“Road to the Derby” … it begins

By Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – It’s time to take an early look at the 3-year-olds that might be headed to the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Through the kindness of Churchill Downs Inc., colts trained by Bob Baffert will be once again allowed in the first jewel of the Triple Crown.

So far, there have been 13 points races and only one colt has enough points to realisticly make the Derby at this time. That colt is Citizen Bull (sire: Into Mischief), winner of the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile. He is trained by Baffert and has 40 points.

Coal Battle (Coal Front) won both the Springboard Mile at Remington Park and the Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park. He is trained by Lonnie Briley and has 20 points.

Gaming (Game Winner) was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and is another Baffert trainee. He has 18 points.

Getaway Car (Curlin) was third in the Juvenile and has 16 points. He also is trained by Baffert, and although he is by Curlin, his dam side is a sprint pedigree and I don’t think he wants to go that far.

Jonathan’s Way (Vekoma) was second in the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs following a seventh place in the Juvenile. He is trained by Phil Bauer and has 15 points.

The following eight colts all have 10 points apiece:

Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) was sixth in the Juvenile, but came into that race undefeated with wins in the Hopeful at Saratoga and the Champagne at Aqueduct. He’s trained by Chad Brown.

East Avenue (Medaglia d’Oro) was ninth in the Juvenile, but previously won the Breeder’s Futurity at Keeneland. He is trained by Brendan Walsh.

First Resort (Uncle Mo) won the Kentucky Jockey Club. He is trained by Eoin Harty.

Poster (Munnings) is undefeated in three starts and his last win was the Remsem at Aqueduct. Harty is the trainer.

Journalism (Curlin) won the Los Alamitos Derby. He is trained by Michael McCarthy.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief) won the Street Sense in October at Churchill. Bill Mott is the trainer.

Cyclone State (McKinzie) won the Jerome at Aqueduct, but I question how far he wants to go. He is trained by Chad Summers.

Built (Hard Spun) won the Gun Runner at Fairgrounds and he is trained by Wayne Catalano. This guy looks tough and I would keep an eye on him.

Another colt that was impressive finishing second in the Jerome was Omaha Omaha (Audible). He was closing fast and I think he will like going farther.

Here are three more out of the Baffert barn that are going to make some noise. Barnes (Into Mischief) won the San Vicente going away. Romanesque (Practical Joke) was second in the San Vicente and Rodriquez (Authentic) destroyed a maiden field at Santa Anita.