Haskin's Kentucky Derby Top 20--Week 6

Ranked in preference order, with horse/ trainer/breeding

Click on horse's name to access Contender Page

1-A P Valentine/ Nick Zito/A.P. Indy-Twenty Eight Carat, by Alydar

What's the panic? So, he's not running in the Florida Derby. He only needs two starts before Derby, and Spiral and Blue Grass fit nicely. Remember, he's coming off bucked shins. No need to rush him.

2--Hero's Tribute/John Ward/Sea Hero -- Eastern Dawn, by Damascus

When a 7-furlong allowance race can catapult a horse to the second spot, it shows that the Derby picture, in our opinion, is still incredibly wide open. Louisiana Derby will be a big test with blinkers added.

3-Point Given/Bob Baffert/Thunder Gulch-Turko's Turn, by Turkoman

Finally got back on the work tab, drilling a sharp 6 furlongs in 1:12 4/5. Definitely want to see a steady work schedule from now until the San Felipe, although there's been a lot of rain in L.A. recently.

4--Dollar Bill/Dallas Stewart/Peaks and Valleys-Saratoga Game, by Saratoga Six

With such a strong effort off layoff, watch out for the second- race-back factor, when horses are eligible to take a step backward. But if he runs big again, you have to be careful about peaking too soon. This colt has more going for him than any 3-year-old right now – top 2-year-old form, pedigree, huge closing kick, and very professional about everything he does.

5 -- Street Cry/Saeed bin Suroor/Machiavellian-Helen Street, by Troy

We should know a lot more after he runs Thursday in the UAE Guineas. The more wide-open the picture here becomes, the better his chances. We already know how he stacks up against our top-rated horses.

6 -- Millennium Wind/Dave Hofmans/Cryptoclearance-Bali Babe, by Drone

Training superbly. Worked 7 furlongs in 1:24, galloping out a mile in 1:37 2/5. Hofmans prefers the San Felipe, but weather may cause him to opt for Louisiana Derby. He's ready for big effort wherever he goes. McCarron has committed to him over Dollar Bill.

7 -- Startac/Simon Bray/Theatrical-Tenga, by Mr. Prospector

Bray can't get over how much he's improved since the Turf Paradise Derby. Worked a sharp 5 furlongs in :59 3/5, out in 1:12 4/5, with last quarter in :23 3/5. Turning into a real pro; more mature and more relaxed in his works. El Camino Real Derby next.

8 -- Outofthebox/Bernie Flint/Montbrook-Cricket Box, by Notebook

He's going to take a lot of beating in the Florida Derby. Well mannered, easygoing colt who just needs a little luck. Still showed some greenness running on rail in Fountain of Youth. This a very talented horse whose time has come.

9 -- Palmeiro/John Sadler/Pleasant Tap-Fortune Pending, by Fortunate Prospect

Continues to train sharply for San Rafael, working 6 furlongs in 1:12 1/5. Showed tremendous improvement since addition of blinkers, and with his pedigree, he could be dangerous come Derby Day.

10 -- Songandaprayer/John Dowd/Unbridled's Song-Alizea, by Premiership

Doesn't seem to be a lot of speed in the Florida Derby, and with small field expected, he could be off and running again. If he wins again the same way, we still won't know much about him as a 1 1/4-mile threat.

Continued. . . .