Horse Racing News is the source of thoroughbred racing information with horse racing odds, betting tips, racing picks, race results, and handicapping. Latest news and articles on top horse racing contenders, jockeys, trainers, three-year-olds, race tracks, and major stakes races such as the Triple Crown races: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes as well as the Breeders' Cup horse races.Race Entries Analysis for Kentucky Derby 132
Posted on Wednesday, April 26th, 2006
By GREG MELIKOV, HorsesWild Contributing Writer
For the 132nd time 3-year-olds will take to the Churchill Downs main track for America’s Race. Of more than 425 horses nominated for the 2006 Triple Crown, only 20 or fewer will run in the Kentucky Derby.
Some contenders hold a noticeable advantage before they break from two gates. Others, however, must buck negative trends that go back decades.
For example, no horse with four or fewer career starts has smelled the roses since Exterminator in 1918. So it doesn’t look good for Showing Up, who won the Lexington Stakes on April 22.
Sunny’s Halo in ‘83 was the only horse with two preps that won the Kentucky Derby since ‘47. That’s a bad omen for Private Vow and Sharp Humor.
Barbaro, Sharp Humor and Flashy Bull, 1-2-7 in the Florida Derby, will attempt to become the first with a layoff of five weeks or more to score since Needles in ‘56.
Runners in Gulfstream’s showcase race that train up to The Derby haven’t done well when it is staged in April. There are exceptions, but those Florida Derby winners later won at Louisville: Northern Dancer in ‘64 following the Blue Grass and Tim Tam in ‘58 after the Derby Trial.
No horse since Proud Clarion in ‘67 won without a stakes victory in his or her career. Goodbye Flashy Bull, Jazil, Mister Triester, Steppenwolfer and Storm Treasure.
An even tougher trend to overcome is finishing fifth or worse in the final prep. Iron Liege last performed the feat in ‘57. So the odds are stacked against Deputy Glitters, Flashy Bull and Seaside Retreat.
A pedigree that combines stamina and speed is a big plus. Point Determined is one example. He’s bred to love the 1 ¼ miles and is from the first crop of Point Given, winner of the ‘’01 sophomore races except The Derby, partly because he only had two preps. Bob and John and Jazil were sired by Seeking the Gold, winner of the ‘91 Derby.
Other pluses include horses that won at a mile or longer as a juvenile, but it’s not make or break requirement: Deputy Glitters, Keyed Entry, Mr. Triester, Sinister Minister, Steppenwolfer and Sweetnorthernsaint.
Many horses over the years have failed to handle the Churchill Downs surface. So arriving early at Louisville and working over the track is important.
Three workouts, with one marked handily, are ideal and indicate the horse should respond when asked to stretch out.
But it really all comes down to who will put it all together and get a clean trip on May 6.
"Race Entries Analysis for Kentucky Derby 132" was posted on Wednesday, April 26th, 2006 at 9:48 am and is filed under Horses, Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Sunday, April 30th, 2006 3:00 pm By Douglas Rutherford
BOB and JOHN , SWEETNORTHERNSAINT , DEPUTY GLITTERS are a (Must-Key) on Top for this Derby. You have got to pay close attention to those that WIN by 9 lengths or more. The reason for throwing out SINISTER is because of only 5 starts. And im throwing out LAWYER because he has run at CD even thou those were on turf. PRIVATE im tossing out also because of CD. My two HORSES THAT IM kEYING FOR 2ND-3RD-4TH are A.P. WARRIOR & CAUSE TO BELIEVE. Believe it or not , but this has worked for me more than a few Derbys thru 2000. I really like your colum break-down. You and I are thinking much alike. Thou I dont like POINT based on his only one 2 yr old start. Hey, history says it all. Go with what has been working. I hope we all do well! Its the best sporting event to me in the world, and I enjoy handicapping the Derby.