Stakes Are High for ‘Ten

Having moved at least one horse -- perhaps three -- closer to running in the Kentucky Derby, Rock Hard Ten is scheduled to run today in the $100,000 Derby Trial Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Rock Hard Ten, who has run only three times and was disqualified from second to third in the Santa Anita Derby earlier this month, is still shy of the needed graded-stakes earnings to run in the Kentucky Derby.

When more than 20 horses are being considered for the race, Churchill Downs invokes its money rule, which determines the field. With $98,000 in earnings, Rock Hard Ten ranks 24th and last on the list of Derby contenders, although some handicappers believe the big colt from California would be a viable threat if heruns next Saturday.

First place is worth about $60,000 in the Trial, which in another era was a popular steppingstone for Derby horses.

Rock Hard Ten’s chances improved slightly this week when trainer Todd Pletcher said Value Plus, 18th on the money list, was unlikely to run, and when Preachinatthebar was withdrawn from the Derby.

Another horse, Sinister G, has become a doubtful starter. Sinster G, who is training at Belmont Park, has been coughing for the last few days and his scheduled workout today has been postponed.

In order of earnings, this is the tentative Derby field: The Cliff’s Edge, Action This Day, Friends Lake, Smarty Jones, Tapit, Castledale, Limehouse, Lion Heart, Read The Footnotes, Wimbledon, Pollard’s Vision, Imperialism, Minister Eric, Birdstone, Borrego, Sinister G, Quintons Gold Rush, Value Plus, St Averil and Master David.

The status of St Averil, who is still based in California, will be determined by a workout this weekend.

The horses on the bubble, in order of earnings, are Song Of The Sword, Pro Prado, Eddington and Rock Hard Ten.

Rock Hard Ten, who won his first two starts, will be ridden by Pat Day for the first time in the one-mile Trial.

He’s the 3-5 morning-line favorite and drew the outside in a six-horse field.

“The horse has been training great,” trainer Jason Orman said. “It’s been frustrating, but it might be for the best.”

If Rock Hard Ten doesn’t make the Derby, he probably would run in the Preakness, the middle leg of the Triple Crown, at Pimlico on May 15.

Others running in the Trial are Quick Action, Sir Shackleton, Bwana Charlie, Honolua Storm and Courageous Act.