FINAL RESULTS
1st: I’ll Have Another
2nd: Bodemeister
3rd: Dullahan
4th: Went the Day Well
5th: Creative Cause
6th: Liaison
7th: Union Rags
8th: Rousing Sermon
9th: Hansen
10th: Daddy Nose Best
11th: Optimizer
12th: Alpha
13th: El Padrino
14th: Done Talking
15th: Sabercat
16th: Gemologist
17th: Trinniberg
18th: Prospective
19th: Take Charge Indy
20th: Daddy Long Legs

Final Time: 2:01.83

Below, you will find our own selected Top three year olds based on performance up to now. Please feel free to comment at the bottom of the page whether you agree or disagree and who you feel should be in the top rankings if you don’t see a specific horse you like.

I’ll Have Another (KY) – Trainer Doug O’Neill

Wasn’t sure what to expect after his win in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) on February 4. He demolished a decent field to win by 2 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:40.84 for the 1 1/16 miles. This coming after a five month layoff. O’Neill did a great job getting this horse back into race shape over the Winter. He gave him two more months off before the Santa Anita Derby on April 7. With wins now in back to back graded races and gutting it out by a nose against a colt who many felt was a Derby favorite, Creative Cause. I now put this colt at the top of the standings. His time of 1:47.88 is the fastest time for any three year old winner this year.

Latest Workouts:
BetFair Hollywood Park – 4/27/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.80 – Handily – 7/22
Hollywood Park – 4/19/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.60 – Handily – 5/18
Hollywood Park – 3/30/2012 – All Weather Track – 7F – 1:26.00 – Handily – 1/3
Hollywood Park – 3/21/2012 – All Weather Track – 7F – 1:26.20 – Handily – 1/1
Hollywood Park – 3/12/2012 – All Weather Track – 1M – 1:42.60 – Handily – 1/1
Santa Anita – 3/3/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.00 – Handily – 1/4
Hollywood Park – 2/23/2012 – All Weather Track – 4F – 48.60 – Handily – 5/19

Bodemeister (VA) – Trainer Bob Baffert

Incredible performance in the Arkansas Derby where he annihilated the field by 9 1/4 lengths. A field included stable mate and multiple graded stakes winner Secret Circle. It was an impressive follow up to his 3/4 length defeat to Creative Cause in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). He is maturing right before our eyes as hes only raced four times in his career. His first start was a 2nd place effort in a five and a half furlongs spring. He came back to win by 9 1/4 lengths going a mile. I catapulted him up in the rankings due to his gutsy performance against Creative Cause in his first attempt in graded company and for clearly being the best horse in the Arkansas Derby. Not to mention he never trained at Oaklawn, flew across the country the week of the race and it didn’t bother him at all. This horse set quick fractions in the Arkansas Derby and accelerated down the stretch as if he was doing a morning workout. Serious threat come May 5th.

Latest Workouts
Churchill Downs – 4/24/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Handily – Rank 3/23
Santa Anita – 4/8/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.40 – Handily – Rank 14/55
Santa Anita – 4/2/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.40 – Handily – Rank 1/9
Santa Anita – 3/23/12 – Dirt – 4F – 46.80 – Handily – Rank 2/41
Santa Anita – 3/04/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.40 – Handily – Rank 18/66
Santa Anita – 2/26/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14.00 – Handily – Rank 6/12
Santa Anita – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Handily – Rank 18/55
Santa Anita – 1/30/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.00 – Handily – Rank 1/37

Creative Cause (KY) – Trainer Mike Harrington

Not much else you can say about a horse who loses by a nose in a Grade 1 stakes race. It was a strong effort by a horse who should be one of the favorites come Derby day. However, if you get a chance to watch the race, keep an eye on Joel Rosario and Mario Gutierrez aboard I’ll Have Another. Rosario is aggressively riding his colt and Gutierrez hand riding. You can see that Creative Cause needed much more urging in the last 1/16 of a mile. That is why I dropped Creative Cause to 3rd.

Latest Workouts:
Hollywood Park – 4/24/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 5/35
Hollywood Park – 4/17/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 1:01.20 – Handily – Rank 16/37
Hollywood Park – 4/3/12 – All Weather Track – 4F – 48.40 – Handily – Rank 5/14
Hollywood Park – 3/28/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:12.80 – Handily – Rank 2/9
Hollywood Park – 3/20/12 – All Weather Track – 5F – 59.80 – Handily – Rank 1/29
Hollywood Park – 3/6/12 – All Weather Track – 4F – 46.40 – Handily – Rank 1/34
Hollywood Park – 2/28/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.80 – Handily – Rank 1/1
Hollywood Park – 2/12/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.40 – Handily – Rank 1/17
Hollywood Park – 2/04/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.80 – Handily – Rank 6/17
Hollywood Park – 1/28/12 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.60 – Handily – Rank 1/20

Gemologist (KY) – Trainer Todd Pletcher

Some might say I’m crazy for having an undefeated colt in 4th spot, but he has yet to really face a challenge in a large field. He put away Alpha the way he needed to at the end of the Resorts World Casino Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, but the final time of 1:50.96 is the slowest of all the Derby prep races. It was his first graded stakes race win since winning the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes on November 26 at Churchill Downs, so he could improve even more. We will see.

Latest Workouts:
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/20/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.81 – Breezing – Rank 7/11
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/1/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.44 – Breezing – Rank 1/9
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/12/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.77 – Breezing – Rank 25/40
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/3/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.22 – Breezing – Rank 1/10
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/26/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.92 – Breezing – Rank 1/29
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/19/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:03.88 – Breezing – Rank 29/32
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.77 – Breezing – Rank 39/71
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/05/12 – Dirt – 3F – 39.88 – Breezing – Rank 11/11

Union Rags (KY) – Trainer Michael Matz

He made the win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes look effortless. However in the Florida Derby, he didn’t look as sharp. It took him from the far turn to halfway down the stretch to start running the way we are accustomed to seeing him. A few more jumps and he wins, but didn’t like the delayed reaction. He will still be one of the horses to beat next month in Louisville.

Latest Workouts:
Keeneland – 4/20/12 – All Weather Track – 4F – 47.40 – Breezing – Rank 3/43
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/12/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.40 – Breezing – Rank 2/16
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/24/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.10 – Breezing – Rank 13/41
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/17/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:04.21 – Breezing – Rank 22/22
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/10/12 – Dirt – 4F – 50.76 – Breezing – Rank 48/51
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/19/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.81 – Breezing – Rank 13/40
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:03.08 – Breezing – Rank 21/26
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.67 – Breezing – Rank 1/27

Alpha (KY) – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin

After finishing a distant 2nd to Union Rags in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes, then a disappointing 11th place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, this Bernardini colt could have gone South in a hurry. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin gave him two months between races and the two months break seem to be what the Doctor ordered. He came out on January 7 and easily won the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct. A month later, he drew away from the field to win easily yet again in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. These two races might not have been as deep as many would expect, but he put them away like a potential champion should. He is certainly a horse to keep an eye on in the Derby after nearly defeating Gemologist in the Wood Memorial. The only thing I didn’t like was that he had the race in his grasp but didn’t have enough to get passed Gemologist.

Latest Workouts:
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/30/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.17 – Breezing – Rank 6/21
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/24/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.99 – Breezing – Rank 2/20
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/17/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.01 – Breezing – Rank 5/22
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/10/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.21 – Breezing – Rank 10/19
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/3/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.83 – Breezing – Rank 31/49
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/25/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.71 – Breezing – Rank 30/46
Belmont Park – 1/30/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.02 – Breezing – Rank 1/15
Belmont Park – 1/02/12 – Dirt – 4F – 47.88 – Handily – Rank 1/42

Hansen (KY) – Trainer Michael Maker

The reigning two year old champion deserved the crowning achievement by going undefeated in three starts. His defeat of Union Rags and the rest of the 12 colts and geldings in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was impressive. His first defeat in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at the hands of Algorithms can be taken in a couple of ways. He didn’t like the sloppy track and he was taken too quick in the first 1/2 mile to 6 furlongs when clear in front of others. The Gotham Stakes (G3) on March 3 was not a stellar field, but he did what was expected and ran away with the race. He showed alot of promise in the Blue Grass Stakes going 1 1/8 miles for the first time, but tired near the end and Dullahan caught up and passed him. The Kentucky Derby will be full of speed horses. I don’t believe we can expect to see him last another 1/8 mile longer. The Preakness might be a better fit.

Latest Workouts:
Churchill Training – 4/7/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.00 – Breezing – Rank 4/14
Churchill Training – 3/31/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.80 – Breezing – Rank 2/10
Churchill Training – 3/24/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.20 – Breezing – Rank 6/6
Churchill Training – 3/18/12 – Dirt – 4F – 50.40 – Breezing – Rank 2/2
Gulfstream Park – 2/26/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.95 – Breezing – Rank 5/22
Gulfstream Park – 2/19/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.00 – Breezing – Rank 1/31
Gulfstream Park – 2/12/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.00 – Breezing – Rank 6/37
Gulfstream Park – 1/22/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.80 – Handily – Rank 3/40
Gulfstream Park – 1/14/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.10 – Breezing – Rank 6/45

Went the Day Well (KY) – Trainer Graham Motion

This colt is getting better and better with each race since coming over from England. In his first try at maiden going 1 1/8 miles, he got off to a slow start and just about got up in time despite slow fractions early on. His maiden win was a comfortable one while going 1 1/16 miles in a cruising 1:44.3. The Spiral win was another strong race going long distance as he cruised to victory against a decent field. He has proved he can win the big race and he is primed and ready to go an additional 1/4 mile in the Derby.

Latest Workouts:
Keeneland – 4/21/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14:40 – Breezing – Rank 2/3
Keeneland – 4/14/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02:00 – Breezing – Rank 34/45
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/25/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.92 – Breezing – Rank 6/11
Palm Meadows Training Center – 1/29/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.91 – Breezing – Rank 28/36

Take Charge Indy (KY) – Trainer Patrick Byrne

This A.P. Indy colt has always been in the fray race after race and finally took a step forward with a win against a mediocre field in the Florida Derby and took advantage of an off day for Union Rags. I did like the fact that he went gate to wire, and dug in to win the race in a formidable time. Keep in mind, trying to duplicate this type of performance with a full field of 20 and more pressure on the front end is going to be a tough task. Nonetheless, he moves up into contender status.

Latest Workouts:
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/26/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.47 – Breezing – 1/4
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/19/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.66 – Breezing – 1/2
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/24/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.57 – Breezing – 6/20
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/17/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.88 – Breezing – 10/22
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/4/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 47.66 – Breezing – 1/36
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/26/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.29 – Breezing – 5/29

Daddy Nose Best (KY) – Trainer Steven Asmussen

I liked the way this colt won the El Camino Real Derby (G3) at Golden Gate Fields (all weather surface) in getting up to nip Lucky Chappy (IRE) at the wire. I was even more impressed in his ability to run down Isn’t He Clever down the stretch in the Sunland Derby (G3). Mark my word, the final time of 1:48.59 will be the fastest time out of all the Derby prep races once they have all raced. So why don’t I have him higher? I’ve always been a believer in winning the higher graded stakes races. Whether you are 2, 3 or older, being battled tested against tougher horses is always a good measuring stick for future success. It would be good to see him run against the likes of Union Rags, Hansen or Creative Cause but that won’t happen. If he can display the same final 1/4 and 1/2 mile kick he has shown in the last two races, he could win the Derby.

Latest Workouts:
Churchill Downs – 4/23/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:14.00 – Handily – Rank 1/2
Churchill Downs – 4/16/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 1/20
Churchill Downs – 4/9/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.40 – Handily – Rank 14/15
Santa Anita – 3/20/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.80 – Handily – Rank 40/51
Santa Anita – 3/11/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Handily – Rank 9/66
Santa Anita – 3/04/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02.00 – Handily – Rank 53/66
Santa Anita – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 4F – 50.60 – Handily – Rank 25/31
Santa Anita – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.20 – Handily – Rank 2/10
Santa Anita – 1/30/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Handily – Rank 10/37

El Padrino (KY) – Trainer Todd Pletcher

Just got up to win by a nose in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. That gave him back to back wins and a 2-0 record as a three year old. It was his first graded stakes win. His effort in the Florida Derby was not the way to follow up. He didn’t show signs of the horse who won a Grade 2 race.

Latest Workouts
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/20/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.56 – Breezing – Rank 5/11
Palm Meadows Training Center – 4/15/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.10 – Breezing – Rank 4/12
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/25/12 – Dirt – 4F – 49.11 – Breezing – Rank 9/22
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/18/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.22 – Breezing – Rank 3/13
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/12/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.08 – Breezing – Rank 2/40
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/19/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.91 – Breezing – Rank 23/40
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.21 – Breezing – Rank 8/71
Palm Meadows Training Center – 1/23/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:02:77 – Breezing – Rank 3/10

Mark Valeski (KY) – Trainer Larry Jones

This colt ran very well in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). It was a phenomenal battle all the way down the stretch between he and El Padrino. El Padrino would get the better of him by a nose, but this was his first race beyond a mile and against tough competition. He will only get better with each race. Having Larry Jones as a trainer helps his cause. Yes, he ran 2nd in a one million dollar race, but he lost to a horse who went off at odds of 109-1! Not to mention, he had every opportunity to catch up down the stretch. We will give him the benefit of the doubt as at least this colt has been in the thick of things at the end of each race.

Latest Workouts:
Churchill Downs – 4/23/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.60 – Breezing – Rank 2/31
Fair Grounds – 3/27/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.60 – Breezing – Rank 1/14
Fair Grounds – 3/20/12 – Dirt – 5F – 59.40 – Breezing – Rank 1/11
Fair Grounds – 2/20/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.20 – Breezing – Rank 3/62
Fair Grounds – 2/13/12 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.60 – Breezing – Rank 1/10
Fair Grounds – 2/06/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Breezing – Rank 4/48
Fair Grounds – 1/06/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.40 – Breezing – Rank 3/77
Fair Grounds – 12/29/11 – Dirt – 5F – 1:00.80 – Breezing – Rank 3/40

Prospective (KY) – Trainer Mark Casse

In the Blue Grass Stakes, the Tampa Bay Derby winner was wide the entire race and didn’t have enough to challenge late. Don’t count this colt out in the Derby. If he can get a clean trip and not run wide, he could be a threat at very good odds. He has the running style that suits the longer distances.

Latest Workouts:
Churchill Downs – 4/2/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.20 – Breezing – Rank 2/5
Churchill Downs – 3/27/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:03.00 – Breezing – Rank 3/4
Palm Meadows Training Center – 3/02/12 – Dirt – 4F – 48.80 – Breezing – Rank 2/18
Palm Meadows Training Center – 2/18/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.62 – Breezing – Rank 6/23
Palm Meadows Training Center – 1/28/12 – Dirt – 5F – 1:03.04 – Breezing – Rank 31/33

Rousing Sermon (CA) – Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer

The streak of hitting the board, but not being able to get up for the win continues. His first try away from Southern California tracks produced a similar result. He came flying at the end, but finished 3rd losing 2 lengths to Mark Valeski and Hero of Order (upset winner). Will he be able to make up even more ground going 1 1/4 miles in the Kentucky Derby or will he wait until the very end and just miss. You’d have to think there will be enough speed for him to be able to make a serious move.

Latest Workouts:
Hollywood Park – 4/21/12 – All Weather – 7F – 1:27.20 – Handily – Rank 1/2
Hollywood Park – 4/15/12 – All Weather – 5F – 1:00.00 – Handily – Rank 6/60
Hollywood Park – 4/9/12 – All Weather – 4F – 49.20 – Handily – Rank 8/23
Hollywood Park – 3/25/12 – All Weather – 6F – 1:13.20 – Handily – Rank 2/19
Hollywood Park – 3/19/12 – All Weather – 5F – 1:00.40 – Handily – Rank 5/18
Hollywood Park – 3/4/12 – All Weather – 4F – 46.60 – Handily – Rank 1/22
Hollywood Park – 2/27/12 – All Weather – 4F – 49.40 – Handily – Rank 14/20
Hollywood Park – 2/21/12 – All Weather – 4F – 49.40 – Handily – Rank 14/20
Hollywood Park – 2/15/12 – All Weather – 4F – 49.40 – Handily – Rank 14/20
Santa Anita – 1/29/12 – Dirt – 4F – 47.40 – Handily – Rank 2/51
Santa Anita – 1/23/12 – Dirt – 7F – 1:26.80 – Handily – Rank 1/1

Daddy Long Legs (KY) – Trainer Aidan O’Brien

Won a stakes race in England last September, then ran a disappointing 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November. He was off for almost five months when he returned to capture the U.A.E. Derby (G2) at Meydan Race Course in Dubai.

Liaison (KY) – Trainer Bob Baffert

Winner of the Real Quiet Stakes and CashCall Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park last fall has not been able to find himself as a three year old. Finishing 8th in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2), 4th in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and 6th in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) doesn’t give me much hope that he can all of a sudden run big in the Derby.

Latest Workouts
Churchill Downs – 4/25/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:12.80 – Breezing – 1/1
Hollywood Park – 4/18/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:13.00 – Handily – 3/19
Santa Anita – 4/2/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:10.80 – Handily – 2/9
Hollywood Park – 3/27/2012 – All Weather Track – 6F – 1:11.20 – Handily – 2/6
Santa Anita – 3/20/2012 – Dirt – 5F – 1:01.60 – Handily – 21/39
Santa Anita – 3/5/2012 – Dirt – 4F – 47.00 – Handily - 6/30
Santa Anita – 2/29/2012 – Dirt – 6F – 1:13.80 – Handily – 4/12

Algorithms (KY) – Trainer Todd Pletcher

Is now off the Derby trail due to a leg injury.

Out of Bounds (KY) – Trainer Eoin Harty

Is now off the Derby trail due to ankle fracture.

Make sure to stay up to date on when the next big Derby prep race will run by bookmarking our Graded Stakes page.

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