1
Todd PletcherIrad Ortiz, Jr.
Arkansas Derby, 3/28, 1st by 4, 98
Into Mischief
5-14-1
Owner:Robert and Lawana Low, Repole Stable
David Grening: Finished fast and still won with something left in Arkansas; think he's primed for top effort.David Aragona: Don't think rail draw hinders him too much; more concerned that he beat a weak group at OP.
2
Riley MottManny Franco
Wood Memorial, 4/4, 1st by 1 1/4
Yaupon
30-130-1
Owner:Pin Oak Stud
David Grening: Credit for jumping from maiden to G2 Wood win; would have to get faster in a hurry.David Aragona: Appreciate the way he adapted to a new running style in Wood, but benefited from hot pace.
3
Jeff Mullins
Santa Anita Derby, 4/4, 4th by 10
Quality Road
50-150-1
Owner:Dutch Girl Holdings, Irving Ventures
David Grening: Doesn't seem to have moved forward from 2 and wonder about distance.David Aragona: Did get a wide trip in the SA Derby, but didn't like the way he shut down at the end.
4
Bob BaffertMartin Garcia
Arkansas Derby, 3/28, 7th by 10 1/4, 79
Nyquist
30-150-1
Owner:SF Racing LLC Starlight Racing, Madak
David Grening: With Baffert putting blinkers back on, expect him to be a pace factor.David Aragona: Last year's BC Juvenile 4th hasn't gone on, but did flash speed in recent Churchill work.
5
Kenny McPeekChris Elliott
Wood Memorial, 4/4, 2nd by 1 1/4
Constitution
SCR
Owner:Chester Broman Sr.
David Grening: Sit back, make a run, pass as many as you can, and enjoy the experience.David Aragona: His performance really underscores how dramatically the early pace came apart in the Wood.
6
Brad CoxLuis Saez
Florida Derby, 3/28, 1st by nose, 100
Into Mischief
6-16-1
Owner:Wathnan Racing
David Grening: Adaptable to any pace scenario; strong finisher in Saez should fit him well.David Aragona: Won the best prep and has proven he can do it with different kinds of trips; solid contender.
7
Manabu IkezoeAtsuya Nishimura
Fukuryu, 3/28, 1st by 3 1/2
Maxfield
15-120-1
Owner:Danox Co. Ltd
David Grening: Not sure what he's beaten in Japan but has impressed; tactical speed serves him well.David Aragona: He's relatively untested but has made a positive visual impression in every start; wild card.
8
Mark GlattMike Smith
Santa Anita Derby, 4/4, 1st by 2 3/4
Runhappy
15-115-1
Owner:Norman Stables, Saints or Sinners
David Grening: Had beautiful trip beating suspect group in Santa Anita Derby; waters get deeper in Kentucky.David Aragona: SA Derby was no lighter than Blue Grass or Wood, and he finished well; hardly out of this.
9
Gustavo Delgado Sr.Javier Castellano
Florida Derby, 3/28, 2nd by nose, 100
Essential Quality
SCR
Owner:OGMA Investments, JR Ranch, High Step Racing
David Grening: Thought his last workout at Gulfstream was very good; wonder how he'd react to kickback.David Aragona: Florida Derby proved he's a top contender; his 4/18 workout suggests he can move forward again.
10
Daisuke TakayanagiRyusei Sakai
UAE Derby, 3/28, 1st by 2 1/2
Dee Majesty
30-130-1
Owner:Yoshinari Yamamoto
David Grening: Solid effort but ran down a horse who might be distance-challenged.David Aragona: His form was underrated coming into UAE Derby; still a big leap to take down best in the U.S.
11
Riley MottJaime Torres
Virginia Derby, 3/14, 1st by 4
Bolt d'Oro
15-120-1
Owner:Pin Oak Stud
David Grening: Finished strong with rail run to rebound from Holy Bull dud; believe he handles distance.David Aragona: Beat mediocre field with perfect trip at CNL; does own a stakes win over the Churchill surface.
12
Bill MottJunior Alvarado
Florida Derby, 3/28, 3rd by 1/2, 99
by Constitution
8-18-1
Owner:Michael and Katherine Ball
David Grening: Eye-catching workout with monster gallop-out in blinkers at CD likely makes him Derby "buzz horse".David Aragona: Most horses work better in blinkers, but racing better in blinkers can be another matter.
13
Mark CasseCristian Torres
Rebel, 3/1, 2nd by nose
Tacitus
SCR
Owner:John Oxley
David Grening: Best race may be sitting farther back in race with pace; always shows up and will be a price.David Aragona: Don't love that his progression appears to have stalled; does have right kind of style for Derby.
14
Bob BaffertJuan Hernandez
Santa Anita Derby, 4/4, 2nd by 2 3/4
Into Mischief
20-120-1
Owner:Speedway Stables
David Grening: Gritty 2nd in SA Derby, probably better with a target; not sure he wants 1 1/4M.David Aragona: Didn't see much of an excuse in final prep, but hard to count out Baffert in the Derby.
15
Chad BrownFlavien Prat
Louisiana Derby, 3/21, 1st by head, 90
Candy Ride
12-115-1
Owner:Klaravich Stables
David Grening: Credit for battling to win Louisiana Derby; lack of experience still a concern.David Aragona: Not sure Louisiana Derby was a particularly strong prep; has talent, but much to overcome.
16
Doug O'NeillEdwin Maldonado
Louisiana Derby, 3/21, 3rd by 1, 88
Pavel
30-130-1
Owner:Reddam Racing
David Grening: Was certainly game in defeat in Louisiana; may benefit in a field that may not have much speedDavid Aragona: Has attained a new level since they've started riding him aggressively; showed heart in defeat.
17
Bhupat Seemar
UAE Derby, 3/28, 2nd by 2 1/2
Not This Time
50-150-1
Owner:Brunetti Dugan Stables, Black Type, Adkisson, Swinbank
David Grening: Good effort first time going two turns, not sure he'll benefit from 1 1/4M.David Aragona: If nothing else, should be a major pace presence; seemed unrateable in UAE Derby.
18
Brad CoxJohn Velazquez
Blue Grass, 1 1/8M, Keeneland, 4/4
Gun Runner
9-26-1
Owner:Spendthrift Farm
David Aragona: The Preakness is at Laurel, the Belmont is at Saratoga; can they move the Derby to Keeneland?David Aragona: Raced close to moderate paces in both Keeneland wins; drawn well outside of all other speeds.
13
Cherie DeVaux
Risen Star, 2/14, 3rd by 6
Curlin
35-1
Owner:Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable
David Grening: Left himself too much to do again, this time couldn't overcome. Sounds like blinkers going on.David Aragona: Race flow and track profile didn't really suit him; coming along, but does need to get a lot faster.
20
Brad CoxTyler Gaffalione
Jeff Ruby Steaks, 3/21, 1st by 2 1/2, 94
Liam's Map
SCR
Owner:St. Elias Stable, Starlight Racing
David Grening: Seems to be handling dirt well in the a.m.; think distance suits; but is he fast enough?David Aragona: Many parallels between him and last year's Derby 4th Final Gambit; can he take to dirt as well?
21
John EnnisAlex Achard
Volatile
50-150-1
Owner:Three Chimneys Farm and Ennis, John
David Grening: First race on dirt wasn't any good; don't see why he's coming back for more.David Aragona: Massive horse didn't seem to get over dirt that well in Blue Grass; seems too slow
22
D. Whitworth BeckmanTyler Gaffalione
Connect
50-150-1
Owner:Durr, Ashley, Tate, Anthony and Front Page Equestrian, LLC
David Grening: Took blinkers off and ran a decent third in a slow Wood Memorial; unlikely a factor here.David Aragona: One of many who picked up pieces late in the Wood; asking an awful lot of this maiden
23
Doug O'NeillCristian Torres
Accelerate
50-150-1
Owner:Calumet Farm
David Grening: Ran solid in the San Felipe and would likely add pace should he draw in.David Aragona: Still not sure where San Felipe effort came from, but even that doesn't make him good enough.
24
(AE) Corona de Oro
80-87-92Dallas StewartBrian Hernandez Jr. (second preference)
Bolt d'Oro
Owner:On Our Own Stable, LLC, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, LLC, Saints or Si
David Grening: Trainer has pulled off some upsets in his career; this would usurp anything he's ever done.David Aragona: Not like the Lexington is a key prep anymore, and he was a non-threatening third.
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