Pool 1

#1

ANAK NAKAL is the lesser known Nick Zito trainee going into Derby season this year in the shadow of undefeated champion War Pass. He has, however, put together three good races including a second place finish in the Nashua Stakes (GIII) in just his second career start and a tenacious win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) over the Churchill Downs racing strip. He has been training aggressively in Florida preparing for a 3-year-old campaign which his connections hope will send him to Kentucky; a proven affinity for the racetrack is certainly a built in advantage.

Odds: 20-1

#2

BLACKBERRY ROAD is a half brother to Vindication, an undefeated 2-year-old champion in his day. He wasn’t altogether uninspiring in his 3-year-old bow when finishing second to undefeated Z Fortune in the Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course. Kentucky Derby prognosticators may have expected more from him in that effort after he closed out his 2-year-old season with a stellar performance in the Kentucky Jockey Club where he finished second by a negligible margin by Anak Nakal after closing furiously along the rail. He will wheel right back in the Risen Star (GIII) this weekend where he will face the likes of Pyro and Z Fortune; it would be wise to hold off on this one until seeing how that race goes.

Odds: 20-1

#3

BOB BLACK JACK is notable in that he set a world record in his last start, burning through six furlongs in 1:06 2/5 over the conveyer belt cushion surface at Santa Anita. While there is no denying his wicked speed and immense talent as a sprinter, one may be reluctant to throw such enthusiastic support behind the notion that he will be able to carry that speed 1 ¼-miles in the Kentucky Derby. He has shown no indication that routing will be his game which makes him a tough investment here at any odds.

Odds: 50-1

#4

COLONEL JOHN ran a monstrous race in the CashCall Futurity (GI), nearly catching Into Mischief in the late stages of the race. He showed true professionalism in that race to split rivals and show interest in the end. While Monba has typically been given more fulsome praise for his late kick in that race, Colonel John was arguably putting out just as much exertion as his grey foe. He has been training aggressively for his return at Santa Anita, including a sizzling six furlong move in 1:10 4/5, easily the best of 18 works at the distance that morning. At 30-1 he seems like a live longshot to give full consideration.

Odds: 30-1

#5

COURT VISION figures to vie for favoritism with War Pass and Pyro after putting together a nice record last year as a 2-year-old. His only loss last year was his career debut which came at a sprint distance; since stretching out to two turns he has been unstoppable. His best effort came in his last start of the season when he took the Remsen Stakes (GII) despite being the victim of awful traffic problems. Most consider him to be the best of a good bunch in the Bill Mott barn. He sports a regal pedigree and has been training consistently at Payson Park in advance of his much anticipated 3-year-old bow. You will have to watch the way his odds fluctuate as the pool drags on, but his opening price of 12-1 sounds quite reasonable if you like him.

Odds: 12-1

#6

COWBOY CAL has drawn comparisons to Barbaro in regards to the path he has thus far taken as a Kentucky Derby aspirant. Like the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, Cowboy Cal has taken the Laurel Futurity and Tropical Park Derby (GIII) and will start next in the Fountain of Youth. He has simply dominated all comers since breaking his maiden last year; he took the Tropical Park Derby to start off his 3-year-old campaign, and he did so with a final time of 1:46 4/5 seconds, a wicked fast final time for the turf course at Calder Race Course. He also boasts an enviable pedigree which suggests that the switch back to the main track should be no cause for concern. Some tout him as being the best in Todd Pletcher’s barn.

Odds: 20-1

#7

CROWN OF THORNS burst onto the scene with an authoritative 2 ½-length victory in the Robert B. Lewis (GII) at Santa Anita; the win was not only a visually impressive effort but also notable since Crown of Thorns was jumping straight from maiden company to graded stakes action, and from sprint races to his first route race. He certainly seems like the real deal, but will probably have to tackle some more intimidating rivals than those he met in his last race.

Odds: 20-1

#8

DENIS OF CORK remains the buzz horse of the season after a come from behind maiden breaking victory in his career debut at Churchill Downs led to a follow up win over first level allowance foes at Fair Grounds. He has been receiving more favorable press coverage that his more credentialed stablemate Blackberry Road, another David Carroll trainee. Denis of Cork is likely pointing to the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park and could very well catch another soft field. At some point, though, this critter will have to step up into the big leagues and face the best of his division. He is a salty bet this early in the game.

Odds: 30-1

#9

EL GATO MALO sports an undefeated record from three starts. He burst onto the Derby scene with his emphatic 6 ¼-length victory in the San Rafael (GIII) at Santa Anita in his most recent start. He closed from nearly ten lengths off the lead in the early goings of the race to blow by the entire field in the stretch en route to a powerful and commanding victory. The question surround his Kentucky Derby candidacy is his ability to go a true distance of ground against the best sophomores of the division. His pedigree offers certain worrying signs about his ability to go much further than a mile. At some point he will also have to be tested by more accomplished rivals than he found in the San Rafael Stakes. Time will certainly smoke him out one way or the other, but he seems like a risky venture at 15-1.

Odds: 15-1

#10

ETCHED showed all the promise in the world in two starts as a 2-year-old in New York. He broke his maiden without any effort and followed that up with a brilliant win in the Nashua Stakes (GIII) by over six lengths while defeating a field that includes subsequent graded stakes winner Anak Nakal. Perhaps still the most alluring thing about him is his pedigree with a speedy sire and stamina influence on the bottom with Breeders’ Cup winner Unbridled Elaine. However, to place your bet on this one is to acknowledge the likelihood of the “Dubai” strategy working out this year. Etched as been shipped overseas and will not race in this country again before the Kentucky Derby. This odd way of chasing roses has not worked in the past, or even come close recently.

Odds: 15-1

#11

GEORGIE BOY was a notable 2-year-old last season after he closed from last to take the Del Mar Futurity (GI). However, that was his last start to date. It was a flashy win, but it came at a sprint distance; his pedigree doesn’t suggest routing will be his game. While he has been working aggressively for his return he will be fighting the calendar if he hopes to truly stretch out before the Kentucky Derby.

Odds: 20-1

#12

GIANT MOON is one of several undefeated sophomores in this first wagering pool. He sports four wins from as many starts, including a resolute victory in the Count Fleet Stakes last time out at Aqueduct. That race marked his first start against open company and proved to be a validating score for the son of Giant’s Causeway. He hasn’t had a true class test yet which makes him tough to support against others in this pool.

Odds: 20-1

#13

INTO MISCHIEF heads into this weekend’s San Vicente Stakes (GII) as your likely favorite after an impressive victory in the CashCall Futurity (GI) to close out his two-year-old campaign. B. Wayne Hughes and Richard Mandella team up as the owner/trainer combo on this talented son of Harlan’s Holiday, and it looks unlikely that this one will try the traditional dirt surface until the gates open on May 3rd. Synthetic tries have all been eye-catching though and the cut back in distance this weekend shouldn’t be looked at as a negative considering the connections. Graded earnings shouldn’t be a problem, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, you’re likely to see a fresh horse sitting on a big effort when he gets to Kentucky.

Odds: 20-1

#14

MAJESTIC WARRIOR is an extremely well bred son of A.P. Indy out of the top-class mare Dream Supreme, and he has backed up the flashy pedigree on the racetrack, collecting a Grade One win in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga in only his second lifetime start. Tried the Champagne Stakes (GI) next out, and the result was a less than flattering sixth place finish. Put on the shelf after that one, and is only a few works away from making his three-year-old debut for top trainer Bill Mott. The rest should have done this one well, and a return to his two-year-old form would put him right in the upper echelon of Kentucky Derby contenders.

Odds: 15-1

#15

MONBA comes out of the top barn of Champion trainer Todd Pletcher, and looks to be pointing towards the prep races in Florida after making his stakes debut on the Cushion Track surface at Santa Anita last out in The CashCall Futurity (GI.) Ran a big race there, finishing fourth by a shade over two lengths to the aforementioned Into Mischief. Closed well that day, and it looks as if there are bigger things to come from this striking son of Maria’s Mon. This one broke his maiden impressively at Churchill Downs in his first lifetime start, and then stretched out to a mile in an ultra-tough allowance where we saw him prevail by a neck over confirmed stakes horses. Pletcher will have the screws tightened on this one next out, and we’ll likely see a big effort.

Odds: 30-1

#16

PYRO was second best to the eventual two-year-old Champion male War Pass in his final two races of his juvenile campaign, and finally gets a break this weekend when he makes his 3yo bow in the Risen Star Stakes (GIII.) Comes out of the Steve Asmussen barn, and is highly regarded by many. Ran faster than all but one in his two stakes tries, and if he can repeat those speed figures he’s a force to be reckoned with. Maturity and added distance can only help this son of Pulpit, and top conditioner Asmussen will be better prepared for the Triple Crown series after last year’s successful run with eventual Horse Of The Year Curlin.

Odds: 12-1

#17

SIGNATURE MOVE makes his stakes debut on Saturday, February 9th in The Risen Star Stakes (GIII) at The Fair Grounds. Son of Vindication who has won his last two races impressively, both of those going two turns on the Cushion Track. Tries the dirt for the first time this weekend and much tougher company than he has been facing. Has been working nicely for his stakes debut, but will have to get faster and keep improving to become a top contender. Could jump right into the scene with a big effort this weekend.

Odds: 50-1

#18

SMOOTH AIR has thus far been a sprinter, and won the 7 furlong Hutcheson Stakes (GII) last out in his stakes debut. While his past performances don’t necessarily scream Derby contender, this son of Smooth Jazz could stretch out and possibly get the added ground. Acid test will likely come soon, but this one has never finished out of the money and seems to be a genuine racehorse.

Odds: 20-1

#19

TALE OF EKATI is another runner who was put away for the winter after being beaten by open lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Barclay Tagg runner was top-class before that sub-par effort and possibly just didn’t handle the monsoon like conditions at Monmouth that day. Impressive winner of the Belmont Futurity (GII) in September of his two-year-old year, and has been working steadily for his three-year-old debut. Tagg is no stranger to the Kentucky Derby trail, winning with Funny Cide in 2003 and bringing a top contender last year in Nobiz Like Shobiz. This one will be fresh and ready for his preparation, and will be right in the mix if he can return to form. Distance questions could arise, as this son of Tale Of The Cat has never been past 7 furlongs save for his uneventful Breeders’ Cup try. That question will be answered soon enough. Look for this one to jump onto the scene soon.

Odds: 20-1

#20

WAR PASS, the Champion Two-Year-Old male of 2007 looks to be almost set to make his three-year-old debut for the loaded barn of Nick Zito. This colt has yet to see one in front of him, and has answered every question asked of him in brilliant style. Two Grade One wins under his belt as a juvenile assured him the divisional championship honors, and catapulted him to early favoritism for this year’s Kentucky Derby. Has looked bullet-proof so far, winning the Champagne (GI) over Pyro with ease and then blowing away the competition in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over a sloppy Monmouth Park oval. Just worked a bullet on February 2nd, and Zito won’t sit on him too much longer. Definitely a top contender at this stage, and the sky is the limit for this son of Cherokee Run.

Odds: 12-1

#21

YANKEE BRAVO, who was an impressive winner of the California Derby at Golden Gate in only his third lifetime start looks to be a serious racehorse that will get better as the Spring progresses. Paddy Gallagher tried this British import on the turf for his first start stateside, where we saw the Yankee Gentleman colt win the Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita Park. In only his second U.S. start after being shipped over, he was thrown into stakes company on the Tapeta surface and responded to the challenge by overcoming a wide and troubled trip to score a comfortable one-length victory. Couldn’t necessarily be considered a top Derby contender this early, but is a game little colt who likes to win. Sky’s the limit here.

Odds: 20-1

#22

Z FORTUNE also tries the Risen Star Stakes (GIII) this Saturday at Fair Grounds along with his better-fancied stablemate Pyro. This New York bred son of Siphon exploded onto the Louisiana scene in January, making quick work of a respectable Lecomte Stakes (GIII) field. Now three for three lifetime, he’ll try to stay unbeaten and looks to have every chance to do so. This one’s top connections and ability to use different tactics when racing put him in a great spot to flourish down south and be ready for the big one on the first Saturday in May. Could be any kind, and can’t be overlooked.

Odds: 20-1

#23

Z HUMOR comes out of the Bill Mott barn as well and looks to have already earned his place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate with a win in the Delta Jackpot (GIII) in December of his two-year-old year. Hasn’t returned to the races since that effort, but has been working steadily at Payson Park for his anticipated season debut. Son of Distorted Humor out of an A.P. Indy mare shouldn’t have any trouble with the distance, and it looks like Mott is taking his time with this one to have him fresh when it comes time. Should see this one’s name in the entry box soon, and he will have likely matured and be rearing to go for top conditioner Mott.

Odds: 15-1

#24

FIELD