8. Mr. Z
Derby Points/Rank: 12 points – 6th
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. It’s worth noting that he nearly beat Dortmund two races back…and Dortmund is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
