Kentucky Derby 2018 pedigrees: On Magnum Moon and more

Before the 100-point 2018 Kentucky Derby prep races begin this weekend, let's look at a few more recent winners on the trail, plus another maiden expected to join the fray soon.

Do they want the Derby's 1 1/4-mile distance?

Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Magnum Moon is looking to be the second Kentucky Derby winner sired by Malibu Moon, who brought us 2013 winner Orb. Magnum Moon has a more forward running style, however, and won't need the pace meltdown Orb required. That said, Magnum Moon is up against the curse of Apollo, with no horse winning the Derby without racing at age 2 since 1882. Magnum Moon's dam, Dazzling Song, was un-raced, but she is out of Grade 3 winner Win McCool (13: 3-2-1-2, $219K), who is a half-sister to Arkansas Derby winner Graeme Hall (by Dehere) and Grade 1 winner Harmony Lodge (by Hennessy). There is enough class here that Magnum Moon might be enough to end the streak.

Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Blended Citizen is a half brother to Kentucky Derby 2017 runner-up Lookin At Lee (by Lookin at Lucky). That runner-up finish is deceiving, however, as Lookin At Lee has won only two career races, one at six furlongs and the Ellis Park Juvenile stakes at 7/8 of a mile. He makes a decent living picking up checks in longer races, but he just can't quite get the win. Sire Proud Citizen himself was a runner-up in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and won the Lexington Stakes at 8.5 furlongs. Blended Citizen's dam, Langara Lass, is a two-time stakes winner at 8.5 furlongs, taking the Hastings Park Fantasy Stakes and the Northlands Park Sonoma Handicap. This does not give one confidence in his ability to get the 10-furlong trip.

This Sunday maiden winner is pointing to the Florida Derby for trainer Dale Romans, but is he really a Derby horse? Sire Curlin over a Giant's Causeway mare = needs at least a mile to get going! The broodmare side of King Zachary's pedigree is legit for distances a mile and beyond. On My Way won one race at 1 mile and once at 8.5 furlongs. Her full-sibling, Incalzando, won routinely over 8 furlongs (20: 8-5-0-2, $100K). There are no stakes winners in King Zachary's immediate female pedigree, though, which is cause for concern.