There is only one prep race Saturday and in a lot of years it is not thought of as one of the big Kentucky Derby preps, but this year the Tampa Bay Derby seems to be race that will draw the interest of many.
In large part it is the entry of Chancer McPatrick. The horse is on the short list of Derby contenders for many people. After winning his first three starts last year, he finished sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
He’s been off since early November and many – me included – have been waiting for the return.
Here is the field in post-position order.
- Owen Almighty (Brian Lynch, Irad Ortiz) has run twice this year, both in stakes in Tampa. He was first in January in the Pasco but was disqualified and placed fifth. He then came back with a second in the Sam Davis, the prep for this race, at 5-2. Overall, he has two wins and two seconds in five starts – the lone time off the board was the DQ. He has never been worse than third in all five starts.
- Chancer McPatrick (Chad Brown, Flavian Prat) is one that will close from the parking lot, a style that fits well in the Derby, but you have to get there first. He should get the pace he needed to set up a deep close. If he runs a big one, he will be mentioned a legit Derby threat. Also has had some strong mornings.
- Hill Road (Chad Brown, Tyler Gaffalione) was third in the Juvenile after shipping over from Europe last year. Been off since then like the horse to his inside. He is with Chad Brown for the first time and is a big time closer just as his stablemate is.
- Brodeur (Mark Casse, Jose Ortiz) came back after six weeks off and won an optional claimer at Oaklawn on Jan. 26. It was his second win in a row, both came with him taking the field wire-to-wire.
- Filoso (Chad Summers, Dylan Davis) is another runner that is making a return after a lengthy break. His last start Nov. 30 at Churchill Downs where he was sixth in the Kentucky Jockey Club. Save for his maiden score, he does not have a win. Appears to be another close.
- Naughty Rascal (Gerald Bennett, Sammy Camacho) has won four of seven career starts but is coming off a sixth, beaten 13 lengths in the Sam F. Davis. He likes to sit close to the pace and make a move late.
- Patch Adams (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux) was one I had in my stable until the fourth in the Southwest at Oaklawn. It was a very pedestrian effort but the connections scream that this horse is worth a good look. He might be but I will have to see it before I give him another look.
Derby Standings
Here are the top 20 (the size of the Derby field) right now. There are plenty of points left over the next two months. I put them into four groups.
Coal Battle (70), Citizen Bull (60), Sovereignty (60), Flood Zone (50), Journalism (47.5).
Getaway Car (36), Built (35), Madaket Road (31), Burnham Square (30), Sandman (29).
Speed King (29), Chunk of Road (25), River Thames (25), Sand Devil (25), Rodriguez (21.25).
Disco Time (20), Captain Cook (20), John Hancock (20), California Burrito (20), Tiztastic (19).