Beethoven

BEETHOVEN (Sky Mesa X Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City)

Record: 6-3-0-1

Graded Earnings: $107,494

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7-2-08-------Maiden (Churchill Downs)-----------------------5th

9-13-08------Maiden (Turfway Park)--------------------------1st

10-4-08------Allowance (Keenland)---------------------------3rd

11-1-08------Allowance (Churchill Downs)-------------------1st

11-29-08-----Kentucky Jockey Club (Churchill Downs)-----1st

1-31-09-------Holy Bull (Gulfstream Park)-------------------4th


Beethoven's biggest point of interest is the fact that he has already won twice at Churchill Downs. This means two things: 1. The obvious, he likes the track at Churchill. That can make or break it on Derby day. 2. He has no issues with traditional dirt. The installation of Synthetics has made this a huge question on the Derby trail each year. However, Beethoven's wins have not been as impressive in my opinion as some of the other contenders. I think he'll need to improve as the year goes on, and he may, or may not. Time will tell.

Vineyard Haven

VINEYARD HAVEN (Lido Palace X Princess Aloha, by Aloha Prospector)

Record: 4-3-0-1

Graded Earnings: $405,000

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6-28-08------Maiden (Calder)------------------1st

7-24-08------Sanford (Saratoga)--------------3rd

9-1-08-------Hopeful (Saratoga)---------------1st

10-4-08-----Champagne (Belmont Park)-----1st

Vineyard Haven is another very impressive contender for this year's Kentucky Derby--Another youngster coming off of a fantastic 2yo season. Vineyard Haven has shown a lot of talent, and looked to improve his form with each race he ran. Although he was third in the Sanford out of only four, he still ran well as he had to overcome a troubled trip. He'll be prepping with Midshipman over in Dubai, and they are both names to watch for in the future.

Midshipman

MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's Song X Fleet Lady, by Avenue of Flags)

Record: 4-3-1-0

Graded Earnings: $1,350,200

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8-17-08-------Maiden Special Weight (Del Mar)---------1st

9-3-08--------Del Mar Futurity (Del Mar)-----------------1st

9-28-08-------Norfolk (Santa Anita)----------------------2nd

10-25-08-----Breeder's Cup Juvenile (Santa Anita)-----1st

Midshipman comes onto the Derby trail as the 2008 Eclipse Award Champion 2 year old male. Another impressive 2yo out of Unbridled's Song, Midshipman is currently the leading contender for the Run for the Roses. While Midshipman's wins haven't been quite as impressive as say, Old Fashioned and Vineyard Haven, he's won some of the biggest two year old races. His wins haven't been as visually impressive, but they mean just as much, if not more.

Old Fashioned

OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song X Collect Call, by Meadowlake)

Record: 3-3-0-0

Graded Earnings: $120,000

10-6-08-----Maiden Special Weight (Deleware Park)-----1st

11-3-08-----Allowance (Deleware Park)-------------------1st

11-29-08----Remsen Stakes (Aqueduct)------------------1st

Old fashioned is certainly one of the most impressive of the few horses on the list of eary derby contenders. A very strong 2 year old, his 2008 season was highlighted by three impressive wins. He steps onto the derby trail with his win in the Remsen Stakes. Trained by Larry Jones, who brought us Hard Spun and Eight Belles, Old Fashioned certainly looks like he could be one of the top contenders come Derby Day.

Eclipse Award Champions

So I was really pulling for Zenyatta to be Horse of the Year. But I love Curlin, so I can handle that. And after all, the Dubai World Cup is the richest race in the world, and when you really think about it, Zenyatta shouldn't really be considered the best, since she never raced against the best. Nonetheless, I love her and I'm still a little bummed. The Eclipse Awards went down like this:

Two Year Old Champion Female:-------Stardom Bound
Two Year Old Champion Male:----------Midshipman
Three Year Old Champion Female:-----Proud Spell
Three Year Old Champion Male:--------Big Brown
Champion Older Female:----------------Zenyatta
Champion Older Male:-------------------Curlin
Champion Male Sprinter:----------------Benny The Bull
Champion Female Sprinter:-------------Indian Blessing
Horse of the Year:------------------------Curlin