Hard Spun Tops TCT's Kentucky Derby Rankings

Last year Barbaro took the opening lead in TCT's Kentucky Derby Rankings after winning the Holy Bull at Gulfstream and he never gave up that spot winning the 2006 Kentucky Derby. After numerous requests, we have decided to put out our early 2007 rankings instead of waiting for our usual February start. Topping our early rankings is a horse who like Barbaro broke his maiden at Delaware Park, and who will be taking a similar route to Churchill Downs as 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones.

Hard Spun (Danzig), the promising 2yr old tops TCT's Kentucky Derby Rankings. The impressive son of Danzig has been brilliant in both of his wins, winning his debut at Delaware Park on Oct. 22, by 8 3/4 lengths, and returning November 14 to win the Port Penn Stakes at Delaware by five lengths. Currently staying at Barbaro's old stomping grounds of Fair Hill, he is expected to start next in the PA Nursery, a race won by 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones. Owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, of Rockport Harbor fame, and trained by a TCT favorite, Larry Jones, the 2yr old colt is ridden by Mario Pino, who lost his Kentucky Derby mount last year on Sweetnorthernsaint when he needed surgery. TCT believes the 3 men who make up the owner/trainer/jockey combination currently have the horse with the best chance to find his way into in the winner's circle on the first Saturday in May.

Hard Spun is a half-brother to stakes winner Our Rite of Spring, a mare of 2001 by the Nureyev horse Stravinsky, and both stakes winners are out of the Turkoman mare Turkish Tryst.

See Hard Spun's maiden victory here http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/horse_racing/kentucky_derby/15896119.htm)

Street Sense (Street Cry) takes the number 2 spot. What is not to like about a 10 length winner of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile? His 108 beyer is one of the highest ever received by a two year old and he did it over the track they will be running on in May. He will have the homefield advantage in May and a win would not be the first time his trainer held up the Kentucky Derby trophy in the winner's circle. As Nafzger noted he is a "freaky kind of horse". The early Kentucky Derby favorite.

Tiz Wonderful (TizNow) comes in at number 3. The undefeated son of TizNow is arguably the best 2yr old in training. He has been tested and responded in his last. Steadily increasing beyers and a love of Churchill Downs might make him the horse to beat. Blasi said he will take the colt to New Orleans for the winter. "He's still trying to put it all together," Blasi said. "I think when he learns to relax a little more off the pace we'll know a lot more about him." The Top Choice of one of our two writers.

Nobiz Like Shobiz (Albert the Great) takes the 4 spot. A 6 1/2-length winner in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct , this beautiful son of Albert the Great is trained by a man who knows how to get to the winner's circle on the first Saturday in May. As Barclay Tagg said when he first saw him in Ocala, "If he's not a Triple Crown candidate, they've never made one." Looks to make his next start in Gulfstream's Fountain of Youth, a race last year's derby winner used as a springboard to the derby.

Circular Quay (Thunder Gulch) gets the 5 hole. Probably the 2yr old with the best resume, his Breeder's Cup Juvenile was better than it looked. We have to agree with Pletcher that "Circular Quay ran a huge race." His late running style could be perfect for a 10f race in May. Could he be the one to get Pletcher his first Kentucky Derby? Currently training on the polytrack out in California.

Any Given Saturday (Distored Humor) gets our number 6 ranking. He proved he is not just a polytrack horse in his effort against Tiz Wonderful. That effort earned him a triple digit beyer. This one may turn out to be Pletcher's best. Said trainer Todd Pletcher of his Any Given Saturday, "He's just got to learn how to polish it off."

Day Pass (Five Star Day) earned his number 7 spot with an impressive front-running 4 1/4 lengths victory in the Grade 3, $112,900 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct. The knock on him is that he will prep for the Kentucky Derby in Dubai. Is he good enough to overcome that? Fernando Jara thinks so commenting "I've never ridden a 2-year-old like him before."

Minefield (Silver Deputy) gets in at number 8. Followed up his impressive 8 ½-length maiden victory on May 14 at Churchill Downs with a recent victory in a 7f allowance race over the same track. The $400000 yearling battled health problems, including sore shins, for part of the year but it looks like Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy has him healthy. A real threat if he can stretch out.

Les Grands Trois (Officer) is number 9. Maiden win was as impressive as they come. Will the son of Officer be able to stretch out is the question. The Frankel trainee had some injury issues but we expect to hear from this one in the spring.

Pirate's Deputy (Bertrando) comes in at number 10 after his second place finish in the million dollar race at Delta Downs. Already with enough graded earnings to make the derby field, the son of Bertrando has a strong closing move. Our current longshot. One to watch.


On the radar: Great Hunter, Soaring By, Green Vegas, Belgravia, Scat Daddy, Twilight Meteor, Birdbirdstheword, Principle Secret