Holy Bull (GIII)

                                                                               Hansen

Two-year-old HOY, Hansen is ready to make his debut as a three-year-old. Today he takes his undefeated record to the one turn, one mile (GIII) Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The morning-line favorite at 6-5 has only five other challengers to contend with. On paper his competition looks to be Consortium and Algorithms who are both coming off a 1-2 finish in an allowance race here at Gulfstream just last month. Both are running in their first graded stakes race and looking to make an early splash onto the Derby Trail.

Holy Bull (GIII)
1/29 Gulfstream Park @ 4:45 EST

4) Hansen: 6-5

Proved he can go wire to wire with the best of the best in the 1 1/16 mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Already a tough horse to run down, cutting back to the mile distance will make it even that much harder.

6) Algorithms: 5-2

First time going a mile, the son of Bernardini has the pedigree to go the distance.

2) Consortium: 3-1
First time going a mile, the son of Bernardini has the pedigree to go the distance.

                                                                                                                                                                     

2012

                                                                  2012 Kentucky Derby


Congratulations to the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom for being crowned three-year-old Champion! Also, congratulations goes out to Hansen as he beat out Union Rags to be named two-year-old Champion. Hansen, the winner of last years Breeders' Cup Juvenile already has the odds stacked against him as the 2012 Kentucky Derby Trail gets underway. No horse who won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile has ever been able to win the Kentucky Derby.

Now that last years awards have been handed out, we can solely focus on 2012 and what is in store. There are a new crop of three-year-olds that are ready to attempt to run into horse racing history. Over the next four months, across eight states and with 20+ graded stakes races, everyones eyes are set on who will fill those 20 coveted spots in the gate come the first Saturday in May.

Santa Anita kicked off the season with the first graded stakes race on the Derby trail. Out of Bounds pulled off the upset over Baffert's Secret Circle, in the 1 mile, Sham(G3). With many more stops to make, this year is sure to bring more anticipation and excitement, as well as uncertainties and disappointments along the way. Let's hope this year has more answers than questions and more excitement than disappointment.

It is never too early to pick out a Derby horse and follow him/her on their path to the Derby. If you are feeling really lucky, put a future wager on your favorite horse. Just don't become too attached, too soon because no matter how good a horse is or how good their pedigree says they are, they to need a little luck just to make it to the starting gate on Derby Day.

2012 Kentucky Derby Trail