Columnist Ralph Siraco: Derby contenders working their way to contention

Ralph Siraco

Monday, March 8, 2004 | 10:16 a.m.

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

The first spike in Derby fever for 2004 came over the weekend. And, another is expected this weekend as 17 of the 25 top contenders on the Daily Racing Form "Derby Watch" list are expected to change positions resulting from their recent performances.

Eight on the list took to the track over the weekend in two key Derby prep races. Nine more are waiting for this weekend's Florida Derby and Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita and the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

On Saturday, the San Rafael Stakes showcased the glamour division on Big Cap Day. Lion Heart, fifth on the Derby list before the race, was one of four Derby Watch contenders in the 1-mile Grade II event. The others included Quinton's Gold Rush (No. 12), Spellbinder (No. 22) and Lucky Pulpit (No. 24).

Lion Heart was making his much anticipated sophomore debut after a perfect 3-for-3 juvenile season. Although Lion Heart may have needed a race off a 2 1/2-month layoff, he may have been victimized in the race. A wide trip coupled with attending a fast pace sent Lion Heart to his first defeat. Imperialism came storming off the pace to tag Lion Heart nearing the finish. Quinton's Gold Rush, Spellbinder and Lucky Pulpit didn't hit the board.

Look for Imperialism, who has now reeled off two consecutive come-from-behind victories to push into the Derby Watch list.

The marquee race was Sunday at the Fair Grounds racetrack. The Louisiana Derby featured a full field of sophomores looking to gain passage to Louisville on the first Saturday in May. Gradepoint, who was seventh on the Derby Watch list, headed a foursome of list runners. The others for the 1 1/16th-mile race included Wimbledon (No. 17), Borrego (No. 18) and Fire Slam (No. 19).

This race was the first of the year to pit contenders from different parts of the country. Two California invaders wound up traveling more than 2,000 miles to battle each other for the victory in New Orleans. Wimbledon, trained by Bob Baffert, finished up strong to capture the $600,000 Louisiana Derby while Borrego also gave good account of the Golden State stock while runner up.

While several others disappointed their connections, no one could have been more discouraged by the outcome than trainer Neil Howard, who saddled favorite Gradepoint. Although the pace was fast, the come-from-behind runner did not fire. Jockey Robbie Albarado said Gradepoint was flat and never got into the race.

Baffert said that the slow developing Winbledon has now punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby. Borrego should have done the same while landing the first blow for the California contingent.

This weekend, nine others on the Derby Watch list will swing into action. The top seed on the list, Eurosilver, will race Saturday on the Florida Derby card at Gulfstream Park. However, it won't be in the marquee $1 million race. Eurosilver is pointing toward the Swale Stakes on the undercard.

Four Derby Watch runners go in the Florida Derby. Entered to compete in the 1 1/8th-mile centerpiece is Read The Footnotes (No. 3), Tapit (No. 9), The Cliff's Edge (No. 13) and Value Plus (No. 16). Read The Footnotes comes in fresh off a stirring victory in the Fountain Of Youth at the same South Florida track. Value Plus returns off an allowance victory while Tapit mak es his much awaited sophomore debut since his Laurel Futurity win last November as a juvenile.

On Sunday, the San Felipe at Santa Anita sees two on the list compete. Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Eclipse Award winner Action This Day (No. 4) returns with St. Averil (No. 10). Action This Day will try to improve over his sophomore debut. While in need of the outing, Action This Day finished fourth in the Feb. 8 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita.

Conversely, St. Averil comes into the 1 1/16th- mile Grade II event off a victory in the recent Santa Catalina Stakes over the same Santa Anita oval. It appears to be gut-check time for the Juvenile champ while St. Averil could put trainer Rafael Becerra on the national map.

Also on Sunday in Florida, the Tampa Bay Derby will renew with two others on Derby Watch list. Swingforthefences (No. 15) and Limehouse (No. 20) will put their credentials on the line in hopes of climbing the Derby Watch rung.

"Fever in the morning, fever all through the night." Patty Page must have been to the Derby.