Audible, Good Magic head final Kentucky Derby Contenders List

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
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(NOTE: Senior Columnist Ron Correll will be live tomorrow April 16th on TVG with host Rich Perloff discussing Kentucky Derby contenders and pretenders; tune in 12:30 Eastern, 11:30 Central.)

Magnum Moon lived up to expectations and easily won the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park although he did stray to the middle of the track in the stretch. I don’t know if he saw something in the infield or he was getting tired and veered out heading to the finish line.

No matter. He got his 100 points for the win and sits atop the leader board with 150. He showed the way the whole race setting fractions of 23.34, 48.60, 1:13.39, 1:37.87 and 1:49.86 for the mile-and-an-eighth race. The time compares well to the other major preps this year run at that distance. The slowest one was Good Magic’s win in the Blue Grass and he ran a 1:50.18, but since they went back to dirt I think Keeneland plays a little slower. That’s just my opinion, others may see it differently.
Quip and Solomini, who finished second and third respectively, in the Arkansas Derby, picked up enough points, and have made it into the Kentucky Derby field.

The Stonestreet Lexington was run at Keeneland on April 14 and My Boy Jack won and took home 20 points to boost his total to allow him in the Derby field. Why he’s there is a good question.

We basically have three weeks until the Kentucky Derby (May 5) and now we’ll spend our time watching workouts and seeing how each colt handles Churchill Downs once they get there.

I normally say that there are 10 horses in the Kentucky Derby that don’t belong. This year I think there are 10 colts that can win the Derby. This is one of the deepest crops we’ve had in a number of years.

My 2018 final Kentucky Derby contenders list is (until we know the post positions):

Audible (Into Mischief) won the Florida Derby from outside post and heads to Louisville.

Good Magic (Curlin) won the Blue Grass in a 14-horse field.

Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro) let Justify have an easy lead in Santa Anita Derby; needs pace.

Justify (Scat Daddy) won Santa Anita Derby on an easy lead, will find more pace at Churchill Downs,

Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) blew away the UAE Derby field and is Coolmore’s best shot at winning a Derby.

Vino Ross (Curlin) won the Wood Memorial.

Magnum Moon (Malibu Moon) strayed late but still won the Arkansas Derby in a good time.

Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy) won the Louisiana Derby.

Flameaway (Scat Daddy) was second in the Blue Grass.

Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro) was second in the Wood Memorial.

Here are some colts with room to improve:

Quip (Distorted Rumor) was second in the Arkansas Derby.

Solomini (Curlin) was third in the Arkansas Derby.

Hofburg (Tapit) was second in Florida Derby.

My Boy Jack (Creative Cause) won the Stonestreet Lexington at Keeneland and gets into the Derby.