BIG Derby Prep Saturday

With four Derby preps in two hours, there's a lot to look forward to on Saturday. Let's not waste any time and cut to the chase.

The San Felipe appears to be a walkover for Pioneerof the Nile. With the defections of Papa Cleam (Louisiana Derby), I Want Revenge (monster win in Gotham) and Stardom Bound (just not good enough), it's down to Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse on the Left Coast. Since they won't met until the Santa Anita Derby, the San Felipe goes to Pioneerof the Nile.

While his competition is a bit stiffer at Oaklawn, Old Fashioned looks to keep on track as the pre-Derby favorite with a win in the Rebel Stakes. Trainer Larry Jones could possibly win here and at the Fair Grounds (more on that a bit later in this post) today. Silver City returns and draws outside Old Fashioned along with late comer Poltergeist. Two newcomers could make some noise - two-time, two-turn winner Wise Kid and half brother to Sprint Champion Midnight Lute, Captain Cherokee. Sure the breeding and bro' don't scream nine furlongs, but Bob Baffert maintained that Lute could have covered a route of ground without constant displaced palate problems. 

General Quarters tries to prove his Sam Davis win wasn't a fluke in the Tampa Bay Derby. His main rivals look to be, Bears Rocket who held nicely after sitting up on the contested fractions in the Holy Bull and Hello Broadway who stretches out to turn turns off a second place finish in the Hutchenson.

The most intriguing race from both a fan and handicapping perspectives is the Grade II Louisiana Derby. For my money, the largest parade of contenders will go postward, and if I'm right this will end up being a key Derby race. Here's why:

• There are no "distance questions" based on either breeding or experience at two turns 
• It would not be a surprise if anyone of six horses has a break out performance and earns a 100 Beyer speed figure or better
• Coast-to-coast it has drawn all the biggest jocks, except Gomez, for a specific reason -  a chance to ride a live mount on Derby Day. OK the other graded stakes races on the Fair Grounds card was another draw
• I can't help but feel Friesan Fire is very good, not great and susceptible to being beaten as the chalk

I'm routing for in this order (based upon my Road to the Roses Stable) Patena, Giant Oak and Flying Pegasus. For betting purposes I'll take the same three in Pick 3s and exacta box bets. Enjoy the weekend's racing. I know I will.

Let the Fantasy Begin

I've got my Road to the Roses stable in and here it is...

1. Notonthesamepage - ran out of his shoes in a sprint, triple digit Beyer and comes back on Gulfstream's speed favoring track in Fountain of Youth
2. Old Fashioned - what the hell, I'm on the bandwagon, races on Monday in Southwest
3. Patena - great stride and new trainer Dutrow Jr. who knows how to get them ready
4. The Pamplemousse - silly name but just might be talented enough to place in a few preps along the way
5. Wall Street Wonder - taking a chance in Grade II San Vincente Stakes this weekend
6. Flying Pegasus - dark horse with lots of upside points toward Louisiana Derby
7. Giant Oak - gets a chance again in same LA Derby
8. I Want Revenge - another up-and-comer or potential flop, willing to take a chance
9. Haynesfield - counting on him stepping it up in Gotham as competition gets tougher
10. Pioneerof the Nile - strong kick can't be overlooked

Jocks are Garret Gomez, who rides for everyone and Kent Desormeaux, who rides for Rick Dutrow Jr. get my first and second call. Trainers are Dutrow who has two new arrivals readying for the Derby, and Steve Asmussen who has a lot of underrated and inexperienced charges that will race everywhere. 

That's my single stable. Last year, I had two stables and was in top 100 the first few weeks before finishing in top third. If you want to play go to roadtotheroses.com and check it out. Good luck!

The Road to the Roses Begins

One way to shake the winter doldrums off is to play a game that will lead you to the first Saturday in May. It's also a great way to keep track of all the action leading up to the 135 Kentucky Derby.

I urge you to check out Churchill Downs' Road to the Roses online fantasy game (and if you're a horse racing fan it's worth a few minutes of your time - www.roadtotheroses.com). The game is as follows:

You pick 10 Thoroughbreds from the 400 that have been nominated to the Triple Crown, two jockeys and two trainers. Then you amass points if your horses, jockeys and trainers win in the stakes races leading up to the Kentucky Derby - the bigger the race (stakes races are graded three, two and one - one being the best) the more points for horse, jockey, trainer and ultimately you. 

The Road to the Roses follows all the Derby prep races from February 14 to the big race itself. Grand prize is a VIP trip for two to next year's Derby. First prize is a $1,000 win wager on the this year's Derby. I say give it a play. Heck, the game is even free.

My plan for playing this year will include some version of the Derby Baker's Dozen you see on your left. I'll probably leave off Stardom Bound because now her trainer is backing off racing her against the boys in the Santa Anita Derby. I'll also check early entries for three big races this weekend: Grade III Sam Davis and Southwest and the Grade II Sam Vincent. I'll probably take one horse from each race, since I know they will start (having been entered) and are likely to race again.

For trainers I've narrowed it down to five: Steve Asmussen (he runs everywhere), Bob Baffert (a few threats with Pioneerof the Nile his biggest), Larry Jones (Friesan Fire and Old Fashioned), Rick Dutrow Jr. (remember Big Brown?) and dark horse, Kenneth McPeek (he always seems to have a few good three-year-olds in Florida this time of year).

In the jockey category, I think I'm going with Ramon Dominguez (he rides Old Fashioned and last week's winner, Haynesfield) and then one of these three: Robby Albarado, Garret Gomez or Kent Desormeaux. They're all big names that get big rides. I'll make my decision after I see this weekend's entries. 

All the rules for the game are at roadtotheroses.com - take a look and build a stable. If you're like me it's the only way you'll ever afford it. And good luck!

This weekend... a stakes preview and strategies for playing the Kentucky Derby Future Pool #1.