2015 Kentucky Derby Prep Season Awards
That’s all folks! The 2015 Kentucky Derby prep season is in the books and now we have three weeks to prepare for the 141st Run for the Roses. We have been treated to some excellent racing along the way, and I truly feel that this is one of the best three-year-old crops in quite some time. In my opinion, there is a solid top and solid middle tier of runners, any of who could find victory at Churchill. But like I said, we have three weeks to analyze, reanalyze and then analyze some more…if only we studied so hard in school! So before we try to hand out the Triple Crown, lets hand out a couple awards that celebrate this fantastic time of the year.
Most Impressive Win: Dortmund in the Robert B. Lewis
Dortmund displayed grit, toughness and a lot of heart when he defeated Firing Line in this February prep. Firing Line took control of the race late, but Dortmund’s mid-stretch comeback was the move that solidified him a Derby contender. This huge colt simply refused to lose that day. This victory became even sweeter when Firing Line romped to a huge victory next time out in the Sunland Derby. Dortmund did not just beat anybody, he beat a really good horse!
Best Supporting Actor: John R. Velazquez
This guy is on fire. In a matter of 7 days he rode Materiality to victory in the Florida Derby and Carpe Diem to victory in the Blue Grass. The only downside for John is that he can only ride one of these contenders in the Derby, unless Pletcher can find a way to clone him before then. Oh yeah, and he has also been the main jockey for Madefromlucky who sits on the bubble. It has been an impressive prep season for Velazquez.
Biggest Surprise: International Star
There have not been many surprises along the trail this year, as favorites have won most of the contests and the horses we expected to see in contention are still there. But at the start of the year, few of us saw International Star as the horse with the most points and a legitimate shot to win the Kentucky Derby let along start in it. After a 9th in the BC Juvenile Turf and a flat 4th in the Jockey Cup, he was not heading in a promising direction, however he has been a Ragin Cajun since arriving at Fair Grounds, winning all 3 of his 2015 starts. He was the 7th choice on the board before his LeComte victory and was not even favored when he backed it up in the Risen Star. Now he is certain to be among the top tier of Derby contenders that first Saturday in May.
Biggest Letdown: Big Name Injuries
We have grown accustomed to injuries and defections during prep season and this year was no exception. Texas Red, Far from Over and Calculator are a just a few of the horses that will not compete in this year’s Kentucky Derby. I wish them all a speedy recovery and look forward to their return to the track. Their defection’s change the dynamic of the race as they liked to save their best running for late. We have a lack of closers this year and at least two of these horses could have changed that.
Best Race: Louisiana Derby
This was a tough one for me. Many of the races this year have featured exciting duels, but I was looking for the most complete race of the prep season from top to bottom. I landed on the Louisiana Derby but the Blue Grass was a very close runner-up. I may be a bit partial since I was there, but after watching several replays of this race, it was wide open at the top of the stretch before Stanford and International Star pulled away. I think this race may best mimic what we see in the Derby. At this time, it appears 4 or 5 of the runners from this race will be in the Derby starting gate. I do believe this was one of the most competitive fields of the season.