Derby Prep Races Sorting Out Kentucky Derby Contenders

[I Heart Gambling Online]

Next Stop Louisville for Colonel John and Tale of Ekati
War Pass shows his speed but tires late; Denis of Cork flops in Illinois Derby

A Column by Steve Davidowitz
April 9, 2008

There was plenty to like about the way Colonel John rallied late to win the Santa Anita Derby, and there was more evidence in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct that 2007 Juvenile Champion War Pass may yet play a vital role in the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby on May 3rd even if he doesn't win it.

The same may be true for the winner of the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. Although the wistfully named Recapturetheglory had a dream front running trip on a track that was favorable to front running types on Saturday, it just may be that he is improving at precisely the right time to be involved in classic distance races.

Here's a close look at all three of these Derby preps last weekend followed by thumbnail sketches of several other nationally prominent graded stakes.

* The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct, 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds

Fractional Splits: 22.46. . .46.07. . .1:11.50. . .1:38.42. . .1:52.35
- On a dull, tiring track in which the pace was very fast early but slowed down appreciably from the five-furlong pole to the wire, through four final furlongs in 54 seconds, which ranks among the slowest finishes for a Grade 1 race on a dirt track in racing history.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 93

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