No change in my Derby Dozen, so I’ll update that when there’s been a change, but a few horses popped up on the radar.
Making the biggest impression was once again a filly, this time the Unbridled’s Song filly, Eight Belles. Running an allowance at the Fair Grounds, she rated in 3rd early and then swept into the lead after 6 furlongs and rolled to an eye-popping, Landaluce-like 15-length win for the mile and forty yards. Her 100 Beyer is the highest for any three-year-old so far going two turns. This kind of win would land her on many Derby lists at this time of year if she were a he. Regardless, she is one to watch. What is interesting is that she does not seem precocious, this big effort came in her fifth lifetime start. We’ll see if she can duplicate that against tougher, but the number suggests she could win a Grade 1 in her next start.
Cool Coal Man earned a decent 92 Beyer in his win at Gulfstream. He has never really impressed me that much, but this was a small step forward. Bob Black Jack received a 109 Beyer for his win at Santa Anita, but he is a sprinter. While perhaps not a Derby horse, that is still a very nice number for a three-year-old this time of year, even at 6f.