World Racing 
/ Timeform / 19 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Who will you side with on May 5?
"Union Rags has been an impressive winner of 4 of 5 starts, beating News Pending by easy 4 lengths in G2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream in February..."
Timeform bring you their latest update on the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5...
UNION RAGS Timeform Rating 124p, Trainer M Matz
Impressive winner of 4 of 5 starts, beating News Pending by easy 4 lengths in G2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream in February, and is the top-rated 3-y-o male in North America. Wide throughout and probably unlucky in only defeat, at Breeders' Cup. Sprinting/miling pedigree but already stays 8.5f. May next run in 9f Florida Derby back at Gulfstream on March 31.
HANSEN Timeform Rating 123, Trainer M Maker
Won all 3 starts at 2 yrs, culminating in narrow defeat of Union Rags in Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Back to best when landing G3 Gotham at Aqueduct in March comfortably by 3 lengths from My Adonis, giving weight all round. Front-runner prior to last time, when tracked until going on 2f out. May next take in 9f Wood Memorial (a race his sire Tapit won, though dam was a sprinter) at Aqueduct on April 7.
CREATIVE CAUSE Timeform Rating 121, Trainer M Harrington
Winner of 4 of 7 starts, notably G1 Norfolk at Santa Anita at 2 yrs, when also third to Hansen and Union Rags in Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Back to best when giving weight and beating to Bodemeister in G2 San Felipe at Santa Anita in March. Son of Giant's Causeway and better prospects than some of staying beyond 8.5f. May next contest Santa Anita Derby on April 7.
SECRET CIRCLE Timeform Rating 121, Trainer B Baffert
Fast juvenile, unbeaten in 3 starts, notably Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint. Stretched out to around 8f this year, beaten narrowly on first occasion and winning narrowly at Oaklawn in G3 Southwest and G2 Rebel since. Gave weight all round when holding Optimizer by three-quarters of a length last time. Some encouragement from breeding that he could stay further (sire gained biggest win at 9.5f). Could be aimed at G1 Arkansas Derby, again at Oaklawn, on April 14.
GEMOLOGIST Timeform Rating 119p, Trainer T Pletcher
Unbeaten in 3 starts at 2 yrs, notably G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes over 8.5f at Churchill Downs, and one this year. Beat Currency Swap impressively by 7 lengths in allowance at Gulfstream in March. Son of Tiznow, and seems a likely stayer at 10f in same colours as 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. Likely to return to Graded company in G1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7.
OPTIMIZER Timeform Rating 117, Trainer D Lukas
Maiden at Saratoga at 2 yrs has been sole win from 8 starts, but has kept good company, and made eye-catching late headway when close second to Secret Circle in G2 Rebel at Oaklawn last time (rated 4 lb better than result). Son of 12f Breeders' Cup Turf winner English Channel, and should be suited by at least 10f himself. Needs much greater earnings to make Kentucky Derby field, and may take on Secret Circle again in G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn on April 14.
EL PADRINO Timeform Rating 116, Trainer T Pletcher
Won 1 from 3 as a juvenile and both starts this year, notably G2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds last time by nose from Mark Valeski. Son of Kentucky Derby fourth Pulpit and shapes as if will stay beyond 9f himself. May reportedly clash with Union Rags in Florida Derby next.
HOWE GREAT Timeform Rating 116, Trainer G Motion
Unbeaten in 4 runs since debut second, defeating Dullahan by length in G3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream last time, in March. Best efforts on turf to date. Son of smart Japanese miler Hat Trick but has already shown stays 9f. May next take in G1 Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 14, as did connections' Animal Kingdom on way to Kentucky Derby success in 2011.
BODEMEISTER Timeform Rating 115, Trainer B Baffert
All 3 runs at Santa Anita, debuting in January then winning maiden by over 9 lengths. Ran Creative Cause (who conceded 5 lbs) to three-quarters of a length in G2 San Felipe in March. Son of Belmont winner Empire Maker and smart US 2-y-o Untouched Talent, and seems a likely stayer at beyond 8.5f.
DULLAHAN Timeform Rating 115p, Trainer D Romans
Only win from 6 appearances at 2 yrs was in G1 Futurity at Keeneland by three-quarters of a length from Majestic City. Fourth to Hansen in Breeders' Cup Juvenile on final outing. Encouraging length second to Howe Great in G3 Palm Beach at Gulfstream on return on turf in March, staying on well. Half-brother to a Kentucky Derby winner in Mine That Bird and looks open to improvement at further than 9f. Being aimed at G1 Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 14.
ALPHA Timeform Rating 113, Trainer K McLaughlin
Won 1 out of 3 at 2 yrs and both this term, most recently G3 Withers at Aqueduct in February by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Speightscity. Behind Union Rags the two times they met, though presumably wasn't himself in Breeders' Cup. By Bernardini, out of 11.5f winner from the family of Swain, and seems near certain to stay the 10f Derby distance, having so far tried no further than 8.5f. Owned by Godolphin. Being aimed at Florida Derby on March 31 or G2 Louisiana Derby day after.
PROSPECTIVE Timeform Rating 113, Trainer M Casse
Has won 4 of 7 starts, notably G2 Tampa Bay Derby last time (when first-time blinkered) by three-quarters of a length from Golden Ticket. Son of Malibu Moon, and has yet to try further than 8.5f. May next take in Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7.
Kentucky Derby Diary:
Saturday March 24: G3 Spiral Stakes, Turfway Park 9f;
Sunday March 25: G3 Sunland Derby 9f;
Saturday March 31: G1 Florida Derby, Gulfstream 9f.
The records keep tumbling for crack filly Mosheen who overcame difficulties last Saturday to win the G1 Randwick Guineas over 1600m at headquarters......
So You Think is set to be among the field for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday March 31.......
Plenty of runners in Ireland this Sunday and Timeform's Irish team have win selections from Limerick and Navan....
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