This is a tough race for a fan like me. In here are three potential Derby horses for whom I can feel a personal rooting interest:
Breakwater Edison, by Lemon Drop Kid: Lemon Drop Kid was the first handicap division horse I followed back in 2000 when I became a serious fan of the game. He gave me a lot of thrills, and helped raise my all time favorite jockey, Edgar Prado, to prominence. Still, I consider him underappreciated. I'd love to see him get a breakout star among his offspring.
Hello Broadway: Hello Broadway is half brother to NobizlikeShowbiz and is trained by Barclay Tagg of Funny Cide fame. Tagg has remained in the spotlight with other top class horses such as Nobiz himself, the fleet and talented turf horse Showing Up, and last year's gritty Tale of Ekati. The taciturn Tagg is not a cuddly personality, but his is a feel-good story. His breakthrough as a big money trainer happened only after reaching his sixties, and for a man who grumbled about joining the Derby fray back in the days of Funny Cide, he sure got over it in a hurry. Nobody needs to twist Tagg's arm anymore to get him to march along the Derby trail.
Capt. Candyman Can: I love almost any horse from the Candy Stripes line, startng with the great champion of 2007, Invasor. Capt. Candyman Can is by Candy Ride, who is making a good showing on the triple crown trail this year as a first time sire -- he also has the stylish and exciting Chocolate Candy, winner of the Real Quiet Stakes and the California Derby.
Compared to last year at this time, it's nice to have trouble choosing among a seeming surfeit of potential three year old stars, not only in the Hutcheson but just about every Derby prep on the schedule, not to mention the exciting three year olds still racing in allowance company. Until Big Brown burst on the scene in the Florida Derby, the three year old division of 2008 was uninspiring. This year is already a big improvement. Let's hope it stays that way.
Keywords: Barclay Tagg, Big Brown, Breakwater Edison, Candy Ride, Captain Candyman Can, Edgar Prado, Funny Cide, Hello Broadway, Kentucky Derby, Thoroughbred Racing
