Derby 8 – April 8
1. Pyro: Solid, consistent Pyro put in his final work for the Blue Grass Stakes on Monday morning, going four furlongs in :50.60 at Keeneland without company. He’ll start on Saturday without the pressure of having to win — although, as Winchell racing manager David Fiske said in the NTRA teleconference on Tuesday, it would be nice to do so.
2. Colonel John: I hope racing analysts and handicappers continue to fret over the Santa Anita Derby winner’s lack of dirt-racing experience, because that will make his Derby day odds so much better. By Tiznow, two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and out of Turkoman mare Sweet Damsel, a winner on dirt and turf, Colonel John should have no problem running over the organic stuff. If you’re concerned, though, pay extra attention to his Churchill training. Trainer Eoin Harty said the colt would have at least one work over the track before the Derby.
3. Big Truck: Worked a bullet four furlongs in :46.40 at Keeneland on Tuesday. Trainer Barclay Tagg said after the Tampa Bay Derby winner remains under consideration for the Blue Grass Stakes.
4. Big Brown: Only Illinois Derby winner Recapturetheglory’s 102 Beyer comes close to the figure he posted winning the Florida Derby.
5. Cool Coal Man: Will start in the Blue Grass on Saturday. Has the earnings for the Derby, but needs to show he’s ready for the first Saturday in May.
6. Tale of Ekati: Like Valerie, I was early fan of Wood victor Tale of Ekati — he was a brilliant maiden winner at Saratoga, and going into the prep season I thought he was trainer Tagg’s most likely Derby prospect. The sixth place finish in the Louisiana Derby, though, turned me off, especially since the colt was only going to get one more prep before May. Then he won that second prep.
7. Visionaire: Another starting in the Blue Grass. The Gotham winner was hardly flattered by the performance of Texas Wildcatter in the Wood last weekend when that one finished eighth, 33 lengths off the winner.
8. Eight Belles: After Eight Belles brought her winning streak to four with her gutsy victory in the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn, trainer Larry Jones said the filly would start next in the Kentucky Oaks. She’s Triple Crown nominated, though, and owner Rick Porter is considering alternate plans. “If we feel Eight Belles has a good chance in the Derby, we’ll go the Derby,” he said, noting a decision doesn’t have to be made until Derby week. Eight Belles has $210,000 in graded stakes earnings, more than enough for a Kentucky Derby post.
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