Derby's Edge

Well this is it. Final weekend before the Run to the Roses. I have two races to preview this weekend, one is at Aqueduct where it's closing weekend, and the other is at Churchill which opens tomorrow.

Starting at Aqueduct

9th (4:50)
Withers S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $150,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Most Happy Fella Coa E M Badgett William Jr 118 L 12-1
2 2 D' Funnybone Prado E S Dutrow, Jr. R E 123 L 1-2
3 3 Castaneda Chavez J F Contessa Gary C 118 L 10-1
4 4 Afleet Again Mariano A Reid Robert E Jr 116 L 20-1
5 5 Spangled Star Velasquez C Dutrow, Jr. R E 116 L 20-1
6 6 Ibboyee Velazquez J R Pletcher Todd A 120 L 5-2

A rematch of D' Funnybone and Ibboyee, the 1-2 finishers of the Swale. Hopefully Afleet Again rebounds, and Most Happy Fella could have a chance at a shorter distance. On the chat Monday, someone mentioned that Castaneda has early speed, lets see what he does against Funnybone and I.

At Churchill

10th (5:17)
The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial S. (G3)
1 Mile | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $200,000
Prg. # PP Horse Jockey Trainer Wt. Claim $ Equip. Med. ML
1 1 Game On Dude Albarado R J Baffert Bob 117 L 10-1
2 2 Soaring Empire Castro E Gambolati Cam 117 LA 20-1
3 3 Privilaged Maragh R Sadler John W 117 LA 15-1
4 4 Pleasant Prince Leparoux J R Ward Wesley A 117 L 4-1
5 5 Hurricane Ike Borel C H Sadler John W 117 LA 5-1
6 6 Miner's Reserve Lezcano J Zito Nicholas P 117 LA 8-1
7 7 Wow Wow Wow Thompson T J Lukas D Wayne 117 LA 20-1
8 8 Hear Ye Hear Ye Nakatani C S Romans Dale 117 LA 20-1
9 9 Aikenite Gomez G K Pletcher Todd A 117 LA 6-1
10 10 Eightyfiveinafifty Dominguez R A Contessa Gary C 121 LA 8-5

For the first time since 2005 (Don't Get Mad winning the race, then finishing fourth in the Derby), this is the very last prep. Two horses are viying for one spot (I believe both have to win). Plesant Prince and Eightyfiveinafifty (who I talked about yesterday). However, I think Aikenite now that he's back on dirt has a chance, as does Soaring Empire. I wouldn't be suprised if Wow Wow Wow does well, Miner's Reserve as well.

So that's it for the previews, recap will be Sunday and then Monday Derby talk shifts into high gear with the final workouts. Don't forget that the chat for next week is Thursday and next Saturday as well. Stay tuned for more details soon. I hope everyone enjoys your weekend!