Welcome to “Anthony’s Eleven,” your source for anything and everything leading up to Kentucky Derby 135 on May 2 at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. In the coming weeks, Anthony Stabile, best known for picking 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide at odds of over 12-1, will break down the top contenders for this years Run for the Roses, exclusively on VegasInsider.com, culminating on Friday, May 1st with an extensive analysis of every runner that steps into the gate for the most exciting two minutes in sports. To purchase Anthony Stabile products, click HERE.
| 1 |
Dunkirk |
Edgar Prado |
Todd Pletcher |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
11/1 |
| 2 |
Pioneerof the Nile |
Garrett Gomez |
Bob Baffert |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
9/1 |
| 3 |
Papa Clem |
Rafael Bejarano |
Gary Stute |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
47/1 |
| 4 |
Friesan Fire |
Gabriel Saez |
Larry Jones |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
8/1 |
| 5 |
I Want Revenge |
Joe Talamo |
Jeff Mullins |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
9/2 |
| 6 |
West Side Bernie |
Stewart Elliot |
Kelly Breen |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
17/1 (Field) |
| 7 |
Hold Me Back |
Kent Desormeaux |
Bill Mott |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
24/1 |
| 8 |
Quality Road |
John Velazquez |
Jimmy Jerkins |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
6/1 |
| 9 |
General Quarters |
Julien Leparoux |
Tom McCarthy |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
17/1 (Field) |
| 10 |
Musket Man |
Eibar Coa |
Derek Ryan |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
25/1 |
| 11 |
Square Eddie |
Corey Nakatani |
Doug O'Neill |
Kentucky Derby, May 2 at CD |
17/1 (Field) | |
One week to go. That’s just about all the time left until the 135th Kentucky Derby. It’s amazing how fast time goes, especially in spring. If you’re anything like me, the Derby Day is one of the best of the year, especially when the Mets have started out 6 and 9.
Seriously, it’s just a great day and I will once again have the opportunity to witness it first hand as I’ll be one of the 100,000 plus at Churchill Downs next Saturday. Be sure to check out my coverage this week. Like in the past, there will be several Kentucky Derby Previews, capped off by a breakdown of the entire field which will be up and running next Friday, May 1.
But before we get to all of that, I have one more “Anthony’s Eleven” to put in the book. If you’re reading this column, you’re witnessing a historical moment for this is the first time in the storied four year history of this column that there is a tie for the top spot. I tried with all of my might to split them, and I will eventually, but I just can’t split up Dunkirk and Pioneerof the Nile at this time. Thankfully, I wasn’t the only one that had a difficult time doing so.
Jockey agent Ron Anderson, Garrett Gomez’ representative, is one of the best around. He’s handled such greats as Hall of Famers Jerry Bailey and Gary Stevens as well as the late Chris Antley. He’s gone on record saying that having to choose between Dunkirk and Pioneerof the Nile for this years Derby was the toughest he’s had to make.
In the end, he decided it was best for Gomez to ride Pioneerof the Nile, citing the four consecutive graded stakes (two of which were grade 1’s) his rider and horse have won together in the past four months as the main factor in his decision. I’m sure he felt much better in his decision after Pioneerof the Nile worked a sharp five panels in 1:00 4/5 over the Churchill Downs strip on 4/21 for trainer Bob Baffert. Though he’s never raced on dirt, he’s been training over it brilliantly since arriving in Louisville.
By the way, don’t shed a tear for trainer Todd Pletcher and the other connections of Dunkirk because Gomez isn’t riding their colt. They went ahead and secured the services of Edgar Prado who rode him in his debut maiden score. Still nestled away from all the bustle down at Palm Meadows in Florida, Dunkirk worked a spectacular five eighths in :59 4/5 on 4/18. Pletcher also is pointing Advice, winner of last Saturdays’ G2 Lexington under Gomez as well, to the Derby though a new rider has been named.
The Saeed bin Suroor trained pair of Godolphin runners, Desert Party and Regal Ransom, seemed to have settled down nicely since arriving in Kentucky and now have their riding assignments as well. Ramon Dominguez will pilot Desert Party, who worked five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 on 4/18 while Alan Garcia will be back aboard Regal Ransom who covered the same distance on the same day in a sharp :59 4/5.
Flying Private will be ridden by Robby Albarado in the Derby and worked five furlongs at Churchill in 1:01 1/5 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas on 4/21. Chocolate Candy worked a mile in 1:42 at Churchill on 4/21 for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. New rider Mike Smith was aboard for the work. The Larry Jones trained Friesan Fire worked a mile over the Polytrack at Keeneland in 1:39 on 4/19 and will be ridden once again by Gabriel Saez.
General Quarters went five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 at Churchill on 4/23 for trainer Tom McCarthy. Julien Leparoux has the call.
I Want Revenge worked five eighths for trainer Jeff Mullins in 1:01 3/5 on 4/21 under regular rider Joe Talamo. Mine That Bird will pick up the services of Calvin Borel for the Derby. He worked five panels in 1:01 1/5 at Sunland Park on 4/19 for trainer B. L. Woolley, Jr. Mr. Hot Stuff breezed a sharp six furlongs at Santa Anita in 1:12 1/5 over the Santa Anita ProRide surface on 4/20 for trainer Eoin Harty, who has yet to name a rider for his colt.
Papa Clem went a leisurely five furlongs in 1:04 3/5 at Churchill on 4/19 over a course that was labeled good. Rafael Bejarano rides for trainer Gary Stute. Quality Road blazed his way through six furlongs over the deep Belmont Park training track in 1:12 for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. John Velazquez has the call. Win Willy went an easy half at Oaklawn in :51 1/5 at Oaklawn on 4/21 for trainer McLean Robertson. M.C. Berry will ride. Musket Man went six panels in 1:13 at Churchill on 4/18. Eibar Coa will ride for trainer Derek Ryan. Hold Me Back (Bill Mott/Kent Desormeaux), Summer Bird (Tim Ice/undecided), West Side Bernie (Kelly Breen/Stewart Elliott) have not posted a work since they last raced while the Doug O’Neill trained Square Eddie, third in the Lexington, has picked up Corey Nakatani for the Derby.
For any questions and comments, email Anthony Stabile at VegasInsider.com today!
