Which McPeek 3-Year-Old First? That is the Question

1. Rattle N Roll  

Owner/Trainer: Lucky Seven Stable/Kenny McPeek

Pedigree: Connect  —Jazz Tune , by Johannesburg  

Breeder: St Simon Place (KY)

A hind foot injury forced him to miss the Breeders' Cup. A few weeks behind fellow Kenny McPeek trainees Smile Happy  and Tiz the Bomb  on the workout schedule, he resumed breezing Jan. 22 with a three-furlong move at Gulfstream Park in :36.13. In taking the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) at Keeneland in October, he turned heads by passing six horses on the second turn with a wide rally, turning the race into a rout before early stretch.

2. Zandon  

Jeff Drown/Chad Brown

Upstart  —Memories Prevail , by Creative Cause   

Brereton Jones (KY)

Though he fell short by a nose in the Remsen Stakes (G2) to Mo Donegal  at the end of last season, he ran the better race of the two. After breaking a half-length slow, he lost ground with a three-wide trip around both turns and appeared impeded by Mo Donegal in the lane. Still, he was coming back on that rival late under John Velazquez. Though stretching out from just a six-furlong debut win, he galloped out in front.

3. Smile Happy 

Lucky Seven Stable/Kenny McPeek

Runhappy  —Pleasant Smile , by Pleasant Tap 

Moreau Bloodstock International & White Bloodstock (KY)

McPeek immediately debuted him around two turns at Keeneland last fall in a 1 1/16-mile race and then tried the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs, both resulting in clear victories. Note that seventh-place finisher Call Me Midnight  returned to win the Lecomte Stakes (G3). This colt is pointed to the Feb. 19 Risen Star Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, per McPeek.

WATCH: Byron King Discusses the Top-Three Derby Dozen Horses

4. Mo Donegal 

Donegal Racing/Todd Pletcher

Uncle Mo  —Callingmissbrown , by Pulpit  

Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY)

He improved with distance late last year, winning a 1 1/16-mile maiden race at Belmont Park and the 1 1/8-mile Remsen, controversially taking the latter. Saving ground around much of two turns, he angled out approaching the lane, and his rally looked like it would propel him to a clear-cut win in midstretch. Mo Donegal may be the type only to do what is required; should relish 1 1/4 miles.

5. Tiz the Bomb

Phoenix Thoroughbred/Kenny McPeek

Hit It a Bomb  —Tiz the Key , by Tiznow  

Spendthrift Farm (KY)

His turf class is apparent with two rich stakes wins and a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). But he also impressed on dirt last year, winning a maiden race by 14 1/4 lengths on the Ellis Park main track. He easily outbreezed his workmate Jan. 23 in a dirt workout at Gulfstream Park and is a leading player for the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) there Feb. 5.

6. Jack Christopher  

Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud, and Peter Brant/Chad Brown

Munnings  —Rushin No Blushin , by Half Ours  

Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (KY)

Arrived Jan. 9 at trainer Chad Brown's South Florida stable after having a screw inserted in his left shin in a procedure in November. Winner of his first two starts, including the Champagne Stakes (G1), he is uber-talented but yet to race two turns. He has some short or middle-distance elements in his pedigree, being by Munnings out of the Half Ours mare Rushin No Blushin, a half sister to grade 1-winning sprinter Street Boss  .

7. Epicenter  

Winchell Thoroughbreds/Steve Asmussen

Not This Time  —Silent Candy , by Candy Ride   

Westwind Farms (KY)

He set quick fractions in the Jan. 22 Lecomte—:23.40, :47.01, and 1:12.16—though he was largely clear of the field in doing so. He proved tough to pass, first turning Pappacap  aside and nearly holding off longshot winner Call Me Midnight. That fine second-place finish, coupled with good-looking wins in a maiden race and the Gun Runner Stakes, leaves him as the top-rated hopeful in Louisiana.

8. Giant Game  

West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables/Dale Romans

Giant's Causeway —Game for More , by More Than Ready   

H. Allen Poindexter (KY)

After a three-length maiden win at Keeneland over eventual Lecomte winner Call Me Midnight, he showed he belonged in the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). After a four-wide rally on the second turn, he settled for third behind Corniche  and Pappacap; working bullets in Florida.

9. Pappacap 

Rustlewood Farm/Mark Casse

Gun Runner  —Pappascat , by Scat Daddy  

Rustlewood Farm (FL)

After runner-up finishes to Corniche in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Cup, he kicked off his season with a close third in the Lecomte at Fair Grounds. After stalking the pace, he attempted to slip up the rail but grew a smidge tired and settled for third. Precocious enough to debut in May, he may not have the development upside of counterparts.

10. Corniche 

Speedway Stable/Bob Baffert

Quality Road  —Wasted Tears , by Najran 

Bart Evans & Stonehaven Steadings (KY)

Whether the probable 2-year-old champion of 2021 makes the Derby is in question, owing to trainer Bob Baffert's suspension issued by Churchill Downs and his horses not earning points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Without court action overturning those moves, this colt would need to start for another trainer and pick up the necessary qualifying points to gain entry. Yet to breeze in 2022 after a winter freshening at WinStar Farm. Those factors combine for his placement toward the bottom of the 'Dozen.

11. Slow Down Andy  

Reddam Racing/Doug O'Neill

Nyquist  —Edwina E , by Square Eddie  

Reddam Racing (CA)

As well as he performed in winning the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) in his third start by a length over Messier , he would seem to have more room for development if he can maintain focus through the lane. He waited and leaned on his rival in midstretch, only to regain his momentum late and pull away. Recent workouts have come with blinkers—suggesting we could see those added for his next start.

12. Dash Attack  

Catalyst Stable, Magdalena Racing, Kevin Pollard, and Patty Slevin /Kenny McPeek

Munnings—Cerce Cay , by Hard Spun   

Catalyst Stable & Magdalena Racing (KY)

As with Smile Happy, this McPeek trainee is perfect in two routes. He won a Dec. 5 maiden race at Oaklawn Park and the Smarty Jones Stakes there Jan. 1, both at a mile. Though the latter race was ungraded and without established stars, it did lure a field of 13, and after breaking a couple of lengths behind the field, he rallied to win going away with his ears pricked; goes next in the Jan. 29 Southwest Stakes (G3).