Lord Miles Curlin – Lady Esme, by Majestic Warrior Bred in Kentucky by Vegso Racing Stable   With all the major Kentucky Derby prep races in the books, the biggest newcomer on this week’s Daily Racing Form Derby Watch is Lord Miles, who returned $120.50 for his nose victory in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on Saturday at Aqueduct. While he will again be a long price in the Derby, he brings classic credentials from a pedigree standpoint. Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin was on the board in all three 2007 Triple Crown races against a strong crop, with a victory in the Preakness Stakes. His seven Grade/Group 1 victories also included the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2008 Dubai World Cup, both at the classic 10-furlong distance. Curlin was one of two Preakness winners for the late sire Smart Strike, with Lookin At Lucky joining him in 2010. Both champions have gone on to become classic sires. Curlin has been particularly successful in American Triple Crown races. He is the sire of 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice and 2014 Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator. In addition, his offspring Good Magic, Irish War Cry, Keen Ice, Nest, Ride On Curlin, and Tenfold have all finished on the board in Triple Crown races. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more Lord Miles is the first foal out of unraced Lady Esme, a half-sister to 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and champion Caledonia Road. Lady Esme also is a half-sister to Officiating, a multiple graded stakes winner around one turn last year before stretching out to win the Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker at 1 1/8 miles, and to One of a Kind, a stakes winner at 1 1/16 miles on dirt at Gulfstream Park. This is the extended family of Grade 1 Donn Handicap winner Hymn Book and of Grade 1-winning turf miler Data Link. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.