Square Eddie Leads Graded Stakes Derby Horses
Pioneerof The Nile And Friesan Fire Should Also Run For The Roses
Mar 27, 2009
Approaching the first Saturday in May and the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, steady Square Eddie has accumulated the highest graded stakes earnings among race contenders. Only three-year-olds compete in the Run for the Roses, America's most prestigious Thoroughbred romp held annually at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, and only twenty entrants will get to the gate.
Graded Stakes Earnings Determine Derby Eligibles
The first twenty three-year-old Thoroughbred competitors that lead in graded stakes earnings will be nominated for the Derby. If an entrant in the top twenty list is not pointed to the Derby because of injury, or for whatever reason, No. 21 could move into the 20th spot, etc.
Following is a list of the first twenty horses who currently have the most graded stakes earnings among the three-year-old contenders.
- No. 1 ----- Mafaaz ----- n/a ----- won a Win and You're In race in England
- No. 2 ----- Square Eddie ----- $774,981
- No. 3 ----- Pioneerof The Nile ----- $743,250
- No. 4 ----- Friesan Fire ----- $570,465
- No. 5 ----- Vineyard Haven ----- $417,500
- No. 6 ----- Terrain ----- $410,830
- No. 7 ----- Old Fashioned ----- $330,000
- No. 8 ----- I Want Revenge ----- $324,000
- No. 9 ----- Hold Me Back ----- $288,000
- No.10 ----- Desert Party ----- $241,667
- No.11 ----- West Side Bernie ----- $225,760
- No.12 ----- Chocolate Candy ----- $220,000
- No.13 ----- Bittel Road ----- $206,000
- No.14 ----- Azul Leon ----- $203,600
- No.15 ----- Musket Man ----- $200,000
- No.16 ----- Crowded House (Great Britain) ----- $195,020
- No.17 ----- The Pamplemousse ----- $180,000
- No.18 ----- Win Willy ----- $180,000
- No.19 ----- Papa Clem ----- $160,000
- No.20 ----- Charitable Man ----- $150,000
The next five horses could make the eligibility cut if a top twenty contender drops out of the lineup, or if they outearn a current contender before the Derby nomination deadline.
- No.21 ----- Quality Road ----- $150,000
- No.22 ----- Mine That Bird ----- $138,705
- No.23 ----- Beethoven ----- $132,494
- No.24 ----- General Quarters ----- $130,645
- No.25 ----- Munnings ----- $105,000
There are still a number of Derby graded stakes prep races to run. On Saturday, the Florida Derby could determine a shift in the graded stakes earnings lineup as Dunkirk, Theregoesjojo, and Quality Road, all of whom are thought to be Derby material, square off. Last season, Big Brown used the Florida Derby to steamroll onto the Derby scene by winning impressively and taking home a big paycheck.
Big Derby Prep Race Wins This Season
Some of the biggest Kentucky Derby prep race wins this season follow:
- January
- Count Fleet Stakes ----- Haynesfield
- Lecomte Stakes ----- Friesan Fire
- California Derby ----- Chocolate Candy
- San Rafael Stakes ----- The Pamplemousse
- Hutcheson Stakes ----- Capt. Candyman Can
- February
- Whirlaway Stakes ----- Haynesfield
- Risen Star Stakes ----- Friesan Fire
- Robert B. Lewis Stakes ----- Pioneerof The Nile
- El Camino Real Derby ----- Chocolate Candy
- Sam F. Davis Stakes ----- General Quarters
- Southwest Stakes ----- Old Fashioned
- Fountain of Youth Stakes ----- Quality Road
- Sham Stakes ----- The Pamplemousse
- March
- The Gotham ----- I Want Revenge
- Louisiana Derby ----- Friesan Fire
- The Rebel ----- Win Willy
- San Felipe Stakes ----- Pioneerof The Nile
- Tampa Bay Derby ----- Musket Man
- Lane's End Stakes ----- Hold Me Back
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for May 2.
