The inaugural running of the Gulfstream Park Derby offers a glimpse at contenders for the upcoming Triple Crown prep races.
Undoubtedly, the winner, and likely runners up in this contest will merit consideration later in the year. Ancient Rome, the only stakes winner in the field, took the Spectacular Bid Stakes earlier in the meet, winning in a swift 1:08 4/5. He’ll try to stretch his speed against a field of recent maiden winners, allowance runners and optional claimers.
Despite having a strong turf router pedigree, KING KID (Lemon Drop Kid - Very Very, by Royal Academy) won his debut sprinting over the Churchill dirt. He is by a Belmont Stakes hero and Champion Older Male out of a stakes winning turf miler, King Kid’s distaff line is fairly modest. King Kid enters the race with a strong five furlong move over the Gulfstream dirt.
REVERON (Songandaprayer - Carolina Sunrise, by Awesome Again) has improved steadily in every race, and posted wins in his last two contests. The Calder shipper has a speed over stamina pedigree, although his sire rarely produces winners past a mile. Reveron’s dam is a half-sister to a stakes winner and the second dam Stylish Star is a multiple stakes winner, counting the Del Mar Oaks amongst her wins. To prepare for his two turn debut, Reveron breezed a mile two works back.
GOLD MEGILLAH (Purim - Touch Me Once, by Touch Gold) romped by over 18 lengths in the slop at Churchill in his last. Gold Megillah’s first crop sire has only four winners, but his offspring should improve with maturity and distance. Gold Megillah is the first foal produced by his dam. She’s a half-sister to a stakes placed runner and the second dam Theresa The Teacha is a Grade 3 winner. Travers runner-up Rattlesnake Bridge was produced by this distaff line.
NACHAS AND JOY (Lion Heart - Competent Sort, by Cahill Road) also won his maiden over a sloppy track. He’s a full brother to That’s A Good Thing, who was third in the Prairie Meadows Freshman. His dam is a stakes placed half-sister to the multiple listed stakes winner Derivative. The second dam, multiple Grade 1 winner Coup de Fusil set a new track record in the Delaware Handicap, getting 1 ¼ miles in 1:59 4/5.
CASUAL TRICK (Bernardini - Casual Look, by
Red Ransom) led all of the way in his second start, scoring by 2 ½ lengths over maidens at Churchill. He’s a son of this year’s first crop sire sensation Bernardini. Casual Trick’s dam placed in a Group 2 as a juvenile and won the Epsom Oaks (Gr.1). This distaff line produced the brilliant Magnificience, who set a new stakes record in the Santa Paula. Casual Trick has been working strongly at Palm Meadows and brings a 5F bullet move into the race.
SILVER MENACE (Silver Wagon - Catmaker, by Magic Cat) has won both of his starts by a combined 8 ¾ lengths, but he switches to the barn of Kathy Ritvo, who is 0 for 14 with new horses. Silver Menace was the first winner for his first crop sire and his distaff family is modest. His dam is a half-sister to a restricted stakes winner.
The only stakes winner in the field, ANCIENT ROME (Roman Ruler - Wish It Were, by Is It True) grabbed the six furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes by a nose in his last start. Ancient Rome’s pedigree leans towards speed, however both his sire and damsire won beyond a mile. Ancient Rome’s dam was a multiple stakes winning sprinter and other than her son, owns the only blacktype in three generations of the distaff family.
POLITICALLYCORRECT (Kitten's Joy - Exceedexpectations, by Tale of the Cat) is one of the rare progeny of Champion Turf Horse Kitten’s Joy to post a win over the dirt. Politicallycorrect is one of two entrants who have been victorious at 1 1/16 miles over the gulfstream dirt. His distaff line has no blacktype in two generations. Politicallycorrect owns a recent strong bullet move for the Gulfstream Park Derby.
The other entry with a win at today’s distance is RAVELO'S BOY (Lawyer Ron - Dance Tune, by French Deputy). The son of deceased first crop stallion Lawyer Ron is seeking to become his sire’s fifth stakes winner. Ravelo's Boy has plenty of speed in his distaff line. His dam is a stakes placed sprinter, while his damsire was a top sprinter/miler. Although he owns a win at 1 1/16 miles, the distance may be at the top of Ravelo's Boy’s scope and his winning time was almost a full second slower than that of Politicallycorrect.
REX'S LAST TOUR (First Tour - Dr. Rexsonshope, by Rexson's Hope) is one for 10 and has been trounced by Ravelo's Boy and Ancient Rome. Rex's Last Tour is a half-brother to stakes placed Rexson’s Rose. He descends from the family of Florida Derby winner Hal’s Hope and the good Calder filly Mia’s Reflection.
Another son of Lawyer Ron, YOURHONORANDGLORY (Lawyer Ron - Glory of Love, by Not For Love) has won or placed in his last three starts. His dam is stakes placed, but overall, Yourhonorandglory’s distaff line is modest, filled with solid, durable claiming class runners.
SELECTIONS:
Track Bias: Typically, Gulfstream’s track is speed favoring and horses in outside posts above a mile are forced wide due to the short distance to the first turn. Overall, 44% of the winners this meet have won on the front end. However, this week, three races have been contested at 1 1/16 miles and one run stalkers won two of them.
Politicallycorrect owns a win over the track at today’s distance, plus his speed figures are improving. He’s headed to his third start off of a layoff and fits well here. He doesn’t need the lead, but will be close to the pace. Casual Trick has the best pedigree of the group and he also owns the best works. King Kid is bred to relish two turns. He’ll sit off the lead but should be there at the end. Reveron brings a two race win streak to the table, but 1 1/6 miles may be stretching it. Ancient Rome also owns a two race win streak and there’s no doubt that he’s fast. He’ll be setting swift fractions and if he handles the distance, could run them off of their feet. Ravelo's Boy is the only stalker. He owns the best late-speed figure of all the entrants, and if they go too fast early, he could get up for a piece.
#5 CASUAL TRICK
#8 POLITICALLYCORRECT
#7 ANCIENT ROME
#1 KING KID – LONGSHOT PICK
HANDSOME MIKE (Scat Daddy - Classic Strike, by Smart Strike) switches to the barn of Doug O’Neil (16% with first time runners) after being caught late in the Generous (G3) going a mile over the lawn. His first crop sire Scat Daddy is making a name for himself as a sire of turf/synthetic runners. Not surprising since he’s a son of Champion Johannesburg. Distance shouldn’t be a problem for Handsome Mike, but the Cushion Track and his early running style could hinder him. 
by A.P. Indy) was tossed to the wolves in the Hollywood Prevue just eleven days after winning his maiden. the pretty gray colt was forced wide around the turn and made up ground in the stretch so his race wasn’t as bad as it appears on paper. Empire Way is a full brother to Breeders’ Cup Distaff heroine Royal Delta and he’s by a Belmont Stakes winner out of a daughter of a Belmont Stakes winner. Still, the lone work since the Prevue was average and they may be asking too much too soon. 
The first of three Baffert horses, 
Kingmambo) may be longer odds than his stablemate Drill, but is worth a hard look. He’s one of two horses in the field with a win over the Cushion Track at today’s distance. He’s the first foal for his dam. She went 0-5 on the track, but she’s a half sister to stakes winner Mambo In Seattle. Third dam is blue hen Weekend Surprise, dam of A.P. Indy, Summer Squall, Eavesdropper, Honor Grades, Saithor and she’s also the grand-dam of the top grass horse Court Vision. Sky Kingdom owns a series of good works and grabs the attention of Garrett Gomez. 
ROUSING SERMON (Lucky Pulpit - Rousing Again, by Awesome Again) was getting to Liaison in the Real Quiet Stakes and if he hadn’t gone wide, probably would have won the race. He’s progressed in each of his last three races and his latest works are excellent. A son of one of the best Poly sires, Lucky Pulpit, Rousing Sermon has the breeding on his distaff side to run all day. 
(Indian Charlie - Galloping Gal, by Victory Gallop) brings a two race win streak to the table along with a last out bullet breeze. Liaison is the third foal and first colt produced by his multiple turf stakes winning dam. 
After winning or placing in his first five starts over dirt and Polytrack, 
Cat) after winning his maiden at Santa Anita, Basmati was a very distant second in the Delta Jackpot against a weak field and he’s unplaced against graded stakes runners in California. Basmati has a stamina-oriented pedigree and will benefit with time and distance. His sire’s only stakes wins came at 1 ¼ miles, in the Jockey Gold Cup and Pacific Classic. Basmati’s dam went 0 for 4 in her career on the track. She’s a half-sister to Molly Pitcher (G2) heroine March Magic. 
One of the most exciting prospects in the field is 
The most experienced colt in the field with four starts under his girth is 
(Medaglia d'Oro - Merry Me in Spring, by Wekiva Springs) led all the way to win a sprint at Santa Anita in a sharp 1:09. Like many colts in the Prevue, So Brilliant has a pedigree indicating that he’ll prefer two turns. His sire won the Travers Stakes, but he was really best at 1 1/8 miles. So Brilliant’s damsire was a Grade 1 winning stakes veteran who was successful twice at 1 ¼ miles. Merry Me In Spring, So Brilliant’s dam, won a stakes going 1 1/16 miles over the turf. His second dam was also a stakes winner. 
Last year the offspring of More Than Ready pulled off wins in the Juvenile Turf and Filly counterpart stakes. This year, City Zip has an excellent chance of doing the same thing. His daughter Dayatthespa and son Majestic City have excellent shots to hit the board in their divisions. Below are some contenders in the contentious Juvenile events that could light up the tote. 
BLACKY THE BULL (Flashy Bull - Image of Honor, by Honour and Glory) is a stalker in a race loaded with speed. It took a couple of races for him to get his act together, but he graduated in his third start. His freshman sire is #5 on the first crop sire list with 15 winners from 41 runners. Blacky The Bull’s unraced dam is a half sister to Florida Oaks heroine Designated Dancer. The California colt’s trainer Jeff Bonde wins with 15% of shippers and jockey Pat Valenzuela finishes in the money 48% with his mounts. Odds: 10-1. 
DAYATTHESPA (City Zip - M'Lady Doc, by Doc's Leader) made all of the pace in the Natalma (G-3) and was caught late by Northern Passion. It was a strong effort for Dayatthespa, who was jumping into graded stakes company after a maiden win at 5 ½ furlongs. Dayatthespa’s sire City Zip sprinted over dirt, but his turf offspring are strong runners that can get a route of ground. Dayatthespa’s dam went 0 for 7 in her racing career, but she’s a full sister to two-time track record setter Phi Beta Doc, winner of the Sarnac Stakes and West Virginia Derby. Trainer Chad Brown wins with an impressive 31% of his horses trying a route for the second time. He’s also the conditioner of the inaugural Juvenile Fillies’ Turf winner Maram. Leading trainer Ramon Dominguez is successful with 22% of his turf mounts. Odds: 12-1. 
Rose, by Catienus) won her maiden going a mile over the turf, but hung in the stretch of the Natalma Stakes to finish third, beaten by a widening 3 ½ lengths by Tu Endie Wei. Stephanie’s Kitten gained revenge on that rival by over seven lengths in the Alcibiades as a long shot winner. Stephanie’s Kitten is by 2004 Eclipse Champion Turf Male Kitten’s Joy. Not surprisingly, his offspring are best over turf and synthetics, up to 1 1/8 miles. Stephanie’s Kitten is the first foal produced by her unraced dam. Her second dam Bail Out Becky was a good multiple stakes race mare and her major accomplishment was a win in the Del Mar Oaks (G1). Stephanie’s Kitten’s damsire Catienus, a son of Storm Cat, placed in graded handicaps at 1 ¼ miles. He’s a fairly young broodmare sire, and as such, has only two stakes winners. Stephanie’s Kitten will once again be a long shot in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, but she has been working well and her Brisnet speed figures have improved in every race. In the long run, she may prove more effective over Polytrack, but if she continues to improve, in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, Stephanie’s Kitten has a decent chance to hit the board at a good price. Trainer Wayne Catalano has a 26% strike rate with last out winners while jockey John Velazquez hits with 17% of his turf runners. Odds: 10-1. 
CANDREA (Trippi - Burn Brightly, by American Chance) She dueled on the lead in her first try around two turns in the 1 1/16 mile Oakleaf Stakes (G-1), but she couldn't hold of the late charge of Weemissfrankie, finishing second by only ¾ of a length to that rival. On a positive note, Candrea's Brisnet speed figures have improved with every race. Candrea’s sprint specialist sire Trippi competed mainly in Grade 2 and 3 level sprints, but he did win the Grade 1 Vosburgh. The majority of Trippi's offspring are best up to a mile over all surfaces, although a few can stretch their speed to 1 1/16 miles. Last year his daughter R Heat Lightning placed second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Candrea is a full sister to the multiple stakes winning sprinter Dream of Angles. Her half-brother Good To Be Seen is a stakes placed runner. Candrea's dam Burn Brightly won five of 13 starts, including a stakes race as a sprinter. She's a half-sister to a Argentinean multiple graded stakes winner Dona Polenta. Candrea may be stretching her distance limitations at 1 1/16 miles, but she could have the class to finish in the money in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. In the last three Breeders’ Cup races that were held at Churchill, fillies who finished second in their last prep hit the board most often in the Juvenile Fillies. Trainer Bob Baffert scores with 32% shippers and Martin Garcia is in the money with a very respectable 71% of his mounts. Odds: 5-1. 
Dynaformer) won at first asking, but had gate issues then was rank in the Frizzette, finishing nine lengths behind the undefeated My Miss Aurelia. Miss Netta is a member of two year Champion Street Sense's first crop. Street Sense is the only horse to complete a Breeders' Cup Juvenile/Kentucky Derby win. He's of to a strong start at stud with eight winners and two stakes placed runners from 31 starters. His offspring are likely to improve with maturity. Miss Netta is a half-sister to Grade 3 winners Dyna Da Wyna, Leroy’s Dynameaux and graded stakes placed New Joysey Jeff. Their dam is a half-sister to the dam of the top race mare Honey Ryder, who placed twice in consecutive Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf contests. Miss Netta breezed a bullet four furlongs from the gate in :46 4/5 at Belmont. Toss the Frizzette, because this filly should be on her toes. Trianer Kiaran McLaughlin won the Filly & Mare Turf in 2006 with Lahudood and grabbed third place in the 2009 Mile with Justenuffhumor. He wins with 20% of his two year olds. Jockey Rajiv Maraugh has ridden five mounts in previous Breeders’ Cups with a best finish of third place. Odds: 10-1. 
MAJESTIC CITY City Zip – It’ schemestrybaby, by Meadowlake) won his first three races sprinting, and was defeated a neck in the Del Mar Futurity by Drill at seven furlongs. Majestic City bore out badly in the stretch of that race, almost knocking Drill off of his feet and impeding the course of Creative Cause. For his efforts, Majestic City was disqualified to third. Instead of facing his two rivals in the Norfolk Stakes, Majestic City took on contenders in the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. After pulling in the first part of the race, Majestic City appeared headed for a victory in the stretch, but couldn't hold off the fast closing Dullahan, losing by 3/4 a length to that rival. It was a good effort for his first try around two turns. His sire City Zip has become a top producer of runners over all surfaces. His turf runners don’t have the same distance limitations as their dirt counterparts. It’schemestrybaby, the dam of Majestic City took four years and 23 practice races before finding a field she could best in her 24 start. During her career, she did finish second four times and third nine times. It’schemestrybaby is a half-sister to the stakes placed sprinter She’s Raging. Majestic City’s second dam Not So Pleasant was winless in nine tries. There’s some quality in this family as the fourth dam produced the multiple Grade/Group 1 turf router Golden Pheasant. Majestic City turned recorded a very strong breeze over the Santa Anita turf in his first foray onto the lawn. He should find both the turf and the one mile distance to his liking. Odds: 6-1. 
Mr. Prospector) got up to win the Bourbon Stakes (G3) by ½ length in his second start, winning his maiden in the process. Animal Spirits is a half brother to Broad Pennant, dam of Interactif who also includes a victory in the Bourbon on his résumé, stakes winner Stretching and stakes placed Wingspan. Animal Spirits’ second dam is the great Champion mare and blue hen Personal Ensign, whose progeny include Champion fillies My Flag, Grade 1 winners Miners Mark and Traditionally. Horses that have won or placed in the Bourbon Stakes have done well in the Juvenile Turf. Nownownow, who placed in the Bourbon took the inargural running of the Juvenile Turf. In 2009, Animal Spirit’s relative Interactif won the Bourbon and placed third in the Juvenile Turf. 27% of All Stall Jr.’s winners come back to score next time out. Robby Alberado clicks with 13% wins over the lawn. Odds: 10-1. 
TAKE CHARGE INDY (A.P. Indy - Take Charge Lady, by Dehere) won his debut by 6 ½ lengths over the Arlington Poly, which is impressive for a debuting son of A.P. Indy. He followed up with a good second place finish in the Arlington Washington Futurity, but was an average fourth in the Dixiana Breeders' Futurity over the Keeneland Polytrack. Take Charge Indy's is the fourth and most talented foal produced by his dam. Take Charge Indy is a son of is the top U.S. stamina sire and Belmont Stakes winner A.P. Indy. Take Charge Indy’s dam Take Charge Lady is a multiple Grade 1 veteran who won the Spinster (twice), Ashland, Arlington Matron, and she placed in the Kentucky Oaks. She won or placed in 18 of 22 starts, earning over two million dollars. She has two stakes winning half siblings, Commendation, winner of the Bourbon County Stakes over the lawn and New York Oaks heroine Eventail. Eventail produced Fort Marcy winner Straight Story. Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champ Chamberlain Bridge was produced by this distaff line. A.P. Indy is a poor sire of Polytrack runners and Take Charge Indy should improve remarkably over the Churchill dirt, especially at two turns. Trainer Patrick Byrne has a strong 25% win rate with horses switching from Poly to dirt. He’s no stranger to the winner’s circle at the Breeders’ Cup. Byrne trained the 1997 Champion Juvenile Colt Favorite Trick and the Champion Juvenile Filly Countess Diana to wins in their respective races. He came back a year later with the Classic winner and Champion Awesome Again. Jockey James Graham wins with 16% routers. He rode in two Breeders’ Cup races and has failed to hit the board. Odds: 20-1.
In the last decade, the Breeders’ Cup has been held at Churchill Downs three times, 2000, 2006 and 2010. The contests bring together the best horses in the United States and top European counterparts. Below we’ll examine which running styles, prep races and track surfaces yield the most Breeders’ Cup winners at Churchill Downs. The Dirt Mile and Filly & Mare Sprint are excluded because they have only been held once at Churchill. 
most formful prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile held at Churchill. In 2000 Point Given was second in both races, while last year, Uncle Mo dominated the Champagne and Juvenile. This year, Union Rags is poised to complete the Champagne/Juvenile double. 
In 2006 and 2010, Fillies who had their last prep over Woodbine Poly finished first (Dreaming of Anna, 2006) and third (Delightful Mary, 2010). 
also done well in the Sprint. In 2006, Nightmare Affair was unplaced in the Forego and placed third in the Sprint, while last year’s Sprint Champ Big Drama was second in the Forego. 
The last two Churchill Distaff heroines exited the Beldame. In 2006, Round Pond was third in the Beldame before winning the Distaff, and last year Unrivaled Belle parlayed a second place finish in the Beldame into a Distaff win. 
Invasor in the Classic, while Blame was second in the Gold Cup and narrowly won the Classic. Fly Down finished third in both races. 
Six of the last ten editions of the Breeders’ Cup Mile have been won by Europeans, with Goldikova taking an unprecedented last three runnings. Although Goldikova won at Churchill last year, in 2000 and 2006 American horses triumphed. 
Last year’s F&M Turf heroine Shared Account failed to hit the board in the Flower Bowl, but found the firm Churchill turf to her liking. Keertana, third in the F&M Turf, was fourth in the Flower Bowel. 
2010 was a bit more chalky, with Dangerous Midge returning $19.00 and place horse Champ Pegasus at $9.00. 
Last year, the inside posts ruled Churchill’s dirt races. The Sprint, Filly & Mare Sprint and Dirt Mile were all won by horses exiting the one hole. No horse won farther out than post 7. Three dirt winners, F & M Sprint, Distaff and Classic, had won a race previously over the Churchill surface. 
MY MISS AURELIA
Skybox, by Spend a Buck) stopped the clock in 1:09 4/5 for six furlongs in her second start earning a huge 105 Brisnet speed figure. The Pletcher trainee is a half-sister to listed stakes winners Dootsie and Sand Ridge, and her half-brother Peter Paul Rubens is a stakes placed runner in England. Stopshoppingmaria’s stakes placed dam is a half-sister to Ball Chairman, the dam of G1 winning turf sire Perfect Soul. She's also a half-sister to the grand-dam of G1 winning 1st crop sire Flashy Bull. The second dam A Status Symbol and third dam Queen Louie are stakes winners. 
MISS NETTA
SPARE CHANGE
POWER WORLD
UNION RAGS
Rocket, by American Chance) made up some ground in the Hopeful (G-1) but was hindered by a speed favoring sloppy track. He’s a half-brother to Greeley’s Rocket, who placed in four stakes at two and won a listed stakes at three. His dam is a stakes placed half-sister to Frizette & Spinaway heroine Adieu, the G3 stakes winners Direct Line, Rappaport, and listed stakes winner Speak Wisely. Laurie’s Rocket had a brisk work at Belmont for the Champagne. 
DULLAHAN
Danzig Connection) closed gamely for third in the Washington Arlington Futurity, despite having to go six wide around the far bend. Motor City has a stamina oriented pedigree. His sire is a two-time Champion and is showing his class at stud as a leading first crop sire. His offspring will enjoy running two turns. Damsire Danzig Connection won the Belmont Stakes. Motor City is a half-brother to English stakes winner Satulagi. His dam is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner W.D. Jacks and stakes winner Empress Jackie. 
After impeding Creative Cause and slamming into Drill in the Del Mar Futurity, 
Yoursmineours, by Belong to Me) enters the Breeders’ Futurity off of a one length win in the Arlington Washington Futurity. He is his first crop sire Scat Daddy’s first winner over Polytrack. Shared Property has quality in his distaff family. His dam won the Honeybee Stakes and his third dam produced Champion filly Epitome. Shared Property had an average 5F work over the Keeneland surface earlier in the week. 
OPTIMIZER
#2 
Sonata, by Carson City) Gained late for fourth place, beaten only 1 ½ lengths in the Arlington Washington Lassie and should enjoy the extra distance of the Alcibiades. Her second crop sire is above average in producing winners over Polytrack, but while his offspring can run and win over the surface, they improve when switching to dirt. Venetian Sonata’s full brother Wilburn recently won the Indiana Derby. Her half brother Beethoven won the 2008 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G-2). Venetian Sonata’s dam won the Arlington-Washington Lassie and her precocious half brother Bevo won the Belmont Futurity (G-1) and Saratoga Special (G-2). The second and third dams are also stakes winners. Venetian Sonata breezed an average 5F in 1:00 3/5 over the Keeneland Poly in her last work. 
Cornstalk, by Indian Charlie) is undefeated in two starts, both stakes races. She lead all the way in the 6 ½ furlong Ontario Debutante and held off Northern Passion by ½ a length. That filly came back to win the G-3 Natalma Stakes. Tu Endie Wei’s fourth crop sire has three graded stakes winners. The majority of his offspring are best over the turf, but he has a handful of winners over synthetic tracks. They win from sprints to 1 ½ miles. Tu Endie Wei is a half sister to two-time Champion and Horse of the Year Biofuel. 
#5 
#9 
#11 
#14