See You in September

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

“I’ll be alone each and every night
While you’re away, don’t forget to write

(Written by Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards and first recorded by The Tempos in 1959 and later by The Happenings in 1966)

That’s where we stand, waiting for the first Saturday in September for the 146th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. And the guy standing at the top of that class is trainer Bob Baffert who has four major contenders to wear the blanket of roses in the winner’s circle.

Whether there will be anymore points’ races between now and that day in September is anybody’s guess, but this is how I’m ranking my top colts after the Arkansas Derby, which was run on May 2. The top four are Baffert trainees and they really are interchangeable.

Nadal (Blame) 150 points – won one division of the Arkansas Derby.

Charlatan (Speightstown) 100 points – won the other division of the Arkansas Derby.

Authentic (Into Mischief) 60 points – won San Felipe.

Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile) 25 points – won Robert Lewis.

Tiz the Law (Constitution) 122 points – won Florida Derby.

Honor A.P. (Honor Code) 20 points – second in San Felipe.

King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) 90 points – second behind Nadal in Arkansas Derby.

Shivaree (Awesome of Course) 40 points – second in Florida Derby.

Ete Indien (Summer Front) 54 ponts – third in Florida Derby.

Basin (Liam’s Map) 50 points – second behind Charlatan in Arkansas Derby.