Derby Dozen: Eyes On the Prize

1. Tiz the Law 

Trainer/Owner: Barclay Tagg/Sackatoga Stable

Pedigree: Constitution —Tizfiz, by Tiznow 

Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm (NY)

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) favorite was his usual brilliant self in breezing five furlongs in :59 2/5 Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course. There are few chinks in his armor—the only obvious one being his lone defeat came at Churchill Downs. Perhaps the loss was related to the off track, or a bottled-up trip, though it merits considering that it came on the road.

2. Art Collector

Thomas Drury Jr./Bruce Lunsford

Bernardini —Distorted Legacy, by Distorted Humor 

Bruce Lunsford (KY)

The colt heads to Churchill Downs this week from nearby Skylight Training Center. He had two wins over the Churchill main track this spring. Although yet to race beyond 1 1/8 miles, he is bred for the Derby's 1 1/4 miles. Bernardini won the 2006 Travers Stakes (G1) at the distance and dam Distorted Legacy placed in the 2011 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes (G1T) at the trip.

3. Honor A. P.

John Shirreffs/C R K Stable

Honor Code —Hollywood Story, by Wild Rush

George Krikorian (KY)

Following a swift five-eighths breeze in :59 2/5 Aug. 15, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith returned in the irons for another early-afternoon workout Aug. 22 at Del Mar. He again worked quickly, officially five furlongs in 1:00 1/5—though Smith asked him so much on the six-furlong gallop-out in 1:12 1/5.

4. Authentic 

Bob Baffert/Spendthrift Farm, MyRaceHorse Stable, Madaket Stables, and Starlight Racing

Into Mischief —Flawless, by Mr. Greeley

Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds (KY)

John Velazquez has picked up the ride on the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) winner, looking for his third Derby win after Animal Kingdom (2011) and Always Dreaming  (2017). Though he and Baffert do not regularly team up—the jockey being based on the East Coast, Baffert on the West Coast—they're 4-for-6 together in graded stakes since this time last summer. Velazquez is also Baffert's rider for his Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) favorite Gamine.

5. Ny Traffic

Saffie Joseph Jr./John Fanelli, Cash is King, LC Racing, and Paul Braverman

Cross Traffic —Mamie Reilly, by Graeme Hall

Brian Culnan (NY)

Although winless in six stakes tries, one has to appreciate his fight and consistency. Authentic seemed to have him put away in the early stretch of the 1 1/8-mile Haskell, but this colt refused to yield and rallied to fall just a nose shy. He also stayed on well to be second in the 1 3/16-mile TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), further hinting he can get the trip.

6. King Guillermo

Juan Avila/Victoria's Ranch

Uncle Mo —Slow Sand, by Dixieland Band

Carhue Investments, Grouseridge, and Marengo Investments (Ky.)

Few have made as positive an impression in their training as this colt, who will attempt to defy Derby trends by winning the race off a four-month layoff. His works at Churchill have been stellar, suggesting he is ripe to deliver a performance at least on par with his victory in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2). He likely needs to elevate his game to beat this group.

7. Caracaro

Gustavo Delgado/Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing

Uncle Mo—Peace Time, by War Front 

SF Bloodstock (KY)

Although Tiz the Law had a planned Aug. 22 workout at Saratoga delayed by a sloppy track, this colt didn't sit out the wet morning, covering five furlongs in 1:01. The Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) runner-up traveled comfortably over the off going, something to consider. Based on historical rainfall averages for Louisville, there is less of a chance of a wet track in September than in May.

8. Dr Post

Todd Pletcher/St. Elias Stable

Quality Road —Mary Delaney, by Hennessy

Cloyce C. Clark (KY)

With a 2-2-4 record from 54 Derby starters, no trainer has run more horses in the race than Todd Pletcher, who previously captured the race with Super Saver  (2010) and with Always Dreaming  (2017). Pletcher has taken a wait-and-see approach to commit the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) runner-up and Haskell third-place finisher. He seems pleased with the colt’s training, which included a 1:00 3/5 breeze at Saratoga Aug. 21.

9. Max Player

Steve Asmussen/George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds

Honor Code—Fools in Love, by Not For Love

K & G Stables (KY)

The Withers Stakes (G3) winner was transferred from trainer Linda Rice to Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen shortly after his third in the Travers. Although Asmussen is winless with 20 Derby starters, he has come close. Nehro and Lookin At Lee ran second in 2011 and 2017, respectively. Curlin  also ran third in 2007, as did Gun Runner  in 2016. On Aug. 24 at Churchill Downs, this colt worked five furlongs in :59 3/5.

10. Thousand Words

Bob Baffert/Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm

Pioneerof the Nile—Pomeroys Pistol, by Pomeroy

Hardacre Farm (FL)

Delighted with his training this summer at Del Mar, Baffert quipped last week that he wished they would move the Derby to the California oval. Another possibility is that the colt’s enthusiasm is simply due to improvement from a developing 3-year-old. The Shared Belief Stakes upsetter breezed five-eighths in 1:00 Aug. 23, pulling a few lengths ahead of workmate Cezanne during an urged gallop out.

11. Sole Volante

Patrick Biancone/Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone, and Limelight Stables

Karakontie —Light Blow, by Kingmambo

Flaxman Holdings (KY)

Not since Mine That Bird was fourth in the Sunland Derby in 2009 has a horse won the Derby without a top-three finish in its final prep. Perhaps it is best to forgive his dull sixth in the Belmont, coming on merely 10 days rest and after he shipped from Florida to New York. He packs a punch when he fires.

12. Shirl's Speight

Roger Attfield/Charles Fipke

Speightstown —Perfect Shirl, by Perfect Soul

Charles Fipke (KY)

He joins the ‘Dozen’ given the likelihood he can secure entry despite lacking Derby qualifying points. This inexperienced colt has posted two effortless victories at Woodbine in as many starts, both last month, including a score in the Marine Stakes (G3). His dirt works have been promising, just as Animal Kingdom’s pre-Derby work was before he won his first dirt start in the Derby.