Steve Haskin's Derby Top 20: Week 3

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

Breezed easy 5 furlongs in 1:02 4/5 at Hialeah. Zito has vowed he's going to learn from Greenwood Lake, whom he wishes he'd never run in the Holy Bull. He'll let this colt dictate his own pace. Mighty big statement last year saying he's the best he's ever trained. From what we saw in Champagne, we sure won't argue with him.

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

Baffert says he won't make his debut until the San Felipe March 17. Similar to what he did with Real Quiet. With solid 2-year-old campaign, this big, strong colt won't need any more than two starts before Derby. Worked sharp 5 furlongs in :59 flat.

3--Macho Uno/Joe Orseno/Holy Bull-Primal Force, by Blushing Groom

Only news is that he got a new set of shoes on Sunday. He's had to overcome some "minor, little setbacks," according to Orseno. They're looking to start breezing him in 7 to 10 days. Orseno said he has a schedule in the back of his mind, but right now still taking it day to day.

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

Worked another solid 6 furlongs Sunday in 1:14 for Risen Star. Galloped out a strong mile in 1:45, and Dallas Stewart says he's right on target for debut. If he runs his usual race, and unleashes that powerful late kick, he's on his way.

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

For all those who question his ability to overcome 4.33 dosage index, we'll just say his sire is by Mr. Prospector out of a Halo mare; his dam won the Irish Oaks, and his broodmare sire won the English and Irish Derbys and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

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

With Santa Catalina behind him, he's just sitting tight until the San Felipe and another meeting with Point Given. Last two have tested him; now let's see if can show the same flash he did in maiden win. No doubt a very talented colt.

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

Ward sounds like he's pretty excited about this big, strong colt. Looking at 7-furlong allowance on Feb. 17. Training very well and will work 5 furlongs on Wednesday with Jerry Bailey aboard. Likely will point for Spiral Stakes or Tampa Bay Derby.

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

Continues to train well at Payson Park, turning in a solid 5-furlong breeze in 1:02 2/5. Look for a big effort first time back in Fountain of Youth. With his speed and late kick combo, he could take it all. Has the makings of a top-class colt. Should be a major force this spring.

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

In Santa Catalina, ran pretty much the same kind of race Millennium Wind did against Point Given in Hollywood Futurity. Will run next in the San Rafael. Sadler not crazy about dropping distance, but says timing is good. Lots of potential. Love this colt's pedigree, especially with an incredibly balanced dosage profile of 3-2-8-2-3.

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

If there was an explosion heard in the desert Saturday, it was this colt's dynamite move in the Turf Paradise Derby. Forget where he did it, he's already demonstrated his class. This simply is a darn good horse. Major question was whether he could handle dirt, and he responded big-time, overcoming a lot of kickback early in the race.

Contenders 11-20. . . .