Haskin's Derby Top 20--March 6 Update (Cont.)

11 -- Monarchos/John Ward/Maria's Mon-Regal Band, by Dixieland Band

Worked brilliantly, breezing 5 furlongs in 1:00 3/5, with last eighth in :11 1/5 while being shut down. If he's right there in the Florida Derby, he's on his way to bigger and better things. Everyone is searching for a star to emerge. If he should win, he could be the one.

12 -- You Know Who/Todd Pletcher/Southern Halo-Lubianka, by Criminal Type

Big step up in Florida Derby, but he'll love the extra furlong. Even if he finishes a fast-closing third or fourth he's a legitimate Derby contender. Love his 3x4 inbreeding to great producer Cosmah. Last race was huge effort.

13 -- Scorpion/D. Wayne Lukas/Seattle Slew-Petiteness, by Chief's Crown

Ran to his works, winning 7-furlong allowance race on front end after half in :45. Liked the way he ran straight as an arrow the length of the stretch. Last eighth in :13 4/5, but no one was closing quickly all day. Better off the pace. Should be tough in Gotham.

14 -- Gold Trader/D. Wayne Lukas/Storm Cat-Golden Attraction, by Mr. Prospector

Drilled 6 furlongs in 1:15 1/5 over Santa Anita training track. Big test in San Felipe against much classier horses than he's been facing. There's little doubt the talent is there. At this point we really don't know what we're dealing with. Been right at the top of Lukas's A list since last spring.

15 -- Meetyouathebrig/Elliott Walden/Out of Place-Always Be Mine, by Kris S.

This is the kind of year where you have to excuse one slip up along the way, and he's had his one. Deserves another shot in Spiral Stakes. Back on work tab, breezing a half in :50 at Payson Park.

16 -- Turnberry Isle/D. Wayne Lukas/Deputy Minister-Blush With Pride, by Blushing Groom

This is another whom you have to give another chance. Possibly just didn't like Santa Anita, but had a solid 5-furlong work in 1:00 3/5 in the mud. Remember, he was beaten only 3 lengths in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Excellent upset chance in Florida Derby if he can get an honest pace.

17 -- City Zip/Linda Rice/Carson City-Baby Zip, by Relaunch

Turned in a solid 5-furlong breeze in 1:00. If he's going to get a mile and a quarter, or even a mile and an eighth, he needs to relax early. He is such a sharp breaker, he always seems to be right on the pace before taking back. He'll need to save all he can and not waste energy in the first quarter or half-mile.

18 -- Holiday Thunder/John Ward/Thunder Gulch-Magical Holiday, by Slew o' Gold

Throw out his race in the Fountain of Youth, and let's wait for the Spiral Stakes. Lung condition has cleared and Ward has been taking it easy with him, letting him come back to himself. Off last year's form, no reason why he shouldn't rebound.

19 -- Invisible Ink/Todd Pletcher/Thunder Gulch-Conquistress, by Conquistador Cielo...

In similar situation as many others. Faces big test in Florida Derby to see just what's there. Breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01. Like stablemate You Know Who, he only needs to be coming on at the end to be ready to move on to the next step.

20 -- Romolo's Fritzi/John Terranova/Cryptoclearance-I'm a fighter, by Fit to Fight.....

Have to respect anything from Team Valor. Showed good burst of speed breaking his maiden last November, but raced greenly. More mature and relaxed this year, as indicated by his rousing debut, winning 1 1/16-mile allowance at Gulfstream, running almost a second and two-fifths faster than other division. Very impressive number on Ragozin sheets, especially for first race back. Rushaway next, then Wood Memorial.

20 -- Congaree/Bob Baffert/Arazi-Mari's Sheba, by Mari's Book

Normally we wouldn't dream of putting a recent maiden winner on here, especially at this late date, but when Baffert calls him "a freak of nature," and ranks him right up there with Point Given, we have to think, maybe this isn't your typical maiden winner. Just annihilated his field, winning by 7 in 1:34 1/5, fastest mile of the meet. Baffert will look for two-turn race, then the Wood Memorial.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR – Two stakes winners over the weekend, CRAFTY C.T. (San Rafael) and BURNING ROMA (Sam F. Davis) have no designs on the Kentucky Derby. Burning Roma once again showed that big burst of speed on the far turn, but he had to battle once he got the lead. Needs to time his move better if he's going to convince owner he wants to go 1 1/4 miles. BONNIE SCOT took advantage of a blistering early pace and drew clear to win the John Battaglia at Turfway for his second Spiral Stakes prep victory at the meet. Consistent stretch runner, could make his presence felt in Spiral. SON OF ROCKET was able to carry his speed two turns, winning the one-mile Southwest Stakes over a sloppy track. GLOBAL GAIT to point for San Felipe after suffering slight foot injury. Zito will run REGAL SHIVERS in Gotham Stakes. OMMADON back on work tab after setback, breezing a half in :51 at Belmont. MONGOOSE continues to breeze steadily, going 5 furlongs in 1:03 1/5. Close to a race. Promising Maryland horse MARCIANO may take the Gotham-Wood Memorial route. Lukas will run UNBRIDLED TIME in El Camino Real Derby. Baldwin winner SKIP TO THE STONE should provide the speed in the San Felipe.