interesting to see whether he can keep moving forward.

Barclay Tagg sent out a pair of convincing maiden winners over the weekend at Gulfstream, winning a sprint with JOCKEY RIDGE (Broken Vow) and a route with ELYSIUM FIELDS (El Prado [Ire]). We'll focus upon the latter. After placing in all three starts last year, Elysium Fields broke through in a big way on Saturday, winning by eight lengths under a hand ride from Eibar Coa. The bay colt stalked the pace until being given his cue on the far turn, quickly turning a small deficit into a clear lead in upper stretch, and Elysium Fields continued to pour it on in the 1 1/8-mile race. His 90 Speed rating was surprisingly a little low.

First-timer KENTUCKY BEAR (Mr. Greeley) looked like a colt with a future when romping at Gulfstream on Monday. The Reade Baker runner sat just off the pace before advancing to the lead in midstretch of the one-mile maiden race and finished powerfully in deep stretch, recording a 6 1/2-length decision. He's closely related to multiple Grade 2 winner Top Secret (Afleet), who finished second in the 1996 Spinster S. (G1) and earned nearly $1 million, and his connections are likely fielding offers from prospective buyers. Curlin (Smart Strike) earned a 101 Speed rating and an 80-percent interest sold for a reported $3.5 million following his impressive career bow at Gulfstream last February. Kentucky Bear registered a 102 Speed rating.

Upcoming

Golden Gate Fields will host the California Derby this Sunday, but we have to wait until February 2, when Santa Anita will host the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2) and Gulfstream offers the Swale S. (G2), for the next graded races for sophomores.

Top 10

1) COURT VISION -- Bill Mott pupil will return in February 24 Fountain of Youth (G2)

2) COLONEL JOHN -- Ended last year with two promising efforts

3) TALE OF EKATI -- Grade 2 winner is working well for Tagg at Palm Meadows

4) INTO MISCHIEF -- Smart win in CashCall Futurity (G1)

5) MAJESTIC WARRIOR -- March return means he'll enter Derby lightly raced

6) PYRO -- Juvenile (G1) runner-up leads Steve Asmussen contingent

7) WAR PASS -- Speed

8) VISIONAIRE -- Impressive allowance winner at Gulfstream

9) ETCHED -- Unbeaten Godolphin runner looks very talented

10) EL GATO MALO -- Smashing San Rafael S. (G3) victor figures to remain a major presence in Derby preps