Welcome to Northern California, usually not the place, where Derby hopes begin, but the place, where we get a first look at the 3yos in Graded action going over 8.5f, this race could have at least some Derby Wannabees in itself. The weather is warm and sunny, and the track has been declared fast, and 12 colts made their way to California, including a few Stakes winners, some even striking in Graded Company. Favourite Ripperbeast is the only one in the race, to break the magic 100 barrier, but in this classy field, a lot of horses will get their shot, but let\u2019s take a look at the field: #1 DESTINY’S GONE(KY) 8\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=164895<\/A> 6 Races \u2013 3 Wins \u2013 376,116$ The 3yo Gone West colt ran his best race so far last October on a sloppy dirt course, when he won the Grade 1 Sparkling Wine Stakes over 8.5f, he showed a steady pace, wining wire-to-wire with a 93. He likes an early lead, and prefers to stay the distance unchallenged, that didn\u2019t work last time out in the Grade 2 Club Stakes, when he was already caught at the half way mark, and finished a disappointing 7th<\/SUP>. His breeding suggests a lot of Turf influence, but with a Grade 1 win on dirt, his ownership seems to stay to the ground, despite the flop last time. Should be a good contender, if he can get an easy lead, but expect On the Road to stalk his pace. #2 <\/SPAN><\/B>RIPPERBEAST(KY) 9\/2 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=261<\/A> 5 Races \u2013 3 Wins \u2013 339,500$ The 3yo Point Given Colt broke the magic speed number of 100 in his last outing, finishing 2nd<\/SUP> in the Grade 1 7f Twinhollow Trainer Championship, but if you think he is a sprinter testing the water, if he can sty, your wrong, he proofed, that he can easily get the 8.5f winning an restricted Stakes Race in Nevada with lots of closing speed in October. He was unleashed in his 3rd<\/SUP> career race, when he switched from leading early, to a slow opening style, and a big stretch finish. Has tons of closing speed, and could possibly switch running styles, if necessary. #3 <\/SPAN><\/B>SEATTLE EXPLOIT(KORE) 6\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=158645<\/A> 8 Races \u2013 4 Wins \u2013 152,070$ The 3yo Colt by Exploit, a colt, that only sired 8 2yos last season, has it kept going during his 2yo campaign, winning two stakes races, but if you look at his form, it shows a big win last time out, however over 7f, where he scored a stakes race with a 94. His only route try was back in November, when he finished 4th<\/SUP> in the Club Stakes, finishing nice on the stretch, but not able to close to winning colt Sisson\u2019s Sunday. He continually improved, as can be expected from a 2yo, and is likely to have another improvement today. It has to be seen, if his only route try was a fluke, and if he can bring his sprinting form over to the longer distances. #4 <\/SPAN><\/B>GRIM POINT(KY) 16\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=169893<\/A> 2 Races \u2013 1 Win \u2013 30,194$ The 3yo Point Given colt, only made his debut back in November, scoring in his 2nd<\/SUP> race with a nice 89 in a Maiden race in December made it tempting for his connections to enter the 12 runner field. I\u2019d never count anyone out in a 3yo race in january, if he only brings half decent form, but it\u2019s asked a lot, for the inexperienced horse to step up into an experienced Graded Field, in just his 3rd<\/SUP> race, I seen this working, but I seen much more flops, which took horses a long time to rebound, if facing to strong field early on. Let\u2019s see how this works out, for the fast closer today. #5 <\/SPAN><\/B>FOUR RUN PYE(KY) 21\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=168794<\/A> 5 Races \u2013 2 Wins \u2013 56,960$ Despite just breaking his maiden back in November, the entry of the 3yo Bernstein colt makes a lot of sense, he became better and better, the longer the races got in distance, winning an ALW last time out over 8f, and the 86 speed may not represent the end of his potential, as he cruised to a wire-to-wire lead, however, it\u2019s unlikely he can get the lead against quick pace setter Destiny\u2019s Gone, who has lots more experience, than Four Run Pye. It will be interesting to see, where he can place himself in such a strong field. #6 <\/SPAN><\/B>SEATTLE RUNNING(KY) 9\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=173447<\/A> 3 Races \u2013 2 Wins \u2013 80,080$ The 3yo Forest Wildcat colt has a great breeding, being from Game Dam Seattle\u2019s West, a Gone West x Seattle Slew Grade 1 winner, with Seattle Running being his first stakes winner in 4 tries. He won an ungraded Stakes race, in only his 2nd<\/SUP> race back in November, last time out in December he tested 7.5f, in 2nd<\/SUP>, with an 87 speed, but closing well. It seems likely he can get the 8.5f, despite Forest Wildcats tendency to throw sprinters. Today he\u2019ll have to improve and show, that he can run with the more experienced 3yos, who often had 6-7 run 2yo campaigns. But only making his debut in october, he still seems fresh, and despite the monthly schedule showed no signs of fatigue so far. He likes to sit a couple of lengths of the lead, and then make a closing move with a steady pace later on. #7 <\/SPAN><\/B>ON THE ROAD(KY) 6\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=12668<\/A> 8 Races \u2013 3 Wins \u2013 497,600$ The Son of Dynaformer opens his Derby targeted season, after a great win in the Arizona Diamond, which he won by an impressive 2 lengths, and scored his first Graded success, after 2 2nd<\/SUP> place finished in Grade 3 competition. Being a Stakes winner already in July, he showed his preference for longer distances in the autumn, and comes in well rested. He\u2019s the first son of Unbridled\u2019s Song Dam Freedom of Speech, who never won a Stakes race. He looks very well settled, and likes to stalk a steady fast pace. #8 <\/SPAN><\/B>MIDTOWN RIOT(KY) 7\/1 http:\/\/www.simulatedsports.net\/hr\/runtime\/prettyhorse.asp?hossnum=84777<\/A> 7 Races \u2013 2 Wins \u2013 121,834$ The 3yo Street Cry Colt from Pilgrim Stables, came to life late in his 2yo season, when taking part in the Blazing Saddles Breeder\u2019s Showdown, the 8.5f restricted Stakes race made him push out a great performance, closing late he ran a great 97, just missing out on the win by a head. His fast closing style, pushing over the 2nd<\/SUP> half of the race, made him an ALW winner earlier in the year, and so far, the more distance he got, the better he performed. Could be well on track based on his recent performance, and should be a contender for the winner\u2019s circle, despite his lack of Graded experience.