Ranked in preference order, with horse/ trainer/breedingClick on horse's name to access Contender Page1-A P Valentine/ Nick Zito/A.P. Indy-Twenty Eight Carat, by AlydarZito's not going to rush this colt, whom he called the best horse he's ever trained. Up to five furlongs in his breezes at Hialeah. Main goal is Florida Derby. Can't help but think back to praise lavished on this colt by legendary John Nerud before the Champagne. Most impressive 2-year-old we saw last year. 2-Point Given/Bob Baffert/Thunder Gulch-Turko's Turn, by TurkomanBaffert may have to resort to shipping him out of town, most likely to the Fair Grounds for the Risen Star. Only other option is to sit back and wait for the San Felipe, meaning he'd have to make his 2001 debut off 4-month layoff and go in the Kentucky off two starts. 3--Macho Uno/Joe Orseno/Holy Bull-Primal Force, by Blushing Groom
Will pass Fountain of Youth and look for allowance race for debut. Did a lot of galloping and swimming on the farm over the winter and put on 70 pounds of muscle in hindquarters and shoulders. Extremely efficient stride and a ton of ability have helped him overcome greenness and immaturity. 4--Dollar Bill/Dallas Stewart/Peaks and Valleys-Saratoga Game, by Saratoga SixWorked a solid 6 furlongs in 1:14 for 2001 debut in Risen Star. If he continues to unleash that powerful stretch run, he should have little trouble with the current group at Fair Grounds. If Point Given shows up it should a heck of a race for a non-graded event. 5 -- Street Cry/Saeed bin Suroor/Machiavellian-Helen Street, by TroyHas begun working in Dubai and has impressed assistant trainer Tom Albertrani. Likely will run in the UAE Guineas and UAE Derby before heading to Churchill Downs. If he demonstrates a slightly quicker turn of foot that can get him to pass horses, we're talking serious Derby horse. 6 -- Millennium Wind/Dave Hofmans/Cryptoclearance-Bali Babe, by DroneWill not run for two months following his victory in the Santa Catalina Stakes, and will go into the Derby off only five career starts. No doubt a very talented colt, he should benefit from his unexpected stretch battle with Palmeiro. 7--Hero's Tribute/John Ward/Sea Hero -- Eastern Dawn, by DamascusBreezed a half in :49 2/5 at Gulfstream. Ward will be looking for a two-turn allowance race to get him ready for the Florida Derby. Appears to be over his quarter crack, and with his pedigree, speed, and class, he should be ready to develop into top Derby contender. 8 -- Meetyouathebrig/Elliott Walden/Out of Place-Always Be Mine, by Kris SComing along nicely for Walden, breezing 5 furlongs in 1:02 4/5, which is a pretty solid work at Payson Park. Another colt with excellent combination of speed and stamina. Should be a force first time out in Fountain of Youth. 9 -- Palmeiro/John Sadler/Pleasant Tap-Fortune Pending, by Fortunate ProspectLove this colt's pedigree, especially with an incredibly balanced dosage profile of 3-2-8-2-3. Sadler was thrilled with his second-place finish to Millennium Wind. He could run him back in the one-mile San Rafael, which means cutting back in distance, or wait for the San Felipe, or even run in both. Interesting to see how he moves forward off last. 10--Mongoose/Bill Mott/Broad Brush-Salty Gal, by Cox's RidgeHe's had three works at Payson Park, with last breeze a :52 half on Jan. 21. Mott quietly confident in this big, good-looking colt. He's taken a few pretenders on the Derby trail, but this could be his first real legitimate shot at the roses with a true mile and a quarter horse. Contenders 11-20. . . .
