The Lemon Drop Kid

And away they go

    The Lemon Drop Kid gets rolling. But he’s not going to use himself up in the first furlong. Many features I plan for the blog have been left at the gate (as I try to master the techie details). But links, blogrolls, etc., will be moving into contention very soon.

            Please look at the “about” section above to find out who I am and to learn more about what I have planned for this space. And please let me hear from you.

Remember the Florida Derby?

Barbaro drew a tough No. 10 post for Saturday’s Florida Derby, but he still ought to blow by this relatively lightweight competition. Horsemen have not been enthusiastic about the race’s new April 1 date – just one of several apparent foul-ups at
Gulfstream, where owner Frank Stronach seems to be a little fuzzy about just what makes for a successful racetrack.

            Flashy Bull seems likely to fill out the exacta. He's one of those horses who runs consistently well throughout a race but never really makes a strong move. This kind often picks up the pieces in Triple Crown races. Speed horse Sharp Humor might hang on for part in Saturday’s race.

            Pletcher is running two of his lesser lights. So is Zito, though this year it’s looking like all of Zito’s Triple Crown candidates fall into that category.      

This list goes up to 11

Rating candidates for the 2006 Kentucky Derby:

1. Brother Derek: Professional, consistent . . . and kind of uninspiring. Still, his California races make him the logical choice for now. A knockout win in the Santa Anita Derby would get me more enthusiastic, but don’t be shocked if his status declines before Derby Day.

2. Lawyer Ron: Isn’t he tired yet? The Lawyer has been walking into court regularly since last fall. Of course, he’s been winning, too, and along the way he has learned to rate. But he didn’t run all that fast in the Rebel and hasn’t faced the very best competition.

3. Barbaro: A smashing (that favored turf-writer adjective, courtesy, I think, of Joe Hirsch) victory in Saturday’s Florida Derby would put him right there with the top two. I think that’s a likely scenario, but he needs to prove he can win on something besides grass or slop. Some fret because he won’t race between the Florida and Kentucky derbies, but trainer Michael Matz generally knows what he’s doing.

4. Discreet Cat: This Dubai-owned colt might give the sheik his long-sought Kentucky Derby victory despite unconventional training methods. His race on the home sand last weekend was a stunner, and don’t forget he was a real head-turner in his brief appearance at Saratoga last summer. Barn has been downplaying this colt, but that’s understandable given previous disappointments.

5. Sweetnorthernsaint: That looked like a very good third in the Gotham. He just kept coming at the end with no apparent strain after a wide trip -– and in very good time. His Beyers in two obscure races before that were off the charts. Besides, I have to like him: I have a future bet on him at 30-1.

6. Keyed Entry: He can’t be far behind No. 5 here, since he finished slightly ahead of him in the Gotham. I’m looking at that as a key race (though that’s bucking history, and I don’t expect much more from the winner). Keyed Entry, who rated nicely in the Gotham, ran fast in Florida, too, and he has the Pletcher magic.

7. A.P. Warrior: San Felipe win suggests return to last year’s solid form. The move to Shirreffs’ barn had to help. If he beats Brother Derek in the Santa Anita Derby, then look out.

8. Bluegrass Cat: Has been a slight disappointment after stellar 2-year-old season. But his back class and slight excuse in Tampa Bay Derby (lost a shoe) keep him a serious contender. He might like getting away from Tampa, too.

9. Sacred Light: Closed well against Brother Derek in the Santa Catalina. A good effort in the Santa Anita Derby would get him noticed.

10. First Samurai: Two-year-old sensation still has not shown a liking for distance. But it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he moved back toward the top of the list in the Bluegrass Stakes.

11. Point Determined: Strange race in the San Felipe. After some stops and starts, he did close briskly to run second, but just when he looked like he would go right on by he hit another wall. Could be a good one but need to see more. Racketeer, who finished slightly behind this one in the San Felipe, might have a better upside.

Other contenders: Racketeer, Strong Contender, Bob and John, Deputy Glitters, Flashy Bull, Steppenwolfer, High Cotton, Private Vow

The home track: Barbaro

Barabaro’s trainer Michael Matz will return to Delaware Park when the season opens on April 22. Matz, who stables at the nearby Fair Hill training center, has been a regular at DelPark for several years.

Matz sent Barbaro to victory at Delaware in his debut last summer. Barbaro joined a list of major Triple Crown players who ran at DelPark at 2, including Afleet Alex, Bellamy Road, High Limit and Victory Gallop.

Smarty Jones was based at nearby Philadelphia Park as a 2-year-old, but his trainer, John Servis, has often run his horses at Delaware. This year he will have about half his string at Delaware full-time and keep the other half in Philly.

Servis will bring his star 4-year-old filly and Fantasy-winner Round Pond to Delaware, aiming ultimately at the $1 million Delaware Handicap in July. She is owned by Delaware resident Rick Porter, who had the hard-hitting filly Jostle.

Trainer J. Larry Jones won the Delware Handicap last year with Island Sand, shipping in from Kentucky. This year he will move his tack to Delaware, though he doesn’t have a DelCap prospect at this point.The large purses (thanks to slots) were attractive to him. So,he said, was the “great racing atmosphere.”

The trainer of Kentucky Derby candidate Sweetnorthernsaint, Michael Trombetta,will move from Maryland to Delaware this year. Barclay Tagg, trainer of Funny Cide, also will be among the new trainers there Park. Tagg been shipping to Delaware on occasion from elsewhere on the East Coast.

Other returning DelPark regulars include Tim Ritchey (Afleet Alex), Scott Lake, Graham Motion (who trains turf star Better Talk Now), Michael Pino, Michael Gorham and Steve Klesaris.