Sizing up the new crop of 3-year-olds

The 133rd Kentucky Derby is 78 days away, but it certainly is not too early to have an opinion on who are the best 3-year-olds in the country.

Right now, Nobiz Like Shobiz deserves top billing. The son of Albert The Great has won three of four for owner-breeder Elizabeth Valando and trainer Barclay Tagg, who won the Derby and Preakness with Funny Cide in 2003. Nobiz Like Shobiz was much troubled in his lone defeat and, unlike many others in his class, is proven at 1 1/8 miles, having won the Remsen last Nov. 25 at Aqueduct.

He was workmanlike winning the Holy Bull in his 2007 bow Feb. 3 at Gulfstream Park and will remain there for the Fountain of Youth on March 3. The one concern is his habit of lugging in through the stretch, which he did again in the Holy Bull.

Here are seven other 3-year-olds who merit watching in the weeks leading up to the Derby on May 5 at Churchill Downs:

* Street Sense. Finished 2006 with a flourish, winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by 10 lengths while skimming the rail last Nov. 4 at Churchill. His four previous races had given no indication he was capable of that kind of performance and there are those who wonder if he ever will be again.

The 2-year-old champion has history to overcome, since no Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner has ever gone on to win the Kentucky Derby. He is scheduled to make his 3-year-old debut for owner-breeder James Tafel and Carl Nafzger in the Hutcheson on March 3 at Gulfstream.

* Ravel. The son of 2000 Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus was impressive, winning the 1 1/8 -mile Sham on Feb. 3 at Santa Anita in his first graded stakes appearance and looks like a colt who wants more distance.

Ravel and the talented filly Rags To Riches could give owners Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor a Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby sweep.

* Summer Doldrums. Like Street Sense, he is a son of Street Cry. Has won three of four around two turns, and, although he didn’t beat much in the Whirlaway last Saturday at Aqueduct, he did win impressively. Possesses tactical speed, can finish and seems capable of running with the big boys for trainer Rick Violette.

* Notional. Demonstrated he could win outside California for owner Paul Reddam and trainer Doug O’Neill when taking the Risen Star a week ago at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Now two for two in 2007 and wearing blinkers. The Risen Star followed a victory in the San Rafael at Santa Anita. How far he will run is the big question.

* Stormello. Winner of two graded stakes around two turns as a 2-year-old, the son of Stormy Atlantic is scheduled to make his 2007 debut against Nobiz Like Shobiz in the Fountain of Youth. Trained by Bill Currin, who bred and co-owns the chestnut with Al Eisman, Stormello is a fighter, having won the Norfolk and Hollywood Futurity by a neck last fall.

* Liquidity. One of three talented 3-year-olds -- along with Notional and Great Hunter -- owned by Reddam and trained by O’Neill, he finished a length behind Ravel in the Sham and was second to Stormello in the Hollywood Futurity. His sire, Tiznow, got better as he aged and the same could happen with this colt.

* Any Given Saturday. The Distorted Humor colt is scheduled to make his first start of the year in the Sam F. Davis today at Tampa Bay Downs. Won two of three as a 2-year-old and ran second in his only defeat, beaten by half a length by the unbeaten -- and since injured -- Tiz Wonderful in the Kentucky Jockey Club last November at Churchill Downs. A better Derby prospect for trainer Todd Pletcher than the more hyped Circular Quay.

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Latent Heat, who won the opening day Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, will seek his second consecutive victory at seven furlongs in the $150,000 San Carlos Handicap today at Santa Anita.

Trained by Bobby Frankel, who has six stakes wins through the first 38 days of the winter-spring season, Latent Heat will be ridden by Edgar Prado and will have 10 opponents in the Grade II. The 121-pound high-weight in the San Carlos is multiple stakes winner Siren Lure, who will have a new jockey in Richard Migliore.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com