The Rocky Top Derby – G2 OPEN
The Rocky Top
Grade II
Two miles
Fast Dirt
$250,000
All horses, 3 years old and up
Top of Form
PP | ID | Horse | Owner | Jockey | Odds | Preview | |
1 | KARMA POLICE(KY) | 4/1 | EAAA entry – 4yo scratch bred colt by El Prado that ran in $2000 claimers as a three yr. old. Present owner is the fifth and probably the last, considering the present status of this nice colt. As the colt’s name implies he didn’t have the karma until his 4th birthday, and could have wound up in the CPU pool if not given time to mature. As of this race the colt has only one listed stakes to his credit, but is showing he can get a check in graded. At present his best efforts have come racing in 12-14f events. This is his first attempt at two miles but seems to have the stamina to do well. He has a good jock and seems to be in nice form. | ||||
2 | JIBE(KY) | 17/1 | Ireland entry – 5yo horse out of an ”E” rated mare who has produced two graded progeny out of five foals. Sired by Dehere (JPN); this horse did most of his top of the end running as a 3yo. He opened up his fifth year with a victory in a listed event, but has done very little since. His SP’s have taken a nosedive and unless he regains some form he will not be a factor here. | ||||
3 | UNIVERSAL CZAR(KY) | 6/1 | GRsimsters entry – Lightly raced 3yo scratch bred to Unbridled’s Song. With seven victories from thirteen starts he has been climbing the ladder of success. Still, he has a lot to prove as far as stamina goes. Speed is his game, and his first try at an 11f graded in his last showed him a little flat in the stretch. Adding another 5f will test his maturity and show his owner just where he stands at the moment. His 4yo season should be a hoot, what with his speed and breeding. | ||||
4 | TEMPUS UNO(GER) | 18/1 | GRsimsters entry – Lightly raced 3yo scratch bred to Monsun (GER). This youngster just picked up his third win in his last out. He’s been ITM ten out of thirteen starts in his short career. He’s been racing in very short fields to attain his present status and his SP’s aren’t mind blowing. He has of yet had no stakes wins and this will be a big challenge. He also will be trying 4f further than he’s ever gone. Add those factors together and one has to think a check would be a victory. | ||||
5 | NOWPRAY( | 21/1 | Pastures of Green entry – 4yo scratch bred by Red Ransom. Only 16 starts for this colt; with his second win happening two races back. At present he has a lot to prove. As far as distance, it isn’t a factor in this race. As far as class and SP’s, it is. Right now, allowance class seems to be the way to go to get thru conditions. | ||||
6 | SPACE INVADER | 8/1 | DelPenn National entry – The old warhorse of the field. 6yo former claimer who surprisingly hasn’t had a stakes win of any kind in his 43 start career. He’s only raced once past 11f in his career, (13f) two races back and won that handily. His last out was a squeaker with him winning by a head at 11f. He will more than likely stalk in this and just may have a shot at a top three. | ||||
7 | LAST INDIAN( | 6/1 | EAAA entry – 5yo scratch bred by Indian Ridge. Lightly raced so far considering his age. Horse has methodically gone thru conditions and slowly stretched out. After a couple of 11f victories he was tried in a G3 at 14f in which he led until the last 1/8th mile. After racing in the 100+SP’s for a period of five events he bounced in his last out. Yet another test of stamina. | ||||
8 | XTRA WELCOME(KY) | 5/1 | Non resident entry – 5yo scratch bred by Unbridled’s Song. The horse is a multi listed stakes winner and has proven to be able to handle today’s distance. Last four races have this horse with three wins and a fast closing second in his last. When in form he can compete in graded events. Right now he is firing on all cylinders and should be there at the wire. One thing we have to be aware of is the bounce factor which usually raises its ugly head just when we don’t want it to. However, let’s think positive. | ||||
9 | EDGE RACER(KY) | 8/1 | New residency entry – 4yo scratch bred by Bluegrass Cat. Trainer has been very patient with this colt and has brought him thru conditions and distance well. Nothing but allowance wins so far, but has placed in listed stakes events. The colt has multiple wins at today’s distance and is coming off back to back victories. With a lot of this field untested at the distance, he looks pretty tough in this. | ||||
10 | DESTINY AWAITS(KY) | 17/1 | DelPenn National entry – 5yo scratch bred by Seeking the Gold. This horse is from one of my stables and was claimed back in April of ’08. So far he’s been average considering the breeding, but has shown he can get 11f with no sweat. Entered in here to see just what he can do, and also to get him across the “pond” for regional racing in 2010. | ||||
11 | JOLLY DM HOUSE(WA) | 8/1 | EAAA entry – 5yo scratch bred by Jolly Jouster! This sire was based in WA and this horse is definitely his claim to fame. As a 3yo this obscure sired horse blew thru conditions with ease and has gone on to win multiple listed and graded races. The highlight of his career was winning the VT G1 Breast Cancer Research race back in August of ’08. It had an 18 horse field with some fine G1 animals running, including Solar Song. A true marathoner, he may just love this untested and somewhat weak field. We’re looking for a big race here. | ||||
12 | 9/1 | EAAA entry – 5yo scratch bred by | |||||
No standouts in this event. Perhaps some of the untested at the distance will find their calling, but in the meantime let’s stick with the known factors. Ex box – 8,9,11 | |||||||