Greg Melikov’s Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders

Quality Road: The Virginia-bred colt put in the top performance of the 3-year-old season disposing of Dunkirk in the Florida Derby en route to a 1 3/4-length victory. The son of Elusive Quality ran the best time of 1:47 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles since Gulfstream Park‘s main track was lengthened from a mile to nine furlongs in 2005. Trainer Jimmy Jerkins hopes to duplicate the winning performances of Barbaro in 2006 and Big Brown in ’08 when training up to the Kentucky Derby.

Friesan Fire: If the well-bred son of A. P. Indy runs well in the Blue Grass instead of training up to the big race, he can claim a share of the top spot. Yes, his sweep of the Fair Grounds version of Triple Crown races was the first in 16 years, but a seven-week layoff would be a bit much to overcome. Conditioner Larry Jones will make the call. However, the Louisiana Derby winner probably is at Keeneland for the April 11 prep.

I Want Revenge: If the son of Stephen Got Even he runs as well in the Wood Memorial as he did in the Gotham at Aqueduct, he probably would earn a share of No. 1. He has been working extremely well, breezing five furlongs in 59 4/5 on Sunday after traveling 58 1/5 handily for the same distance a week earlier.

Pioneer of the Nile & The Pamplemousse: The Santa Anita Derby will decide whose Best of the West. Pioneer of the Nile, a son of Empire Maker, comes off a narrow triumph in the San Felipe at 1 1/16 miles while The Pamplemousse cruised to an eight-length win in the Sham at 1 1/8 miles. Both worked handily on March 25 going six furlongs: Pioneer’s time was an impressive 1:11 2/5 compared to Pamplemosse’s 1:13. However, both must repeat their synthetic surface form when they run on dirt for the first time at Churchill Downs.

Old Fashioned: The son of Unbridled’s Song must bounce back from his disappointing second in the Rebel at Oaklawn Park to capture the Arkansas Derby on April 11.

Imperial Council: Another son of Empire Maker whose granddad Thunder Gulch captured the ’95 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, must run first or second in the Wood Memorial to make bank enough graded stakes earnings to qualify for the Kentucky Derby after finishing second to I Want Revenge in the Gotham.

Win Willy: The son of ’01 Derby winner Monarchos really surprised in the Rebel and returned $115.60 on the front end. If he repeats in the Arkansas Derby, there’ll be a new buzz horse in Louisville.

Dunkirk: Another son of Unbridled’s Song, the former buzz horse, may not even reach Louisville since he has only $150,000 in graded earnings. He just might have to run in another prep.

Take the Points: Runner-up in the Sham is in the same boat after scoring twice on dirt. The son of Even the Score must finish first or second to bank enough dollars to qualify.

About The Author

Greg Melikov: Horse Racing Handicapper/Turf Writer Greg Melikov has been handicapping and writing about horses for decades. His articles and columns appear in print and on the Internet around the world. Greg is a retired newspaperman who became a racing fan at 13 when he saw 1948 Triple Crown winner Citation, his favorite horse, whip 20 older horses at old Arlington Park.

Tags: Dunkirk, Friesan Fire, I Want Revenge, Imperial Counsil, Old Fashioned, Pioneerof the Nile, Quality Road, Take the Poins, The Pamplemousse, Win Willy

"Greg Melikov’s Top 10 Kentucky Derby Contenders" was posted on 31 March 2009 8:44 AM under Horse Racing News, Horses, Kentucky Derby, Racing Picks & Betting Tips, Stakes Races, Triple Crown

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