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WIN:
No. 9 Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill)
He showed a lot of promise as a two-year-old, finishing a solid second to Essential Quality in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His three-year-old campaign has been strong and he's been beaten by less than three lengths in both graded stakes tries this year.
What I gathered most from his effort in the Louisiana Derby is the ability to show early speed. Having tactical speed is a necessity and with how well speed horses have performed in the Derby this past decade, you don’t want to be too far off the pace. This colt fits that profile.
PLACE:
No. 15 Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler)
He impressed in his one dirt try in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He was left alone on the lead and was able to pull away late to a 4 ½-length victory. He's blessed with early speed and stamina on both sides of his pedigree which bodes well to handle the Kentucky Derby distance.
Projecting the pace scenario, he should be right there on the lead or just off it with Medina Spirit, another horse who has gotten out to quick starts. Midnight Bourbon, Highly Motivated or even Soup and Sandwich will also be among those speedier Kentucky Derby horses looking to be forwardly placed, but I am banking on Rock Your World to get that early jump out of an ideal draw.
SHOW:
No. 19 Soup and Sandwich
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Mark Casse
Horse Notes: Another lightly-raced colt for trainer Mark Casse, with only three career starts to his name. He held his own in his first try versus graded stakes company, which was also his first try racing against a full field. We'll have to wait on his jockey replacement as famed rider John Velazquez will opt to side with another mount for Pletcher.
No. 9 Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O'Neill)
He showed a lot of promise as a two-year-old, finishing a solid second to Essential Quality in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. His three-year-old campaign has been strong and he's been beaten by less than three lengths in both graded stakes tries this year.
What I gathered most from his effort in the Louisiana Derby is the ability to show early speed. Having tactical speed is a necessity and with how well speed horses have performed in the Derby this past decade, you don’t want to be too far off the pace. This colt fits that profile.
PLACE:
No. 15 Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler)
He impressed in his one dirt try in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. He was left alone on the lead and was able to pull away late to a 4 ½-length victory. He's blessed with early speed and stamina on both sides of his pedigree which bodes well to handle the Kentucky Derby distance.
Projecting the pace scenario, he should be right there on the lead or just off it with Medina Spirit, another horse who has gotten out to quick starts. Midnight Bourbon, Highly Motivated or even Soup and Sandwich will also be among those speedier Kentucky Derby horses looking to be forwardly placed, but I am banking on Rock Your World to get that early jump out of an ideal draw.
SHOW:
No. 19 Soup and Sandwich
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Trainer: Mark Casse
Horse Notes: Another lightly-raced colt for trainer Mark Casse, with only three career starts to his name. He held his own in his first try versus graded stakes company, which was also his first try racing against a full field. We'll have to wait on his jockey replacement as famed rider John Velazquez will opt to side with another mount for Pletcher.
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