Correll’s Derby Ten: Nysos remains in top spot, Timberlake moves up

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview —-

TRINITY, Fla. – Timberlake came back off a nearly four-month layoff to be much the best in the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. The race was run over a fast track and the colt stopped the timer in 1:44 flat for the mile-and-a-sixteenth race.

The son of Into Mischief stalked the early pace and then charged down the lane to win by two lengths. He now stands atop the Kentucky Derby leader board with 66 points.

The colt made up for a poor showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile where he was fourth. Timberlake may be a little like Fierceness: run a good race, then run a bad race. We’ll see what happens next with both.

Elliott Walden of WinStar Farm, one of the owners of Timberlake, was happy with the performance and said he would consult with trainer Brad Cox on where the colt would go for his final Derby prep.

Nysos (sire: Nyquist) was dominate in the Lewis and his Triple Crown race will be the Preakness. He is trained by Bob Baffert.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) received a 98 Equibase speed figure in winning the Risen Star.

Timberlake (Into Mischief) earned 105 E-speed figure for his effort in the Rebel.

Track Phantom (Quality Road) was second in the Risen Star and got a 98 E-speed figure. He is trained by Steve Asmussen and he may stay at Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby.

Catching Freedom (Constitution) was third in the Risen Star, but he wasn’t catching the top two. He is trained by Cox.

Dornach (Good Magic) won the Remsen on Dec. 2 at Aqueduct and trainer Danny Gargan is pointing the colt to the Fountain of Youth on March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

Muth (Good Magic) was second in the Juvenile and won the San Vicente on Jan. 7 at Santa Anita in Southern California. He is trained by Baffert.

Fierceness (City of Light) was third in the Holy Bull.

Locked (Gun Runner) was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and trainer Todd Pletcher is looking at the Fountain of Youth for his next start.

Speak Easy (Constitution) broke his maiden at first asking on Jan. 27 at Gulfstream. He earned a 92 Beyer and he is a WinStar homebred.