3/21/21 By Max
1) Evergreen
Mb trained charge jumped to number one on the list this past weekend by capturing the G2
Louisiana Derby. Our first 100 point qualifier of the season. This one figures out where the wire is in close races winning by DH last start and winning two of his three prior starts by a head and a nose.
He clearly show he can navigate the distance winning the 1 3/16th’s race in a final time of 155.04.
Derby Points 160
2) Howl Of The Hounds
Mb trained horse somehow drop to number #2 without running, since his dead heat victory with Evergreen in the G2 Risen Star Stakes. And he is still 5 wins in 5 starts. Yet his stablemate jumped over him. But clearly these top two right now are head and shoulder the best of the crop.
Derby Points 60
3) Cheesy
Keikowin trained runner remains #3 on our list. Winner of the G2 San Felipe Stakes in his last start. Prior to that winning the G3 Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. He remain the top threat to the top two.
Expecting a start in the SA Derby for this one.
Derby Points 65
4) Proud Crown
Mb’s third trained run in the top 12. He stays at #4 on out list. He previously won the G2
Fountain Of Youth Stakes. As well he won the G3 Lecomte Stakes in January. This horse came back with a sizzling 136.2 drill after his last start. He will surely make a lot of noise in his last start prior to the Derby.
Derby Points 60
5) TKO
Fractious trained gelding remains at #5 on our list. Won the G2 Tampa Bay Derby in fine fashion by 2 lengths. He seemed to take a big jump up after being gelded. But after a disastrous trip in the G2
Los Alamitos futurity he rebound in a big way. His next start will tell us if that was for real or just a blip on the radar.
Derby Points 50
6) Smokin Luka
Mb trained Copper Bottom colt jumps on to the list at #6. He is out of the Commanding mare Knockdown. He made it on the list with the power G2 Rebel win, beating what appeared to be a pretty solid field including a couple that were in our prior 12. Previous to that, he showed he was cut out to be a good one with his classy win in the G1 Champagne Stakes in October at Belmont.
Derby Points 64
7) Locomotive
Aer trained horse slips a spot to #7. Fourth in the most recent Tampa Bay Derby. However
Won the G3 Holly Bull Stakes in January. Runner up by the slimmest of margins to our top rated HOTH in the Los Alamitos Futurity. He also won the G1 Hopeful Stakes at the Spa last summer.
His final Derby prep he will need to run first or second or third at very least to get in.
Derby Points 19
8) Plan To Wheel
Trained by Fractious. Won the G3 Gotham.
Previously 5th in the G2 Holly Bull. A better than looked effort. He appears headed in the right direction. He also won the Gold Stakes prior to that. Has enough points to get in, but will surely go after one of the Derby preps in his next start. This is Fractious second entrant in the top 12.
Derby Points 50
9) Viral Breakdown
Aer trained and also his second entrant in our top 12. She is the winner of the Smarty Jones in January. As well she runner up in the G3 Gotham and a very close 4th in the G2 Risen Star.
She is a fit with the very best and will continue to make noise going forward.
Derby Points 35
10) Clubhouse
Trained by Crockers Ggs. Winner of the G3 Davis Stakes in Feb. He also ran a very good 3rd in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby. This up and comer was acquired via claim for $15.000 in August. He will also have to run first, second or at very least third in his final start before the Derby.
Derby Points 20
11) Pocantico
Trained by Smokey Stover. Last years 2 year old male champion for the year. Not only did he win the Breeders Cup Juvenile, but also won won the G1 Del Mar Futurity.
His most recent starts were a close 3rd in the Gotham and a close 4th in Davis. He is another sitting on the bubble point.
Derby Points 31
12) War Chant
Also trained by Aer. This bay colt is by the Commanding sire Impactful. He is out of the God O’ War mare Portland Cottage. He is knew to our list via his back to back runner up efforts in the G3 Southwest Stakes and the G2 Rebel. I believe the efforts get him the final spot in my top 12.
Derby Points 24
Horses to watch: Rikki Tikki Tavi, Darth Charley, Baller Alert.
Maxmillion
Categories: TC 2021-2023
