The Kentucky Derby: Call to the Derby Post

Call To The Derby Post Weekly Reports

The Weekly Reports of Call to the Derby Post will summarize the Derby prep races and follow the prep race season in hopes of handicapping the eventual Derby winner. Here you can follow which horses are making names for themselves, which jockeys look to land their respective mounts on the Derby contenders and which horses look to be the favorites heading into the first Saturday of May.

Barbaro became the first horse win the Kentucky Derby off of a five-week layoff in 50 years, and in doing so, won by the largest margin of victory in the Kentucky Derby since 1946, and the fifth largest margin of victory all-time. Barbaro, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Edgar Prado, has now won six times in six starts; it was confirmed this morning that he will run next in the Preakness Stakes. Matz became the fourth trainer in four years to win the Derby with his first Derby starter, while Prado won his first Derby on his seventh Derby mount. Barbaro won by six and a half lengths over Bluegrass Cat, who was two lengths in front of Steppenwolfer. Barbaro accomplished his historic win in front of the second-largest Derby crowd ever, 157,536, and became just the sixth undefeated Derby winner.

The winner actually stumbled a bit leaving the gate, but that was the only trouble he encountered on his winning trip. Coming out of Post 8, he settled into the second pack of horses, allowing Keyed Entry and Sinister Minister to set a pace that cost both horses dearly in the end. Barbaro was racing a few lengths back in fourth along the backstretch, and on the far turn made his move toward the leaders. He came out of the pack turning for home, and it was clear sailing from there, as Prado didn't even use his whip. Barbaro was in total command, and the race was settled even in advance of the eighth-pole. Barbaro went off as the second choice at 6-1; Sweetnorthernsaint became the late favorite at 5-1, but after getting to within third at the quarter pole fell back to finish seventh. Bluegrass Cat came from eighth to grab second at odds of 30-1, while Steppenwolfer was near the back of the pack and closed strongly for third. It was one length back to both 24-1 Jazil and Brother Derek, who tied for fourth in only the second dead heat in Derby history. Brother Derek, the morning line favorite, went off at 8-1, raced wide most of the race due to breaking post 18, and was 16th with just a quarter-mile to go.

Barbaro earned $1,453,200 for his win, putting his career earnings at $2,302,200 for owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson. The complete order of finish was: Barbaro, Bluegrass Cat, Steppenwolfer, Jazil, Brother Derek, Showing Up, Sweetnorthernsaint, Deputy Glitters, Point Determined, Seaside Retreat, Storm Treasure, Lawyer Ron, Cause to Believe, Flashy Bull, Private Vow, Sinister Minister, Bob and John, A. P. Warrior, Sharp Humor, and Keyed Entry.

April 23

In what is really the last major Derby prep of the year (the Federico Tesio is more of a prep for the Preakness Stakes), the race made famous by 1999 Derby winner Charismatic, the $325,000, 1 1/16 mile Coolmore Lexington Stakes, it was Showing Up, trained by Barclay Tagg, who won the Derby with Funny Cide in 2003, stamping his ticket to Louisville. Showing Up, with Cornelio Velasquez aboard, finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Like Now. More importantly, the winner grabbed over $200.000 in graded stakes earnings, which will make it easy for him to be in the top 20 of earners should more than 20 colts get entered into the Derby. It was the first stakes win for Showing Up, who has won all three of his career races. If Showing Up does run, it will give his owners a Derby first. Roy and Gretchen Jackson also own undefeated Barbaro; it would be the first time in Derby history that one owner entered two undefeated horses in the Run for the Roses; only twice before have two undefeated horses even run in the same Derby. A sore foot kept Showing Up out of the Wood Memorial two weeks ago; Tagg said if the horse is healthy he will run in the Derby. Showing Up will be bucking quite a bit of Derby history: no Derby winner since 1882 has gone unraced as a two-year-old, and no Derby winner since the filly Regret in 1915 has won with only three previous career races. The Lexington was Showing Up's first race around two turns and longer than a mile. Along the backstretch, Showing Up was in the middle of the pack, as Like Now and Fast Parade set the early pace. The field bunched up at the quarter pole, but Velasquez rode his mount to the outside for the home stretch. The three top finishes raced together down the stretch, with Like Now edging out Bear Character, who settled for third as the longest shot in the field. LIke Now will most likely point to the Preakness, although the Derby reamined an outside possibility.

April 16

It was a total runaway in the $750,000, 1 1/8 mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, as Sinister Minister dominated in a 12 ľ length victory over 65-1 shot Storm Treasure. Trained by Bob Baffert, Sinister Minister was purchased on the prodding of Baffert after the colt won a maiden race at Golden Gate Downs on January 20. Garret Gomez has been the regular jockey on Sinister Minister. The third-largest crowd in Blue Grass Stakes history saw the winner destroy a competitive field that left favorite Bluegrass Cat fourth, co-second choice Strong Contender in third by a total of 12 Ľ lengths and co-second choice First Samurai fifth and eventually off the Derby trail. Only Arts and Letters in 1969 and Alydar in 1978 have won the Blue Grass Stakes, in 82 total runnings, by a larger margin than Sinister Minister’s. The winner led the whole way, and was up seven lengths along the backstretch; the race was all but over once he he turned for home. There’s a well-known speed bias at Keenland, so the final results will be taken with a grain of salt, but there’s no doubting that Sinister Minister looked quite impressive and will now point to the Derby. Strom Treasure, who had Mark Guidry aboard, will also still head to the Derby, trainer Steve Asmussen said. Asmussen will also have Private Vow in the Run for the Roses; he finished third in the Arkansas Derby. Sinister Minister, a son of Old Trieste, is now 2-1-0 in five starts; he finished sixth in the San Vicente Stakes and was second in the California Derby.

And out of Arkansas, in the shadows of Afleet Alex and Smarty Jones, comes Lawyer Ron, who won the 70th running of the Arkansas Derby, a $1 million, 1 1/8 mile race. A record crowd saw Lawyer Ron win as the heavy favorite, who is trained by Bob Holthus and was ridden by John McKee. Lawyer Ron was in tight along the first turn, but made a strong move heading into the backstreatch and along the backstretch, where he pretty much took over en route to 2 ľ length win. Steppenwolfer rallied from 11th to take second, while Private Vow was third. Because the tragic death earlier to this year of owner James T. Hines, Jr., the winnings of Lawyer Ron will go into a trust managed by the horse’s namesake, Ron Bamberger. Lawyer Ron has now won six races in a row, and is unbeaten in seven races over dirt tracks. Both Private Vow and Steepnewolfer will point to the Derby.

April 9

There were three key Derby preps over the weekend, and we'll start in California, where Brother Derek probably solidified his status as the Kentucky Derby favorite with a convincing, dominating win in a field of five in the 1 1/8 mile, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. Brother Derek finished 3 3/4 lengths in front of Point Determined. Brother Derek has only been ridden by Alex Solis, who leads all jockeys in Derby mounts without a win with 14, though he has finished twice three times. Brother Derek is trained by Dan Hendricks, who will be making his first appearance as a Derby trainer. The winner went off as a 1-2 favorite, the strongest favorite in the Santa Anita Derby since 1987. Brother Derek, a son of Benchmark, has won all three of his races this year, and now has a total win streak of four. At the start the winner took the early lead, with A.P. Warrior not far behind in second. Along the backstretch, Brother Derek opened up his lead while Point Determined began to run his race. The pack tightened at the top of the stretch, but Brother Derek moved into another gear before pulling up a bit in the final strides. Brother Derek has the fastest winning time in the Santa Anita Derby since Point Given in 2001; he ran his final eighth of a mile in 12.61 second, and his final three-eighths in 36.79. Point Determined, ridden by Rafael Bejarano, passed A.P. Warrior in the stretch to take second; A.P. Warrior settled for third. Bejarano said that Point Determined, trained by Bob Baffert, would benefit from the longer distance of the Derby, which seems to make sense the way Point Determined finished up yesterday.

We mentioned Point Determined quite a bit, but Bob Baffert's top Derby contender has to be Bob and John, who triumphed in the 1 1/8 mile, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct over a sloppy track. Bob and John passed Keyed Entry in midstretch to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Baffert intentionally chose to run his horse on the East Coast tracks, and now will head into Louisville with a good head of steam. Keyed Entry, the 4-5 favorite, wound up third after Jazil rallied from last at the three-furlong marker to take second by a half-length. A son of Seeking the Gold, Bob and John was coming off a win in the San Felipe Stakes. Edgar Prado guided Keyed Entry to the early in the three-path going into the first turn. Bob and John was then cut off by Marco's Tale along the turn. Garret Gomez, aboard the eventual winner, took Bob and John wide to get into the clear. After stalking Keyed Entry with Marco's Tale along the backstretch, Bob and John took second in the far turn once Marco's Tale began to fade. Bob and John, on the outside of Keyed Entry, pulled away in the final furlong. Jazil, trained by Kieran McLaughlin, showed an impressive late run, and might be pointed to the Derby, if he has enough stakes earnings to make it. Yesterday's second in the Wood might be enough. Todd Pletcher, trainer of Keyed Entry, said a decision on his horse's future would be made in the coming days.

Lastly, it was Sweetnorthernsaint booking his ticket to the Derby with a strong winning performance in the 1 1/8 mile, $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. What a turn of events for this colt, who finished 12 last summer in his career debut and made his second career start a few months ago in a maiden claiming race. He pressed the early pace after starting the race from an outside post, then took the lead past the quarter pole. He opened up a bit the stretch, then turned on the jets to cruise to an easy 9 1/4 length win over second-place finisher Mister Triester. It was another length back to Cause to Believe in third place. The winner is trained by Mark Trombetta, who won his first career Grade 2 stakes race. Sweetnorthernsaint, a gelding, has finished third by less than a length in the March 18 Gotham Stakes, where he moved up with a strong finish in the final yards. The winner had Kent Desormeaux aboard, who won his third Illinois Derby. Cause to Believe was hurt by the lack of real speed in the race, and tired in the end. It's unclear when he will next run again.

April 2

Yesterday we had one of the nation's premier Kentucky Derby preps, and the favored horse win, leaving all the usual questions about undefeated horses and colts coming into the Derby off a layoff of greater than four weeks. Barbaro, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Edgar Prado, collected his fifth win in five career starts in the $1 million, 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby by a half-length over the game Sharp Humor. Barbaro won his first three starts on the turf, then won the Holy Bull Stakes on a sloppy track at Gulfstream a few weeks ago. Yesterday, he finally got the chance to run a fast dirt track, and he proved himself capable yet again. Barbaro overame the No. 10 post in an eleven-horse field; after Sharp Humor broke from the lead out of post 7, Prado moved Barbaro just behind the leaders, saving ground on the first turn. Barbaro stayed right behind Sharp Humor along the backstretch, and the two raced as a pair coming out of the second turn, with Sharp Humor just ahead coming into the stretch. Barbaro only edged in front in the final sixteenth. Sharp Humor is trained by Dale Romans. Romans was impressed by Sharp Humor's performance in his first career start around two turns. Sunriver was another three lengths back to take third. Barbaro finished the race strongly, running his final eighth in less than 13 seconds (barely, at 12.99) and final three-eighths in less that 38 seconds (37.54). The second choice Flashy Bull finished seventh, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he would dismiss this performance, and that Flashy Bull will go on to the Derby.

March 26

There was one key Derby prep race this past weekend, and like the Gotham Stakes, it delivered a huge upset. In the 1 1/8 mile, $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway, it was the ex-claimer, and longest shot in the field of 12 at 49-1, With a City that won by 1 1/4 length in front of 11-1 Seaside Retreat. The winner's payoff of $99.60 was the highest in the 35-year history of the race. With a City is trained by Mike Maker; the winner was purchased by Ron Peltz for $150,000 after winning an allowance race last December 29 at Calder. He had in four claiming races prior to that win. In his last race, With a City finihsed eighth, beaten 4 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile John Battaglia. The connections said that With a City both bled and had a lung infection; he won the Lane's End wearing blinkers for the first time. With a City will now be nominated for the Triple Crown. The winner was in midback along the backstretch, then went wide on the far turn to catch up to the leaders. With a City had jockey Brice Blanc aboard. Seaside Retreat was tenth after a half-mile, went five wide himself on the turn and charged on the outside. He almost caught up to the winner, but With a City had too strong a kick in the home stretch. Strong Contender, who probably would have been favored in the race, was left out of the field of 12 because he didn't have enough career earnings. He'll now point to the Wood Memorial on April 8.

March 19

Aren't Derby prep races supposed to clear things up going into Derby Day? That was most certainly not the case after this weekend's races. In four major Derby preps, only one favorite came out a winner. So let's start there, before heading into the chaos.

In the 1 1/16 mile, $300,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas, Lawyer Ron continued arguably the most impressive spring by any Derby conteneder by coming off the pace to win his fifth straight race. Lawyer Ron remained unbeaten on dirt, and has now won four straight in races around two turns. Red Raymond was three lengths back in second, while Steppenwolfer was just a neck back to take third. Bob Holthus trains both Lawyer Ron and Red Raymond. The race saw the highly anticipated three-year-old debut of Private Vow, though he finished seventh after getting caught in traffic on the final turn despite racing in a good early position. Lawyer Ron got off to a slow start, so jockey John McKee kept his horse several lengths off the pace. He was on the outside down the backstretch, then advanced four wide turning for home. He entered the stretch with the lead while still four wide, then stretched out for a comfortable win. Lawyer Ron is now 6-1-3 in 13 starts, and has earned $590,000. His next start will probably be in the Arkansas Derby on April 15.

From Arkansas we go to Tampa Bay Downs, which hosted the 1 1/16 mile, $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby, home to the day's biggest upset. The Tampa Bay Derby hasn't been a major player on the Derby prep schedule, so it seemed the connections of 2-5 favorite Bluegrass Cat were playing it extremely safe and conservative by running him here. Now, who knows what the future holds on this son of Storm Cat, who, despite a strong finish, was still beaten by two lengths by Deputy Glitters, who had the leading jockey at Tampa Bay Downs, Jose Lezcano, aboard. The winner stalked the early pace, then assumed command entering the stretch. He shook clear of other contenders, then was just able to hold off the fast-closing favorite, whose finish was too little, too late. Bluegrass Cat was three wide, running behind the eventual winner along the backstretch. But Bluegrass Cat couldn't keep up when the two reached the quarter pole and the stretch. By the time he regrouped under jockey John Velazquex, there was too much ground to make up. Winnie's Tigger Too came in third. The connections of both Bluegrass Cat and Deputy Glitters indicated that either the Blue Grass Stakes or Wood Memorial would be next for their respective colts.

On the West Coast, in the $250,000 1 1/16 mile San Felipe Stakes, A.P. Warrior pulled off a surprise and welcomed back last year's Derby winning trainer, John Shirreffs. Shirreffs, trainer of Giacomo, started training A.P. Warrior just six weeks ago. It was A.P. Warrior's first race since becoming a part of the Shirreffs barn. A.P. Warrior, purchased by Stan Fulton as a yearling for $1.3 million, looked like one of the brightest prospects on the West Coast last year. Yesterday, he moved up four paths wide on the turn to catch up to the leaders, motored to the front coming into the stretch, and then withstood a late bid by second place finisher Point Determined, who was just a half-length behind the winner. The even-money favorite Bob and John, trained by Bob Baffert, was two lengths further back for third, just a nose in front of Racketeer. A.P. Warrior collected his third victory in seven career starts, his first six with trainer Eoin Harty. He had run fourth in his last start in the El Camino Real Derby. A.P. Warrior had Corey Nakatani aboard. Point Determined, with Garret Gomez aboard, had fallen to fifth, but got back into the race after being held up in traffic. A.P. Warrior will run next in the Santa Anita Derby.

We finish up in the Big Apple with the 1 1/16 mile, $200,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct. Kiaran McLaughlin, who trained 71-1 shot Closing Argument to a second place finish in last year's Derby, had his Like Now go gate to wire to take a victory by a neck over Keyed Entry. It was another half-length back to Sweetnorthernsaint. The winner, who ran twice in maiden claiming races last fall and is a gelding, was ridden by Fernando Jara. He sprinted to a three-length lead after running a blazing opening quarter mile. Keyed Entry, who had been undefeated, stalked Like Now with Edgar Prado aboard. Keyed Entry looked reaty to take the lead at the top of the stretch, but Like Now opened up again. Keyed Entry surged again near the wire, but just fell short. The winner paid $74.50 to win. The favorite, Achilles of Troy, finished fifth after breaking poorly. His jockey, Ramon Dominguez, reported the horse had soreness in his right leg; Achilles of Troy was vanned off the track and taken back to his barn. The winner will run next in the Wood Memorial.

March 5

It was a very busy and exciting weekend along the Derby trail, perhaps the busies of the year so far. So without further ado, let's start in Florida, where in the $300,000 1 1/8 mile Fountain of Youth Stakes, there was a disqualificaton of the first-place finisher for the first time in the history of the event. Corinthian blew past the favored First Samurai deep in the home stretch, but was disqaulified to third for forcing both First Samurai and Flashy Bull wide in the last 100 yards of the race. So, First Samuarai, despite crossing the wire second, earned his first victory around two turns, while Flashy Bull was moved up to second and Corinthian moved back to third. First Samurai is trained by Frank Brothers. While discouraged in the final result, Corinthian's trainer, Jimmy Jerkens, and jockey, Javier Castellano, were encouraged in the way their horse ran, especially against this competition. That said, Corinthian does need an attitude adjustment: he was scratched from the Holy Bull Stakes for misbehaving in the gate, acted up in the post parade in a subsequent allowance race, and was so rambunctious before the Fountain of Youth that Castelleno had to dismount so his ride would enter the starting gate, then had to get off again when Corinthian continued to act up. First Samurai set the early pace, while Flashly Bull ran sharply in second. Corinthian moved from fourth into the lead at the top of the stretch, pinning the eventual winner to the rail with less than a furlong to go. First Samurai impressively regrouped to close on the outside, only to be forced out further when Corinthian drifted to the outside. Edgar Prado, aboard First Samurai, submitted an objection, and there was an immediate inquiry. First Samurai is now 5-1-1 in secen starts, and was second in the Hutcheson in his last race. First Samurai will now point towards the Blue Grass Stakes, Corinthian will look towards the Wood Memorial and Flashy Bull could race next in the Florida Derby.

Earlier in the day at Gulfstream, in the $150,000, 7-furlong Swale Stakes, Sharp Humor surprised the field as the eighth choice in a field of 11 to win his three-year-old and stakes debut. The winner could be headed towards the Lexington Stakes for hsi next race. Sharp Humor is out of the colt Distorted Humor, who sired 2003 Derby winner Funny Cide. The 7-5 favorite Noonmark was good for second, two and half lengths in front of Court Folly. Sharp Humor is trained by Dale Romans and was ridden by Marg Guidry. He's now 4-0-1 in six career starts.

And over on the lef coast, in the $200,000, 1 1/16-mile Santa Catalina Stakes at Santa Anita, favorite Brother Derek took control turning for home to solidfy his spot near the top of the Derby contender list. He finished 1 3/4 lenghts in front of 20-1 shot Sacred Light, while it was another 2 3/4 lenghts back to Latent Heat, who took third. Brother Derek is now 4-4 in two-turn races, and won his third straight stakes race. The winner's connections, trainer Dan Henricks and jockey Alex Solis, were quite confident after the race, with Solis saying the race was won easily, and Hendricks offering his horse ran at about 90%. Brother Derek will race next in the Santa Anita Derby on April 8. Lifetime, Brother Derek is now 5-0-1 in seven starts, with his only off-the-board showing coming in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Aaron Gryder was aboard the David Hofmans-trained Sacred Light, a colt out of Holy Bull. It was unclear what race Sacred Light will point to next.

February 26

After a week's delay, and in a week of tragedy, Derby contender Lawyer Ron went wire-to-wire to win the 1-mile, $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn. With John Mckee aboard, Lawyer Ron won his fourth straight race, and is now 5-5 lifestime on races on the dirt. Steppenwolfer made a late charge to finish just 3/4 of a length behind the leader, while it 3 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Red Raymond. Coming off his victory in the Risen Star, Lawyer Ron, trained by Bob Holthus, is now 5-1-3 in 12 lifetime starts. Earlier in the week, his owner, James Hiner, Jr., died at his home in a drowning accident. More likely than not, Lawyer Ron will stay in Arkansas, and point to the Arkansas Derby.

February 20

We waited past the weekend for this week's report, again, in order to report on the Southwest Stakes, which was supposed to be run on Monday. That was race was postponed, however, due to weather (the track was frozen) and will be run next Saturday instead. The race features major Derby contender Lawyer Ron.

So with things delayed in Arkansas, we move instead to where the action took place, which was at Tampa Bay Downs in the 1 1/16 mile, $125,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes. And now the Derby field really heats up, because Bluegrass Cat, trained by Todd Pletcher, won his three-year old debut and his first start since winning the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes last November. Bluegrass Cat was bumped early, held back and came off the pace to take a lead, then outran 63-1 shot Deputy Glitters to win by 1 1/4 lengths, a lead that was slowly growing as the two neared the wire. R Loyal Man was another 4 1/4 lengths to take third. The winner, with John Velazquez aboard, set a stakes record time of 1:44.17, which was four-fifths of a second behind the track record for that distance. Pletcher made no secret his goal of the day was to get Bluegrass Cat in shape for his next race, the Tampa Bay Derby on March 18. Entering the first turn, the son of Storm Cat was stuck in between horses, but with guidance from Velazquez was able to settle off the pace. He made his strong move three wide coming into the stretch, took an early lead, then smoothed out across the wire.

February 13

We waited an extra day for this week's report in order to squeeze in a recap of the $150,000, 7-furlong San Vicente Stakes from Santa Anita. It turned out to be quite an impressive win by Too Much Bling, though it's possible he won't continue on the Derby trail despite the win. With jockey Garret Gomez aboard, the winner broke sharply while challenged for the lead by Totally Gone. Too Much Bling dispatched Totally Gone on the far turn, then had to withstand a challenge from Peace Chant. But the winner never gave way, eventually winning by 1 1/2 lengths over Peace Chant. New Joysey Jeff was 3 3/4 lengths back for third. It was the third win in seven career starts for Too Much Bling, who is trained by Bob Baffert, who said after the race he was most likely going to keep running his impressive colt at shorter distances. We'll see if he eventually gets a crack at the Santa Anita Derby, however.

On the East Coast over the weekend, as the hugh snowstorm was just beginning, Derby prep action got under way at Aqueduct in the $70,915, 1 1/16 mile Whirlaway Stakes. Achilles of Troy stamped himself as the top Derby contender in New York by moving swiftly along the backstretch, then taking over once he turned for home to take a 4 3/4 length victory. One Way Flight was second, while Rob'em Blind was third. Achilles of Troy, who had Ramon Domingeuz aboard, won third straight race, and became the sixth horse to win both the Count Fleet Stakes and Whirlaway Stakes. The winner is trained by Jennifer Pedersen, and will now point to either the Fountain of Youth or Florida Derby at Gulfstream.

February 5

It was a busy week for Derby prep races, so let's get started. In the feature attraction, the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes, run at 7 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream Park, Keyed Entry upset favored First Samurai by 1 1/4 lengths on a sloppy track. Making his three-year old debut, First Samurai broke on top from the outside, but gave up the lead to Keyed Entry, who stormed through on the insdie. First Samurai drew within a neck of the leader at the top of the stretch, but Keyed Entry opened up by 1 1/2 lengths in the middle of the stretch and cruised home from there. Keyed Entry, the son of Honour and Glory, was ridden by John Velazquez and is trained by Todd Pletcher. Keyed Entry is now 3-3 lifetime, though this race was his stakes debut. Express News came in third, 16 lengths behind First Samurai. Frank Brothers is the trainer of First Samurai.

Earlier at Gulfstream,in the $150,000, 1 1/8 mile Holy Bull Stakes, Barbaro, whose three previous victories were on grass, pressed the early pace, took the lead at the top of the stretch, then opened a three-length lead in midstretch and held on. He was the favorite in the 12-horse field, and had Edgar Prado aboard. Barbaro put away Doctor Decherd heading into the far turn, held off a bid from Flashy Bull going into the stretch, then hung on by 3/4 of a length over Great Point, who closed from far back to take second.My Golden Song was another 2 1/2 lengths back to take third. Barbaro is trained by Michael Matz; his most recent victory was in the Tropical Park Derby at Calder on January 1.

In the $102,500 Sham Stakes, run at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita, Bob and John stamped himself as a leading Derby contender by easily knocking off four other horses in winning by 4 1/2 lengths. Trained by Bob Baffert, ridden by Victor Espinoza and owned by Robert and Janice McNair, Bob and John won his second race this year, the other coming in an easy allowance race on January 20. It was Bob and John's first career stakes win. Hawkinsville, who set the early pace, finished second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Sacred Light. Bob and John has now won three of seven career starts.

January 15

The Kentucky Derby trail finally begins this wintry, cold weekend -- well, cold if you're not in California or Louisiana where some early Derby prep races were held on Saturday. Normally this early in the season there's a sense that they key action is still down the road; but perhaps with the performances last year of Afleet Alex, well known his demanding training regimen, and even Derby winner Giacomo, who had raced several times leading into the Derby, there may be a trend to get the key horses more work.

That was certainly on display yesterday, when Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and early Derby favorite Stevie Wonderboy took to the track in the 1-mile, $150,000 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita. But instead it was Brother Derek, who ran fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last October at Belmont, who stamped himself as a horse to watch. With jockey Alex Solis aboard, Brother Derek led wire-to-wire and won by 1 1/2 lengths over the favored Stevie Wonderboy. Brother Derek took to the lead early, and was closely followed by Wanna Runner, who eventually settled for third in the small four-horse field. Stevie Wonderboy was fourth going into the first turn. Along the backstretch, Brother Derek extended his lead to a length, and four lengths over the favorite. At the quarter pole Brother Derek led by two lengths, but racing three-wide with jockey Garret Gomez on top, Stevie Wonderboy began to make his run, though Brother Derek, in claiming his third stakes win, never gave ground. Brother Derek now has an impressive resume, winning four of six career starts, including last December's Grade I Hollywood Futurity.

There's a really fascinating success story brewing out of Louisiana, which may point its way to Arkansas, now very much in favor after Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex. In the 1 1/16-mile, $268,000 Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds at Louisiana Downs, Lawyer Ron is not proving himself to be the horse to beat but almost the horse no one can beat. After needing six tried to break his maiden, Lawyer Ron finally broke through with an allowance win at Louisiana Downs, and then had another winning effort in an off-the-radar stakes race. Well, he's on the radar now. Stalking a solid pace in the Risen Star, Lawyer Ron launched his bid on the far turn and took off for a commanding 8 1/4-length win. Lawyer Ron's time was the fastest so far at that distance in the meet at Louisiana Downs. Trained by Bob Holthus, Lawyer Ron has now won all four of his starts on a dirt track. He was ridden by John McKee. Mark of Success was second, and it was another 1 1/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Hyte Regency. The favored Saint Augustus was fifth. Lawyer Ron will now point towards the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park.