Some 2008 Stars Will Miss Derby
El Gato Malo, Tomcito, Elysium Fields Among Derby 2nd Tier
Though earnings qualified, some stakes winners won't get into the Kentucky Derby because of the 20-limit rule. Injuries have eliminated others.
The second tier of Kentucky Derby hopefuls, numbering twenty-one through forty for graded stakes earnings, are unlikely to make the Derby field. Some have starred in several races this spring. Among them are El Gato Malo, Tomcito, Elysium Fields, and Liberty Bull.
Injuries have eliminated such winners as Georgie Boy, Sierra Sunset, Majestic Warrior, Slew's Tiznow, and Into Mischief.
According to rules, if more than twenty Derby entries are accepted as graded stakes earnings qualified, only the first twenty top earners will Run for the Roses. Injuries, or scratches, could make a Derby spot available to the next highest qualified earner.
A fee of $200,000 to enter supplemental nominees may be paid, but does not quarantee entry, which still depends on who has the top twenty graded stakes earnings. A supplemental nominee could only enter the Derby if an original nominee from the graded stakes list was withdrawn.
Second Twenty Graded Stakes Earners:
21. Denis of Cork ----- owner, Mr. & Mrs. W. Warren --- trainer, D. Carroll --- GS Earnings, $165,000
22. Halo Najib ----- Zayat Stable, LLC --- D. Romans --- $157,996
23. Globetrotter ----- Earl Mack --- G. Motion --- $152,775
24. Tomcito ----- Jet Set Racing --- D. Zanelli --- $151,292
25. El Gato Malo ----- West Point Thoroughbreds --- C. Dollase --- $145,000
26. Atoned ----- Dogwood Stable --- T. Pletcher --- $130,000
27. Z Fortune ----- Zayat Stable, LLC --- S. Asmussen --- $129,000
28. Blackberry Road ----- Dogwood Stable --- Carroll --- $123,417
29. My Pal Charlie ----- B. Wayne Hughes --- A. Stall --- $120,000
30. Golden Spikes ----- M325 Thoroughbreds, Inc. --- M. Wolfson --- $118,000
31. Golden Yank ----- Millard Seldin Revocable Trust --- G. Thomas --- $115,000
32. Yankee Bravo ----- Harlequin Ranches, et al ---P. Gallagher --- $105,000
33. Indian Sun ----- C. Peacock --- D. Hendricks --- $104,000
34. Racecar Rhapsody ----- Jerry Carroll, et al --- K. McPeek --- $90,871
35. Cool Gator ----- G. Williamson --- D. Vella --- $80,925
36. Elysium Fields ----- Robert S. Evans --- B. Tagg --- $70,000
37. King's Silver Son ----- Mike McCarty --- Asmussen --- $60,000
38. Cowboy Cal ----- Stonerside Stable --- Pletcher --- $57,660
39. Texas Wildcatter ----- Starlight, Saylor & Lucarelli --- Pletcher --- $53,750
40. Monba ----- Stonerside Stable --- Pletcher --- $50,000
There are always the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes for those horses that remain unable to make the Kentucky Derby field. The second and third classics traditionally have a thinned out entry field after the Derby separates the horses from the ponies. Both races have featured Triple Crown spoilers through more than a century of runnings.
