Blog of a Horse Racing Enthusiast

Carpe Diem is another contender out of Todd Pletcher's stable. He's never finished lower than second and won the G1 Breeders Futurity, G2 Tampa Bay Derby, and G1 Blue Grass Stakes. Carpe Diem is currently working out under jockey John Velazquez and, so far, Pletcher likes what he sees.

American Pharoah is a Pioneerof The Nile colt trained by Bob Baffert. He's the winner of the G1 Del Mar Futurity, G1 FrontRunner, G2 Rebel Stakes, and, most recently, the G1 Arkansas Derby.

Itsaknockout is a Todd Pletcher trained colt who won his first three races, including a victory in the G2 Fountain of Youth. He finished 4th in the G1 Florida Derby, but has a enough points to make a Run for the Roses. Itsaknockout is currently working out in Florida with G1 Hopeful Stakes winner Competitive Edge in preparation for the Derby.

Firing Line is a Simon Callaghan trained horse ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. After two places in the G1 Los Alamitos Futurity and G2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Firing Line won the G3 Sunland Derby and is working out at Churchill Downs in anticipation for May 2.

Dubai Sky is a Candy Ride sired colt trained by Bill Mott. He's never finished out of the money, winning his last 5 races, including the G3 Spiral at Turfway Park. Unfortunately, as part of a routine gallop at Churchill Downs, he sustained a cannon bone fracture in his left hind leg April 4 and is off the Derby trail.

War Story is a gelding sired by Northern Afleet and trained by Thomas Amoss. In 5 races he's never finished out of the money, with his most recent being a show in the G2 Louisiana Derby. He's currently working out at Churchill Downs for an expected run on the first Saturday in May.

Maftool is a Hard Spu and With Intention colt trained by Saeed bin Suroor. Maftool broke slowly in his debut on turf last July, but closed to get second behind stablemate Super Kid. He won his next race and followed that up with a place and a win in the G3 Sirenia Stakes and G3 Tattersall Sakes respectively. 2015 has been good to Maftool where, in three races, he's never finished out of the money.

Ami's Flatter is a Josie Carroll trained colt who finished 3rd in the Florida Derby. However, connections to the horse informed Churchill Downs they'll seek a Canadian Triple Crown and pass on the Kentucky Derby.

Stanford is a Malibu Moon sired colt trained by Todd Pletcher. He placed in the G2 Louisiana Derby and should have enough points to make a Run for the Roses in Kentucky.

Conquest Typhoon is a Stormy Atlantic and Swanky Bubbles colt trained by Mark Casse. While he's a fun horse to watch with several graded stakes finishes in the money, his connections have decided not to target the Kentucky Derby. We'll keep you updated on if that plan changes for either the Preakness or the Belmont.