Preakness 2011

Despite an impressive performance to win the Kentucky Derby, It looks like Animal Kingdom is not scaring anyone off in the 2011 Preakness. A capacity field of 14 appears likely to line up for racing's middle jewel, with 13 of them trying to end the Animal's hope of moving one step closer to the elusive Triple Crown. As of today, here is the prospective field ... 1. Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux-Dalicia, by Acatenango) 3-1  I may still be on a high from the Derby, but clearly this powerful chestnut ran a big enough race in Louisville to garner top spot on my early Preakness selections. His patented strong move on the turn should make him a real threat at Pimlico. 2. Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno-Ponche de Leona, by Ponche) 9-2  The big youngster from the Kathy Ritvo barn may not have actually be three-years-old yet, but he proved his heart and talent through his strong finish in the Derby. A few more strides and he is second in Louisville; any improvement in Baltimore makes him a big contender. For more on the Preakness Preview, Click Here

2011 Kentucky Derby

Zipse’s Kentucky Derby Daily - Day 72 Visit the 2011 Kentucky Derby page for all the latest info on contenders, rankings, Derby trail, future odds and more, and remember to follow ZATT daily on Horse Racing Nation. It's only ten weeks away, and new contenders are rising fast, while the pretenders are falling by the wayside. Saturday features an excellent prep from Gulfstream Park, as To Honor and Serve makes his sophomore debut in the grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. Next week we'll head to the Big Apple for the Gotham Stakes. Remember, this time of year allows little room for missteps as connections jockey their horses for position in the Derby starting gate. Looking ahead to the big day, I have ranked my most likely to wear the roses. Here they are... The Sweet 16 1. Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie-Playa Maya, by Arch) Todd Pletcher - Not crazy about the decision to have the first of only two preps at one-turn, but in the end I will trust Pletcher to do what’s best with the best three-year-old in the nation. 2. To Honor and Serve (Bernardini-Pilfer, by Deputy Minister) Bill Mott- Flattered by Mucho Macho Man‘s win in the Risen Star. The Fountain of Youth will be a fair test to see where he is in 2011, and to see his ratability. 3. Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno-Ponche de Leona, by Ponche) Katherine Ritvo - Big lanky colt seems to be on the trail of putting things together. He will need to keep improving to win the Derby, but I can see that improvement continuing to come. 4. Dialed In (Mineshaft-Miss Doolittle, by Storm Cat) Nick Zito - Two races down and they were both full of promise. I need to see what his come from behind style will look like around two-turns to consider him one of the Derby favorites. 5. Sway Away (Afleet Alex-Seatlle Shimmer, by Seattle Slew) Jeff Bonde - His broodmare sire won the Triple Crown. His sire almost won it. Can’t wait to see this impressive colt run a route of ground. 6. Brethren (Distorted Humor-Supercharger, by A.P. Indy) Todd Pletcher - Following in the footsteps of his big brother, he will contest the Tampa Bay Derby next. He has done nothing to dissuade confidence in him. 7. Alternation (Distorted Humor-Alternate, by Seattle Slew) Donnie Von Hemel - My top dark horse right now. Breeding is great, and I love the way he looks down the stretch of his races. Acid test should come in the Rebel. 8. Santiva (Giant's Causeway-Slide, by Smarten) Eddie Kenneally - Finished 2010 with a nice stakes win at Churchill, and began this year with a solid 2nd to Mucho Macho Man. Improvement next time out will put him right in the argument as a major threat. 9. Premier Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus-Squall Linda, by Summer Squall) Myung Cho- A little out on the limb on this one, but I think the San Vicente will do him a world of good. I have always thought that PrePeg will appreciate longer distances. 10. Jaycito (Victory Gallop-Night Edition, by Ascot Knight) Bob Baffert - A bit of a mystery horses for several reasons, but Baffert thinks he is beginning to come around. Bred to do well on the First Saturday in May. 11. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini-Marozia, by Storm Bird) Todd Pletcher - Been knocking heads with stablemate Mo in the mornings, and looking good doing it. Debut in the Gotham should tell us a lot about his ability to move forward this year. 12. Anthony's Cross (Indian Charlie-Screening, by Unbridled) Eoin Harty - This one could continue to surprise people. Likes Churchill Downs and really seems to be coming to hand for a very capable horseman. 13. Soldat (War Front-Le Relais, by Coronado's Quest) Kiaran McLaughlin - Turf, check. Slop, check. What can he do on a dry dirt surface. We should have an answer when he tangles with the #2 on Saturday. 14. Rogue Romance (Smarty Jones-Lovington, by Afleet) Ken McPeek - Not sold on him as a true ten furlong horse, but his races are just good enough to include on this list. I will need to see improvement in the Louisiana Derby though. 15. Runflatout (Flatter-Slammin' Lil, by Grand Slam) John Sadler - This West Pointer can flat out run, or so his only race to date would seem to say. Looking forward to see what he can do against good horses in the San Felipe. 16. Sweet Ducky (Pulpit-Storm's Darling, by Storm Boot) Kelly Breen - Part of the Holy Bull group that could end up being a key race. I liked the way he looked last Fall at Monmouth, so I am willing to hold on for another race. [How would your Top 10 look right now?] Off the Trail -Boys at Tosconova -Tapizar -Clubhouse Ride [Disagree with my rankings? Join the HRN Community and rank your favorites on our 2011 Kentucky Derby Contenders]

Down and Derby - The Holiday Edition

1. Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) Todd Pletcher - The unquestioned king of the juveniles has people triple crown dreaming. 2. To Honor and Serve (Bernardini) Bill Mott- The best at Aqueduct. How will that translate to Louisville? 3. Boys at Tosconova (Officer) Rick Dutrow - Classy and talented, but can the son of Officer go a distance? 4. Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) Katherine Ritvo - Been chasing Mott’s colt; distance should be no problem. 5. Premier Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) Myung Cho- Looking good sprinting and bred to handle a route of ground. 6. Cool Blue Red Hot (Harlan’s Holiday) Angel Penna Jr. - Only faced maidens so far, but plenty of upside. 7. Dialed In (Mineshaft) Nick Zito - One race, and it was a doozy. Has the look of a Derby type of horse. 8. Santiva (Bernardini) Eddie Kenneally - Like the way he battled in between horses over the Churchill strip. 9. Comma to the Top (Bwana Charlie) Peter Miller - Electrifying at Hollywood, but I have my 10 furlong doubts. 10. Jaycito (Victory Gallop) Bob Baffert - BC Juvenile bolt makes this well bred colt a bit of an enigma. 11. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) Todd Pletcher - Love the name, love the looks, but he needs to improve to run with Mo. 12. Tapizar (Tapit) Steve Asmussen - Ran away from his competition at Churchill like a real runner. 13. Brethren (Distorted Humor) Todd Pletcher - Super Saver’s little bro has impressed in his first two starts. 14. Sway Away (Afleet Alex) Jeff Bonde - Been away from the races for some time, but I liked what I saw at Del Mar. 15. Rogue Romance (Smarty Jones) Ken McPeek - Switch back to dirt earned him a distant 3rd in the BC. 16. J P’s Gusto (Successful Appeal) David Hofmans - Solid in California, what happened in the Juvenile? 17. Astrology (A. P. Indy) Steve Asmussen - Kentucky Jockey Club favorite ran well, but was outgamed to the wire. 18. Clubhouse Ride (Candy Ride) Craig Lewis- Dropped way back at Hollywood, but was full of run down the lane. 19. Mountain Town (Cape Town) Rick Dutrow - No match in the Remsen, maybe more distance will get him in the picture. 20. Gourmet Dinner (Trippi) Steve Standridge - Still not a big believer in this game colt at 10 furlongs, but he already has the earnings. 21. Major Gain (More Than Ready) Wayne Catalano - Dirt race was promising as he battled from the rail. 22. Archarcharch (Arch) Jinks Fires - Went from maiden to stakes winner yesterday. I like his distance potential. 23. Coil (Point Given) Tom Proctor - Recent maiden winner is by Point Given out of a Theatrical mare = distance. 24. Sherriff Cogburn (Vindication) Don Von Hemel - Eager to see the return of this Midwestern flash. 25. Smash (Smart Strike) Bob Baffert - The maiden win was impressive, but no racing since July. Here is To Honor and Serve handling Mucho Macho Man and Mountain Town in the Remsen.