Top 20 Kentucky Derby Prospects #7

COMING SOON: In the coming weeks stayed tuned for our brand new website and logo update!! It should be a major upgrade across the board, and we hope you all will enjoy it!

New to the Top 20: We Miss Artie, Chitu, Midnight Hawk

Dropped Out: Honor Code, Commissioner, Tamarando

We’ve also thrown in the 2014 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) Pool 4 Morning Line odds and current Kentucky Derby 2014 point standings.

1. Cairo Prince (6-1 KDFW Morning Line) – It’s Florida Derby week and basically the moment of truth for our top ranked horse. With his lack of Derby points, he must finish in the top three here to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

2. Candy Boy (12-1) – It looks like he’ll have a legit threat in the Santa Anita Derby as California Chrome looks pretty impressive. Still liking this one a bit more, especially with the added distance.

3. Tapiture (15-1) – There is no question in my mind he was the best horse in the Rebel. He got mugged in the stretch, but still battle through it all to finish second. Not sure how he’ll be with added distance, but he hasn’t shown signs of slowing up yet.

4. Samraat (15-1) – Quietly moving up the ranks! The colt has done nothing wrong, but will be tested with the extra distance of the Wood Memorial next time out. That seems to be the only question mark on him.

5. California Chrome (5-1) – Welcome to the Kentucky Derby picture California Chrome! You can never quite trust a state bred until you see them against open company, but just like Samraat this guy proved he’s for real in a big way as he crushed open company in the San Felipe. His beyer number is the highest of any horse in the crop. Will he travel well?

6. Intense Holiday (20-1) – To me this is the horse that has the most to gain this weekend. He was a narrow winner in the Risen Star, but you would think the added distance of the Louisiana Derby could move him up even more.

7. Hoppertunity (12-1) – The horse showed he’s legit, although his trip was better than Tapiture’s. With them both getting fair trips Tapiture is probably better, but Hoppertunity is on the improve and moving up the ranks.

8. Constitution (30-1) – He’ll be one of Cairo Prince’s main challengers in the Florida Derby. Much like Cairo Prince, Constitution needs to hit the board in this one to have any chance of qualifying.

9. Ring Weekend (50-1) – Absolute runaway winner of the Tampa Bay Derby came out of nowhere!! The trip and set up were perfect for him, but I still like that he drew away from this field nicely. It may have not been the strongest group, but this runner proved he has to be taken seriously.

10. Social Inclusion (20-1) – From super allowance win to Wood Memorial winner?? That’s what Social Inclusion will be trying to do next Saturday at Aqueduct. If he wins…we could be looking at the top rated three-year old in the country.

11. Uncle Sigh (30-1) – The Kentucky Derby distance is a serious question mark, but you can’t underestimate this ones heart. The rivalry with him and Samraat has been a bright spot during the early prep races.

12. Strong Mandate (20-1) – No question the Rebel was a disappointing effort. Will we ever see the real Strong Mandate, or have we already seen him? Still think the potential is there…

13. Bobby’s Kitten (30-1) – He’s back, and he looked as good as ever! We all are skeptical as to if he can run a step on the dirt, and if he makes the Kentucky Derby it will be his first start on something other than turf of poly track. He has an all or nothing shot at the Derby as he’s scheduled for the Bluegrass Stakes in April.

14. Wildcat Red (30-1) – Will he stretch out to a mile and an eighth?? We’ll found out this week in the Florida Derby!

15. General A Rod (30-1) – He’s quietly flying under the radar, but I think the added distance of the Florida Derby will help him turn the tables on Wildcat Red. However, is he good enough to beat Cairo Prince and Constitution?

16. Albano (50-1) – Rematch time for Albano in the Louisiana Derby vs. Intense Holiday! He’s definitely on the improve, but can he stretch his speed out going even longer and hold off all challengers?

17. We Miss Artie (30-1) – I don’t give him much of a shot in Kentucky, but he won the Spiral last weekend so I have to rank him because he has qualified for the race.

18. Chitu (10-1) – Another that I give zero shot at winning, but like We Miss Artie, Chitu has qualified by staggering home to finish first in the Sunland Derby.

19. Ride On Curlin (30-1) – This one ran a big race in the Rebel to finish third, and probably surprised more than a few people with that effort. Maybe he’s not a “miler” like many have said. The Arkansas Derby is next for him, and it should tell the story of where he’ll go one way or another.

20. Midnight Hawk (20-1) – I put him here for my own amusement more than anything else. He has 34 points which makes him a lock for the Kentucky Derby if they want to run him there, but the horse can barely stand up after a mile. Definitely should not be pointing towards this race.

Free Brisnet past performances from Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager available here.

More information on the KDFW is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com.