This is the calm-before-the-storm week on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with no changes in the latest usracing.com Derby Top 10.
No big-name dropouts (yet). No missteps by current contenders. And a win by John Hancock in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday (Feb. 1) was not enough to get him on the list.
Barnes. Benoit Photo.
Barnes, Citizen Bull Remain 1-2
After this weekend, there’s a strong chance changes will occur as No. 3 East Avenue, earlier Top 10er Jonathan’s Way, and rising prospect Vassimo are set for the $500,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds on Saturday.
East Avenue, already a Grade 1 winner at 2, stumbled badly out of the gate and finished ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), but has worked steadily for his 3-year-old debut.
The 1 1/8-mile Risen Star is the first Derby points qualifier that all but guarantees the winner a spot in the Run for the Roses (the Derby field is limited to 20 starters based on points earned). The Risen Star offers points of 50-25-15-10-5 to the first five finishers on a sliding scale.
Barnes, Citizen Bull give Baffert 1-2 contenders
Once again, six-time Derby winner Bob Baffert holds the top two spots in the Top 10 with unbeaten Barnes and 2-year-old champion and Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) winner Citizen Bull.
Citizen Bull opened Tuesday (Feb. 11) as the 6-1 individual favorite in pool 4 of the Derby Future Wager (the pool closes on Sunday, Feb. 16).
Baffert has favorite Sunland Park Derby
On Sunday, the $400,000 Sunland Park Derby offers Derby points of 20-10-6-4-2. Baffert sends out the 9-5 favorite Getaway Car, while McKenzie Street is the second choice under new trainer Justin Evans, who takes over for Tim Yakteen.
On deck: Rebel (F22) … Fountain of Youth, San Felipe, Gotham (M1)
The following Saturday (Feb. 22) should be a doozy with four of our Top 10 listed as possibles for the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park: Barnes, No. 5 Disco Time, No. 9 Speed King, and No. 10 Sandman.
In two weeks (March 1), the Top 10 will definitely take on a new look following the San Felipe Stakes (G2), the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), and the Gotham Stakes (G3).
The San Felipe could include Citizen Bull and/or Barnes and No. 3 Journalism; the Fountain of Youth may have No. 8 Sovereignty and highly-regarded prospects Burnham Square (Holy Bull winner), Gate to Wire, and Ferocious.
We’ll be wagering and watching.
Jockeys are listed from the horse’s most recent race.
Derby Top 10
Barnes just keep rollin’ along – a 5-furlong work in 58.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Feb. 11, fastest of 47 at the distance … On Feb. 1, he went 5 furlongs in 59.80 …Won 7-furlong San Vicente by 5 ½ lengths on Jan. 4 to improve to 2-0 … Purchased for $3.2 million by Amr Zedan. … Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points: 0 … Derby future wager odds: 8-1 (pool 4 closes Feb. 16).
2-year-old champion off to a rousing 3-year-old start with his Robert B. Lewis win on Feb. 1 … BC Juvenile winner is now 4-for-5 with $1.5 in earnings … Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 1 … Derby points: 60 (1st) … Derby future wager odds: 6-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 59.80 at Santa Anita on Feb. 9 – seventh fastest of 101 at the distance … Los Alamitos Futurity win over Gaming and Getaway Car keeps him high on the list … Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: San Felipe, Santa Anita, March 1 … Derby points: 10 (21st) … Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 at the Fair Grounds on Feb. 8 … Likely Risen Star favorite in 13-horse field … remains top contender as BC Juvenile is a toss after colt stumbled badly at the start … Pedigree: Medaglia d’Oro-Dance Music, by Ghostzapper … Next start: Risen Star, Fair Grounds, Feb. 15 … Derby points: 10 (19th) … Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
Remains in training but no posted workout since neck win over Built in Lecomte on Jan. 18 … He’s 3-0 with his first two wins at Churchill Downs, so what’s not to like? … Pedigree: Not This Time-Disco Chick, by Jump Start … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 20 (5th) … Derby future wager odds: 25-1.
Remains in this slot a week after Withers win at 1 1/8 miles … He’s 2-for-3 and looks like he’ll run once more to gain a berth in the Derby … Purchased for $410,000 at Keeneland November horses of racing age sale by St. Elias Stable … Pedigree: Practical Joker-Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie … Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 5 … Derby points: 20 (6th) … Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:02.20 at Oaklawn on Feb. 10 – slowest of 14 at the distance … Won Smarty Jones by four lengths going gate to wire … Colt is 4-for-6 … Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points: 20 (3rd) … Derby future wager odds: 40-1.
Looks like he’s ready for his 3-year-old debut … worked 4 furlongs in 49.60 at Payson Park on Feb. 7 … Won Street Sense by five lengths with last-to-first run at 1 1/16 miles, at Churchill Downs on Oct. 27 … Pedigree: Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini … Next start: Fountain of Youth, Gulfstream, March 1 … Derby points: 10 (22nd) … Derby future wager odds: 20-1.
Not such a speedy work on Feb. 8 at Oaklawn – 5 furlongs in 1:04.00 — 29th of 32 at the distance … Won Southwest going gate-to-wire, but Rebel will determine where he fits in … Pedigree: Volatile-Athenian Beauty, by Corinthian … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points: 25 (2nd) … Derby future wager odds: 30-1.
Gets a chance to shine in a few weeks but is working well toward that goal … Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 at Oaklawn on Feb. 9, sixth fastest of 37 at the distance … Strong rally in Southwest keeps him here … Pedigree: Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor … Next start: Rebel, Oaklawn, Feb. 22 … Derby points 14 (15th) … Derby future wager odds: 40-1.