Thoroughbred Fever - Horse Racing News

Full field expected for 2008 Kentucky Derby

by Jarrod Horak on April 22nd, 2008

War Pass is out with a fractured sesamoid, and Lexington hero Behindatthebar is Preakness bound, but more than twenty are still shooting for Derby glory, including a pair of fillies (Eight Belles and Proud Spell) trained by Larry Jones of Hard Spun fame.

The final major Derby prep (Lexington) ruined the dreams of Atoned, Racecar Rhapsody, Salute the Sarge and Tomcito, and the major contenders are coming into focus.

Colonel John continues to train with a purpose in California, and he seems to be putting it all together at the right time. He is on his way to Kentucky, and I cannot wait to see how he handles Churchill Downs conventional dirt in his training.

Pyro tries to rebound from a disappointing Polytrack try in Keeneland’s Blue Grass, and Big Brown is unbeaten, untested, and hopes raw talent trumps his lack of seasoning.

Tale of Ekati crept home in the Wood Memorial, and Gayego gave the California contingent a shot in the arm with a rock solid score in the Arkansas Derby.

It would not be the Derby without Todd Pletcher. It took him quite some time to find a quality runner, and he actually found a pair in one-two Blue Grass finishers Monba and Cowboy Cal. The former seems better suited to the main, and note that he has won at Churchill Downs. The latter sports the look of a synthetic/turf specialist.

Recapturetheglory stole the Illinois Derby, and there are enough quality early/pressing types to keep him honest on Derby day, but it is nice to see his colorful connections back in the spotlight.

Smooth Air owns decent early/pressing speed and always runs his race, and Z Fortune and Court Vision are fringe contenders of the same mold. Bob Black Jack is the California version of Smooth Air.

Visionaire is a decent late runner with a realistic shot at a money run on the first Saturday in May. Michael Matz of Barbaro fame is in his corner, and he returns to preferred conventional dirt and should get pace to chase. He will have to weave his way through traffic.

Adriano looked super in the Lane’s End, but the synthetic specialist will have to overcome a layoff and run another smasher on a different type surface. He has talent but seems up against it.

Denis of Cork has raw talent and still needs defections to get in. His connections blew it when they opted to skip the Rebel, and he lacks the seasoning to be take seriously. Probably better suited to the Preakness.

Nick Zito (Go For Gin) has lost War Pass, but he will still be represented by Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal.

Barclay Tagg won the Derby with Funny Cide, and he is back with longshot Big Truck.

The big day is fast approaching, but many twists, turns, defections and surprises are surely forthcoming in the next ten days.

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POSTED IN: Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown