11 -- Monarchos/John Ward/Maria's Mon-Regal Band, by Dixieland BandDespite never having run in a stakes, he should be one of the favorites in the Florida Derby. If he should win, expect him to vault to the top of everyone's list. But still may not be the best horse in his barn.12 -- You Know Who/Todd Pletcher/Southern Halo-Lubianka, by Criminal TypePletcher very high on him. Trying to decide whether to run in Florida Derby or Louisiana Derby. Doesn't have to win either one. All he needs is to be coming at the end and he's on his way to Kentucky. One of the strongest pedigrees of any 3-year-old.13--Global Gait/Bob Baffert/Concern-Celestial Jazz, by Dancing Count Baffert said he got his tongue over the bit in Fountain of Youth, which would account for his sudden retreat. Was moving better than anyone between the three-eighths pole and quarter pole. Definitely deserves another chance, especially coming off layoff. San Rafael is next. 14 -- Gold Trader/D. Wayne Lukas/Storm Cat-Golden Attraction, by Mr. ProspectorStill hasn't beaten anyone, but based on his pedigree and Lukas' opinion of him, there's a good chance he's the real thing. Still had to jump up from 6 furlongs to a mile, and his 1:35 final time and :24 4/5 final quarter certainly was legit.15 -- Express Tour/Saeed bin Suroor/Tour d'Or-Express Fashion, by Private ExpressPeople around him last year were convinced he's something special. Outofthebox's development into a top Derby contender makes him look even better, as he defeated the Fountain of Youth runner-up at Calder last year. We'll know more after Thursday's UAE Guineas.16 -- Holiday Thunder/John Ward/Thunder Gulch-Magical Holiday, by Slew o' GoldBled a little in the Fountain of Youth, but has bounced back out of the race. Just have to sit back and wait for the Spiral Stakes. Very honest colt, and you have to throw this race out. Also broke from 10-post and rushed up to get position, which didn't help either.17 -- Invisible Ink/Todd Pletcher/Thunder Gulch-Conquistress, by Conquistador Cielo...Won his last three against modest opponents, and must now step up in class to be considered a legitimate Derby threat. But Beyer numbers have continuously climbed, now up to solid 98, and in his last start, runner-up Percy Hope finished 9 lengths ahead of third horse.18 -- Ommadon/Tom Walsh/Grindstone-Missymooiloveyou, by TurkomanLove his pedigree and his last two races at 2, but foot problem is messing up his schedule. Walsh may be hard-pressed to get two distance races in him. Luckily, he doesn't need too much, with such a solid 2-year-old foundation under him.19-- City Zip/Linda Rice/Carson City-Baby Zip, by RelaunchDidn't like the fact he came out of Fountain of Youth with foot problem, but we're still going to stick with him until he either leaves the Derby trail or is booted off. If foot is okay, no reason to think he shouldn't run his usual honest race in Florida Derby20--Mongoose/Bill Mott/Broad Brush-Salty Gal, by Cox's RidgeHad a nice solid half-mile breeze in :51 1/5 at Payson Park. Enough things happened in debut to give him another chance. Showed more speed than usual after breaking poorly and going 5-wide into the first turn. He's a better horse than he showed that day.KNOCKING ON THE DOOR: SILVERTONGUE FOX scored a hard-earned victory in two-turn allowance race for Baffert. Lost a shoe leaving the gate and was stuck down on the rail most of the way. Baffert said he won on guts over a very deep track. At Laurel, MARCIANO, coming off a big second to Talk is Money, romped by 9 1/4 lengths in Sunday's Herat Stakes. Godolphin got off on the right foot, scoring maiden victories in Dubai with A.P. Indy colt QAWAQEB and first timer MARHOOB. SKIP TO THE STONE wired his field in Baldwin in slop. Bred to go long, and looks to stretch out in San Felipe. Walden high on MR. JOHN, who looked impressive winning a 6-furlong allowance race at Gulf, but pedigree is loaded with sprinters. Lukas sending TURNBERRY ISLE for Florida Derby. We have a feeling this colt is sitting on a big race somewhere down the line. May even be this one. SCORPION on course for big debut, working 6 furlongs in 1:12 flat at Gulfstream. Lukas will now gear down on recent arrival BUCKLE DOWN BEN, who needs solid pace to be effective. Spiral Stakes likely to be next start. BURNING ROMA continues to work brilliantly at Tampa Bay, drilling 6 furlongs in 1:12 4/5. He'd definitely be on the list if owner didn't insist he's not pointing for Derby. LEARING AT KATHY coming around after third in Turf Paradise Derby, working 7 furlongs in 1:26 3/5. Could be a sleeper as the distances stretch out. Tom Amoss could have a nice horse in GRIFTER, a winner on dirt and grass, who goes in Saturday's Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. CLUTCH PLAYER and SAM LORD'S CASTLE looking to make some noise in Louisiana Derby. MEETYOUATHEBRIG hasn't worked since the Fountain of Youth. If he's on the work tab soon, he should start making his presence felt.
