Who is your top Kentucky Derby contender? Part II.

[moses]

Originally Posted by knickslions2

This is a nice complicated race for sure like derby should be. Hot Rod Charlie looks to be sitting on a big one and ONeill knows how to win this race. Would rather Rosario then Prat. Essential Quality is a winner and I loved his last gutty win against a real tough horse in highly motivated who had everything go his way. Known Agenda is at top form but pletcher always concerns me in derby as I feel his horses tend to peak in preps to get into derby but should get a nice setup in this race. Rock your world looked awesome in Santa Anita race and distance shouldn’t be a concern. One race only on dirt and this race should be quick up front. As for the rest most look the same but will watch works and look closer as derby gets here.

Hot Rod Charlie has me mixed because I really just don't know how good any of those Fair Grounds horses are. Mandaloun didn't show up in the Louisiana Derby and Proxy needed a break, I think. Midnight Bourbon is an alright horse, I guess but I'm not sold on him as a legitimate derby horse. Then again, Hot Rod Charlie ran pretty well off the layoff in the Robert Lewis and ran even better in the Louisiana Derby, so maybe he is going to run even bigger on May 1. Hard to know.