Top 15 Contenders for the Kentucky Derby
(tomado de The Bloodhorse)

1--Old Fashioned/Larry Jones/Unbridled’s Song – Collect Call, by Meadowlake

According to Jones, he wasn’t even blowing after the Southwest. It’s obvious Jones has left a lot in the tank, so one shouldn’t fret too much over his 93 Beyer. He defeated a brilliant horse in Silver City who should also improve. Still trying to come to terms with his pedigree.

2--Pioneerof the Nile/Bob Baffert/Empire Maker —Star of Goshen, by Lord At War

He’s already secured his spot in the Derby; he’s had his gut-check; he came back strong off a brief layoff; and he has the 2-year-old foundation. Baffert can now use his next two as preps and then bear down on him at Churchill. Works won’t tell all, but may give a hint whether he handles the track.

3—Patena/Rick Dutrow/Seeking the Gold—Handpainted, by A.P. Indy

Turned in an impressive 6-furlong breeze in 1:14 2/5. Dutrow was looking for about 1:17 and thought he went in 1:20, he did it so easily. Three weeks still to go to Louisiana Derby. Sit tight; should be worth the wait.

4--Desert Party/Saeed bin Suroor/Street Cry —Sage Cat, by Tabasco Cat

Moved him up because his last race in Dubai looks more impressive each time I watch it, combined with his pedigree, his versatility on all surfaces, and the fact he’s already a graded stakes winner in the U.S. Love the way he was striding out at the end. But it’s a long trip back home; would love to see him return as early as possible.

5—Dunkirk/Todd Pletcher/Unbridled’s Song—Secret Status, by A.P. Indy

Why can’t we get freaky horses like this who don’t have to go into the Derby off only three career starts? First Curlin, then Big Brown, now him. Welcome to European racing. This horse finally provided the ‘Wow’ factor that’s been missing this year, but he’s way behind the eight ball time-wise and we still have no idea what’s he’s beaten.

6—I Want Revenge/Jeff Mullins/Stephen Got Even —Meguial, by Roy

Decision to run him next on dirt prompted his big move back on the list. There is something about this horse I like a lot, mainly his impressive stride and a female pedigree that’s loaded with Argentine/English stamina on dirt. Didn't handle the wet Pro-Ride, described as spotty, in the Lewis. Talamo giving up grade I’s to ride him in Gotham. Can’t wait to see him on dirt.

7--Hello Broadway/Barclay Tagg/Broken Vow —Nightstorm, by Storm Cat

Several passed him with their big efforts, but if he passes his first two-turn test and wins the Tampa Bay Derby, or at least runs a big race, he will catapult right up near the top of the list. I still think very highly of this horse; just want to see him rate again and close like he did in the Nashua.

8--Friesan Fire/Larry Jones/A.P. Indy—Bollinger, by Dehere

He’s done nothing wrong, but it must be noted he has been running every 3-to-5 weeks since his debut in August and will go into the Derby off eight starts in eight months. Jones knows the horse, but it’s still worth mentioning.

9—Capt. Candyman Can/Ian Wilkes/Candy Ride —Stormy Way, by Storm Creek

By having only one two-turn race this year prior to the Derby, there isn’t much room for error. He’ll be forced to take back in hotly contested Fountain of Youth, but will he relax off the pace going two turns in his final prep? Love the way he took back off hot pace in last after going head and head; shows he’s very tractable.

10—Giant Oak/Chris Block/Giant's Causeway —Crafty Oak, by Crafty Prospector

Too much happening with other horses to keep him high up, but still feel he’ll run big in the Louisiana Derby with a clean trip. He finally had his first breeze since the Risen Star; 5 furlongs in 1:02. Just playing the waiting game like the others.

11--Imperial Council/Shug McGaughey/Empire Maker—Jaramar Rain, by Thunder Gulch

Heading up to the Gotham for his first two-turn race. McGaughey is just looking for a good effort that will move him forward and set him up for the Wood Memorial. If he gives that good effort, he will be a major threat not only in Wood, but the Kentucky Derby.

12-- Chocolate Candy/Jerry Hollendorfer/Candy Ride—Crownette, by Seattle Slew

Whether you like him or not, you have to respect his record, having won four of his last five, and six straight top efforts. Just feel he’s moving steadily in the right direction, and hasn’t taken a backwards step yet. Deviated from his normal running style and still won.

13--Stardom Bound/Bobby Frankel/Tapit —My White Corvette, by Tarr Road

She wasn’t even close to being 100% fit for Las Virgenes. She should win the Santa Anita Oaks, but then gets a big test against colts in Santa Anita Derby. If she passes that she’ll have an even bigger test when she has to run on dirt for the first time in a crowded, contentious Derby field. But she is getting to be machine-like in her performances.

14—Flying Pegasus/Ralph Nicks/Fusaichi Pegasus —Lilly Capote, by Capote

Lowered him only because he hadn't worked in 23 days since the Risen Star, and, of course, he shows up on the work tab today, breezing 5 furlongs in 1:02 1/5. So his #14 ranking is too low. He'll move back up next week. Still think he could be a major Derby contender, and is going to be tough in the Louisiana Derby.

15—General Quarters/Mark Miller/SkyMesa—Ecology, by Unbridled’s Song

Everyone’s favorite Cinderella story so far. Even if he doesn’t regress and wins the Tampa Bay Derby, we still have to see how he’ll run outside Tampa. But there’s no knocking his Sam Davis win; he looked awfully good doing it.

Comment on this Column on Steve Haskin's Blog: Hangin' With Haskin.

Knocking on the Door

Theregoesjojo – Big upset chance in the Fountain of Youth
Ryehill Dreamer – Ditto for Sham Stakes; could be a real sleeper
Midshipman – Big win in Al Bastakiya March 5 would be huge
The Pamplemousse – Will be tough in Sham if he gets loose on the lead again
Papa Clem – Gets big dirt test in Louisiana Derby
Vineyard Haven – Time to send him back to the U.S.
Flat Out – Consistent closer, ran big in Southwest after horrible start
Big Drama – Glad to finally see him back on the work tab; has solid foundation
This Ones For Phil – Should keep stretching out in FOY, but in against much tougher
Mr. Fantasy – Undefeated NY-bred must face tougher, but has tons of potential
Haynesfield – Will tackle Mr. Fantasy for NY-bred supremacy in Gotham
Mr. Hot Stuff – We’ll find out in Sham if the light bulb stays on
Beethoven – Have to wonder if he’s fast enough to handle FOY foes
West Side Bernie – Steady closer with class, but distance still a question
Silver City – Southwest stretch-out second should have him primed for Rebel
Take the Points – Not typical move going cross-country to run on synthetic, but has potential to be a good one
Captain Cherokee – Midnight Lute’s brother is improving; can win inside or outside
Fierce Thunder – A bit behind but has a good deal of potential
Terrain – Had setback, but always dangerous to pick up a piece of it
Sumo – Sam Davis runner-up should keep improving; handles all dirt tracks; sleeper
Quality Road – Razor-sharp for Fountain of Youth, should make presence felt
Taqarub – Speedster with a ton of stamina in female family
Nowhere to Hide – Zito colt, 4th in Risen Star, is on the upswing
Masala – Ran well behind Take the Points; Gotham will be big test
Naos – Another Pletcher dark horse to watch in Gotham
Notonthesamepage – Let’s see how far he can carry his speed
Bear's Rocket – Second in Holy Bull on the front end
Buzzin n Dreamin – Surprising third in Southwest from Lukas barn
Warrior’s Reward – Solid second to Dunkirk
Bittel Road – He’s run well enough to earn another shot on the synthetic
Rachel Alexandra – If they decide to take the Derby route, she should run all day
Charitable Man – Back on work tab, but way behind
Brave Victory – Looked good closing in 7f allowance, but distance a question
New Bay – Back-to-back sprint wins, but traces to Little Current’s dam
Santana Six -- Good-looking maiden winner stretching out
Cribnote -- He's had two works, including solid half in :48 2/5

Needing to rebound off poor efforts:

Break Water Edison, Checklist, Poltergeist, Free Country, Danger to Society, Atomic Rain, A.P. Cardinal. Alma d’Oro, American Dance.

El Byerley Turk (1678-1703)

Recomiendo leer el libro escrito por Jeremy James sobre la increíble historia de uno de los tres antecesores de la raza Thoroughbred.

En primer lugar nos remonta a la historia del caballo turco, desarrollado por los sultanes en el Imperio Otomano, diferenciandolo del fenotipo arabe claramente. Seguidamente nos ilustra sobre los criaderos en la Europa Otomana en las laderas de los Balcanes y nos embebe en la historia del potrillo nacido allí que eventualmente e el heroe de la historia.

En la iconografia del caballo siempre aparece un palafrenero vestido a la usanza turca que reulta ser el protagonista de la historia pues es el arquero que lo monta en las batallas de Buda y Viena y es quien enbtrega el caballo como botin de guerra y lo sigue con dedicación hasta su destino final en las Islas Británicas.

En resumen se trata de un caballo de batalla pero, a diferencia de los europeos que cifraban su fortaleza en armaduras de metal pesadisimas qu tenian que ser cargadas en grandes y poderosos caballos, los turcos atacaban por velocidad en raudos caballos y utilizaban arcos y flechas para vencer a sus rivales vestidos con ligeros atuendos.

El Coronel Robert Byerley, despues de haberselo apropiado, lo uso como su caballo en las Guerras Irlandesas y en la Batalla de Boyne dicen los cronistas que se salvó por la velocidad superior demostrada por su corcel que evitó que fuera capturado por el enemigo.

Cuando el Coronel se retira de la vida militar dedica su caballo a la reproducción.

Desde el principio sus hijos se destacaron como corredores pero de todos sus descendientes la linea la continuó el gran Herod.

Herod ganó las estadisticas en Gran Bretaña ocho veces, de 1777 a 1784, su hijo Highflyer lo sucedió ganadolas sucesivamente desde 1785 hasta 1796 y otra vez en 1798. El hijo de HIghflyer, Sir Peter Teazle las ganó entre 1799 y 1802, y de 1804 a 1809. La linea de Herod dominó Europa y tambien Norteamerica donde, a traves de Diomed y sus descendientes American Eclipse y Sir Archy, hasta llegar al gran padrillo americano Lexington, influyó la raza de una manera inequívoca. Glencoe tambien desciende de Herod a traves de Woodpecker. La influencia de esta linea siguió siendo la predominante hasta finales del siglo 19 en Norteamerica, cuando comenzo el reinado de la linea de Eclipse. Sin embargo, en Europa el resurgimiento de la linea del Byerley Turk lo lidera el Bruleur, su hijo Ksar, su nieto Tourbillon y sus bisnietos Djebel y Goya en Francia, que dominaron las estadisticas hasta principios de los 50's.

A Colombia nos llegaron Le Volcan y Babur y su influencia aun se vive.