Ahira's Hangar

Two major Derby preps to go...

Out of California we have two truly outstanding colts in I'll Have Another and Creative Cause. They ran within a nose of each other yesterday in a very exciting Santa Anita Derby.

Out of New York and the Wood Memorial we have a stand out son of the mighty Tiznow (only two time winner of the Breeders Cup Classic) named Gemologist, who prevailed by a head over a regally bred colt named Alpha.

Out of the Florida Derby we have the regally bred wire to wire winner Take Charge Indy, as well as the third place finisher and long time Derby favorite Union Rags (who has a suspect pedigree for getting the Derby distance, though horses can and do outrun their pedigrees).

Out of Kentucky we have the Spiral winner, who has Tiznow as a damsire, named Went the Day Well. We will also have the two year old champion, the stunningly beautiful and talented colt Hansen, who will make his final prep in the Bluegrass next Saturday.

Out of New Mexico will come a colt with a good shot to take it all, Daddy Nose Best.

Several good colts will try to get their earnings and a shot in the Kentucky Derby next weekend in the Bluegrass and in the Arkansas Derby - watch out for Bodemeister in the Arkansas - he is bred to run all day, but has a lot of speed!

This is the best crop of colts in years and years - and for the most part they have stayed sound and healthy. Should be a fantastic Derby!!!

Plenty of good fillies this year, too, for the Oaks - though two of the best (Our Miss Aurelia and Weemissfrankie) are out hurt. Watch out for On Fire Baby, Princess Arabella, In Lingerie, Grace Hall, and Broadway Alibi among others. Again, this is an outstanding crop of three year olds!

And the best thing is - nearly all of the top contenders, both male and female, are actually bred to get the distance this year.

As the Derby grows ever closer, even the professional handicappers are throwing their hands up in the air. No clear favorite, too many good colts!!!!

From last year's field of the Breeder's Cup Juvenile something like nine different colts have come forth to win graded races as three year olds. And others who did not run in the BCJ like I'll Have Another and Bodemeister and Went the Day Well have arisen to win major stakes.

No one can ever remember seeing a year with this many good colts!

It is a wonderful problem! Should be a truly great race!

Heartbreaking this year.

Santa Anita derby winner I'll have Another was the real deal. Won a thrilling and strong Derby and Preakness. Looked invincible going into the Belmont as most of the better colts ran and hid rather than entering the race. A day before the Belmont he was diagnosed with tendon issues (turned out to be a tear in a tendon) and was retired and immediately sold off overseas to stand at stud.

With the absence of I'll Have Another one of the slowest Belmonts in history (I'll Have Another would have won that slow race by many open lengths had he been healthy!!!) was won by Union Rags - who has subsequently been diagnosed with a tendon issue and immediately retired to stud.

This is one of the strongest three year old colt crops in memory and they are all dropping like flies...

In the meantime one potential superstar is still with us - Silver Max, undefeated on the grass as a three year old, bred to run all day, wonderful colt. May he stay healthy and have a long career!

No three year old filly can seem to string together any wins. They are just taking turns beating each other up...