Steve Haskin's Derby Watch--Week 5 (Cont.)

21 -- Publication//Terry Knight; Petionville-Cat News, by Storm Cat

Fast-closing fourth in Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's back working steadily at Bay Meadows, and is being pointed for the Louisiana Derby. Knight said he just lost his sharpness in Hollywood Futurity and backed off on him. Don't like the two-race scenario, but he's a classy colt, who won Arlington-Washington Futurity in only second start.

22 -- Azillion/Bob Hess; Alzao-Olivia, by Ela-Mana-Mou

Again, we'll know more about him and the caliber of horses he was facing when he runs on Friday. With his pedigree and his scope for improvement, we wouldn't be surprised to see him right there again. This looks to be a very competitive field. Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:02 1/5 before the first race at Santa Anita.

23 -- Changeintheweather/Dave Bell; Gone West-Meteor Colony, by Pleasant Colony

He should improve big-time off his third in wacky 4-horse allowance race last Saturday. Set the pace, then came back again in the stretch to be beaten in a 3-horse photo in his first start in four months.

24 -- Fonz's/David LaCroix; Out of Place-Seton's Encounter, by Spring Double

Training sharply for San Rafael. He's a talented colt, and this spot should suit him perfectly. If he wins, however, then goes on to Santa Anita Derby, it would mean only two starts before Kentucky Derby, and we're not sure he has the pedigree to get away with that.

25 -- Metatron/Jerry Hollendorfer; Silver Ghost-Dancing Ovation, by Northern Jove

Likely to make next start in San Rafael after 7-length allowance score at Golden Gate. Has plenty of speed, and has run with the best 2-year-olds in California. Now just a question how far he can stretch it out.

26 -- Cappuchino/Jerry Hollendorfer; Capote-Tara Roma, by Lyphard

Yet another Hollendorfer horse. He's been a gem of consistency and has excellent tactical speed, but has been beaten twice by Danthebluegrassman. Won Golden State Mile with authority. Distance is a question mark.

27 -- Request for Parole/ Steve Margolis; Judge T C-Madison's Quest, by Deputy Minister

We're probably not going to know too much about him until he tackles the heavy hitters in the Spiral Stakes. Prospective deal for the colt fell through, so he'll likely continue on the Turfway route.

28 -- Monarchoftheglen/Niall O'Callaghan; A.P. Indy-Milliardaire, by Alydar

Considering the obstacles he had to overcome, ran a big race in his U.S. debut. Broke badly, went 5-wide into first turn, then rallied around horses on the far turn to reach contention. Raced greenly after turning for home and never changed leads. With this race under his belt he should have gained enough experience to move on to better things.

29 -- Charioteer/Todd Pletcher; Silver Deputy-New Wave, by Dynaformer

Beat up on a weak bunch in Gulfstream allowance sprint, but did everything the right way, winning with total ease. Has effortless stride and looked like he was just getting rolling in the final eighth. If he keeps improving stretching out, he should develop into a classy colt. Louisiana Derby or Tampa Bay Derby likely next stop.

30 -- Clergy/Frank Brothers: Pulpit-Minery, by Forty Niner

Won his only two starts at 6 furlongs, but everyone he's beaten has come back to run big, so he may be a colt to reckon with. We'll know a lot more when he stretches out to a mile in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: MOUNTAIN FORUM ran a gutsy race in Gulf allowance, nosing High Star, but it was a freaky race, and he had the perfect trip. New York-bred sensation LORD OFTHE THUNDER only in light training after suffering pulled muscle; at least a month from a race. Bob Baffert finished one-two in a six-furlonng allowance race Feb. 16 with SATURDAY HERO and TRUE MONARCH. Bud Delp-trained BROOM showed good determination and strong stretch move to win Laurel allowance race for second straight two-turn victory. Three promising maiden winners this week were OCCIDENTAL TOURIST at Gulf, SEATTLE GLORY at Fair Grounds, and SMOKIN' JOHN at Aqueduct. Carl Nafzger's promising FLYING FREE will drop back to 7 furlongs in Swale Stakes. Impressive Oaklawn maiden winner MEDAGLIA D'ORO sold to Bobby Frankel; sent to California.