Kentucky Derby Contenders 2009
Quality Road, Pioneerof The Nile, Friesan Fire Lead Strong Class
Apr 6, 2009 BarbaraAnne Helberg
I Want Revenge and Musket Man joined the top three contenders for the Kentucky Derby by winning the Wood Memorial and the Illinois Derby, respectively, last weekend. The pair proved themselves worthy to saddle up beside Quality Road, a huge Florida Derby victor; Pioneerof The Nile, full of vigor and vinegar in capturing the Santa Anita Derby; and Friesan Fire, winner of three KD preps.
The Pamplemousse, a highly touted contender prior to the Santa Anita, was scratched from that race with tendon problems. He could now be on the bubble for Derby day graded stakes earnings eligibility.
Who Will Be Kentucky Derby Favorite?
Quality Road, impressive in the Florida Derby; Friesan Fire, victor in the March Louisiana Derby, the February Risen Star Stakes, and the January Lecomte Stakes; and the improving Pioneerof The Nile, who finished fifth in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Juvenile but won the March San Felipe Stakes, as well as the February Robert B. Lewis Stakes would seem to hold the upper hand for favorites on Kentucky Derby day.
Musket Man's strong victory in the Illinois Derby was his third prep triumph. He won the Pasco Stakes in January, added a third place finish in the February Sam F. Davis Stakes, and took the Tampa Bay Derby in March.
I Want Revenge went third in the Lewis Stakes and scored in The Gotham before surviving to take the Wood title by slashing through the field from last to first.
Two top qualified contenders by race wins and graded stakes earnings, Square Eddie and The Pamplemousse, have incurred injuries. Their KD status is unclear.
A Look At the Top Twenty Kentucky Derby Contenders
No.1 through No.10 (alphabetically) should be in:
- Chocolate Candy -- graded stakes qualified
- Desert Party -- (Godolphin Racing) graded stakes
- Friesan Fire -- graded stakes
- I Want Revenge -- graded stakes
- Mafaaz -- English winner of Win and You're In stakes
- Musket Man -- graded stakes
- Pioneerof The Nile -- graded stakes
- Quality Road -- graded stakes
- Regal Ransom -- (Godolphin Racing) graded stakes
- Vineyard Haven -- graded stakes
No.11 through No.20 (alphabetically) could be in:
- Azul Leon -- graded stakes
- Bittel Road -- graded stakes
- Crowded House (Great Britain) -- graded stakes
- Hold Me Back -- graded stakes
- Old Fashioned -- graded stakes
- Papa Clem -- graded stakes bubble
- Terrain -- graded stakes
- The Pamplemousse -- (questionable health) graded stakes bubble
- West Side Bernie -- graded stakes
- Win Willy -- graded stakes bubble
Dunkirk Might Miss Graded Stakes Qualification
The big popular gray/roan Dunkirk, a son of Unbridled's Song who placed second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby, could be shut out of the KD based on lack of graded stakes earnings. His Florida Derby finish was worth $150,000, which puts him behind the above twenty horses.
However, he remains on the bubble, since any changes in the status of the first twenty horses could affect the qualified lineup. If The Pamplemousse doesn't go, Dunkirk might slide into the last slot. Win Willy and Papa Clem are not far beyond Dunkirk in graded stakes earnings. Their status could also affect Dunkirk's earnings qualification.
- Square Eddie Leads Graded Stakes Derby Horses
- Pedigrees of Top 2009 Graded Stakes Derby Horses
- Kentucky Derby Graded Earners List Changes
- Pioneerof The Nile Gets Two of Three Derby Polls
- Godolphin Racing Wants To Win Run for the Roses
- Friesan Fire On Preakness Fourteen Limit List
- Kentucky Derby Final Line-up and Post Positions
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