Kentucky Derby 2018 Scouting Report: Central Division

By Christine Oser

With the Keeneland and Churchill Downs fall meets finished, many of the central 2018 Kentucky Derby contenders are moving farther South until spring. Three regional point races have run so far – the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes, the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Stakes and the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes – with each awarding points on a 10-4-2-1 basis to the top four finishers. 

Here's a look at the best so far on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Top 10 Derby Contenders (Central Division)

(Sire – Trainer – Owner – Kentucky Derby Points)

1.) Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro – Kiaran McLaughlin – Godolphin Racing LLC – 12): After starting out in New York – including a third in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes behind Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic – Enticed shipped in to win the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes by a head bob. Jockey Junior Alvarado settled his mount in third and rallied on the outside to best Tiz Mischief. 

2.) Tiz Mischief (Into Mischief – Dale Romans – Frank L. Jones Jr. – 4): Tiz Mischief broke his maiden at Keeneland before going on to a game second in the Kentucky Jockey Club. Enticed caught him just at the wire, but Tiz Mischief put in a good effort in his first stakes.

3.) Dak Attack (Ghostzapper – Dale Romans – Albaugh Family Stable and Brereton C. Jones – 0): Like the first two, Dak Attack was sideline- after winning the Ellis Park Juvenile by three lengths and is unbeaten in two starts. He returned to the work tab at Churchill Downs this month, working three furlongs in :38.40 and a half-mile in :51.40.

4.) Sporting Chance (Tiznow – D. Wayne Lucas – Robert C. Baker and William L. Mack – 0): Another sidelined horse, Sporting Chance made an impressive move to win the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes. The horse ducked out close to the finish line, nearly lost jockey Luis Saez, and composed himself just in time to beat Free Drop Billy.

5.) New York Central (Tapit – Steve Asmussen – WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International, and SF Racing LLC – 0): This colt with lofty connections is only a maiden winner in two starts, but drew off to win by 7 ¼ lengths.                   

6.) Copper Bullet (More Than Ready – Steve Asmussen – Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC – 0): The Grade 2 Saratoga Special winner drew off by four lengths in his last outing. However, he has been sidelined since summer and missed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

7.) Free Drop Billy (Union Rags – Dale Romans – Albaugh Family Stables LLC – 10): Outside of a ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Free Drop Billy has been consistent throughout his five starts. He was a debut winner, was runner-up in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes and the Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga, and went on the win the Breeders’ Futurity by four lengths.

8.) The Tabulator (Dialed In – Larry Rivelli – Carolyn Wilson – 10): The Tabulator won first out in a three-horse field before winning the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes. He received more attention after winning the Iroquois and was most recently fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

9.) Gotta Go (Shanghai Bobby – Ian Wilkes – Lothenbach Stables – 0): This flashy grey scored a 4 ¾-length maiden victory before rallying to a thrilling win in the Street Sense Stakes. His rail position did not seem to suit him in the Kentucky Jockey Club, where he finished 13th after traffic trouble.

10.) Hollywood Star (Malibu Moon – Dale Romans – Albaugh Family Stables, LLC – 4): He followed his winning debut with runner-up efforts in the Saratoga Special and the Iroquois, only losing by three-quarters of a length in the latter. He last raced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to finish sixth.

On the Bubble

Seven Trumpets (Morning Line – Dale Romans – West Point Thoroughbreds – 0): Seven Trumpets broke his maiden second time out by 3 ½ lengths. He followed that with an allowance optional claiming score.  

High North (Midnight Lute – Brad Cox – Shortleaf Stable, Inc. – 1): High North entered the Kentucky Jockey Club after breaking his maiden and accomplished a fourth place finish after avoiding a loose horse toward the rear early in the race.

Curlin’s Honor (Curlin – Mark Casse – John Oxley and Breeze Easy, LLC – 0): A $1.5 million 2 year old, Curlin’s Honor was a debut winner at Keeneland. He’s had no works since his one race though.

Key Dates

Dec. 17 – Springboard Mile at Remington Park – 10-4-2-1

Jan. 13 – Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds – 10-4-2-1

Jan. 15 – Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park – 10-4-2-1