By Richard Rosenblatt
Horse Racing / photo courtesy of USRacing
Let’s make this week’s edition of Top 10 Derby contenders from usracing.com/news a short one.
Because as we know, the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby is likely to be rescheduled from its traditional first Saturday in May to a later date, or eventually canceled, due to health and safety concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
Already, Churchill Downs officials have said the Derby would not be run without spectators (already happening at most racetracks), and with less than seven weeks before May 2, the postponement of the race could come at any time.
We’ll move on, though. Nadal displayed some fighting spirit in winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, holding off a late charge from 82-1 long shot Excession to win by three-quarters of a length.
That gives Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert three unbeaten 3-year-olds, and as many as seven Derby contenders. A big if, though.
Nadal, 3-for-3 with 50 Derby qualifying points to move into third-place on the leaderboard, is back in California, where the wait is on to see what’s next. The son of Blame moved from No. 8 to No. 5 before the Louisiana Derby based on eye-catching workouts, and he’s at No. 3 this week, behind new No. 1 Tiz the Law and stablemate Authentic (3-for-2).
Tiz the Law, winner of the Holy Bull (G3) for trainer Barclay Tagg, put in a solid 6-furlong workout at Palm Meadows on Sunday and looks sharp heading into the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park on March 28.
“He worked beautifully,” Jack Knowlton, managing partner of Sackatoga Stable, said. “I was up there and it was a good, strong work. One more to go.”
A word or two about Silver Prospector, who tumbles from No. 1 to No. 10 after finishing sixth of eight in the Rebel following a tough trip with Ricardo Santana, Jr. aboard. Squeezed between horses in fourth place in the stretch, the colt was bothered when Excession steered out with a furlong to and lost all chance. In winning the Southwest (G3) last month, Silver Prospector had a perfect trip.
Baffert, a five-time Derby winner, has three of the Top 10 this week: Nadal at No. 3, Authentic at No. 2 and Charlatan at No. 6.
The $1 million Louisiana Derby (G1) on Saturday should have a full field of 14 in the first Derby prep offering 100-40-20-10 points to the first four finishers — a win and you’re in — maybe even second and you’re in — race.
Here’s my latest Top 10:
1. Tiz the Law (Barclay Tagg, Manny Franco)
Worked 6 furlongs in 1:13.80 at Palm Meadows on March 14, fourth solid work since Holy Bull win on Feb. 1 with one more to go … No. 11 on points leaderboard (22) … Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream, March 28 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 7-1.
2. Authentic (Bob Baffert, Drayden Van Dyke)
Won San Felipe gate-to-wire, dusting off three other Derby prospects … Is this the one who gives Baffert record-tying No. 6 Derby win? … 3-for-3 and likely staying home for final prep … No. 1 on points leaderboard (60) … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 4 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 6-1.
3. Nadal (Bob Baffert, Joel Rosario)
Now 3-for-3 and Derby qualified after Rebel win … imposing son of Blame already being compared with Justify at same stage of career … No. 3 on points leaderboard (No. 3) … Next start: TBD … Derby Future Wager Odds: 10-1.
4. Ete Indien (Patrick Biancone, Florent Geroux)
Showdown with Tiz the Law still on, although there will be no spectators, as with most tracks … Runner-up in Holy Bull and winner of Fountain of Youth by 8 ½ lengths … No. 2 on points leaderboard (54) … Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream, March 28 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 16-1.
5. Enforceable (Mark Casse, Julien Leparoux)
Another solid workout at Fair Grounds, going 4 furlongs in 48.40 (16th of 88 at the distance) … Lecomte winner, and runner-up in first division of Risen Star behind Mr Monomoy (off Derby trail) … No. 7 on points leaderboard (33) … Next start: Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, Saturday … Derby Future Wager Odds: 23-1.
6. Charlatan (Bob Baffert, Drayden Van Dyke):
Why not? Winning an allowance optional claiming race at Santa Anita is a far cry from the Derby, but highly-touted colt lived up to expectations with a 10 ¼-length win at a mile … Of course, this son of Speightstown still needs qualifying points (2-for-2) with a Derby prep in the plans … Owned by Starlight Racing, SF Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Frederick Hertrich, III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables … Purchased for $700,000 … Next start: TBD … Derby Future Wager Odds: 12-1.
7. Honor A.P. (John Shirreffs, Mike Smith)
San Felipe runner-up worked 4 furlongs in 49.40 at Santa Anita on March 16 (62nd of 182 at the distance) … Another shot at Authentic seems to be on the table. … No. 14 on points leaderboard (20) … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 4 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 14-1.
8. Mischevious Alex (John Servis, Kendrick Carmouche)
Winner of Swale and Gotham still on for one more Derby prep, likely at Aqueduct … Record of 7-4-1-1 for $344,230 … No. 4 on points leaderboard (50) … Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 4 … Derby Future Wager Odds: (4-1, mutuel field).
9. Sole Volante (Patrick Biancone, Florent Geroux)
We’re keeping this around despite runner-up finish to 49-1 long shot King Guillermo in Tampa Bay Derby two weeks ago … No. 9 on points leaderboard (30) … Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 4 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 20-1.
10. Silver Prospector (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr.)
Looking like he might be up for the challenge entering the stretch of the Rebel, Silver Prospector was knocked off his game by an 82-1 long shot, and wound up sixth … Experienced colt showed with a clear ride, he can be a winner, but this didn’t work out … Still have hope he can rebound in the Arkansas Derby …. Career record of 9-3-0-2 far from stellar .. No. 12 on points leaderboard (21) … Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, April 11 … Derby Future Wager Odds: 24-1
Over the years while working at The Associated Press, Rich Rosenblatt became a familiar name to legions of the horse racing fans and industry insiders with his award-winning articles on horse racing and his stories from the backstretch.
In addition to being an astute observer of sports, Rosenblatt is the co-author of The All-American Chili Cookbook. His work has been seen in just about every publication in the world, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and Time Magazine.