Columnist Ralph Siraco: Full house is probable for Derby

Ralph Siraco

Monday, April 12, 1999 | 10:45 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday through Friday on the scoreboard page. Write to him c/o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107.

The road to this year's Kentucky Derby is going through some serious widening after the results of Saturday's final major three prep races for America's most famous horse race.

The Wood Memorial, the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes did anything but pare the crowded field of hopefuls for the 125th renewal of the "Run for the Roses."

There is no doubt that the rule limiting the Derby field to just 20 starters will be exercised this year.

Ironically, the two most consistent performers of this sophomore class -- Silverbulletday and Excellent Meeting -- are both fillies.

They will likely go in their division's counterpart to the Derby -- the Kentucky Oaks -- on the Friday afternoon before Derby day.

So excluding Silverbulletday and Excellent Meeting, here are the top 20 possible Derby-bound runners as of today:

Answer Lively: Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and Eclipse Award winner has disappointed in four starts as a 3-year-old. After just missing by a head in the Louisiana Derby, finished off the board in the Arkansas Derby.

Cat Thief: The most accomplished non-winner this year; third in the Hutcheson, second in the Fountain Of Youth and third in the Florida Derby, finished second in Saturday's Blue Grass.

Vicar: No respect after winning the Florida Derby and Fountain Of Youth. Didn't fire in Saturday's Blue Grass, finishing third.

General Challenge: Trainer Bob Baffert's No. 1 gun. The Santa Anita Derby winner also garnered the Santa Catalina earlier this year at Santa Anita.

Menifee: The Blue Grass was a turnaround for this Elliot Walden trainee. He has four wins and one second in five career starts and is certainly peaking at the right time.

Stephen Got Even: The Gallery Furniture.com Stakes winner may lack seasoning, but he is in the hands of trainer Nick Zito, who has won two Derbies this decade. Son of A.P. Indy has potential.

Prime Timber: Baffert's "other" Derby contender. Runner-up to stablemate General Challenge in the Santa Anita Derby.

Kimberlite Pipe: Claim to fame to date was a victory in the Louisiana Derby.

Adonis: Won Saturday's Wood Memorial with the fourth fastest time in the 75 runnings of the event after jockey Jorge Chavez suggested a change to blinkers.

Valhol: Broke his maiden with a victory in Saturday's Arkansas Derby.

Three Ring: This talented filly will carry the banner in the event Silverbulletday and Excellet Meeting don't run.

Aly's Alley: Has lost a lot of luster since his photo-finish runner-up effort to Answer Lively in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

The Groom Is Red: Dull effort in the Wood Memorial may cancel Louisville trip.

Worldly Manner: Victories in the Grade III Best Pal and Grade I Del Mar Futurity led to a $5 million purchase by Arabian aristocrat. Has been training in Dubai and has the potential to pull off a Derby win.

Certain: Second to maiden-breaker in Arkansas Derby. Has had golden trips in last three outings without no results.

Desert Hero: Changed trainers after brilliant victory in San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita. Has ability despite stable change and lack of experience.

First American: Won Grade III Flamingo Stakes against soft group in last.

Lemon Drop Kid: No threat in Blue Grass Stakes. May be time to "Drop" the Kid unless he makes a complete turnaround in training at Churchill.

Epic Honor: Won Golden State Mile and Golden Gate Derby; third most recently in Gallery Furniture.com Stakes.

Cliqout: Third in the Wood. Lack of seasoning is biggest drawback.