2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders May Be Racing This Saturday

By Author: Lee Lane-Edgar
Total Articles: 365
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All eyes will be on Union Rags as he headlines the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He has been made the 2-1 favorite by the Daily Racing Form.
He drew a pretty good post, breaking from the 10 spot, which is good for him because he is a horse that can lay off of the pace. This post will help his jockey Javier Castellano avoid getting into trouble, and should be able to guide him to free running room.
It is hard to avoid drawing comparisons with Uncle Mo as a two year old at this time last year. Uncle Mo was coming into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile undefeated and off a big win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes which he won by over 4 lengths. Union Rags is also undefeated and is coming off a 5 ¼ length win in the Champagne.
He has done nothing but impress. In his first foray into stakes company, he romped by 7 ¼ lengths in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special. That race was run over a sloppy track, so if rain is in the forecast for Churchill Downs, then Union Rags’ advantage will only increase.
He will face 12 other horses including second choice Creative Cause at 7-2, who drew post 7. Creative Cause ...
... is by 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner up Giant’s Causeway, and has taken three out of four career starts including most recently a big 3 ¼ length win in the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes.
Crusade and Daddy Long Legs are coming from Europe and have only raced on turf up until now, where they will make their dirt debut. Daddy Long Legs took the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes easily last out and does have some dirt breeding in his pedigree. Crusade is coming off of a Group 1 win having defeated 15 horses last out. He is by Mr. Greeley who has sired many successful dirt runners. It remains to be seen whether they take to the natural dirt or not, but if they do, they are certainly worth a second look.
Hansen is an intriguing horse having won both his starts by over 12 lengths. The only problem is that they were on the synthetic surface. Still, he romped by 13 ¼ lengths in the Grade 2 Kentucky Cup Juvenile last out. His Beyer Speed Figure was relatively light at just 80, but he appears to have tremendous upside. He is by Tapit, who was the 2004 Wood Memorial winner and a very talented dirt runner, so he may very well adapt to Churchill Downs.
The last one worth looking at, in our opinion, is Drill, who won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs. He was overtaken by Creative Cause in the Norfolk but he was pulling early, and that possibly caused him to expend more energy that he would have liked. He managed to hold on for a solid second place finish, and should not be thrown out because of one loss.
Union Rags is the one to beat and he appears to have unlimited potential. Whoever takes the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile will be installed as the early favorite for the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Last year Uncle Mo wasn’t able to make the big dance, but perhaps one of these promising prospects will go on to make some noise for the 2012 Triple Crown.
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