Classic Champion Thoroughbreds

Friday, October 6, 2017

Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us to Keeneland Race Course Saturday where FREE DROP BILLY heads a herd of 13 young Thoroughbreds as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 104^th running of the $500,000 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) stakes. Post time is 5:10 p.m. ET.

Free Drop Billy comes into this race for trainer Dale Romans with 1-2-0 record in three starts including a second-place finish in both Sanford Stakes (G3) and Hopeful Stakes (G1). Here’s the video and chart call of the Hopeful:

FREE DROP BILLY five wide in pursuit down the backstretch from the tail of the field early on, advanced into the turn and was put to coaxing four wide three furlongs from home, swung five wide from the head of the stretch, rallied with good energy to threat in the late stages, had the aforementioned foe [SPORTING CHANCE] duck out safely in front, never lost any momentum as the rider kept on about his business unabashed by the leader and missed at the wire.

Free Drop Billy has come up short of victory in his last two sprint races. However, with an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, he’s one of the best bred colts in this race and I think he will appreciate the stretch out in distance.

Union Rags, the sire of Free Drop Billy, was a competitive colt on the trail to the 2012 Kentucky Derby (G1), compiling an overall 5-1-1 record in eight career starts with $1,798,800 in earnings.

As a two year old, Union Rags won the Three Chimneys Saratoga Special (G2) and Champagne (G1) stakes and finished second in the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) stakes.

At the age of three, Union Rags won the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2) stakes and finished third in the Florida Derby (G1) en route to a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He finished his career with a narrow win by a neck over Paynter in the Belmont (G1) stakes.

Free Drop Billy was a yearling (Hip 104) I liked in session one at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. It remains to be seen if he can earn classic honors, however, if he lives up to his breeding he could be a factor on the Kentucky Derby Trail.

LONE SAILOR (12-1) comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts for trainer Tom Amoss including an 11-length maiden win last out over a muddy track at Saratoga. Here’ the video and chart call of that race:

LONE SAILOR tracked the pace on the outside, made a bid at the seven-sixteenths, vied in the three path on the turn, kicked clear into the stretch, drew away under the whip into the final sixteenth and was hand ridden to the wire while much the best.

Chasing fast fractions, Lone Sailor tracked the leader Mad Munnys then grabbed the lead in the far turn to pull away and break his maiden by an impressive 11 lengths. Lone Sailor also has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and should appreciate the stretch out in distance.

Majestic Warrior, the sire of Lone Sailor, compiled a 2-0-0 in seven starts during his racing career with $239,229 in earnings including a win in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and a fourth-place finish in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G2).

Currently Majestic Warrior stands stud in Japan and as a stallion he’s sired numerous graded stakes winners including: Princess of Sylmar, Best Warrior, Lady Sabelia, Declan's Warrior and Mavic.

Jockey Florent Geroux retains the mount on Lone Sailor who also has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and I look for the pair to run a good race.

TEN CITY (10-1) is 2-0-2 in four starts for trainer Kenny McPeek with a win in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) and a third-place finish in both the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes and Iroquois Stakes (G3). Here’s the video and chart call of his finish in the Iroquois:

TEN CITY was unhurried on early on while wide, swung into the sixth path in the far turn, made a bid in the stretch and was slowly gaining in the late stages.

Ten City raced near the back of the herd until the far turn when he made his move, passing horse and making up ground, to get up for third-place 3¾ lengths shy of victory.

Run Away and Hide, the sire of Ten City, was undefeated in three starts as a two year old and showed promise of good things to come on the Derby trail winning the Kentucky Stakes (G3) and the Saratoga Special (G2) before he was retired with a career-ending injury while in training for the fall racing season.

As a stallion, Run Away and Hide has sired numerous graded stakes winners such as Are You Kidding Me, a multimillion dollar earner and Sovereign Award Champion Older Male (twice), Heaven’s Runway, Mico Margarita, Take It Like A Man, Forever Young, Run Away and Ten City to name a few.

Ten City has a low Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index makes him competitive and I look for him to run a good race.

In his three previous starts, EZMOSH (6-1) has finished third, second and then first in his last race for trainer Brad Cox. Here’s the video and chart call:

EZMOSH disputed the pace along the inside, opened clear after a half, was kept to task and held sway.

Setting fast fractions, Ezmosh took a clear lead in the far turn to pull away and break his maiden by two lengths. Ezmosh has good speed and the final time of 1:35.82 is what I like to see in young colts on the Kentucky Derby Trail.

Tizway, the sire of Ezmosh, was a multiple graded stakes winner that raced for five season compiling a 7-1-5 record in 20 starts with $1,359,274 in career earnings.

Tizway made only one start as a two year old. During his first two racing season, he ran in maiden special weight races, breaking his maiden in his sixth start running nine furlongs at Woodbine.

During his racing career, Tizway’s most notable stakes wins were in the Kelso Handicap (G2), Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1). He finished third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G3), Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) and the Charles Town Classic Stakes (G3).

Tizway also has a low Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but he has good speed and that could potentially carry him the distance in this race.

Honorable mention goes to Enticed (15-1) who is also cross entered in the Champagne Stakes (G1) and expected to scratch.

2017/2018 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Bold d’Oro, 10, Mick Ruis, $360,000

2. The Tabulator, 10, Larry Rivelli, $126,750

3. Hollywood Star, 4, Dale Romans, $68,500

4. Solomini, 4, Bob Baffert, $60,000

5. Ten City, 2, Kenny McPeek, $83,300

6. Take the One O One, 2, Brian Koriner, $36,345

7. Ayacara, 1, Keith Desormeaux, $18,000

8. Ebben, 1, Steve Margolis , $7875

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Happily, 10, Aidan O’Brien,

2. Saxon Warrior (JPN), 10, Aidan O’Brien, $84,592

3. Roaring Lion (USA), 10, John Gosden, $75,986

4. Olmedo, 4, Jean-Claude Rouget,

5. Nelson (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien, $99,826

6. Delano Roosevelt (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien, $38,074

7. Masar, 2, Aidan O’Brien,

8. Mildenberger (ENG), 2, Mark Johnston, $64,634

9. Warm the Voice (IRE), 2, Brendan Duke, $12,904

10. Kew Gardens (IRE), 1, Aidan O’Brien, $28,605

11. Woodmax, 1, Nicolas Clement,

12. Petrus (IRE), 1, Brian Meehan, $7,182

Champagne Stakes Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby takes us to the Empire State Saturday where GOOD MAGIC has been tabbed as the lukewarm 7-2 morning line favorite in the 146^th running of the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Post time is 4:13 p.m. ET. for the Champagne Stakes (G1) which is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race.

There are several horses in this herd that recently broke their maiden and Good Magic, comes into this race off of a second-place finish in his maiden debut for trainer Chad Brown. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

GOOD MAGIC three wide in pursuit, advanced to latch on to the aforementioned foe [HAZIT] midway on the turn, came under coaxing five-sixteenths from home, continued three wide into upper stretch shaken off a bit straightened away, rallied to latch on once more a furlong out digging in under a drive but was ultimately repelled to the finish while clear of the rest for the place honors.

Good Magic looked good finishing second in his maiden debut and he has room to improve off that effort. With an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, Good Magic is one of the better bred colts in this race.

Curlin, the sire of Good Magic, was an outstanding racehorse that compiled an 11-2-2 record in 16 career starts with $10,501,800 in career earnings.

Curlin did not start as a two year old. But, at the age of three, Curlin was 6-1-2 in nine starts with $5,102,800 in earnings including wins in the Rebel Stakes (G3) and Arkansas Derby (G2) en route to a third-place finish in the 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1). He went on to win the Preakness Stakes (G1) and he finished second in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Other important stakes wins include the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), twice, Dubai World Cup (G1), Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1), and the UAE Jaguar Trophy Handicap.

Good Magic was a $1 million session four sale topper at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and he was a yearling (Hip 845) on my sales list.

It remains to be seen if Good Magic can step up in class to win graded stakes honors. However, he has the breeding to be competitive and two recent bullet work outs since his last race could have him ready to take another big step forward.

I look for Good Magic to run a good race.

A long shot I like is STRONGER (15-1) who’s trained by Eric Guillot. He comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts including an impressive maiden win at Gulfstream Park last out. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

STRONGER sat in god stalking position sitting outside the top trio, let out notch and steadily moved up closer reaching the leader at the quarter pole, matched strides turning for home then gave rival slip, pulled away to clear commanding lead and ridden out in deep stretch.

Stronger improved in the stretch out in distance and looked good breaking his maiden by 6½ lengths. But the time of 1:37.78 for the mile was slower than what I like and he’ll need to pick up the pace in order to earn graded stakes honors in the Champagne Stakes (G1).

Bodemeister, the sire of Stronger, did not race until the age of three when he made six starts for Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert, compiling a 2-4-0 record in six starts with $1,304,800 in career earnings.

He raced twice in the maiden ranks before finishing second in his third start, the San Felipe Stakes (G2). In his fourth start, Baffert shipped Bodemeister to Oaklawn Park where he was my pick to win the Arkansas Derby (G1). Bodemeister trounced the field, winning by an outstanding 9½ lengths. He then went on to finish second in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1).

Stronger is the best bred colt in this race with an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he was a yearling (Hip 4154) I liked at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. However, he was taken out of the sale.

Stronger appears to like the Belmont track and a recent bullet work out could have him ready to run a career best.

HONORABLE TREASURE (6-1) comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts for trainer Kenny McPeek including an impressive win in a maiden race last out at Saratoga. Here’s the video and chart call:

HONORABLE TREASURE four then three wide in aim of the front, came under coaxing at the five-sixteenths upping the pressure on the leader, spun just off the inside for home taking over command, drew clear under a drive kept to task.

Honorable Treasure tracked just off the leader, chasing fast fractions, and pulled away with authority at the eighth pole to win by an impressive 6¼ lengths.

To Honor and Serve, the sire of Honorable Treasure, was a young colt I liked, along with my top pick Animal Kingdom, on the 2011 Kentucky Derby Trail.

In three racing seasons, To Honor and Serve was a multiple graded-stakes winner who compiled an 8-1-3 record in 17 starts with $1,798,840 in career earnings.

To Honor and Serve compiled a 3-1-0 record in four starts as a two year old with wins in the Nashua Stakes (G2) and Remsen Stakes (G2).

As a three year old, he was 3-0-2 in seven starts with a win in the Pennsylvania Derby and (G2) and the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1).

At the age of four, To Honor and Serve won the Westchester Stakes (G3) and Woodward Stakes (G1).

Honorable Treasure has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and has room to improve in his third start of the season. I look for him to run a good race.

ENTICED (10-1) comes into this race off of a maiden debut win over a muddy track for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Here’s the video and chart call:

ENTICED broke at the start, jostled with EGYPTIAN PRICE early, chased the pace on the outside, dropped back while climbing into the kickback mid-way down the backstretch, raced inside early on the turn,

When he initially encountered the kickback, Enticed dropped back five lengths off of the leaders but recovered nicely and made up ground to win “in hand” by 1¾ lengths at the finish.

Medaglia d’Oro, the sire of Enticed, was a good multiple graded-stakes winner that compiled an 8-7-0 record in 17 starts with $5,754,720 in career earnings. Overall, he had seven wins and five second-place finishes in 14 route races.

Medaglia d’Oro finished second in his only start as a two year old but as a three year old he won the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and finished second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) in route to the 2002 Derby where he finished in fourth place.

In the Preakness Stakes (G1), Medaglia d’Oro finished eighth but rebounded from that run to finish second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). He went on to complete his racing season as a three year old with wins in the nine-furlong Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and the 10-furlong Travers Stakes (G1).

As a four year old, Medaglia d’Oro won the nine-furlong Strub Stakes (G2), Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Whitney Handicap (G1). In addition, he finished second in the 10-furlong Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

At the age of five, Medaglia d’Oro won the nine-furlong Donn Handicap (G1) and finished second in the 10-furlong Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (G1).

Enticed has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and a recent bullet work out since his last race could have him ready to take another big step forward.

Honorable mention goes to HAZIT (4-1) who comes into this race off of a maiden win, defeating Good Magic by one length.

*****

This is the sixth consecutive year for Churchill Downs to use a point system to determine eligibility to get into the Kentucky Derby starting gate. A total of 36 races comprise the Road to the Kentucky Derby and a significant change to the schedule is the addition of the Springboard Mile at Remington Park on December 17.

In addition to the Japan road to the Derby which features the Cattleya Sho Stakes (November 25), Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushan Stakes (December 13) and Hayacinth Stakes (February 2018), Churchill Downs has added a European road to Derby glory consisting of seven races: Juddmonte Beresford (September 24), Juddmonte Royal Lodge (September 30), Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (October 1), Racing Post Trophy (October 28, Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes (March 1), Patton (March 2) and the Burradon (March 30).

2017/2018 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Bold d’Oro, 10, Mick Ruis, $360,000

2. The Tabulator, 10, Larry Rivelli, $126,750

3. Hollywood Star, 4, Dale Romans, $68,500

4. Solomini, 4, Bob Baffert, $60,000

5. Ten City, 2, Kenny McPeek, $83,300

6. Take the One O One, 2, Brian Koriner, $36,345

7. Ayacara, 1, Keith Desormeaux, $18,000

8. Ebben, 1, Steve Margolis , $7875

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer, Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Happily, 10, Aidan O’Brien,

2. Saxon Warrior (JPN), 10, Aidan O’Brien, $84,592

3. Roaring Lion (USA), 10, John Gosden, $75,986

4. Olmedo, 4, Jean-Claude Rouget,

5. Nelson (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien, $99,826

6. Delano Roosevelt (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien, $38,074

7. Masar, 2, Aidan O’Brien,

8. Mildenberger (ENG), 2, Mark Johnston, $64,634

9. Warm the Voice (IRE), 2, Brendan Duke, $12,904

10. Kew Gardens (IRE), 1, Aidan O’Brien, $28,605

11. Woodmax, 1, Nicolas Clement,

12. Petrus (IRE), 1, Brian Meehan, $7,182

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère Stakes Racing Roundup

On Sunday, the European road to the 2017-2018 Kentucky Derby (G1) takes us to Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France where the Godolphin runners MASAR and MYTHICAL MAGIC have been tabbed as the 3-5 Twinspires.com morning line favorite in the Group One Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère. Of that pair, I like Masar the best.

Masar comes into this race with a 2-0-1 record in three starts for trainer Charles Appleby including a win by two lengths in the BetBright Solario Stakes (Group 3) at Sandown on September 2. Here’s the video and chart call:

MASAR tracked leaders, led over one furlong out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well.

New Approach, the sire of Masar, is a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and multiple Group Stakes winner that compiled an 8-2-1 record in 11 starts with $3,885,308 in career earnings.

As a two year old, New Approach was undefeated in five of his starts including four Group Stakes: Tyros Stakes (Group 3), Galileo E.B.F. Futurity Stakes (Group 2), Bank of Scotland National Stakes (Group 1) and the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1).

At the age of three, New Approach placed in three Group Stakes races and won the Vodafone Epsom Derby (Group 1), Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) and the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Group 1).

As a stallion, New Approach has sired numerous Group Stakes winners including the Classic Champion Thoroughbred, Dawn Approach (2,000 Guineas).

Masar has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and I look for him to run a good race.

HAPPILY (5-2) comes into this race with a 3-1-0 record in five starts for trainer Aiden O’Brien including a win by a nose last out in the Molyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) at the Curragh on September 10. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

HAPPILY broke well to lead early until soon headed and settled behind leader, third after one furlong, ridden two furlongs out and pressed winner in second entering final furlong, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead final strides.

Galileo, the sire of Happily, is a Classic Champion Thoroughbred and multiple Group Stakes winner that compiled a 6-1-0 record in eight starts with $2,245,373 in career earnings.

Galileo made only one start as a two year old, easily winning by an impressive 14 lengths.

As a three year old, Galileo won his season debut in the Ballysax Stakes. He followed that with his first Group win in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trail Stakes (Group 3). Galileo then earned classic honors with wins in the Vodafone Epsom Derby (Group 1) and the Budweiser Irish Derby (Group 1). His last group stakes win was in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Group 1).

As a stallion, Galileo currently leads the Top sires of European Stakes winners list with 68 Group One winners and, except for 2010, that’s an honor he’s held since 2009.

Galileo has sired numerous Classic Champion Thoroughbreds: Frankel (2,000 Guineas), Australia (Derby), Ruler Of The World (Derby), Magician (Irish 2,000 Guineas), Gleneagles (2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas), The Gurkha (French 2,000 Guineas), Churchill (2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas), Roderic O’Connor (Irish 2,000 Guineas), Treasure Beach (Irish Derby), Capri (Irish Derby, St. Leger), Soldier Of Fortune (Irish Derby), Order Of St George (Irish St. Leger), Cape Blanco (Irish Derby), Sixties Icon (St. Leger) and New Approach (Derby).

Happily, a full sister to the classic miler, Gleneagles, also has an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and she’s the best bred horse in this herd. I look for her to run well.

A long shot I like in this race is WOODMAX (50-1). To date he’s compiled a 2-0-0 record in three starts for trainer Nicolas Clement including a one length win in the Prix Pharamond Conditions Stakes at Maisons-Lafitte on September 20. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

WOODMAX waited with in final pair on outer, angled out and began to close well over 1½ furlongs out, ridden to challenge over one furlong out, led entering final furlong, driven out, readily.

Maxios, the sire of Woodmax, was a multiple Group Stakes winner that compiled an 8-2-0 record in 18 starts with $935,961 in career earnings.

As a two year old, Maxios won his maiden debut and followed that with a win in the Prix Thomas Bryon (Group 3). At the age of three, Maxios was unplaced in four starts.

As a four year old, Maxios notable stakes win was in the La Coupe de Maisons-Lafitte (Group 3). At the age of five, Maxis won the Prix d’Harcourt (Group 2), Prix d’Ispahan (Group 1) and the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1).

Woodmax has an A Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he has the breeding to be competitive in this race.

*****

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. Saxon Warrior (JPN), 10, Aidan O’Brien

1. Roaring Lion (USA), 10, John Gosden

3. Delano Roosevelt (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien

3. Nelson (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien

5. Warm the Voice (IRE), 2, Brendan Duke

5. Mildenberger (ENG), 2, Mark Johnston

7. Kew Gardens (IRE), 1, Aidan O’Brien

7. Petrus (IRE), 1, Brian Meehan

2017/2018 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. The Tabulator, 10, Larry Rivelli

2. Hollywood Star, 4, Dale Romans

3. Ten City, 2, Ken McPeek

4. Ebben, 1, Steve Margolis

Friday, September 29, 2017

FrontRunner Stakes Racing Roundup

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will span two continents this Saturday with the $300,000 FrontRunner Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park and the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Group 2) at the Newmarket Racecourse Rowley Mile in Suffolk, England. On Sunday, the European road to Derby glory continues with the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Group 1) at Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France.

Let’s take a look at the FrontRunner Stakes (G1) which is the first Grade One race on the Kentucky Derby Trail and a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge Race.

Bolt d’Oro heads a herd of nine runners as the 2-1 morning line favorite which is scheduled to run at 7 p.m. ET. Undefeated in two starts, Bolt d’Oro comes into this race with a narrow win over Zatter (5-2) in the Del Mar Futurity (G1). Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

BOLT D’ORO broke a bit slowly and was squeezed some, settled off the rail, advanced four wide on the turn and into the stretch, bid outside the runner-up under urging past mid-stretch, gained the lead in deep stretch and gamely prevailed.

Bolt d’Oro trailed at the back of the herd gradually making up ground on the leaders. Despite the narrow win, Bolt d’Oro appeared to be in control and will probably improve as the races get longer.

Medaglia d’Oro, the sire of Stradivari, was a good middle-distance runner that compiled an 8-7-0 record in 17 starts with $5,754,720 in career earnings. Overall, he had seven wins and five second-place finishes in 14 route races.

At the age of five, Medaglia d’Oro won the nine-furlong Donn Handicap (G1) and finished second in the 10-furlong Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (G1

Bolt d’Oro has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and I look for him to run a good race.

Zatter, the 5-2 morning line second choice, is trained by Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert who also has Solomini (4-1) entered in this race.

Of the pair, I like Solomini the best. He comes into this race off of a maiden debut win at Del Mar on September 2 and he was a yearling (Hip 662) I liked in session four at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Here’s the video and chart call of Solomini’s debut win:

SOLOMINI stalked five wide early then four wide into the turn, continued three deep into the stretch, lugged in some in mid-stretch, went after the runner-up under left-handed urging, collared that one in deep stretch and inched clear.

Solomini showed promise in winning his debut and should improve off of that race.

Curlin, the sire of Solomini, was an outstanding racehorse that compiled an 11-2-2 record in 16 career starts with $10,501,800 in career earnings.

Solomini is taking a big step up in class but with an A+ Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile®, he’s the best bred colt in this herd. I look for him to run a good race and if he lives up to his breeding he could be a factor on the Derby Trail.

Encumbered (8-1) is undefeated in his last two starts on the turf and he comes into this race with a 2-0-0 record in three starts for trainer Simon Callaghan including a win by a half-length in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes. Here’s the video and chart call of that race:

ENCUMBERED angled in and chased three deep then outside a rival, came four wide into the stretch, gained the advantage outside foes in mid-stretch, inched away in deep stretch and held gamely under urging.

Encumbered has shown good speed in his two wins on the turf and if he can perform that well on a dirt surface he could be a factor in this race.

Violence, the sire of Encumbered, showed promise as a two year old on the Kentucky Derby Trail winning his first three starts including the Nashua Stakes (G2) and the CashCall Futurity (G1).

In his debut as a three year old, Violence finished second in the Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) but had suffered a fractured sesamoid bone which ended his career.

Encumbered has a C Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® but his Behavior Index can make him competitive and I look for him to run a good race.

A long shot I like is Ayacara (10-1) who comes into this race with a 1-0-0 record in two starts for trainer Keith Desormeaux including a maiden win in his second start. Here’s the video and chart call:

AYACARA chased between horses then a bit off the rail, split rivals on the second turn, bid between foes in mid-stretch, gained the advantage nearing the sixteenth pole and held on gamely under urging.

His final time of 1:38.34 is slower than what I like to see in young colts on the Derby Trail. However, he gets a jockey switch to Kent Desormeaux and if he picks up the pace he could be competitive.

Ayacara has a B Classic Champion Thoroughbred Profile® and he also was sired by Violence.

Honorable mention goes to Zatter and Take the One O One (15-1).

*****

2017/2018 KENTUCKY DERBY LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. The Tabulator, 10, Larry Rivelli

2. Hollywood Star, 4, Dale Romans

3. Ten City, 2, Ken McPeek

4. Ebben, 1, Steve Margolis

EUROPEAN ROAD LEADERBOARD

Ranking, total points, Trainer

1. Saxon Warrior (JPN), 10, Aidan O’Brien

2. Delano Roosevelt (IRE), 4, Aidan O’Brien

3. Warm the Voice (IRE), 2, Brendan Duke

4. Kew Gardens (IRE), 1, Aidan O’Brien