Haskin's Derby Watch (Cont.)

Frankel wasn't sure whether to run him on dirt and put him on the Derby trail or keep him on the grass; but now looks like he's heading for El Camino Real Derby. Frankel questions the colt's ability to get a mile and a quarter. He's been working sharply on the dirt and has excellent tactical speed.

17--Hold That Tiger/Aidan O'Brien; Storm Cat-Beware of the Cat, by Caveat

We know Tabor said he won't be pointed for the Derby, but we'll keep him on the list anyway until O'Brien officially says he's not running. If ever there was a year to send over a horse like this, it's this year.

18--Funny Cide/Barclay Tagg; Distorted Humor-Belle's Good Cide, by Slewacide

Coming back in a tough spot this Saturday in Louisiana Derby, but at least they'll find out if he belongs with the heavy hitters. He's been working awesome at Palm Meadows and may surprise a lot of people. Only has to show he's competitive with these horses and can move on from there. Excellent mile speed on top and a ton of stamina on the bottom.

19--Champali/Greg Foley; Glitterman-Radioactivity, by Dixieland Band

He's not bred to get a mile and a quarter, at least not in early May. But you can't knock his record and his consistency, having won of six of his seven starts. Hasn't beaten top horses yet, and we'll see what he can do against better competition in the Lane's End Stakes. Did score a nose decision over Great Notion, who came back and romped in the Southwest Stakes.

20--Brancusi/Patrick Biancone; Deputy Commander-Treize, by Alysheba

Don't normally put maiden winners on the list, but if this colt can be competitive in the San Felipe, the feeling is that he should keep improving and could be a live horse on Derby Day. Love the way he won his maiden race with addition of Lasix, and love his pedigree for 1 1/4 miles. He's a gamble right now, but this is the year to gamble.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: ROJO TORO and GREAT NOTION were impressive in their respective stakes scores, but they're major question marks going a mile and a quarter. CHEROKEE'S BOY merely toyed with a mediocre field in the Deputed Testamony Stakes, but he's run well against proven stakes horses. Time to expand his horizons. Godolphin's main Derby hope could be PARHELION, who broke his maiden by 6 1/2 lengths at Nad al Sheba; heading for UAE Derby. Son of Southern Halo, from Argentine female family, was third to Kafwain in maiden race last June. Pletcher is leaning toward the Tampa Bay Derby for ARISTOCAT and the Florida Derby for INDY DANCER. He says he's baffled by the Risen Star, but still feels Indy Dancer is a top colt and wants to give him a chance to prove it; breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01 3/5. LONE STAR SKY is sharp for Louisiana Derby, breezing half in :47 4/5 in the slop. SIBERLAND, who missed the San Rafael, worked 5 furlongs in :59 2/5 at Santa Anita. Frankel-trained MIDAS EYES drilled sharp 6 furlongs in 1:11 2/5 for Swale Stakes; playing catch-up. OZZIE CAT trying to rebound off dismal effort in Fountain of Youth in El Camino Real Derby. TEN MOST WANTED breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01 2/5 for El Camino Real. SOUTHERN IMAGE looking to stretch out, worked 7 furlongs in 1:26 2/5.