News Kentucky Derby Top 20 Rankings 3/10/21 March 10, 2021 Life Is Good after winning the San Felipe (Credit: Benoit Photo) News Kentucky Derby Top 20 Rankings 3/10/21 March 10, 2021 By: Aaron Halterman twitterfacebooklinkedinemail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article Welcome to the 2021 Kentucky Derby Rankings! Each week leading up to the race, we will provide our Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects, as well as updates with the latest news on each horse.You can also visit our Kentucky Derby (G1) page for loads of information, including the latest news, rankings, prep race schedules, the Kentucky Derby point standings, and much more! ( Content Continues Below Ad ) 1. Life Is GoodPros: Tough Luck Bob; running style; elite talent; two highest Beyers (101, 107) in the cropCons: Possible distance limitationsOutlook: It’s pretty simple at this point with him, he has the most talent. Can he handle pace pressure is the biggest question mark still left with him. 2. Essential QualityPros: Brad Cox; distance pedigree; class of the crop; solid 2021 debutCons: Hard-pressed to find a con at this pointOutlook: He’s easily better than those behind him on this list, plus he has a better distance pedigree than our top ranked horse. 3. Medina SpiritPros: Three great 2021 efforts; early speed; Tough Luck BobCons: Can’t beat his stablemate Outlook: He’s shown heart and toughness in his last three starts, but he’s just no match for his stablemate Life Is Good. 4. Caddo RiverPros: Brad Cox; early speed; distance pedigreeCons: Multiple losses on resumeOutlook: He was really impressive in the Smarty Jones, but who did he beat? We’ll know more about him when he moves up in class for the Rebel Stakes (G2) this weekend.5. MandalounPros: Brad Cox; enough points (52) to make the Derby gate; great pedigree; running style suited for DerbyCons: Will Fair Grounds form hold up this year?Outlook: The added blinkers in the Risen Star (G2) really improved this horse. If he can keep progressing, he’s going to be very dangerous. 6. Greatest HonourPros: Excellent pedigree; “The Shugster” Shug McGaughey; 3-race winning streakCons: Low Beyer Speed Figures remain an issueOutlook: This guy keeps winning without earning fast speed figures. Further stretching out in distance should help him. 7. Concert TourPros: Tough Luck Bob; should improve going longer; defeated a next-out winnerCons: Low Beyer Speed Figures; Freedom Fighter did not flatter him in the Gotham. Outlook: Can this horse improve even a bit when stretching out in distance? If the answer is yes, then he’ll be tough to beat. The Rebel Stakes (G2) will tell us a lot this weekend.8. KeepmeinmindPros: Competed well with the best in the crop; victory at Churchill DownsCons: Only 1 victory; 2021 debut keeps getting delayedOutlook: This seems like a “hit the board” type who’s proven to be extremely classy. We’ll see how much he’s developed once he finally runs this weekend in the Rebel Stakes (G2).9. Risk TakingPros: Distance no problem; Chad BrownCons: Running style; low Beyer Speed FiguresOutlook: This solid-looking prospect looked good in the Withers (G3). He must continue to improve from a speed figure standpoint, though. 10. ProxyPros: Ultra-consistent; distance pedigree; classyCons: Hasn’t finished the job in a stakesOutlook: Simply put, he wasn’t able to finish the job in either of his Fair Grounds stakes efforts. Still, this is a solid horse who should make the Derby field. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) 11. Hot Rod CharliePros: Proven class; Doug O’Neill; should improve next outCons: Shipping away from California; multiple losses on resumeOutlook: I’m on the fence with this guy until we see more. He certainly has proven to be classy, but can he break through and win a big race? 12. Dream ShakePros: Plenty of talent; ran well in his stakes debutCons: Behind schedule wise; no match for the best horse in CaliforniaOutlook: His effort in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) was admirable. It’s hard to see him turning the tables on Life Is Good, though, which puts him in a tough spot. 13. Midnight Bourbon Pros: Consistent; proven class; Derby-friendly running styleCons: Multiple losses on resumeOutlook: This hard-trying type won the Lecomte (G3) but couldn’t repeat in the Risen Star (G2).14. Roman CenturianPros: Consistent runnerCons: Should have won Lewis; low Beyer Speed Figures; no match for top 3 in the San FelipeOutlook: At this point, his ceiling is being a “hit the board” type in the big races. 15. HeliumPros: Undefeated horse; should improve next outCons: Very low Beyers; defeated a weak field; training up to the DerbyOutlook: It was impressive that this horse could win the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) off a layoff, plus it was his first start on dirt. This will be his only race before the Kentucky Derby, though, which is not ideal. 16. WeyburnPros: Massive improvement in the Gotham; distance pedigreeCons: Still has some proving to do; Gotham could have been a flukeOutlook: I’m squarely on the fence with him at this point. He made a huge progression in the Gotham (G3), but can he repeat that effort? The Wood Memorial (G2) will tell us a lot about him. 17. Highly MotivatedPros: 2 quality wins; Chad BrownCons: Possible distance limitations; lackluster 2021 debut Outlook: I’d like to give him one more chance in a final prep before writing him off completely. He was so-so in the Gotham (G3), but he has a right to improve next out. 18. Rombauer Pros: Can run on any surfaceCons: Speed figures suggest he lacks enough speedOutlook: His ability to win on synthetic could be key for him making the Derby, but still he has some major improving to do before he’s considered a prime contender.19. SpielbergPros: Tough Luck Bob; pedigreeCons: Very inconsistent; overall talent level very questionableOutlook: He’s the horse that just won’t go away. Every time you try to write him off, he comes back with a decent effort, so you have to keep him on the list. Baffert will probably get him to the Derby, but he really shouldn’t have much of a chance. 20. Brooklyn StrongPros: Solid as a 2-year-old; proven at longer distancesCons: Late to the game; long layoff Outlook: It looks like he’s shooting for the Wood Memorial (G2) as his first race as a 3-year-old. That will be a tough ask, but he owns a win over the track and at the Wood’s distance.
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Official Breeders’ Cup 2024 Picks | Blinkers Off 692 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the 41st… Read More
Jon White Breeders’ Cup 2024 Interview and Picks | Blinkers Off 691 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Breeders’ Cup Classic and Football Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 213 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Pre-Entries Analysis | Blinkers Off 690 The Racing Dudes dive into the 2024 Breeders’ Cup pre-entries… Read More
Breeders’ Cup 2024 Top 5 Performances Aaron gives his Top 5 Breeders’ Cup performances from the… Read More
Who is the 2024 3-Year-Old Male of the Year? Aaron gives his thoughts on who should be the 2024… Read More
College Football Week 11 and NFL Week 10 Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 214 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More