With a broad field of contenders, Kentucky Derby 2007 promises to be an exciting race. Although Curlin and Street Sense are the morning line favorites, I like Scat Daddy’s chances. Here’s what he has going for him:
1. The Florida Derby G1 win in his last start. Barbaro came into the Kentucky Derby after winning the Florida Derby.
2. Scat Daddy is one of only four Grade 1 stakes winners in the 20-horse field and he’s won two of the events- the Florida Derby and the Champagne Stakes.
3.He’s won at three different tracks and he put forth a good effort at Churchill Downs last fall, finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
4. He’s won two races running four-wide, including the Fountain of Youth G2, where he came from the back of the field to win by a nose.
5. He’s already beaten some of the best of the Derby field and was a game second to Circular Quay in the Hopeful G1, despite a rocky start.
6. He’ll be ridden by Edgar Prado, last year’s winning rider on Barbaro. Prado rode Scat Daddy for the first time in the Florida Derby.
7. He’ll be saddled by Todd Pletcher, the nation’s top trainer for the past three years (Pletcher has four others in the field, as well).
8. He’s handled lots of traffic with 5 wins in 8 starts, plus one second and a third.
9. He broke his maiden with a 5 1/4-length winning margin on a muddy track and rain is in the forecast for the Churchill Downs area on Friday and Saturday.
That said, Street Sense makes a lot of sense, too. How about an exacta box – Scat Daddy and Street Sense. Add Circular Quay for the trifecta.