Early Derby Favorite Offers Hope to California

Even though a lot can -- and will -- change between now and the Kentucky Derby on May 6, the leading contender for the world’s most famous race is a California bred.

Of the 131 Derby winners, only three have been bred in California. Decidedly was the last, winning by 2 1/4 lengths under Willie Hartack in 1962. The others were Morvich in 1922 and Swaps in 1955.

Now comes Brother Derek, a son of Benchmark who deserves to be No. 1 on any list of Derby hopefuls.

Unlike some of his classmates, Brother Derek is proved around two turns, having won the Norfolk and Hollywood Futurity as a 2-year-old, and then the San Rafael on Jan. 14 in what was his first start of 2006.

One of his victims that day was Stevie Wonderboy, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner last fall who has since been knocked off the Triple Crown trail because of a hairline fracture.

Brother Derek is scheduled to make his next start in the $200,000 Santa Catalina Stakes on March 4 at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old is trained by Dan Hendricks for Canadian oilman Cecil Peacock.

Here’s a look at the rest of the current top 10 Derby hopefuls:

2. Barbaro. The son of Dynaformer is unbeaten for trainer Michael Matz, winning his debut on a dirt track in the Holy Bull this month at Gulfstream Park. Of course, that race was run over a sloppy track, so it remains to be seen if he’ll do as well on a fast surface.

However, he already has demonstrated plenty of class and the feeling is he will handle whatever challenge is thrown his way.

3. First Samurai. Unbeaten before the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last Oct. 29, he has now lost two in a row, including a decisive loss in the Hutcheson in his first start of the year. However, the son of Giant’s Causeway should improve for trainer Frank Brothers, although he still has to show he can win around two turns. All of his victories in 2005 were around one turn.

4. Private Vow. The son of Broken Vow won the Kentucky Jockey Club around two turns last fall at Churchill Downs and acts like a colt who will run for trainer Steve Asmussen. Purchased for $180,000 last spring at Keeneland, he has won four of six for owner Mike McCarty and will probably make his 2006 debut in the $300,000 Fountain Of Youth on March 4 at Gulfstream.

5. Bluegrass Cat. One of many talented 3-year-olds in the barn of Todd Pletcher, Bluegrass Cat will make his first start of the year in the $125,000 Sam Davis Stakes on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, which is a prep for the $250,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 18. Perfect in three starts since joining the Pletcher stable, the son of Storm Cat already has a victory at 1 1/8 miles. He won the Remsen last Nov. 26 at Aqueduct.

6. Keyed Entry. Another Pletcher-trained horse, he has demonstrated brilliant speed in his three victories, the first coming at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., followed by consecutive victories at Gulfstream. In his most recent, on Feb. 4, he broke the track record for 7 1/2 lengths in beating First Samurai at Gulfstream.

He’s by Honour And Glory, so distance is a question. He’ll probably get his first crack at two turns in the Rebel next month at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

7. Achilles Of Troy. A son of Notebook owned by Ernie Paragallo and trained by Jennifer Pedersen, the gray hasn’t beaten much in New York but has been visually impressive in his last three victories. He won those races over Aqueduct’s inner track by a combined 23 1/4 lengths, including a 4 3/4 -length decision in the Whirlaway last Saturday. He will get a sterner test when he returns in the $200,000 Gotham on March 18.

8. Point Determined. This son of Point Given has only a maiden victory to his credit and has yet to win a stakes race, but he does look like a colt who’s only going to get better with experience and more distance. He was beaten by One Union, who has since gone to the shelf because of an injury, in his first start against winners. However, the race was only a mile and that clearly is not his best trip. He is owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, who won the Derby with Silver Charm in 1997 and again with Charismatic two years later, and is trained by Bob Baffert, who has won the race three times (Silver Charm, Real Quiet and War Emblem).

9. Bob and John. The son of Seeking The Gold is improving with racing but has been beating up on weak fields. He’s likely to get a tougher test in the $250,000 San Felipe Stakes on March 18 at Santa Anita. Baffert trains for Bob and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable.

10. Cause To Believe. Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, this gray is better than given credit for and, although most see him as a late-running sprinter, he did win the El Camino Real Derby in his last start at Bay Meadows. The son of Maria’s Mon didn’t beat much that day. The favorite in the race was the overrated A.P. Warrior. Still, a colt who has not been worse than second in seven starts cannot be dismissed.