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