Haskin's Derby Watch: Week 1 (Cont.)

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KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: San Miguel winner OMEGA CODE has a world of speed, blazing 6 furlongs in 1:08 3/5 and 1:07 3/5, but he'll have to learn to harness it if he's to have any prayer of stretching out. Don't like putting maiden winners in the top 20 until they've proven themselves against winners, but we do have several exciting ones to keep an eye on, the most notable being TEN MOST WANTED, MINISTERS WILD CAT, and ATSWHATIMTALKNBOUT, all based in Southern California, and trained by Wally Dollase, Neil Drysdale, and Ron Ellis, respectively. Frankel's brilliant maiden winner GHOSTZAPPER came out of his last start with a virus. Looking forward to seeing another Frankel maiden winner, MIDAS EYES, who is coming back off a layoff. Waiting to see when Lukas will put Tropical Park Derby winner NOTHING TO LOSE back on dirt. Jury is still out on Lukas' OZZIE CAT, who was beaten in the Golden Gate Derby by STANDARD SETTER. John Kimmel has three promising 3-year-olds in SILVER SQUIRE, OUTER REEF, and INDY FLAG. Carl Nafzer has a runner in maiden winner AFFABLE, by Unbridled out of a Nijinsky mare. Dallas Stewart is looking to stretch out Super Bowl winner SAINTLY LOOK, a son of Saint Ballado. Tom Amoss has LONE STAR SKY working steadily at Fair Grounds. California Breeders' Champion winner EXCESSIVEPLEASURE has the pedigree to go long; training at Hollywood for 3-year-old debut. MIDWAY CAT, trained by Rick Hiles, won Gulfstream allowance on Saturday by 6 1/4 lengths, running one-fifth slower than Holy Bull Stakes. Other maiden winners to watch are TYPHOON ALEX, trained by Richard Violette; DYNASTYLE, trained by Joe Orseno; and CHRISTINE'S OUTLAW, an 11 1/4-length maiden winner for former Pletcher assistant George Weaver. ALYSWEEP, who was claimed for $75,000 from John Kimmel by Patrick Reynolds, won the six-furlong Fred "Cappy" Capossela Stakes Monday for his third straight win. Reynolds says he's looking forward to stretching him out. Hard-knocking OUTTA HERE hasn't worked since winning the Delta Jackpot in December.

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