News Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Updates | Track Phantom Among Recent Prep Race Winners January 3, 2024 Track Phantom (Ben Breland/Eclipse Sportswire/CSM) News Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Updates | Track Phantom Among Recent Prep Race Winners January 3, 2024 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Track Phantom was an impressive 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) prep race winner, but he wasn’t the only one, as Aaron explains in the latest news & updates.Visit our Kentucky Derby page for the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! 1. FiercenessPros: Two brilliant performances; easily the fastest beyer speed figure in the cropCons: Inconsistent Outlook: At his best, this horse has been brilliant, including a blowout win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita. However, he did show up with a non-effort in the Champagne Stakes (G1), which is a bit concerning. 2. NysosPros: Two blowout wins; should be fine going longerCons: Bob Baffert can’t run in the Kentucky Derby. Outlook: With Bob Baffert still unable to run horses in the Kentucky Derby, the road to the roses becomes awkward. Will he go to Tim Yakteen? Will they skip the Kentucky Derby? Hooray…another year of dealing with this crap. At the end of the day, this horse has tremendous talent, so we’ll see what happens. 3. El CapiPros: Sensational debut win; solid trainer Cons: Only one start; stretching out is an unknownOutlook: There is no doubt his 7-furlong debut victory was impressive, but can he do the same thing when he stretches out in distance? That’s the big question mark; however, there is no doubt he has a good amount of ability. 4. DornochPros: Getting better with each race; solid foundationCons: Seems to be a bit green and needs to figure things outOutlook: It’s hard to get a read on the Remsen Stakes (G2) winner, but there is no doubt that he is getting better with each race while also stretching out in distance. He is a bit immature, which is a problem, but maybe they can get that worked out. 5. Track Phantom Pros: Solid win in the Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Cons: Numbers are still a tad slow Outlook: This one looks to be developing well for Steve Asmussen, who is still looking for his first Kentucky Derby victory. If he can continue to improve he is going to be in the mix on the first Saturday in May. 6. MuthPros: Grade 1 winner; runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile; solid pedigreeCons: Bob Baffert can’t run in the Kentucky Derby. Outlook: Another Baffert runner who has shown some ability, but it is unclear what will happen with him when it comes to the Kentucky Derby. This is the most accomplished of the Baffert 3-year-olds for 2024. 7. LockedPros: Grade 1 winner; great distance pedigreeCons: Running style; third in the Breeders’ Cup JuvenileOutlook: He is one to watch as he should get better as the distances get longer this year. Pletcher is a master at spotting his horse on the Kentucky Derby Trail, which should give this horse plenty of chances at success. 8. Sierra LeonePros: Solid turn of foot; great pedigree for going longer Cons: Couldn’t finish the job in the Remsen Stakes (G2); numbers are a litte lowOutlook: This horse showed a lot of promise in his first stakes attempt, running second to Dornoch in the Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct. He should only get better with more experience for a solid trainer in Chad Brown. 9. Born NoblePros: Solid pedigree; great debut beyer of 93Cons: Lightly raced; must jump onto the scene quickly Outlook: His debut race was eye-catching and his pedigree says he’ll run even better when stretching out in distance. Pletcher has been outstanding with these types his entire career, and this runner should be no different. 10. KnightsbridgePros: Impressive debut win at Churchill Downs; solid pedigree Cons: Lightly raced; no works since his win on 11/4/23Outlook: His debut effort at Churchill Downs was impressive, while he should improve with more racing for Bill Mott. However, there are currently no plans for when he might start next, which is a little concerning. 11. Catching FreedomPros: Nice Smarty Jones Stakes victory; solid pedigree Cons: Still fairly green; numbers need to improveOutlook: Once he got his mind on business in the Smarty Jones Stakes he cruised by the front runners with ease. He still has some things to figure out; however, he should only get better under Brad Cox. 12. OtelloPros: Back to back solid wins; tremendous pedigreeCons: Numbers must improve Outlook: His Mucho Macho Man Stakes victory was solid. He was boxed in for most of the race; however, he came running fast once he finally got free. This horse should also show great improvement when stretching out in distance. 13. Parchment PartyPros: Two solid wins; solid pedigreeCons: Numbers must improve Outlook: This one seems to be developing nicely for Bill Mott, who will take his time and put him in logical spots. We haven’t seen him in a stakes race yet, but there is no doubt we will soon. 14. Honor MariePros: Already a graded stakes winner; solid distance pedigreeCons: Will likely take on tougher horses at Fair GroundsOutlook: He burst onto the scene with a solid win in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. The Fair Grounds circuit will be tough; however, this horse has shown he can compete at a high level. 15. NashPros: His maiden win was very impressive Cons: Inconsistent; only 1 win in 3 startsOutlook: I’m not ready to give up on him yet after a disappointing third in the Gun Runner Stakes last time out at Fair Grounds. He should rebound off of that effort in his next start. 16. WynstockPros: Improving with each startCons: Bob Baffert can’t train in the Kentucky Derby; numbers are lowOutlook: He looks to be getting better with each start, especially since stretching out in distance. This horse showed a lot of heart winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in his last start. 17. LegalizePros: Two straight impressive winsCons: Both wins came in sprints Outlook: This horse has the pedigree that says he should stretch out well; however, both of his victories have come in sprints. We’ll know more about this one once he stretches out in distance. 18. ImaginationPros: Kicked off 2024 with a nice maiden winCons: Bob Baffert can’t train in the Kentucky Derby; only 1 win in 3 startsOutlook: It took three races to break his maiden, but he looked solid when finally getting his win in a two-turn maiden special weight at Santa Anita. He will likely be in a stakes race next time out. 19. First World WarPros: Solid distance pedigreeCons: Numbers are low; only 1 win in 4 startsOutlook: He hasn’t been overly impressive; however, he has been consistent. His close second-place effort in the Mucho Macho Man Stakes earned him a spot in our first Top 20 rankings.20. Change of CommandPros: Getting better with each startCons: Took 4 starts to break his maidenOutlook: He seems to be on the improve for a solid trainer, while we’ll see him run Friday in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park. We will know more about him after that race. 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