Overview of Derby Contenders

Here is the overview of some of the horses I will be following this Kentucky Derby Trail. More will probably be added or subtracted from this list.

Flat Out (Flatter)- Won the $50,000 Smarty Jones at Oaklawn by 3 1/2 lengths. Jockey Julio Garcia was aboard, and they finished the mile race in 1:39 on a fast main track. Flat out is a Florida bred out of multiple stakes winner Cresta Lil (Cresta Rider). He will be nominated to the Southwest Stakes there on February 16.

Hello Broadway (Broken Vow)- He was second to Break Water Edison in the Nov. 2 Nashua Stakes (G2). He will start next in the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) on January 30 going 7 furlongs. He has worked over Gulfstream's track going six furlongs for Barclay Tagg. Bolting through the first half he slowed to post a time of 1:15 3/5. Half brother to Nobiz like Shobiz (Albert the Great). His schedule is to run next in the Fountain of Youth stakes (G2) on February 28 at one mile, then the Florida Derby (G1) at 9 furlongs on March 28.

Break Water Edison (Lemon Drop Kid)- Won the Nov. 2 Nashua Stakes over Hello Broadway, and will go next in the Hutcheson Stakes. He breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00 4/5 over Gulfstream's main track for his first work. His jockey Alan Garcia kept him wide to keep the horse from expending himself too much. His trainer John Kimmel said "There's no doubt in my mind that longer will be better for this horse. He's got great tactical speed."

Desert Party (Street Cry)- Winner of last summer's Sanford stakes he won at Nad al Sheba in Dubai with a half length victory over Regal Ransom (Distorted humor). He completed the race in 1:24 2/5 on a fast track at 7 furlongs. He is out of Sage Cat (Tabasco Cat).

The Pamplemousse (Kafwain)- Won the San Rafael stakes (G3) over Breeder's Futurity winner Square Eddie. The Pamplemousse will be staying at Santa Anita, and will start next in the February 28 Sham Stakes. He is undefeated since stretching out to two turns.

Square Eddie (Smart Strike)- He was 2nd to The Pamplemousse in the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita. He will be starting next in the one mile Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn, and go up against Remsen winner Old fashioned. His trainer wants to get Square Eddie onto a real dirt track for a race before the Derby which in run on a real dirt track not sythetic like Santa Anita. Rafael Bejarno will be riding.

Patena (Seeking the Gold)- Will be sent to Richard Dutrow in Florida to train for IEAH stables. Patena ran second in the Lecomte Stakes last time out. His next races could include the Sam F. Davis on February 14 which is 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs, or the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream. His final preps might include the Florida Derby at Gulfstream, or the April 4 Wood memorial at Aqueduct in New York. He is the first foal from Handpainted (A.P. Indy.)

Midshipman (Unbridled's song)- Nominated to the 2 million dollar UAE Derby at Nad al Sheba on March 28. Currently he is wintering at Godolphin in Dubai. Midshipman has won the Del mar Futurity, and Breeder's cup Juvenile. Was also 2nd in the Norfolk Stakes at Santa Anita last year.

Vineyard Haven (Lido palace)- He is also nominated to the UAE Derby and wintering at Godolphin. Vineyard haven, the grey son of Lido Palace, won the Hopeful stakes, and Champagne stakes both G1. Godolphin is planning to enter Vineyard Haven in the Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3) on February 12. Last year he was also 3rd in the Sanford stakes at Saratoga.

Pioneerofthenile (Empire Maker)- Nominated to the UAE Derby at Nad al Sheba in Dubai by Bob Baffert. He was 3rd in the Breeder's Futurity losing to Square Eddie, and 5th to Midshipman in the Breeder's cup Juvenile. He did win the Cash Call futurity at Hollywood Park.

Stardom Bound (Tapit)- The amazing daughter of Tapit. She was 2nd in the Sorrento Stakes at Del mar, then she won the Del Mar Debutante, Oak Leaf Stakes at Santa Anita, and the Breeder's cup Juvenile fillies. Her next race could be the Las virgenes on February 7 at one mile. Her new owners, after being sold at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale, is IEAH stables. Bobby Frankel is her trainer. The only negative part to her is that she has never raced on a dirt track.

Beethoven (Sky Mesa)- Won the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill downs already showing he can handle and win at Churchill, being 2 for 2 on that track. His last workout was at Gulfstream Park going 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on a fast track. Calvin Borel was up. He will be running in Saturday's Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Old Fashioned (Unbridled's Song)- Undefeated super colt trained by Larry Jones. He won the Remsen Stakes in superior fashion at Aqueduct. His last work was at Fair grounds on a fast track going 5 furlongs in 1:01.20. He also posted one work over Fair Grounds, going the half mile in :48 1/5 on Jan. 7. He will be aiming for the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on February 16. Old fashioned has $173,280 in earnings, most coming from his only stakes race, which he won, in the Remsen. He carries the same colors as the ill fated filly Eight belles.

Well that is the lineup of horses I will be following this Derby trail. Hope everyone has a great day!

Kirsten