(Instilled Regard wins LeComte Stakes at FG)

Well, we might as well join the fray, and create our own list of top contenders for this year’s Kentucky Derby. After all, we have never been a bit shy about an opinion or expressing it, either. So, as of Jan. 29, here is our “Top 12 Contenders,” as they exist today. And, every Monday from now until the first Saturday in May, we will be updating our list based on performance, pedigree and possibilities.

Rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Last Start Next Start Comment
1 Instilled Regard Arch Jerry Hollendorfer Javier Castellano 1st LeComte Stakes / FG Feb. 17 — Risen Star — FG Could Have Won Sham If Not for Interference/Dominated LeComte
2 Copper Bullet More Than Ready Steve Asmussen Irad Ortiz, Jr 1st Saratoga Special / SAR Undecided Worked at FG 1-29/ Next Start in a month?/Maybe most talented 2YO in ’17
3 Enticed Medaglia d’Oro Kiaran McLaughlin Junior Alvarado 1st KY Jockey Club / CD Feb. 3 — Holy Bull — GP Was All Out to Win at CD/ but Game/ Experience at CD helps
4 Dak Attack Ghostzapper Dale Romans Robby Albarado 3rd Mucho Macho Man / GP Undecided  I Still Think He Will Shine on 1st Saturday in May / Talent
5 Good Magic Curlin Chad Brown Junior Ortiz 1st BC Juvenile / Del Mar March 3 — FOY — GP Broke Maiden in G1/ Freak or Fluke?/Working his way back to races now
6 McKenzie Street Sense Bob Baffert Mike Smith 1st Sham Stakes / SA March 10 — San Felipe — SA Gift Win in Los Alamitos Stakes on DQ /Can he sustain speed for 11/4 miles?
7 Solomini Curlin Bob Baffert Flavien Prat 3rd Los Alamitos Futurity / LA Undecided Talented runner/ Two turns? / Needs to gain experience before he moves up
8 Bolt d’Oro Medaglia d’Oro Mick Ruis Javier Castellano 3rd BC Juvenile / Del Mar March 10 — San Felipe — SA Talented; Injury-prone? / Needs to prove that he can get a clean break & go the distance
9 Principe Guilherme Tapit Steve Asmussen Florent Geroux 2nd Lecomte Stakes / FG Feb. 17 — Risen Star — FG Super talented runner / Gained experience in LeComte / Can he improve now?
10 Catholic Boy More Than Ready Justin Thomas Manny Franco 1st Remsen Stakes / AQU Feb. 10 — Sam F. Davis — TAM Breezed5F in 1:01 at Tampa on 1-27/ Spectacular when moved to the dirt in Remsen/ Can he sustain?
11 Free Drop Billy Union Rags Dale Romans Robby Albarado 9th in BC Juvenile / Del Mar Feb. 3 — Holy Bull — GP Worked a bullet 5Fs at GP on 1-27/Win at KEE May Be Best 2YO Race of ’17
12 Gotta Go Shanghai Bobby Ian Wilkes Chris Landeros 13th in KY Jockey Club / CD Feb. 3 — Swale Stakes — GP Worked a half at PMTC on 1-28/6th published work since 12-19/Cut Time Coming

Let us know your thoughts and opinions. Part of the fun is the debate. And, the wait.