Columnist Ralph Siraco: Finally, The Cliff’s Edge emerges as Derby favorite

Ralph Siraco

Monday, April 12, 2004 | 9:38 a.m.

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday and his Southern California selections run Tuesday-Sunday.

Until Saturday, this year's Kentucky Derby was wandering around like a lost child on New Year's Eve at the Las Vegas Strip. Just three weeks before its 130th edition, this Derby was extending the classified ad to fill the position as favorite. And, it had more horses on the grounds at Churchill Downs waiting to be one of the 20 limited runners than those who were ready to earn their way into the Run for the Roses racing in the three remaining major prep races scattered at Aqueduct, Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.

Finally, we have a favorite, we have contenders and we have those great stories of romance that stamp the Kentucky Derby as America's most famous horse race.

However, unlike other years, this Derby had to wait until the final three national prep races to fill those positions.

It started in New York at Aqueduct. The Wood Memorial showcased 11 3-year-olds with designs on Louisville. Promising runners such as Eddington, Swingforthefences, Master David and Tapit needed to finish in the top two positions of the 1 1/8-mile race to earn enough criteria money to make the Derby cut.

All but Eddington and Swingforthefences banked enough from the Grade I race to punch a ticket to the Kentucky Derby. Tapit launched a rally from last on the final turn to run down Master David and Eddington in capturing the $750,000 race. After the Florida Derby, trainer Michael Dickinson revealed that his gray son of Pulpit had come down with a lung infection to explain his dull sixth-place finish. Tapit is owned by Las Vegan Ronald Winchell whose father Vern H., founded Winchell's Donuts and owned Denny's restaurants.

The Wood Memorial has produced three Kentucky Derby winners since the turn of the century. Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000, Monarchos in 2001 and Funny Cide last year all had their final Derby preps in the Wood.

The Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland saved the Derby for the guy who was loaded for the May classic at the end of last year. Trainer Nick Zito had an embarrassment of riches in sophomores with the Derby in mind. But, as the year rolled on his Derby hopefuls rolled out. The two-time Derby winner had to withdraw Eurosilver because of an infection and declared his Birdstone on Friday because of a high white cell blood count.

That left The Cliff's Edge to carry the barn banner. Lion Heart -- the top rated Derby Watch Horse in the Daily Racing Form -- commanded favoritism in a field that included last year's Juvenile champ Action This Day,

Tampa Bay Derby winner Limehouse and San Felipe Stakes winner Preachinatthebar. After setting the pace throughout, Lion Heart yielded to The Cliff's Edge nearing the finish line of the 1 1 1/8-mile Grade I race while Limehouse was a distant third. The $750,000 race will send all three in-the-money runners to the Derby while The Cliff's Edge will enter the race with the best record over the Churchill Downs tan, having won both starts he's had at the track. In addition to the son of Gulch, Zito's Derby salvation could also include Birdstone which will now train up to the race.

The Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park provided not only the pre-race favorite but is certain to be the favorite story of the Kentucky Derby. Smarty Jones has come from nowhere to the threshold of the biggest payday of all -- if he wins the Kentucky Derby. Breaking from the outside post eleven in the 1 1/8-mile Hot Springs centerpiece, Smarty Jones rated just off the pace and pulled away from all challengers to win the $1 million Grade II Derby steppingstone.

Although the son of obscure sire Elusive Quality extended his career unbeaten streak to 6-for-6, Smarty Jones had zero criteria earnings for the Kentucky Derby before his victory at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. Now, Smarty Jones is in position to qualify for a $5 million bonus if he wins the run for the roses. As the winner of Oaklawn's Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, he needs only a Kentucky Derby score to s weep the bonus.

Smarty Jones began his career Nov. 9 at Philadelphia Park with a debut maiden victory and now sits as the Kentucky Derby favorite with a chance at banking the richest paycheck with a victory in the most famous race in America. His rider, Stewart Elliott, trainer John Servis and owners have never competed in a Kentucky Derby.

Finally, the Kentucky Derby has its favorite and may have a storybook ending, too. Oh, yeah, Smarty Jones is owned by a group called the Someday Farm. Now we wait to see if their day is the first Saturday in May.