No More Time
In the runup to the 150th Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4, usracing.com continues with our Derby Top 10 contenders. Rankings will be updated periodically as Derby preps with qualifying points are contested.
The $400,000 Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds on Saturday kicks off the ‘championship series’ portion on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The 1 1/8-mile Risen Star is the first of the Derby preps offering 50-25-15-10-5 points to the top five finishers. What this means is the winner is a virtual lock to be among the top 20 qualifiers for the 150th Derby on May 4.
Derby Dreams Intensify: The Risen Star Showcases Future Champions
The Risen Star drew a field of 12 3-year-olds, including three from this week’s usracing.com Derby Top 10 – No. 2 Track Phantom, No. 3 Catching Freedom, and No. 9 Honor Marie.
Remaining at No. 1 in our latest poll is Locked, who missed the Sam F. Davis (G3) on Saturday (Feb. 10) due to a slight fever but may return to training this week.
No More Time won the Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs going gate-to-wire. We’ll wait for the results of his next start, likely the Tampa Bay Derby (G3) on March 9, to see if this colt fits.
There’s little change in the Derby Top 10, although Agate Road’s stretch rally for second in the Sam F. Davis in his first race on dirt was impressive. Dornoch moves up a few spots as does Fierceness, who came out of his loss in the Holy Bull (G3) in good shape.
Nineteen of 36 Derby preps have been run (excluding races in Europe and Japan). In addition to the Risen Star, the $400,000 Sunland Derby is set for Feb. 18, with 20-10-6-4-2 Derby qualifying points to the first five finishers.
Kentucky Derby Contenders Top 10
1 Locked (Todd Pletcher, Jose Ortiz)
If he returns to training soon, and a 3-year-old debut is set, we’ll stick with Todd Pletcher trainee … Hope is connections were overly cautious with Derby still 2 ½ months away … Won Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and ran third in BC Juvenile (G1) … No. 7 on Derby points leaderboard (19) … Next start: TBD … Derby future wager odds: 18-1 (pool 3).
Track Phantom, photo by Hodges Photo
2 Track Phantom (Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario)
Asmussen has success on Louisiana’s Road to the Derby, including three Risen Star wins … Son of Quality Road comes into race off Feb. 11 work (4 furlongs in 50.00 seconds) at the Fair Grounds … And a three-race win streak, including Gunner Runner and Lecomte … No. 2 on Derby points leaderboard (30) … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 17 … Derby future wager odds: 18-1.
3 Catching Freedom (Brad Cox, Cristian Torres)
Trainer has won three of past five Risen Stars … Son of Constitution worked 5 furlongs in 1:00 at Fair Grounds of Feb 10 – sixth fastest of 46 at distance … Won Smarty Jones at Oaklawn in last start with strong finishing surge … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 17 … No. 19 on Derby points leaderboard (10) … Derby future wager odds: 28-1.
4 Dornoch (Danny Gargan, Luis Saez)
Full brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage continues training at Palm Meadows for 3-year-old debut next month … Won 1 1/8-mile Remsen last out (Dec. 2) … Finished first or second in four career races … Next start: Fountain of Youth, Gulfstream Park, March 2 … No. 18 on Derby leaderboard (10 points) … Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
5 Hades (Joe Orseno, Paco Lopez)
Orseno may have his second Derby starter if all continues to go well with the gelded son on Awesome Slew … Unbeaten in three races, including wiring the field – Fierceness included – in the Holy Bull … Next start: Fountain of Youth, March 2 or Florida Derby, March 30 … No. 4 on Derby points leaderboard (20 points) … Derby future wager odds: 2-1 (mutuel field).
6 Mystik Dan (Ken McPeek, Brian Hernandez, Jr.)
Upset win in Southwest – by eight lengths over muddy track – got him here, and his next start should determine his Derby chances … Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, March 30 … Career record of 5-2-1-0 … No. 3 on Derby leaderboard (21 points) … Derby future wager odds: 2-1 (mutuel field)
Fierceness at Saratoga
7 Fierceness (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez)
Roller coaster ride so far: Win, off-the-board in Champagne, win in BC Juvenile, third in Holy Bull … BC Juvenile winners have won Derby only twice … Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 30 … No. 1 on Derby points leaderboard (30) … Derby future wager odds: 8-1.
8 Snead (Brendan Walsh, Jareth Loveberry)
Not entered in Risen Star as expected … Won Trainer tells drf.com son of Nyquist is galloping at Turfway Park … Promising second in Gun Runner, but last timed work was Jan. 20 … Could resurface in Louisiana Derby … Next start: TBD … No. 33 on Derby leaderboard (5 points) … Derby future wager odds: 69-1.
9 Honor Marie (Whit Beckman, Rafael Bejarano)
Tough test coming up in Risen Star but has last-to-first win in Kentucky Jockey Club on Nov. 23 … Training at Fair Grounds, with six workouts since Dec. 31, most recently Feb. 5 — 5 furlongs in 1:01 — seventh of 24 at distance …No. 15 on Derby leaderboard (10 points) … Derby future wager odds: 25-1.
10 Timberlake (Brad Cox, John Velazquez)
Champagne winner posted strong 5-furlong work in 59.40 at Fair Grounds on Feb. 10 … Fourth in BC Juvenile … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn Park, Feb. 24 … No. 10 on Derby leaderboard (16 points) … Derby future wager odds: 30-1.