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Kentucky Derby Speed Horses
5/1/10
Let�s face it. There is only one true goal in any horse race. Go fast. Go REALLY fast. The horses on the front end in the Kentucky Derby will be moving like their lives depend on it. Will they be able to hold up? It�s tough to tell for sure. War Emblem wired the field in 2002 and Go For Gin did the same in 1994. The filly Winning Colors took them start to finish in 1988. Even if the early burners can�t hold on for the win, they maY be able to get a piece of the exacta, trifecta, or superfecta at a big number. Let�s take a look at who will be on the engine early in this 2010 Kentucky Derby.
Conveyance – It�s kind of hard to fault a horse coming from Bob Baffert�s barn with just a single loss. The son of Indian Charlie won the Grade 3 San Rafeal quite easily in his first race stretching out. He would return from that effort to post a win in the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes over Dublin. His next start in the $800k Grade 3 Sunland Derby would be his toughest start yet. He ended up second behind Endorsement after tiring in the last furlong or so. His damsire, Holy Bull, was a champion router, but this horse may have distance limitations. He set a :46 1/5 half mile split in the Southwest so it won�t be a surprise if he breaks on top. Bob Baffert has said he will be letting the horse run freely so I expect to see him on the lead until he runs out of gas; if he runs out of gas.
Line of David – It is common knowledge that the addition of blinkers will help improve the early speed of a horse. This colt has taken it to an extreme. The son of Lion Heart has been a speed demon since adding blinkers and has won 3 races in a row. He was last seen wiring the field in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby. I love his ascending Beyer Speed Figure pattern. If he continues to move forward he could be a handful even with his running style.
Sidney�s Candy – �Smokin� Joe Talamo will be aboard this son of Candy Ride. He was last seen cruising to an easy victory on the lead in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. The fractions were slow, so it�s tough to say if he will rate or try for the lead. He is working well over the Churchill Downs surface. Nobody really knows how good this colt is at the moment. If he has to get in a dogfight for the lead it may cost him. On the other hand, he may just get to the front then run away and hide. John Sadler may have his first Kentucky Derby winner if Sidney brings his �A� Game.
American Lion – Son of the great American defender Tiznow, this colt made the lead and never looked back when he won the Grade 3 Illinois Derby last out. I love the way he turned back Yawanna Twist in that win. He has Storm Cat as his damsire which means more speed. David Flores does well with horses of this running style. The Eoin Harty trainee is tough to like, but anything can happen in the Kentucky Derby. He will have to freak to win or perhaps even hit the board. The same could�ve been said about Giacomo and Mine That Bird though.
Discreetly Mine – The Todd Pletcher trainee wired the field to take the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds. He won�t be on the lead in the Run for the Roses, but he will be close. He looks to be improving, but a big effort will be due if he is to win this race. Jockey JJ Castellano will give him a good ride. It�s a tough call to say how he will run.
2010 Kentucky Derby Coverage
Kentucky Derby Handicapping Systems
Bob Baffert – Derby Trainer Profile
Mudders Day – Handicapping a Wet Derby Track
Kentucky Oaks Preview and Best Bets
Top Jockeys for 2010 Kentucky Derby
Top Derby Contender Sidney�s Candy Profile
Todd Pletcher Kentucky Derby Trainer Profile
Kentucky Derby Favorite Lookin at LUcky – Profile
Kentucky Derby Head to Head Matchup Picks