The clock is ticking for three year old colts in the class of 2010 when it comes to “derby” races versus their own age group. This weekend spells the end of such type races with the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs and the Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Race Course (formally known as Philadelphia Park ). This year's group of horses in this category had been a bit disappointing to say the least.
Things looked good earlier in the year, when Eskendereya was knocking them dead at Gulfstream Park and the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. But then, he fell victim to a career ending injury. Some people were ready to anoint him as a possible Triple Crown winner even though he never even made it to those races. Lookin’ At Lucky had run well as a two year old and his form coming into this year still held up. But, he raced exclusively on polytrack in California until his victory at Oaklawn Park . He got the worst of trips in the Kentucky Derby and was no factor. But, he did bounce back well in the Preakness Stakes and later in the summer at Monmouth in the Haskell…..but more on him later. These two were the top runners of the three year old crop of 2010 and after them, the waters get quite muddy.
Super Saver showed he loved the off-track at Churchill Downs the “First Saturday in May” and was victorious. Drosselmeyer conquer the “Test of Champions” in the Belmont Stakes. But, these two colts had also succumbed to injuries that have put them on the shelf. Just this past week, we learned that Travers Stakes winner; Afleet Express has suffered a minor injury which has him out the rest of the year. In years past, the good three year old colts disappeared after their sophomore year to retirement when bought up by the “Sheiks in the Middle East ”. This year, the injury bug has taken them out of action.
So we are left with the second and third tier three year old horses. These horses are “hard hitting” honest runners, but can they really challenge the older horses at Breeder’s Cup time? In the Super Derby, there are runners like; Hurricane Ike, Golden Moka or Distorted Economy. The question is are they really going to be major players in this year’s Breeder’s Cup if they are successful in victory this weekend? At least in the Pennsylvania Derby , we’ve heard some of these names; First Dude, A Little Warm and Friend or Foe. But then again, these guys hadn’t won a grade I race this year and were minor players behind the three year old grade stake winners of this year. So, as we enter the championship time of racing for 2010, the three year old crop has little ammo or respect in the big race spotlight.
This is a trend in thoroughbred racing that has picked up speed the past several years. Three year old colts not living up to the hype that previous three year old horses have accomplished in the past. There are no Alysheba’s or Easy Goer’s, not even a Bernardini. We lost most of the better runners with the exception of one. His named is Lookin’ For Lucky and he stands tall above the group. But, it’s been since the end of July when he last raced. Your guess is as good as mine where he’ll get his final prep before the Breeder’s Cup Classic. He’s been the one bright spot in a group of very average horses this year among the three year olds. But questions surround him too. The three year old championship may be a “lock” for him now with the other grade I three year old horses hurt and on the shelf or retired. But, the main mountain to climb will be versus older horses next in a few weeks. This mountain may be even too high for him!
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