8. Mr. Z
Derby Points/Rank: 12 points – 7th
Race Record: (9) 1-4-2
Earnings: $514,726
Breeding: Malibu Moon – Stormy Bear
Owner: Zayat Stables
Trainer: D Wayne Lukas
Last Race: Oaklawn Park: Smarty Jones Stakes on 1/19/15, finished 3rd
Projected Next Race: Oaklawn Park: Grade 3 Southwest Stakes
Analysis: Everyone is down on him…but why? Imagine if Mr. Z would have ran a straight stretch race in the Southwest…he would have won by five lengths and most likely would be on every list imaginable as a prime contender. You have to have faith that Lukas will find a way to get him right, and when he does this one will be hard to beat. He’ll finally get the chance to run again this Sunday in the Southwest Stakes.
