This week’s Top Ten finds no change in the top 3 spots since our last Top Ten 3yo’s was issued 24 days ago. Beach Dandy remains in the top spot off his Risen Star 3yo debut win. He has been nearly flawless and remains the top KYD contender. Fear the Dragon holds on to the second spot off of Saturday’s very impressive Rebel Stakes victory. Questionable hangs onto the third spot fresh off his performance and win in the FOY at GP on March 2nd
1-Beach Dandy (Joshua Stables) Put in quite a performance in the Risen Star in his last start, The win places him now as the KYD favorite deservedly, matched his career high 96 SRF. After drawing the 14th post in the LA Derby Joshua Stables opted to scratch and it looks as though he will run in the SUN Derby for his next start.
2- Fear The Dragon (Mb Stables)The Rebel and Lewis Stakes winner was very impressive in the Rebel. New trainer used excellent tactics by instructing jockey J Talamo to stalk the pace instead of setting it in his usual front running style. The tactics paid off. If he can rate as he did in the Rebel his chances of pulling off a derby win have increased significantly. Poised to be the #1 KYD contender should Beach Dandy falter in the LA Derby. He earned a 97 SRF in the Rebel.
3- Questionable (Mb Stables) received his second career win by capturing the GR2 FOY St at GP on March 2nd. Earned a 95 SRF. He has been racing with top company since last fall, won the GR1 Pharoah St and just missed by a neck in the GR1 BC Juvenile.
4- Chrystal Believer (Maximillion Farm) moves up from the #8 spot with his win in the San Felipe at SA. Up until this point we were waiting to see if he could move forward as he has always been competitive but just seemed a little behind the others. The win definitely pushed him forward. Earned a 95 SRF in the San Felipe
5- Red Cup (Our Athletes) a very consistent one here as he always seems to be in the thick of things and once again he proved that he’s a fighter. Finished 2nd in the San Felipe that topped with his very impressive finish in the GR3 Lewis ST behind Fear The Dragon (96 SRF) keeps him in the Top Five.
6- Admiration (Mb Stables) earned his first career stakes win in the GR2 TAM Derby. He ran an eye opening career best 97 SRF speed figure in the TAM Derby. Another one from the Mb Stables who seems to be improving at the right time. We will have to await the decision on his next start.
7- Liberty Valance (DJC Racing Stables) Closed strongly late in the Rebel St where he trailed the field until the stretch. Fin 4th a couple of lengths off the winner, earned a 93 SRF. The late closer may like the additional distance and we’ll see what he can do in the 9f ARK Derby in his next start in April which is his most likely next race.
8- Ranger (AER Stables) GR3 Davis Stakes winner put in another good performance in the GR2 TAM Derby finishing 2nd behind Admiration earning a career high 95 SRF in the process. This is another one who seems to be rounding into form at the right time. We mentioned last time that three year olds at this time of year are known to blossom overnight so he bears watching, I believe he is blossoming.
9- Ardetha (AER Stables) the 9f EL Camino at GG winner, cut back in distance for his first graded stakes try against top competition in the Rebel St. Unlike his come from behind win in the El Camino against a slow pace he ran more to his style of up on the pace. End result was a very good performance finishing third just a couple of lengths off the winner Fear The Dragon. He earned a 94 SRF.
10- Chai Bay (Serenity Stables) was sent off as favorite in the FOY however failed to finish in the first or second spot which is a rarity. However the late closer still gave a good account of himself as he closed ground to finish sixth only one length off the winner. His figures suggest he’s still behind the major contenders but he keeps grinding along. Will be interesting to see how he handles the 9f test
Waiting in the wings:
Shake It Up and Go, Opus Force, Dreamscape, Final Verse
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
