My First Top Ten Of 2009

This is my first attempt to create a top ten out of the few contenders currently pointed at the Kentucky Derby. It will change many times between now and then, but I figured, what the heck. So here goes.


1. Old Fashioned--looks much the best right now. I like his style (although I'd like to see him rate behind horses and lay close instead of taking the lead) and I like the fact that he wins big. I'll be watching him very closely as the year goes on.

2. Vineyard Haven--if Old Fasioned is at the top, this one has to be as well, because he has similar style and has won his races in similar fashion. He looks like he could be a big factor as well, but he'll be training in Dubai, and I have yet to see them get one over here for the Derby.

3. Stardom Bound--I like her alot. In fact, her sire, Tapit was my third choice in the very first Derby I handicapped (he finished 9th). She comes from behind though, which is a hard place to be in a field of 20. However, it is definately possible, and I've watched her races and I must say I'm impressed. She's been coming around the far turn very wide, and that could be a big help on Derby Day. I'll be waiting to see what she can do against the boys.

4. Midshipman--I'm not really that impressed by him, but he's the Juvenile winner, so here he is.

5. Square Eddie--needs to return to previous form and start winning again, but looked great as a two year old.

6. Saratoga Sinner--impressive in Holy Bull

7. Beethoven--might be better than he looked in Holy Bull

8. Nicanor--I'm ambitious with this one, but he's here because I can't forget what his brother (Barbaro) did in 2006.

9. Pioneer of the Nile--fought gamely in the Cash Call Futurity, and I really like his bloodlines.

10. Patena--is popular with the experts on Kentuckyderby.com and has good lines, so even though I know very little about him, he's here for now.

Stardom Bound

STARDOM BOUND (Tapit X My White Corvette, by Tarr Road)

Record: 5-3-2-0

Graded Earnings: $1,410,000


7-20-08------Maiden Special Weight (Del Mar)-----------------2nd

8-6-08-------Sorrento Stakes (Del Mar)------------------------2nd

9-1-09-------Del Mar Debutante (Del Mar)----------------------1st

9-27-08------Oak Leaf Stakes (Santa Anita)--------------------1st

10-24-08-----Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies (Santa Anita)-----1st


Stardom Bound is a spectacular filly brought to us by the owners of Big Brown (but not trained by Rick Dutrow, thankfully because at the end of the day, what Big Brown will be most remembered for is the only race he lost, and the arrogance of his trainer). Stardom Bound is by Tapit, who ran in the Kentucky Derby himself after winning the Wood Memorial. She may have some surface questions to answer, but her bloodlines suggest she should run just fine on dirt. Her bloodlines and running style also suggest that the distance should not be a problem. It's nice to see that the world is still willing to put fillies up against colts after Eight Belles. That had nothing to do with which race she was in (in fact, she probably would have had to run just as hard if she'd been chasing Proud Spell home in the Oaks). Stardom Bound is no Eight Belles. She's certainly talented, thought we don't know how much just yet. And Eight Belles was a once in a lifetime horse. She had something special that went far beyond just talent. Stardom Bound may be better than she's looked so far though, so I am serioulsy looking forward to seeing how she shapes up for the triple crown season.

Holy Bull Stakes

(Saratoga Sinner wins the Holy Bull)


The Holy Bull Stakes (grade III) at Gulfstream Park was won by Saratoga Sinner (Harlan's Holiday) on Saturday, as propsective Derby contender Beethoven finished a dismal fourth. Bear's Rocket (Lion Heart) finished second after leading thoughout and setting a fast pace. Westside Bernie (Bernstien) was third, The favorite, Danger to Society (Harlan's Holiday) was seventh. Other dissapointments came from Rockland (Smarty Jones) who finished eighth, and Idol Maker (Empire Maker) who finished tenth and last.

In my post about Beethoven, I mentioned that he would need to improve upon his two year old season to be a serious contender for the Derby. He did not show that in this race, and honestly, I'm not surprised. Not to say that this is the end of the line for him. There is still plenty of time.

I was hoping to see much better perfomances out of Rockland (Smarty Jones) and Idol Maker (Empire Maker), because of their lineage. Smarty Jones was the first Derby winner I picked correctly so it's really cool to see his foals hitting the races. And Empire Maker produced two great fillies that were on the Oaks trail last year, (Country Star and Mushka) so he's already proven that he is a good stud.

Also, Barbaro's full brother, Nicanor ran his first race on the Holy Bull undercard. He went off as the second choice, but a stumble out of the gate (he stepped on his hoof and injured himself) ended the race before it really even started. Nicanor finished twelfth. It is a minor injury, and he will be racing again when it heals. Of course the ultimate goal is still the triple crown races for him, but if he doesn't get a good race in him soon, time may run out.

Saratoga Sinner ran a good one on Saturday, and we will be watching for him in the future. Plans for Saratoga Sinner have him headed for the Florida Derby on March 28, and ultimately, the Triple Crown