My Boy Jack joins 2018 Kentucky Derby Contenders

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

The Risen Star at Fairgrounds, the El Camino Real and the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park are now in the books. So what did we learn from the races? Let’s start with the negatives first.

The Risen Star (50 points to the winner) assures us that D. Wayne Lukas will have another colt in the Kentucky Derby that probably shouldn’t be there. Bravazo, a son of Awesome Again took down the Grade 3 race, but had to out duel another long shot in the process.

The El Camino Real should no longer be a points’ race for the Derby. It was won this year by a filly, Paved, that really is a grass horse and her connection intend to keep on the turf in the future. Her trainer used the El Camino Real as a prep race. So what does that tell you?

The positive in the Southwest is that the Southern California crowd will be strong again this year.
The favorite going into the race was Mourinho, one of the many in the Bob Baffert barn, but he was outdone by My Boy Jack, another Golden State boy handled by the Desormeaux brothers. The Southwest was run over a muddy track so I’m taking that into consideration with the outcome.

The 2018 Kentucky Derby contenders are:

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Good Magic (Curlin) who, although he hasn’t race yet in 2018, still holds down the top sport.

McKinzie (Street Sense), recent winner of the Sham at Santa Anita, is second.

Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) is another that hasn’t race in 2018, but is being pointed to the San Felipe in California.

Solomini (Curlin) is another California-based colt that won the Los Al Futurity but was disqualified and placed third.

Avery Island (Street Sense) won the Withers at Aqueduct.

Audible (Into Mischief) looked strong in winning the Holy Bull at Gulfstream in his first out of the year.

My Boy Jack (Creative Cause) goes here after the Southwest win, but I still want to see him on dry land.

Instilled Regard (Arch) won the Lecomte at the Fair Grounds, but was fourth in the Risen Star. I will have to take another look at him.

Greyvitos (Malibu Moon) won the Bob Hope at Del Mar.

Mourinho (Super Saver) won the Smarty Jones on Dec. 15 but was fourth in the Southwest over a muddy track.

Mask (Tapit) doesn’t have any Kentucky Derby points yet, but he won the Mucho Macho Man stakes at Gulfstream and is headed to bigger races.

Cover Photo: My Boy Jack; Coady Photography