Thumbnail Assessment, Top 35 in Graded Earnings

By Dick Downey
TheDowneyProfile.com

Here are the top 35 three-year-olds in graded stakes earnings. The question is: how many of these colts, geldings and fillies will probably start in Kentucky Derby 130? Our thumbnail assessment--as of April 6:

1. Halfbridled (f) $870,000--Not going to Derby.
2. Ashado (f) $865,000--Not going.
3. Action This Day $780,000--In if they want to. Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass.
4. Friends Lake $611,000--Going. Florida Derby winner training up to Derby.
5. Castledale (Ire) $510,000--Undecided, won Santa Anita Derby.
6. Limehouse $403,405--Think he'll be there. Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass.
7. Madcap Escapade (f) $400,000--Not going.
8. Read The Footnotes $397,860--Going. FOY winner training up to race.
9. Wimbledon $375,000--Going. Fifth, Santa Anita Derby.
10. Pollard's Vision $366,000--Going. Won Illinois Derby.
11. Imperialism $363,000--Going. Second, Santa Anita Derby.
12 Minister Eric $350,000--Undecided. Coolmore Lexington Stakes on 4-17.
13. The Cliff's Edge $328,258--Presumably going. Saturday's Wood or Blue Grass.
14. Birdstone $327,000--Must perform in Blue Grass or Zito pulls plug.
15. Lion Heart $325,600--Presumably going. Saturday's Blue Grass.
16. Sinister G $300,000--Might aim to Preakness. Saturday's Wood Memorial.
17. Value Plus $250,000--Probable. Saturday's Wood Memorial.
18. St Averil $215,200--Doubtful. Sixth, Santa Anita Derby.
19. Tiger Hunt $165,500--Doubtful. Hasn't raced this year.
20. Preachinatthebar $159,000--Probable. Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass.
21. Saratoga County $156,500--Not going.
22. Borrego $120,000--Probable. Saturday's Arkansas Derby.
22. Kitten's Joy $120,000--No sign of going. Turf horse.
24. Capitano $115,000--Not going.
25. Kilgowan $110,000--Can't imagine him going. Up the track in Illinois Derby.
26. Tricky Taboo $100,000--Not Triple Crown-nominated. Saturday's Wood.
26. Song of the Sword $100,000--Can't see it. Second, Illinois Derby.
28. Hosco $98,860--Not going.
29. Consecrate $98,000--Possible. Saturday's Wood Memorial.
30. Mr. Jester $92,000--Not likely. Saturday's Arkansas Derby.
31. Rock Hard Ten $90,000--Wants to go. Third, Santa Anita Derby.
32. Pomeroy $80,000--Who knows? Saturday's Wood Memorial.
32. Tapit $80,000--Saturday's Wood do-or-die.
34. Fire Slam $78,000--Not going.
35. Skipaslew $70,000--Not going.