Hansen is the biggest name in the field and the 6-5 morning line favorite, which should be no surprise to anyone who has followed this horse since he exploded onto the racing landscape last September. The question to ask is “Can I play against?”
Why not? After all, the winner of the Tampa Bay Derby, Prospective; heavy trail tout, Dullahan; up n’ comer, Howe Great; talented Scatman; LA Derby winner, Hero of Order and sleeper long shot, Ever So Lucky are entered.
#4 Hansen…….I don’t think anyone is ready to anoint the Tapit colt the Affirmed of the New Millennium, but this guy is awfully good. He’s won nearly $1.5 million in a five race career winning four races, including the BC Juve (G-I) with a second place in the Holy Bull after stumbling at the start. Maker moves him back to the synthetic, which might be curious to some, but I am sure not to the conditioner. Look at the competition carefully as there are several who have found success on the carpet fiber, including Prospective, who might be sitting on a decent effort. BTW….I don’t want to listen to any of that “Hansen doesn’t need the earnings so he won’t try hard” garbage. This horse is in it to win it.
#3 Prospective…..His only lifetime flat tire came on the big stage at the BC Juve when he finished nearly 21 out to Hansen, Union Rags and Creative Cause. Those three are among the leaders in the Kentucky Derby parade. I really can’t toss that race because the notes show no real trouble, so can it be contributed to a lack of talent? Perhaps, but I think this is a different animal than it was last November. Since then, he’s won 2 of his 3 efforts as a three-year old, including the Tampa Bay Derby (G-II) and the Pasco with a second place in the Sam F. Davis (G-II). I like the move to the synthetic where this Malibu Moon colt is 2 for 2 both at Woodbine. Regular rider Contreras handles the chores for Canadian conditioner Mark Casse.
#6 Dullahan……This boy has been the tout of a lot of sharp cappers this winter. His big win was the Grade I Breeder’s Cup Futurity as a two-year old n this track. He finished fourth in the BC Juve to the leading triumvirate out by just six lengths. I think he still hasn’t run his best race and maybe today is the day. Dullahan has raced just once as a three-year old and that was a second place finish in the Palm Beach (G-II), a turf race, at Gulfstream. I think you will see him closing like a freight train trying to run down Hansen and hold off Prospective. He’s huge at 6-1 on the ML and if you can get that price run to the window. Dale Romans trains and that’s worth a lot of points. Kent D. rides.