Competitive full field lines up for 126th Run for the Roses

When A large field assembles for the Kentucky Derby (G1)-a common occurrence for the past 20 years or so-the naysayers generally appear in force, ready to excoriate the hopeless dreamers who shipped in unworthy Derby starters.

Part of that scenario appeared to be unfolding a week before this year's Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs. The maximum 20 starters appeared a probability, and there was a chance several horses would be excluded from the field on the graded stakes-earnings rule.

But in a year in which the three-year-olds have displayed a streak of consistency and quality rarely seen in recent runnings, it has been hard to find anyone willing to fault the top 15-to-18 contenders in this year's Derby.

"This is a good bunch of horses," said trainer Bobby Frankel, who will send out Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) third-place finisher Aptitude. "Usually everybody's knocking the three-year-olds, saying they're nothing, they're nothing. But this is a good bunch on paper."

Added Alex Hassinger Jr., who will saddle his first Derby starter, two-year-old champion Anees: "I think it's an extremely strong three-year-old crop, top to bottom. On the whole, it's very strong. Horses like More Than Ready, that people didn't think would go beyond a mile, are improving with every start. The majority of horses that are here should be here."

Narrowing the pack

As of April 30, it appeared that 23 three-year-olds were still in the running for the 20 Derby spots, with Godolphin Racing's UAE Derby winner China Visit sitting on the 20th spot.

The graded stakes-earnings rule, used to determine the Derby field when more than 20 runners enter, became a little more complicated this year because of several factors.

For one, the bubble horses-China Visit, stablemate Curule, and Rushaway Stakes winner Ronton-had no graded stakes earnings, meaning that nonrestricted stakes earnings had to be taken into account to separate those three. On that criterion, China Visit ($300,000) would be first into the Derby, followed by Ronton ($62,600) and Curule ($30,000).

A second major factor was the presence of Unshaded. The Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) winner has more than enough graded stakes earnings, $221,588, to get into the race. But because owner James Tafel did not nominate the Unbridled gelding in either the early or the late nomination periods, Unshaded would have to be supplemented to the Derby for $150,000. Supplemental entries are sent to the back of the line, meaning China Visit, Ronton, and Curule would all get in before trainer Carl Nafzger's charge.

The situation with Unshaded has added a surprisingly lighthearted element to Nafzger's spring. The trainer of 1990 Derby winner Unbridled has sent the gelding out every morning in his yellow Derby saddlecloth and adopted a smile and an "I'll-know-when-you-know" approach to Unshaded's supplemental status.

Is misbehavin'

At the other end of this year's Derby pecking order, probable Derby favorite Fusaichi Pegasus provided plenty of talking points with his on-track behavior leading up to the Derby.

Derby Trial S. (G3)
Churchill Downs, April 29, $114,000, 1 mile, fast, 1:35.99
1-PERFORMING MAGIC, c. 3, Gone West-Performing Arts (Ire), by The Minstrel.
2-Sun Cat, c. 3, Tabasco Cat-Sierra Madre, by Mr. Prospector.
3-Valiant Halory, c. 3, Valiant Nature-Private Reply, by Private Terms.

The Mr. Prospector colt balked before entering the starting gate for the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) on April 15 because, depending upon who related the story, he was eyeing a) the on-track ambulance, b) a half-empty Aqueduct parking lot, or c) the Home Depot across the street.

His antics continued after arriving at Churchill Downs. On April 25, he unleashed a display of jumping and bucking while he was out for a gallop. Two days later, the situation grew a little more tense as Fusaichi Pegasus reared, tossed his exercise rider, fell on the track, and rolled over following a routine jog.

Trainer Neil Drysdale, seemingly as unflappable as his colt is rambunctious, downplayed both incidents and continued to do so on April 30, after Fusaichi Pegasus completed his serious Derby training with an impressive six-furlong breeze in 1:14.60.

"He's a very playful horse who's very interested in his surroundings; he's a very intelligent horse," Drysdale said. "He's been racing well, so why should there be concern that he's been playing around, bucking, and rearing, doing all sorts of things. He has a great time out there. Meanwhile, he's racing well."

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who will try to win his fifth Derby with a three-horse team led by multiple Grade 1 winner High Yield, applauded the way Drysdale has handled the fuss, but said Fusaichi Pegasus's antics could be a factor on Derby day.

"I would be concerned (if I were Neil), and I think Neil is concerned," Lukas said. "But he's handling it better than most. He's really rolling with it."

A Magical trial

Hassinger got his Derby week off to a perfect start on April 29 when The Thoroughbred Corp.'s Performing Magic won the one-mile Derby Trial Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs.

The Derby Trial probably helped to trim the number of Derby contenders from 25 to 23. Both Settlement and True Confidence broke poorly and were never in the running, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively in the eight-horse field. After the race, connections for both three-year-olds indicated that the Derby was now out of the question. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas said True Confidence grabbed his quarter badly when he stumbled at the break.

The Derby will probably come up too soon for Performing Magic, but Hassinger said he would consult with The Thoroughbred Corp. owner Ahmed bin Salman before a final decision is made.

"I'll speak to him about the Derby if he wants to," said Hassinger, who also won the Derby Trial last year with Patience Game. "The only concern I would have with this horse is distance limitations."

The one-turn mile of the Derby Trial posed no problems for the Gone West colt, who won 2-of-8 starts while campaigning in England last year. The Derby Trial was his third start in the United States; he finished second in the Baldwin Stakes at Santa Anita Park and third in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct in his previous two starts.

Jockey Pat Day allowed Performing Magic to settle just off the early pace as Lafayette Stakes (G3) winner Caller One led through fractions of :22.96 and :45.92 under Robbie Davis. Performing Magic was sent threewide as the field swung around the turn and Sun Cat went up to engage Caller One.

Caller One, who was sent off the 0.70-to-1 favorite despite questions over his ability to get a mile, backed out of the contest at the top of the stretch, leaving it for Sun Cat and Performing Magic to duel for victory.

Performing Magic took the lead just inside the eighth pole and drew off to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Sun Cat, with Valiant Halory another 6 3/4 lengths back in third. Running time over a fast track was 1:35.99.

"I talked with Gary (Stevens, assistant trainer) and Alex in the paddock and they said he keeps coming and has a nice turn of foot," Day said. "That's what he gave me today. We worked our way to the outside on the turn and kicked home."

Performing Magic earned $70,680 from the $114,000 purse. The victory was his third in 11 lifetime starts, and he now has earnings of $139,085.