Kentucky Derby Top 10

1. Old Fashioned
2. Imperial Council
3. Pioneerof The Nile
4. Hello Broadway
5. Fresian Fire
6. Capt. Candyman Can
7. Midshipman
8. General Quarters (new)
9. Flying Pegasus (8)
10. Stardom Bound (9)

One new addition, one dropped.

General Quarters looked fabulous winning the Sam F Davis. That was a decent enough field and he dominated them how a good horse should. He looks like he is getting it at the right time. Was tempted to place him significantly higher but felt it was important to factor in who he beat, where he beat them and the circuits typical impact on the Triple Crown in years past. (though with higher purses its slowly becoming a bit more relevant.

I dropped Vineyard Haven after him running 4th in the 2000 Guineas in Dubai. I don't like to place too much emphasis on races in Jan or Feb but given that his trainer commented on him not training that well and the fact that he never really looked like himself I think being dropped is warranted. It also doesn't help that he is not going to have a single prep stateside. (Unlike Midshipman who is being tentatively being pointed to the Bluegrass Stakes)

Imperial Council came back from his freshening to win an Allowance at Gulfstream last weekend. Not overly impressive, but it serves its point. He got some conditioning out of it, won, and is now on to bigger and better things being pointed towards the Gotham and Wood Memorial.

Old Fashioned also came back with a win int he Southwest Stakes. Being that there were no dramatic developments by the other key contenders I elected to keep him at the top of the list despite the fact that I think he will probably sweep the Arkansas preps and then get manhandled in the Derby. His performance in the Southwest left a bit to be desired in the speed department. Though, im tempering my opinion knowing that Larry Jones is not going to crank up this horse too soon. He knows what it takes to be ready for the big dance.

Till next week...