
Power Rankings: Owen Almighty Enters Derby Top 10 after Tampa Tour de Force
The last chance for a 3-year-old to earn his way into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve takes place Saturday in the form of the Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. With the winner getting 20 qualifying points for a berth in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby, the Grade 3 Lexington could hold the ticket to a Derby start for Hades, who has 30 points and would move into the 15th spot with a victory.
1. Secret Chat (15-1): Has yet to be tested in graded stakes company and keeps running into trouble at the start of races. With a clean trip, could sneak into the picture from the rail.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Roderick Rodriguez
2. The Wine Steward (5-2): Was a top 2-year-old last year but hasn’t raced since finishing a promising second in the Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland in October. If he’s fit enough, he certainly has the class to be a main threat.
JOCKEY: Luis Saez; TRAINER: Mike Maker
3. Dilger (12-1): Comes off a maiden win by a nose, but the speed figure was impressive. If that was a sign he’s on the upswing and is capable of a similar effort, he can surely make his presence felt.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Saffie Joseph Jr.
4. Footprint (10-1): Has some late speed and is coming a good second on all-weather in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park. Will be helped if the pace is brutal, but that seems unlikely.
JOCKEY: Brian J. Hernandez Jr.; TRAINER: Ken McPeek
5. Hades (7-2): Lost all chance at the break in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa and never fired. Returns quickly hoping to get a spot in the Kentucky Derby and his unbeaten record before his last start paints him as the one to catch and beat here.
JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz; TRAINER: Joe Orseno
6. How’s Ur Attitude (30-1): A maiden winner on the all-weather Tapeta surface, he has yet to race on dirt and faces a tough challenge here.
JOCKEY: Adam Beschizza; TRAINER: John Ennis
7. Everdoit (30-1): His last try in a graded stakes was an eighth in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby. We’ll pass.
JOCKEY: Axel Concepcion; TRAINER: Kevin Rice
8. Encino (5-1): Makes his first start on dirt after winning the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park on a synthetic surface. Comes from a top outfit and has the breeding (by Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist out of a Bernardini mare) to handle dirt. Cannot be ignored.
JOCKEY: Florent Geroux; TRAINER: Brad Cox
9. Liberal Arts (4-1): Was rank and never fired in the Arkansas Derby. Returns in two weeks with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle and will be dangerous on his best try.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Robert Medina
10. Lucky Jeremy (8-1): Has a nice turn of speed which will help offset the outside post. Returns to dirt and could make his presence felt if the pace is reasonable.
JOCKEY: Gerardo Corrales; TRAINER: William Morey
THE PICK: Hades
LIVE LONGSHOT: Dilger
SUPERFECTA: 5-8-2-3