Down to the wire Three contenders promise to dominate this year’s Run for the Roses – but history has shown that anything can happen on Derby Day
I
n the Kentucky Derby, every horse has a story. The trick is to sift through the sentimental favorites, the hype and the bad information to find the true contenders. When you look at the 136th edition of the Run for the Roses there are definitely stories, but only three horses stand out. If any one of them decides to put it all together, they have the talent not only to win the Derby, but maybe to sweep the Triple Crown. Eskendereya is the probable morning line and post time favorite. The son of Giant’s Causeway is built for this distance, is undefeated on the natural surface, and sports the best Beyer Speed Figure in the field. Trainer Todd Pletcher might send five horses to the post, but Eskendereya is his best hope to win him his first Derby. If Eskendereya occupies the top spot, Lookin At Lucky and Sidney’s Candy occupy spots 2 and 2a. Most consider them just slightly below Eskendereya, but you really can’t separate them. Lookin At Lucky has been the most consistent performer of all Derby starters. He has been consistent in finishing well – which is good – but also has steadily managed to find trouble even in his most impressive efforts. Most recently, whether through the fault of jockey Garrett Gomez’s ride or plain bad luck, the colt was stopped cold during his rally on the turn and lost all hope of catching 2a in the Santa Anita. All this said, he still managed a gut-checking second by a nose in the Breeders Cup Juvenile and managed to lunge for the wire to win the Rebel at Oaklawn Park. The Rebel win quieted doubters who wondered if Lucky would be able to make the transition from synthetic to dirt. Lucky is a serious horse;
He may not be a sure thing, but Eskendereya is the Derby favorite this year.
STRIDE MAGAZINE
April 17, 2010
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