Top 10 Kentucky Derby Bubble Contenders
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After spending the last week in Las Vegas watching enough basketball to last a lifetime for most, I saw bubbles get burst, Cindarellas dance and teams fall short of expectations (sorry Missouri, not really). With the Kentucky Derby just a mere 6 weeks away, there are many horses people view as contenders, but are on proverbial bubble as they are not in the top 20 of graded stakes earnings. Here’s a look at my top 10 bubble horses that could make a splash on the first Saturday in May.
1.Take Charge Indy (#33 $98,400) was impressive when 2nd to El Padrino in a January allowance race at Gulfstream Park, but then bypassed the Tampa Bay Derby when drawing an outside post. His chance of making the derby field depends solely on how he performs in the ultra-competitive Florida Derby (3/31/12) when taking on Union Rags and the aforementioned El Padrino.
2.Bodemeister (#50 $60,000) is the namesake of trainer Bob Baffert’s son and would be higher on the list if it were not for a narrow defeat to Creative Cause in the San Felipe Stakes. Though he will be a tough customer wherever he runs, Bodemeister is targeted to make his next start in either the Arkansas (4/14) or Santa Anita Derby (4/7).
3.Mark Valeski (#50 $60,000) pressed El Padrino the length of the Fair Grounds stretch when running 2nd in the Risen Star Stakes on 2/25. He is slated to run next in the Louisiana Derby on 4/1, which may come up a little light with the game of musical chairs some of the top derby contenders have been playing the last 10 days.
4.Gemologist (#30 $103,855) made a triumphant return to the races when cruising to a 7 length allowance win in his 3 year old debut. Trainer Todd Pletcher has targeted Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial on 4/7 as the next race for the undefeated son of Tiznow.
5.My Adonis (#22 $130,000) has already proven himself worthy of competing at the highest level when running second in Aqueduct’s Gotham Stakes and third in Gulfstream Park’s Holy Bull Stakes. Like Gemologist, My Adonis has the Wood Memorial Stakes circled on his calendar as the stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby.
6.News Pending (#41 $80,000) was a respectable 2nd to Union Rags is Gulfstream Park's Fountain of Youth Stakes, when racing closer to pace then ever before. Trainer Dale Romans will be looking to turn the tables on Union Rags when they meet again in the Florida Derby.
7.Lucky Chappy (#28 $115,000) was a unlucky runner-up in Golden Gate’s El Camino Real Derby last out. Though the Irish-bred son of High Chapparal has never raced on dirt, Lucky Chappy hails from the same owner/trainer combination who won last year’s Kentucky Derby with Animal Kingdom when making his first start on dirt. You will have to wake up early if you want to watch Lucky Chappy’s next race, as he is scheduled to compete in UAE Derby at Dubai’s Meydan Race Course on the morning of 3/31.
8.Empire Way (#40 $85,000) is a full brother to 3-year-old filly champion Royal Delta, has not filled his big sister’s shoes, but ran credibly when 2nd to I’ll Have Another in Santa Anita’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes on 2/4. In his last start, Empire Way was a very disappointing 9th in the San Felipe Stakes. Though not confirmed, Empire Way will most likely run next in the Santa Anita Derby. Empire Way has the look of an one-paced plodder, but it was this style that helped Giacomo capture the 2005 Kentucky Derby.
9.Midnight Transfer (#59 $36,000) made his 2-turn debut with a 3rd place finish in the San Felipe Stakes on 3/10. The Carla Gaines son of Hard Spun is scheduled to run next in the Santa Anita Derby.
10.Scatman (#32 $100,000) is a speedy son of Scat Daddy who managed a 2nd in Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes and a 3rd in the Rebel Stakes when being defeated by Secret Circle both times. Though stretching his speed a mile & a quarter may be in question, Scatman will try to punch his ticket to Louisville on 4/14 in the Arkansas Derby.
Honorable mentions include American Act, Discreet Dancer, Ever So Lucky, Motor City and Thunder Moccasin.
Please be sure to follow me on Twitter-@Cappercorner and/or friend me on facebook.com to continue the horse racing conversation!
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