If you have not read Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen for this week, be sure to do so. Why you ask? Because his number one pick is a MaidenWatch horse (by Saint Liam) and he is trained by Bruce Levine, I am good friends with Bruce's niece. Say hello to Buddys Saint.
This blog is actually about several of the horses in HD. HD referring to "Haskin's Dozen."
Lookin at Lucky looked amazing all week while working the Breeders' Cup. Even as I watch old footage we took of him around the track, he just looks good. I am super excited about this horse! He is my early pick for a top three finisher.
In fourth place on Steve's list, Eskendereya is named. Three reasons for me to like this horse: Giant's Causeway (whom you know I am a huge fan of plus a Seattle Slew dam), Todd Pletcher (who is overdue for a Derby win), and the win at Belmont in the Pilgrim S. was very nice.
I would place William's Kitten ahead of Interactif. Though I have seen both in person, the races that I have seen of William's Kitten just interest me more than Interactif. William's Kitten is also a MaidenWatch horse (by Kitten's Joy). The litter of Kitten's on the tracks in stakes competition should result in some sort of skewed odds in favor of a Kentucky Derby contender, right? Fine, need more excuses to why William needs to be watched...how about how the race caller pronounces his name during the Sunday Silence S.?
Tiz Chrome and American Lion should follow right after Eskendereya. This is because I think they have not hit their peak yet and have a lot of talent to develop. Both are by Tiznow, so we will see how they do in two turns and running more on the dirt.
My uncle-in-law is named Ron. He is not Greek, but that is enough to keep Ron the Greek in the picture.
So my dozen, with Steve's horses, would look like this:
1) Lookin At Lucky
2) Eskendereya
3) Buddy's Saint
4) William's Kitten
5) Tiz Chrome
6) American Lion
7) Interactif
8) Super Saver
9) Ron the Greek
10) Jackson Bend
11) Rule
12) Dublin
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A few horses I will be watching for, that I haven't mentioned in blogs or tweets this year:
Walking the Beach
Mainly the name draws me in. If you look beyond the name though, you have a Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2YO here. Walking the Beach is a Kentucky bred as well, though he sold in Florida. If you say "That isn't enough" I would reply by saying, this is a Medaglia who has a dam named Babeinthewoods.
I did find that Haskin mentions his name Walking the Beach (Churchill maiden winner tired badly in Fair Grounds stretch-out; one more shot). So he broke his maiden at Churchill...interesting. I like surfing, so maybe that plays as a factor. -- read article here
Laus Deo
Winner of the Count Fleet stakes, I see a two turn potential in Laus Deo. Watch the Replay.
Listen to this quote from Choen "The horse was very prepared," said
Cohen of the Medaglia d'Oro colt. "I just let him take me out of the
gate. He's got a big, long stride, obviously – he’s a huge horse. He
relaxed well for me, and every time they came to him he’d give me more,
without me having to ask." A side note, Laus Deo's dam Shebane is a daughter of Alysheba.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54625/laus-deo-shows-way-in-count-fleet
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/54622/223-winner-lights-up-aqueduct-tote-board
Twirling Candy, whom I mentioned in a previous blog.
Fareej C B Kingmambo Adonesque (IRE) Darley Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing LLC
Shrimp Dancer C B Kitten's Joy Formal Dancer William Bloom David G. Donk
Shrimp Dancer is a favorite of my co-worker Marta. We have grown fond of this horse and he has a race Aqueduct - February 11, 2010 - Race 6
Here are the Rock Hard Ten's nominated so far:
Utopian C DK B/ Rock Hard Ten Storm Alert G. Watts Humphrey Jr. &Louise I. Humphrey John A. Shirreffs Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S.
New Madrid C DK B/ Rock Hard Ten Back to Earth Farnsworth Stables LLC Timothy F. Ritchey Shortleaf Stable, Inc. Doubles Partner C B Rock Hard Ten Serena's Sister Arthur I. Appleton Todd A. Pletcher WinStar Farm LLC
Colonel Mustard C DK B/ Rock Hard Ten Wave On Lanni Bloodstock, LLC, In Hopes Part.,Westport Mgmt. & J. Smithwick John A. Shirreffs George Krikorian (Santa Anita Park - February 11, 2010 - Race 4, Chantal is riding him)
Best Actor C DK B/ Rock Hard Ten Dance for Dixie Gentry Stable Wayne M. Catalano West, Gary L. and Mary E.
I had a great conversation on brisent's live blog/chat about Colonel Mustard. Tim, The Wizard and Rich were on as I was under the alias "Arrrrr + THS = WIN!" and we discussed the Rock Hard Tens, Colonel Mustard and other Derby oriented thoughts. I use to shoot and edit That Handicapping Show, so I know all of those great guys.
The closing thought: Lentenor, need I say more?
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/nicanor/archive/2010/02/06/Lentenor-to-run-Feb.-17-at-Gulfstream-Park.aspx
Sortable list of Triple Crown nom's
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/triple-crown-mania/nominations
