A new beginning for ex-Derby hopefuls

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Many apply, yet few are chosen. One look at the Friday feature at Churchill Downs reveals that Kentucky Derby candidates are weeded out with ruthless efficiency, as nearly half the field was given at least one shot at advancing along the Derby trail, to no avail.

Carded as the eighth of nine Friday races, the $97,000 first-level race at 6 1/2 furlongs is the only allowance on a program that starts at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Thirteen 3-year-olds are entered, although only as many as 12 can start. Seven of them have stakes experience, and at least five of those competed in races that can be fairly called Derby preps. Suffice it to say their impact was minimal, but that certainly doesn’t mean they can’t build on their efforts.

Market King, a distant also-ran in the Preakness in his most recent start, is among those essentially starting over again in trying to stair-step through conditions. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained colt was a respectable third in a division of the Rebel Stakes won by Omaha Beach, and that race alone could place him among a core of favorites in what shapes up as a well-matched feature.

Wicked Indeed, Lamniscate, and the uncoupled Dallas Stewart duo of Chase the Ghost and Classy John are the others who were found wanting on the road to the Derby. Otherwise, it’s late bloomers such as Super Comet, Soap Bubble, and Where Paradise Lay who figure to attract their share of wagering action when this nominal feature is run at 4:22.

The feature is part of a 20-cent Single 6 that spans races 4-9 and had a carryover jackpot of nearly $181,000 when a four-day race week began here Thursday.

KEY CONTENDERS

Super Comet, by Super Saver

Beyer: 85

◗ This John Oxley homebred hardly could have performed any better than he did in winning his career debut nearly three weeks ago for trainer Mark Casse, who just so happened to win two-thirds of the Triple Crown with War of Will (Preakness) and Sir Winston (Belmont).

Market King, by Into Mischief

Last 3 Beyers: 64-39-83

◗ It’s not his poor races in the Blue Grass Stakes and Preakness that make him a threat on this turn-back in distance, but it is the strong three-back effort behind Omaha Beach and Game Winner at Oaklawn Park that will still resonate with his backers.

Chase the Ghost, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 74-88-63

◗ A two-back runner-up finish on the Derby undercard yielded the highest Beyer Speed Figure (88) earned by any runner in this field and points him out as a potential stretch threat under Gabriel Saez.