| We are only weeks away from the 132nd running | | | | |
| of the 2006 Kentucky Derby on May 6th. While | | | | First Samurai has also had a very successful |
| the final field is yet to be determined, | | | | year, winning five of his last seven races, |
| there are some interesting contenders that | | | | and finishing a very competitive second and |
| warrant a few comments. | | | | third in the others. His most recent outing |
| | | | was a 1 1/8 mile race at Gulfstream on March |
| Leading up to the Florida Derby on the April | | | | 4. In that race, First Samurai had an |
| 1 is Barbaro, the favorite in the Florida | | | | adventurous stretch run, finishing second to |
| Derby and a leading contender to become the | | | | Corinthian by a neck. However, after review, |
| favorite in the 2006 Kentucky Derby as well. | | | | the stewards disqualified Corinthian and |
| Barbaro's status as favorite in the Florida | | | | awarded him third. |
| Derby has raised some eyebrows because the | | | | |
| horse has never raced on a fast, dirt track. | | | | A potential overlay is Private Vow. Trained |
| Plus, the horse will have 5 weeks between the | | | | by the highly successful Steve Asmussen, |
| Florida and Kentucky Derbies. | | | | Private Vow has had a very mixed series of |
| | | | races. From July to September, 2005, Private |
| Barbaro answered the question about his | | | | Vow won three out of four races, and finished |
| ability to handle a fast track and will head | | | | second in the fourth. He inexplicably |
| into the 2006 Kentucky Derby undefeated after | | | | finished 14th in the BC Juvenile in October, |
| outfinishing a game Sharp Humor to post a | | | | but bounced back with a solid win at |
| hard-fought half-length victory in Saturday's | | | | Churchill Downs in November. Keep an eye out |
| $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. | | | | for this horse in the 2006 kentucky derby |
| | | | although his last race was a disappointing |
| Another early favorite for the 2006 Kentucky | | | | seventh in the tenth race at Oaklawn on March |
| Derby is Lawyer Ron, trained by Bob Holthus. | | | | 18, a race run on a fast track and won by |
| Lawyer Ron has won each of his last five | | | | Kentucky Derby hopeful Lawyer Ron. His next |
| starts, including an impressive trip in his | | | | race is the Arkansas Derby on April 15th. |
| last race at Oaklawn on March 18th. In the 1 | | | | This performance should go a long way towards |
| 1/16 mile 10th race, Lawyer Ron started in | | | | determining Private Vow's place in the 2006 |
| post position 1, wound up five wide at the | | | | Kentucky Derby field. |
| top of the stretch, and won by a comfortable | | | | |
| 3 lengths over Red Raymond and Steppenwolfer. | | | | Lastly, A.P. Warrior is the winner of his |
| This ability to finish strong from a wide | | | | last four starts, and five out of his last 7 |
| position bodes well for Lawyer Ron in the | | | | starts. Trained by Giacomo-trainer John |
| crowded Kentucky Derby field. | | | | Shirreffs, A.P. Warrior upset favored Bob and |
| | | | John in the San Felipe Stakes in March. He is |
| Brother Derek has won 5 out of his last seven | | | | entered in the April 8 Santa Anita Derby, |
| races, dating back to May of 2005. His most | | | | alongside another 2006 Kentucky Derby |
| impressive win recently was a 1 ½ length win | | | | hopeful, Brother Derek. His win in the 1 1/16 |
| in the one mile San Rafael at Santa Anita | | | | mile San Felipe Stakes was an impressive one. |
| Park in January. In that race, Brother Derek | | | | From post position 3, A.P. Warrior was off |
| took the lead at the ¼ pole and never looked | | | | the rail early, remained four deep, then |
| back, fending off a feisty Stevie Wonderboy | | | | bolted to the lead at the top of the stretch, |
| by 3 ¼ lengths. The 2006 Kentucky Derby will | | | | winning by a half length over Point |
| the the first derby for trainer Dan | | | | Determined and 2 ½ lengths over Bob and |
| Hendricks, who has entered Brother Derek in | | | | John. |
| the Santa Anita Derby on April 8. | | | | |