1
Buddy's Saint Bruce Levine
Saint Liam—Tuzia, by Blushing John
Some are knocking his big Beyer Speed Figure drop from the Nashua to the Remsen, but he was coming back in only three weeks after popping a 101 Beyer and figured to regress. Runner-up did come back to win Whirlaway Stakes.
2
Lookin at Lucky Bob Baffert
Smart Strike—Private Feeling, by Belong to Me
He missed some training due to a high white blood count, but got over it quickly and was back on the track in a couple of days. Baffert has mentioned the March 13 San Felipe as a possible debut, but was far from committal.
3
Super Saver Todd Pletcher
Maria's Mon—Supercharger, by A.P. Indy
He’s up to a half-mile in his breezes, going a half Jan. 31 in :48 3/5, and obviously is still a ways off from a race. As mentioned before, he has the talent and the pedigree, but he needs to learn how to rate off the pace.
4
Eskendereya Todd Pletcher
Giant's Causeway—Aldebaran Light, by Seattle Slew
Breezed an easy five furlongs in 1:02 2/5 for the Feb. 20 Fountain of Youth. Zayat Stables, which also has Derby hopeful Macias heading for the (Feb. 15) Southwest, is hoping to get back to Churchill after second-place finish last year.
5
Jackson Bend Nick Zito
Hear No Evil—Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat
Zito keeping him sharp with :47 1/5 half-mile drill, second-fastest of 51 works. Fountain of Youth will be a big test for him, stretching out to 1 1/8 miles against a tough, classy field. It’s important for him to be running strongly at the end.
6
Interactif Todd Pletcher
Broken Vow—Broad Pennant, by Broad Brush
Still believe he should be put back on dirt or at least synthetic based on his pedigree, and revert back to the come-from-behind running style that won him two stakes last year. He’s now lost two straight stalking the pace.
7
William's Kitten Mike Maker
Kitten's Joy—Blush, by Menifee
Breezed solid half in :48 for Fountain of Youth, and should relish the stretch-out to nine furlongs. He not only needs to be closing fast he must be competitive at the to show he can run with these horses. Changing leads would help.
8
Rule Todd Pletcher
Roman Ruler--Rockcide, by Personal Flag
Classy colt with a beautiful stride, but another who has to show he’s not a one-dimensional speed horse, although he did come from off the pace in his first two career starts sprinting. Game and handles any kind of track.
9
Tiz Chrome Bob Baffert
Tiznow—Woodland Shadow, by Woodman
Baffert likely will keep him in California for the rescheduled Robert B. Lewis Feb. 13, but he has been known to change his mind. Postponement of the race was disappointing, as it’s time to see what he can do going two turns.
10
American Lion Eoin Harty
Tiznow—Storm Tide, by Storm Cat
Another who has to wait an additional week to make his two-turn debut after cancellation of Feb. 6 Santa Anita card. Harty, like Baffert with Tiz Chrome, had his colt primed and ready, and this will throw off his schedule.
11
Ron the Greek Tom Amoss
Full Mandate—Flambe, by Fortunate Prospect
It’s still hard to know what to make of him. As he steps up in class, he can’t count on winning from as far back as he came in the Lecomte. But he was impressive from a visual standpoint, and we’ll go by that for now.
12
Dublin D. Wayne Lukas
Afleet Alex—Classy Mirage, by Storm Bird
Combination of successful surgery for an entrapped epiglottis, several solid works, and an unproven group of 3-year-olds at Oaklawn brings him back on the list, based mainly on his strong Hopeful score and physical attributes.
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