1. Hotep – Jockey Patrick Husbands for trainer Mark Frostad. Sam-Son Farms runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 30-1 in the morning line. Broke maiden from rail at Woodbine but best race came here in a N1X optional claimer for $50K. Just plain beat in the Risen Star and Albarado jumps ship.
2. Mission Impazible — Jockey Rajiv Maragh for trainer Todd Pletcher. Twin Creeks Racing Stable runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 8-1 in the morning line. Exits the Southwest and gets a new rider. One of Pletcher’s others.
3. Fly Down — Jockey Jose Lezcano for trainer Nick Zito Richard C. Pell runner carries 122 and listed at 8-1. Beat just four others in last when rallying at today’s distance. Earned 90 Beyer points and is another that may show up late on the road home for Zito. Prepared almost three months for the last win and it paid off. Distance isn’t a problem but don’t think he’s mature enough yet. Right?
4. The Program Jockey Corey Nakatani for trainer Bob Baffert. Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable runner carries 122 and listed at 10-1. Gets Nakatani for this as he looks for a chance to ride in the derby and win it. First time away from the plastic strips on the West Coast and like the surface switch. Has tactical speed but Nakatani hasn’t had much success when called on by Baffert. Not today.
5. A Little Warm Jockey David Cohen for trainer Tony Dutrow. Edward P. Evans runner carries 122 and listed at 4-1. Things are gonna get ‘a little warmer’ for this guy in his first time beyond 7/8′s around two turns Rolled home in sloppy Spectacular Bid at GP but Rose would be here if he was worthy.
6. Ron the Greek Jockey James Graham for trainer Tom Amoss. Jack T. Hammer runner carries 122 and listed at 6-1. Didn’t get the fast pace he got in the LeComte and won’t get it here. It’ll be more of the same pace that was in the Risen Star. He wasn’t able to close the deal then and don’t look for him to do it today.
7. Discreetly Mine Jockey Javier Castellano for trainer Todd Pletcher. E. Paul Robsham Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 7-2. Will be the pacesetter again today and have to think the track will play speed based on yesterday’s performance by Quiet Temper. Should have no problems getting distance.
8. Island Soul Jockey Robby Albarado for trainer Steve Asmussen. Stonestreet Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 20-1. Asmussen runner is another who’s coming into his own late in the derby prep cycle. Runner may show up late on the scene.
9. Stay Put Jockey Jamie Theriot for trainer Steve Margolis. Richard, Bertram & Elaine Klein runner carries 122 and listed at 10-1. Has no speed so will be closing from downtown along with a few others in here. Looks like he will love the extra ground today and even more so if he can get to the Derby. He’s on the short list of some of the handicappers at KentuckyDerby.com. Interesting.
10. Wow Wow Wow Jockey John Jacinto for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.Marylou Whitney Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. This is where the pressure for Discreetly Mine will come from. Horse broke maiden here on lead every jump with Jacinto and that’s the only way to run him. Lukas tried that in Gotham but it wasn’t his surface. He’ll give the favorite a run for his money in here but for how long?
11. Mister Marti Gras Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan for trainer Neil Pessin. Lothenbach Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. Everyone wants a crack at the Derby and this horse finished in a hurry last time breaking maiden. Can’t see it but does attract Bridgmohan.
12. Backtrack Jockey Shane Sellers for trainer Gary Scherer. Al & Bill Ulwelling runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. Another going long for the first time and wonder what the strategy will be from way out here. Son of Grand Slam so should have tactical speed but from out here?
13. Drosselmeyer — Jockey Kent Desormeaux rides for trainer Bill Mott. WinStar Farm runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 5-1 in the morning line. Had the outside hole against eight others going a mile at CD when breaking maiden. Desormeaux will have him a little closer today behind the two front runners.