NEWS
Dunkirk on Derby bubble after runner-up finish
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009 12:06 PM
The second-place finish by Dunkirk in the Florida Derby (G1) places the lightly raced Unbridled’s Song colt on the bubble for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (G1).
The Derby is restricted to a maximum of 20 starters with preference given to horses with the highest earnings in graded and group stakes races. Dunkirk secured the first graded stakes earnings of his career in the Florida Derby but that $150,000 in earnings places him in a tie for 21st.
Several runners currently listed ahead of Dunkirk, such as Big Drama, may not race in the Derby, but others scheduled to race in the next three weekends also could pass Dunkirk. Also, Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes winner Mafaaz has earned a guaranteed spot in the Derby if his connections decide to start, a move that would effectively limit the field to the top 19 group/graded stakes earners.
Beyond Dunkirk, Theregoesjojo, who placed in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and the Florida Derby (G1) and is 27th on the list, is in even a more precarious situation and could have to secure more graded stakes earnings to qualify.
Also, if the connections of any fillies with the required graded stakes earnings opt for the Derby, it would take away additional spots.
In the list below, horses listed in italics would have to be nominated late to race in the Derby.
Top 30 males possible for the Kentucky Derby
based on group/graded stakes earnings
|
No. |
Horse |
Graded earnings |
|
1. |
Regal Ransom |
$1,250,000 |
|
2. |
Square Eddie |
$774,981 |
|
3. |
Pioneerof the Nile |
$743,250 |
|
4. |
Desert Party |
641,667 |
|
5. |
Quality Road |
$600,000 |
|
6. |
Friesan Fire |
$570,465 |
|
7. |
Big Drama |
$480,000 |
|
8. |
Vineyard Haven |
$417,500 |
|
9. |
Terrain |
$410,830 |
|
10. |
Old Fashioned |
$330,000 |
|
11. |
I Want Revenge |
$324,000 |
|
12. |
Hold Me Back |
$288,000 |
|
13. |
West Side Bernie |
$235,160 |
|
14. |
Chocolate Candy |
$220,000 |
|
15. |
Bittel Road |
$211,000 |
|
16. |
Musket Man |
$200,000 |
|
17. |
Crowded House (GB) |
$195,020 |
|
18. |
The Pamplemousse |
$180,000 |
|
18. |
Win Willy |
$180,000 |
|
20. |
Papa Clem |
$160,000 |
|
21. |
Dunkirk |
$150,000 |
|
21. |
Charitable Man |
$150,000 |
|
23. |
Mine That Bird |
$138,705 |
|
24. |
Beethoven |
$132,494 |
|
25. |
This Ones for Phil |
$97,500 |
|
26. |
Flying Private |
$94,000 |
|
27. |
Theregoesjojo |
$73,093 |
|
28. |
Join the Dance |
$67,500 |
|
29. |
Imperial Council |
$50,000 |
|
30. |
Proceed Bee |
$47,000 |
