Risen Star(G2)/Fountain of Youth(G2)

                                                                         Fair Grounds                                                                                     

The 2012 Derby Trail makes its way through Louisiana and Florida this weekend. The first stop is the $300,000 Risen Star(G2) this Saturday at Fair Grounds. There is a field of 11 in this race and while none are currently in the top 20 in graded stakes earnings, that will change with a win in the Risen Star. All eyes will be on El Padrino, who is coming off an impressive win in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park over fellow Derby contender, Take Charge Indy. His competition looks to be the top three finishers(Mr. Bowling, Z Dager and Shared Property) in last months Lecomte(G3).

                                                                             Gulf Stream

The next stop is the $400,000 Fountain of Youth(G2) at Gulfstream Park this Sunday. This is the race where Union Rags makes his three-year-old debut. He will be going up against a field of 8 and will be squaring off with the up and coming Algorithms. Algorithms already spoiled Hansen's three-year-old debut last month in the Holy Bull(G3) and looks to play spoiler again.

Both stakes races are going 1 1/16 mile and are preps for the Louisiana Derby and Florida Derby coming up in five weeks. Many of these horses are looking to add to their graded stakes earnings, while others are looking for a shot to burst on to the Derby scene and into the top 20. It is going to be an exciting weekend as the Risen Star and Fountain of Youth will start to separate the contenders from the pretenders on the 2012 Kentucky Derby Trail.

Risen Star(G2)
2/25 Fair Grounds @ 5:55 EST

8) El Padrino 2-1
One of Pletcher's many Derby horses who is considered one of his top 2. Already has a third place finish in last year's Remsen(G2) and an impressive allowance win in his three-year-old debut. He will be the horse to beat on Saturday.

10) Shared Property 6-1
This horse came out of the gate strong as a two-year-old but had a disappointing showing in the Breeders' Futurity(G1) at Keeneland last year. Finished third in his three-year-old debut in the Lecomte(G3).

4) Z Dager 5-1
Finished Second in the Lecomte(G3).

Fountain of Youth(G2)
2/26 Gulfstream Park @ 5:13 EST

7) Union Rags 2-1
Making his three-year-old debut. Only loss came in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile to the two-year-old champion Hansen. Will be the horse to beat on Sunday.

2) Algorithms 8-5
Currently considered Pletcher's top horse. Already has taken down Hansen and looks to give Union Rags a run for his money. First time around two-turns is the only question mark heading into the race.

5) Discreet Dancer 3-1
Another one of Pletcher's up and coming three-year-olds. Stepping up in class and running in his first graded stakes race. A lot of promise but will have to prove himself against top competition.

*Picks failed in the Robert B. Lewis(G3) as Rousing Sermon was the only horse to finish in the money(show). Liasion did not have a good trip and threw his rider coming down the stretch. 

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

2011 BC Rundown

                                Drosselmeyer

This years Breeders' Cup brought excitement, upsets and continued chaos in the run for Horse of the Year as well as three-year-old champion. The stage was set for Havre De Grace, Flat Out and Game On Dude to take down this years Classic as well as leave Churchill with a lock on the Eclipse Award. All three left with disappointment instead as 14-1 Drosselmeyer came charging down the stretch to edge Game On Dude and capture his first graded stakes win since last years Belmont Stakes. It is now anyone's guess who will claim the award this year.

With Horse of the Year honors up in the air, the three-year-old division isn't any closer to naming a champion after they were outclassed by their older competition in the Classic. If Stay Thirsty, Ruler On Ice or Uncle Mo could have pulled out a victory, they certainly would be be crowned three-year-old champ. Now, Animal Kingdom is back in the picture and could take home the award since none of his foes stepped up and separated themselves in his absence.

The two-year-old champ is down to Hansen and Union Rags, with Hansen most likely leading the race by a nose after that exciting Juvenile race.

As the 2011 racing season comes to a close we are left with more questions than answers. What if Uncle Mo would have had a healthy three-year-old campaign? What if Animal Kingdom wouldn't have gotten clipped at the start of the Belmont? It is going to be interesting to see who claims Horse of the Year honors and who will emerge as three-year-old champion.

Marathon - Afleet Again


*Had Birdrun and Giant Oak as both finished in the money. A.U. Miner pulled up and Meeznah did not take to the dirt well at all. 


Sprint - Amazombie


*Had Amazombie and Jackson Bend as they went 1-3. Euroears and Giant Ryan just didn't fire. 


Dirt Mile - Caleb's Posse


*Hit the exacta with Caleb's Posse and Shackleford. Just missed the Tri as Trappe Shot came in fourth.


Juvenile - Hansen


*Hit the Trifecta with Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause. 


Turf Mile - Court Vision


*Had Turallure, Gio Ponti and Goldikova as they all finished 2-3-4. Court Vision spoiled the ex and tri.


Classic - Drosselmeyer


*Had Drosselmeyer. Havre De Grace and Flat Out came up short finishing 4-5. Stay Thirsty couldn't compete.