Racing Dudes Top 20 Kentucky Derby Rankings #8

9. Shagaf

Derby Points/Rank: 50 Points – 6th

Race Record: (3) 3-0-0

Earnings: $298,800

Breeding: Bernardini – Muhaawara

Owner: Shadwell Stables

Trainer: Chad Brown

Last Race: Aqueduct: Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on 3/5/16 – finished 1st

Analysis: It wasn’t the most impressive performance by Shagaf in the Gotham Stakes, but it was good enough to get the win and move him on to the next step down the Triple Crown Trail. Shagaf grinded away at pace setting Laoban who had a significant advantage because of a major speed favoring track at Aqueduct, and was able to pass him late. However the race came back fairly slow, so Shagaf will have to improve off of this effort. I’d call the win a “foundation builder.”