2020 Kentucky Derby Notable Nine

 

Kentucky Derby 146 Notable Nine

These unusual times we are in make for interesting conversation when thoughts turn to the Kentucky Derby. This year it will be held on the first Saturday in September, only nine days away. There is a talented crop of three-years well prepared for their “run for the roses”. The stand-out is of course, Tiz the Law, who should be on everyone’s ticket. It is his race to win. We present this year’s Notable Nine for your consideration when laying out your Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta, and Pentafecta tickets.

#1        Tiz the Law.  Trained by Barclay Tagg and to ridden by Manny Franco, this son of Constitution has already won at the Derby distance in the Travers in impressive fashion. He has also won the Belmont Stakes. He will be the overwhelming favorite. Ranked number one in KD 146 points (372), an experienced handicapper will want to key him in all the exotics.

#2        Art Collector. He will be one of the main competitors having won his last five races including the Ellis Park Derby and the Bluegrass Stakes at Keeneland. Trained by Thomas Drury, Jr. and set to be ridden by Brian Hernandez, he should be among the first pack heading for home. A son of Bernardini, this guy is ranked number three in KD 146 points (150).

#3        Authentic.  Is another that will challenge the favorite. Trained by Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert and scheduled to be ridden by John Velazquez, he will be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s KD 146. He continues to improve with a last out win in the Haskell at Monmouth Park and a 2^nd place finish in the Santa Anita Derby. This son of Into Mischief, ranks second in Derby points with 200.

#4        Caracaro. Is coming into his own with a 2^nd place finish in the Travers at Saratoga and a 2^nd place finish in the Peter Pan at Saratoga. Trained by Gustavo Delgado and with Javier Castellano on top, this guy is sure to be in the hunt. He ranks number ten in the Derby points scheme with 60. A son of Uncle Mo, expect him to secure good position and hit the board.

#5        Honor AP. This guy will be running for top connections under the tutelage of trainer, John Shirreffs, and world renowned jockey, Mike Smith. He come in 2^nd in the Shared Belief at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and won (1^st) in the Santa Anita Derby. A son of Honor Code, he will be in good company coming into the stretch. He ranks number four in KD 146 points (140).

#6        Enforceable. Despite his 4^th place finish in the Bluegrass and his 5^th place finish in the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds, this son of Tapit has the ability to make some hay in KD 146. Solid connections of trainer Mark Casse and up and coming Jockey Adam Beschizza will make it so. This guy has a stellar chance to make it into the exotics. This lad holds the number eleven ranking in KD 146 points (43)

#7        Winning Impression. Don’t let his 7^th place finish in the Ellis Park Derby and 7^th place finish in the Indiana Derby fool you. Trainer, Dallas Stewart, has the steadfast ability to bring his charges to peak performance for the big events. Jockey Joe Rocco is expected to get the call. A son of Paynter, he comes in at number eighteen (20 pts.) on the KD 146 points scale. This gelding is being entered by well experienced ownership and could make a splash.

#8        Max Player. This guy took 3^rd in the Travers and 3^rd in the Belmont and will be a player in KD 146. Ranking number nine on the KD 146 scale, having accumulated 60 points, he should be a chief challenger to the placing’s underneath the winner. Trained by Steve Asmussen with Ricardo Santana up this guy should give a good accord of himself. Another son of Honor Code, he should relish the distance.

#9        Storm the Court. This lad is just beginning to get it going in his three year-old season. He was the winner of the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile last season. In his last he hit the board in 3^rd in the Ohio Derby at Thistledown. He ranks fourteenth (36 pts.) on the KD 146 points chart. Trained by Peter Eurton, he is scheduled to be ridden by Julien Leparoux. A son of Court Vision, he has the opportunity to show his talent.

 

Without fans in the stands this year’s Kentucky Derby may not be the adrenaline producing event of past years, but it will be just as exciting. And our Notable Nine will all be in contention.

    

Stakes Saturday at Saratoga

A wonderful Labor Day weekend for handicapping and wagering. On this Stakes Saturday we look at terrific race at magnificent Saratoga.

Saratoga Race 10 {Woodward~G1~1 1/8 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A formidable group of eight will go to the gate in this annual graded stakes race. There is sizzling speed in this one which may benefit the trackers and closers going into the stretch.
Trainer, Todd Pletcher, has four entries and trainer, Jimmy Jerkens has two.  The odd men out are Kiaran McLaughlin and Dallas Stewart, each with one entry. Most in here have already hit the elusive 100 + Beyer speed figure. It should be as thrilling a race as the Travers was.

#1 Wicked Strong (L. Saez / Jerkens) looks ready to go with the fourth highest (tie) last out speed figure, a three race progression, and two superb peaking workouts. This lad holds the third highest (tie) speed number at the distance couple with a 75% in the money record. This son of Hard Spun should sit in a tracking position and let the speedsters sizzle, gunning them down in the stretch.
$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#6 Coach Inge (J. Velazquez / Pletcher) will challenge with the third highest last out speed number at a longer route, a two race progression, and three excellent workouts. He should be close to the pace allowing the leaders to steam, ready to get first run at the top of the stretch. This son of Big Brown has already notched a win, in his only try, at this distance sharing the third highest speed number at same.
$1 PLACE  /  $1 SHOW.

#8 Protonico (J. Ortiz / Pletcher) should contend sharing the fourth highest last out speed number and putting in four sensational workouts. This lad comes into this race off a layoff. He fired off two wins prior to the layoff which included one that landed him the second highest speed number at the distance. This son of Giant's Causeway has the tactical speed to set himself in good position entering into the stretch.
$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Effinex (Alvarado / Jerkens) should be in the mix with the second highest last out speed number at a longer route and four superlative workouts. This guy is coming off a brief layoff so will be firing fresh. A son of Mineshaft, he will have no problem with the distance and will be closing swiftly.

#5 Liam's Map (Castellano / Pletcher) should be the post-time favorite with the highest last out speed number, a two race progression, and two modest workouts. He also holds the highest speed number at the distance.  This son of Unbridled's Song will be the speed of the speed, but a speed dual may be on the horizon. Despite that possibility he could wire the field as speed has been holding well at the Spa.

10 CENT Superfecta

#1 Wicked Strong  /  #6 Coach Inge  /  #8 Protonico  /  #7 Effinex, #5 Mylute.




Furlong Friday Results
Saratoga R2.  Maiden Claiming.  Our first pick, Magical Connection, finished 4th. Our second pick, Powerofone, fell far short on his maiden run on the dirt, finishing 8th (last).
Superfecta went 5-6-1-7.
Bankroll gets sacked for a loss dipping to $9.81.