A to Z horses – Expecting Exciting Entries

E is for enthusiastic expectation, even as equine prospects begin to emerge for the Kentucky Derby, the first gem in horse racing’s famous Triple Crown.

NOTE: This post represents a bit of a departure from my A to Z series of special horses, although these horses may certainly be deemed extraordinary.

The Run for the Roses, set to run on the first weekend in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, has room for 20 three-year-old starters.

Based on graded stakes earnings alone, the current candidates would likely include:

1. Hansen
2. Daddy Long Legs
3. Union Rags
4. Wrote
5. Take Charge Indy
6. Creative Cause
7. Sabercat
8. Hero of Order (not nominated)
9. Daddy Nose Best
10. Secret Circle
11. Dullahan
12. Liaison
13. Prospective
14. Drill
15. On Fire Baby
16. Went the Day Well
17. Rousing Sermon
18. Mark Valeski
19. El Padrino
20. Reveron
21. Isn’t He Clever
22. Optimizer
23. Alpha
24. Trinniberg
25. Castaway
26. I’ll Have Another
27. My Adonis
28. Battle Hardened
29. Brother Francis
30. Gemologist

Of course, a few prep races remain, so the earnings roster is likely to shift somewhat.

Anything can happen in horse racing.

Some of these horses aren’t even in the running for the Derby anymore. Injuries and conditioning strategies kick in, booting prospects from the Derby trail. A few may reemerge for the Preakness or Belmont Stakes.

Trainers and owners can scratch horses in the coming weeks. Jockey changes may occur. Last-minute champions are likely to crop up.

It’s a horse race, after all.

Who do I like best for this year’s Kentucky Derby?

Here are my top 21 favorites, so far. (Yes, someone will surely scratch a horse!) I’m listing them alphabetically, as I’m still sorting out my primo picks.

1. Alpha
2. Bodemeister
3. Creative Cause
4. Daddy Long Legs
5. Dullahan
6. El Padrino
7. Gemologist
8. Hansen
9. I’ll Have Another
10. Liaison
11. Daddy Nose Best
12. Mark Valeski
13. Optimizer
14. Prospective
15. Reveron
16. Rousing Sermon
17. Sabercat
18. Secret Circle
19. Take Charge Indy
20. Union Rags
21. Went the Day Well

This roster is sure to change, perhaps almost daily, until post positions are drawn and the exciting entries line up in the starting gate.

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Image/s:

Daddy Long Legs & Union Rags

Pedigree Photos

Hansen

2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile video screenshot

2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge logo

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