Derby Entrants Capable Of Winning Any Type Race

Today’s 123rd Kentucky Derby is shaping up as one of the most competitive in years, as each of the top six choices either won or finished second in his latest start.

The favorites in this edition of the Derby include horses who possess early speed, such as Pulpit, Silver Charm, Free House and Concerto, and those who like to rally from far back, such as Captain Bodgit and Crypto Star.

Crypto Star trainer Wayne Catalano would prefer a quick early pace to help his colt, who won both the Arkansas and Louisiana Derby charging from 14 lengths off the pace. Closers are helped by a quick early pace that softens up the frontrunners.

“Pulpit will step up and take control,” Catalano said. “Silver Charm and Concerto have speed, not abundant, but I have a feeling Pulpit will take charge.”

Trainer Frank Brothers said earlier in the week he would like to see Pulpit take charge early, but noted that only a few horses have been able to win the Derby on the lead the whole way.

There isn’t one dominant speed horse this year, and several contenders have won races on or near the lead before, notably the 2-1 favorite Pulpit, Concerto, Silver Charm, Phantom On Tour, Free House and Shammy Davis. These will most likely run in the top spots out of the gate and around the first turn, although none have committed to the lead.

“I don’t want to predict what will happen, but I love my colt’s style. He has good tactical speed and I can place him wherever I need to,” said Silver Charm’s jockey, Gary Stevens. Stevens rode the last horse to lead the Derby from start to finish, Winning Colors in 1988.

History has shown that tactical speed, or the ability to use a horse’s early speed to gain good position and keep in touch with the leaders, is a key ingredient at the Derby. The second tier will be made up of contenders who don’t possess sharp early speed but like to keep within striking distance. These include Hello, Jack Flash, Deeds Not Words and Crimson Classic.

“The natural speed horses will more than likely be on the lead,” said Ron McAnally, trainer of Hello. “Concerto will more than likely be on the lead like in his previous races.”

Concerto, owned by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, comes into the Derby with a five-race win streak, most recently a near wire-to-wire performance in the Federico Tesio on April 19 at Pimlico.

Expected to make up the back of the pack early are the confirmed closers Captain Bodgit, Crypto Star, and Celtic Warrior. Captain Bodgit, the second choice at 5-2, rallied from six lengths off the pace to win the Wood Memorial on April 12.

“Sometimes strategy goes out the window,” said Gary Capuano, trainer of Captain Bodgit. “I think there are enough quality horses to make the pace honest.”