1. FLAME OF APOLLO(KY) KINGMAMBO x SEATTLE SLEW x HAIL TO REASON - superThe number one ranked three year old is finding his best stride as evidenced in his last start when he motored past an extremely talented field in the Grade I Movieland Futurity. Often times you will see a two year old have a difficult time transitioning over to his three year old campaign, especially a colt that has taken on the top competition over his last three outings, however, the super connections are certainly no strangers to the Derby Trail, and ‘APOLLO’s’ powerful stretch presence puts this colt high on my list. Escapes the Eclipse Award jinx; all systems go. 2. JUST VENGEANCE(KY) JAZIL x A.P. INDY x STORM CAT - jmaChestnut colt will do his best racing as the three year old season advances. Cries out for more ground and will swallow up the pacesetters with his easy stalking style. Look for this colt to emerge in the Lands End or the Florida Derby when the serious racing commences. 3. STARS OF BUDA(KY) FUSAICHI PEGASUS x SKY MESA x MR. PROSPECTOR - topicount There should be no surprise by this selection. Laura is one of the top conditioners on the circuit and is no stranger to the Derby Trail. After backing up a maiden win with an all out Allowance victory, this Fu Peg colt came from Central Avenue to finish a fast closing second in his first stakes appearance, the G2 Club Stakes. Just warming up; my futures derby bet. 4. DANCER'S SECRET(KY) RAHY x SECRETARIAT x NORTHERN DANCER - pointblank Not too often you see a Rahy colt wandering on the Derby Trail, but luckily for the pointblank connections this colt has a poor sense of direction. Talk about a three year old debut, this colt jumped right up from an allowance race to victimize a talented G3 Silver Fence Derby field. Hmm…I think I’ll make another future bet here, the ‘SECRET’ is out. 5. BILL THE BUTCHER(KY) ROCK HARD TEN x FORESTRY x GONE WEST - war emblem Ok, ok, so I love the name, and who can resist a good cut of beef; but hey, this colt can run. Every Bluegrass Derby winner has won a 9 furlong race prior to winning the Bluegrass. This colts win in the G2 Ransom at nine panels already has him a leg up on the rest of the field. Do the name Florida Derby mean anything to you? 6. NIGHT OF DEMONS(KY) BIG BROWN x MR. PROSPECTOR x NIJINSKY II - pincay Nice to see a Big Brown colt surfacing in the top twenty. Colt held on well when third in the Movieland futurity and should improve off that effort. Might have bounced a bit in the Breeders Bowl Juvie after a bang up finish in the G1 North Fork Stakes, but runaway winner CURLING left them all chasing in the end in the BB. 7. MAKING BANK(KY) STREET SENSE x FORTY NINER x DEPUTY MINISTER - mtk76 Newcomers on the scene, the mtk76 connections are quickly making their presence felt in the sim racing circuit. Despite this colts lone maiden win, you can’t discount this colts furious stretch drive to finish 2nd in the Breeders Bowl Juvenile. Bounced some in the Movieland, but this colts’ late running style suggests he will be a presences as he adds more ground. Ordinarily don’t jump on a horse eligible for non-winners of one, but this colt just might just be this good. 8. CITY AND COLOUR(KY) UNBRIDLED'S SONG x STORM CAT x DEPUTY MINISTER - Adrian Patient handling has this colt poised for better days to come. Finished second in only Graded appearance in the G3-The Charcoal Breeder's Cup. Likes to find his way through the crowd and should handle the added distance. First or second in his last six, this colts loves to compete. 9. ELUSIVE CROWN(AUS) ELUSIVE QUALITY x CHIEF'S CROWN x RELAUNCH - zanthulus This AUS bred colt has been tearing it up in five stakes starts since breaking his maiden in his debut. Always a menace , the Elusive Quality colt caught the attention of the racing world when he popped a 100 speed figure to finish second in his three year old debut going a mile in the G3-The Lego land . Tenacious colt deserves a watchful eye. 10. PERFECT GAME TED(KY) PLEASANTLY PERFECT x STRIKE THE GOLD x MAMBO - young hungThis colt does his best racing when rating off the pace as evidenced by his bold finish in the G3 Cornstalk. I’m not totally convinced this colt can get the Derby distance, but his classic derby dosage ( DI 2.25 CD .46) lands him on my list. Still has his best races in front of him, and if his connections can throttle him down a notch he could make a good account of himself. 11. BIGTIME FAVORITE(KY) GHOSTZAPPER x STORM CAT x DANZIG - axe jack Ghostzapper colt looks to be rounding into top form at the right time. Was a game 2nd in the G3-The Sam's Town Delta Jackpot LTO. Still has a lot of work left to do, but this one likes to hang around, and his last going beyond a mile for the first time just might be his best. 12. FRENCH CAFE(KY) STREET BOSS x AWESOME AGAIN x PULPIT - murray I waffled on this one a bit, but fast or slop, this colt can handle it. Turned in a solid second place finish in the G3 Pleasure Stakes before making short work of the G3 Giant Slayer field LTO in his 3yo debut. Done everything connections have asked of him, can’t dismiss.
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