Bobby Frankel is at it again, working wonders with a 3-year-old colt from his home base in California.
This time, Master David is the horse Frankel hopes will end his Kentucky Derby drought. The Hall of Fame trainer is 0-for-6 at the Derby, but at least he has got another shot on May 1.
Master David didn't win his first race in more than two months, but his promising runner-up effort to Tapit in Saturday's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York was proof enough he carries the necessary credentials to end up as the Derby favorite.
"I am happy with where we are," Frankel said.
Yes, Smarty Jones won Saturday's Arkansas Derby to remain unbeaten in six races, but Master David has faced tougher competition with consistent results and remains No. 1 on this week's Derby Prospects list.
The rest of the top 10 underwent a major reshuffling after the final major Derby preps Saturday, with Smarty Jones moving up to No. 2 and The Cliff's Edge hitting the chart at No. 3 with his victory over Lion Heart in the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
Master David has never been off the board in seven starts. The son of Grand Slam began his career on the grass in England, where he lost by a neck and then a nose before his first victory. In America, he finished second to Read the Footnotes in the Remsen at Aqueduct last November.
That's when Frankel took over for new owner Peter Minikes. The trainer with two runner-up Derby finishes - Empire Maker last year, Aptitude in 2000 - sent Master David out to a third-place finish in the Santa Catalina behind St Averil on Jan. 17. Three weeks later, the colt won the Sham Stakes.
A slight illness kept Master David out of the Florida Derby, but his run in the 1-mile Wood - he lost by a half-length and held off Eddington by a nose for second - gave every indication he's ready for a strong effort on Derby day.
The Derby field is limited to 20 horses. If more enter, only the top 20 graded stakes earners will start.
One last prep is set for Saturday - the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
The Derby would be the next stop for each prospect.
TOP 10
DERBY CONTENDERS
1. Master David (Bobby Frankel, trainer; Alex Solis, jockey) - Dug in gamely in Wood to hold on for second. ... Returns to Hollywood Park on Tuesday. ... Derby future wager odds (pool 3): 12-1.
2. Smarty Jones (John Servis; Stewart Elliott) -Will attempt to become first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977 and second Pennsylvania bred to win Derby (Lil E. Tee in '92 was the other). Odds: 10-1.
3. The Cliff's Edge (Nick Zito; Shane Sellers) - Zito's third-stringer came through, collaring Lion Heart in the stretch to take Blue Grass for his first win of the year. ... Odds: 16-1.
4. Borrego (Beau Greely; Victor Espinoza) - Cracks top 10 at right time after finishing second in Arkansas Derby, colt's third straight runner-up finish. ... Was second to Wimbledon in Louisiana Derby and to Master Davis in Sham. ... Odds: 16-1.
5. Friends Lake (John Kimmel; Richard Migliore) - Worked five furlongs in very slow 1:04 3/5 at Payson Park in Florida on Saturday. ... Florida Derby winner will be off seven weeks entering Derby. ... Odds: 22-1.
6. Lion Heart (Patrick Biancone; Mike Smith) -Strong in Blue Grass stretch, losing by just a half-length. ... 3-for-3 last year, two runner-ups this year. ... Odds: 16-1.
7. Read the Footnotes (Rick Violette Jr.; Bailey) - Will be Violette's first Derby starter. ... Winner of five of seven races, including Fountain of Youth. ... Faded to fourth in Florida Derby last time out. ... Odds: 17-1.
8. Imperialism (Kristin Mulhall; Espinoza) - Won San Vicente and San Rafael before being cut off in the stretch in Santa Anita Derby and finishing third (moved up to second after runner-up Rock Hard Ten was DQ'd and placed third for interference). ... Odds 15-1.
9. Tapit (Michael Dickinson; Ramon Dominguez) -Overcame lung infection and ran down leaders to take Wood by half-length. ... Has won three of four career starts, and is trying to become first Derby winner off just two 3-year-old starts since Sunny's Halo in 1983. Odds: 23-1.
10. Wimbledon (Bob Baffert; Javier Santiago) -Looks like Baffert's only shot. ... Enters Derby off fifth-place finish in Santa Anita Derby. Odds: 16-1.
** Keep in mind: Birdstone, Castledale, Limehouse, Pollard's Vision, Preachinatthebar.
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This time, Master David is the horse Frankel hopes will end his Kentucky Derby drought. The Hall of Fame trainer is 0-for-6 at the Derby, but at least he has got another shot on May 1.
Master David didn't win his first race in more than two months, but his promising runner-up effort to Tapit in Saturday's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York was proof enough he carries the necessary credentials to end up as the Derby favorite.
"I am happy with where we are," Frankel said.
Yes, Smarty Jones won Saturday's Arkansas Derby to remain unbeaten in six races, but Master David has faced tougher competition with consistent results and remains No. 1 on this week's Derby Prospects list.
The rest of the top 10 underwent a major reshuffling after the final major Derby preps Saturday, with Smarty Jones moving up to No. 2 and The Cliff's Edge hitting the chart at No. 3 with his victory over Lion Heart in the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
Master David has never been off the board in seven starts. The son of Grand Slam began his career on the grass in England, where he lost by a neck and then a nose before his first victory. In America, he finished second to Read the Footnotes in the Remsen at Aqueduct last November.
That's when Frankel took over for new owner Peter Minikes. The trainer with two runner-up Derby finishes - Empire Maker last year, Aptitude in 2000 - sent Master David out to a third-place finish in the Santa Catalina behind St Averil on Jan. 17. Three weeks later, the colt won the Sham Stakes.
A slight illness kept Master David out of the Florida Derby, but his run in the 1-mile Wood - he lost by a half-length and held off Eddington by a nose for second - gave every indication he's ready for a strong effort on Derby day.
The Derby field is limited to 20 horses. If more enter, only the top 20 graded stakes earners will start.
One last prep is set for Saturday - the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.
The Derby would be the next stop for each prospect.
TOP 10
DERBY CONTENDERS
1. Master David (Bobby Frankel, trainer; Alex Solis, jockey) - Dug in gamely in Wood to hold on for second. ... Returns to Hollywood Park on Tuesday. ... Derby future wager odds (pool 3): 12-1.
2. Smarty Jones (John Servis; Stewart Elliott) -Will attempt to become first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977 and second Pennsylvania bred to win Derby (Lil E. Tee in '92 was the other). Odds: 10-1.
3. The Cliff's Edge (Nick Zito; Shane Sellers) - Zito's third-stringer came through, collaring Lion Heart in the stretch to take Blue Grass for his first win of the year. ... Odds: 16-1.
4. Borrego (Beau Greely; Victor Espinoza) - Cracks top 10 at right time after finishing second in Arkansas Derby, colt's third straight runner-up finish. ... Was second to Wimbledon in Louisiana Derby and to Master Davis in Sham. ... Odds: 16-1.
5. Friends Lake (John Kimmel; Richard Migliore) - Worked five furlongs in very slow 1:04 3/5 at Payson Park in Florida on Saturday. ... Florida Derby winner will be off seven weeks entering Derby. ... Odds: 22-1.
6. Lion Heart (Patrick Biancone; Mike Smith) -Strong in Blue Grass stretch, losing by just a half-length. ... 3-for-3 last year, two runner-ups this year. ... Odds: 16-1.
7. Read the Footnotes (Rick Violette Jr.; Bailey) - Will be Violette's first Derby starter. ... Winner of five of seven races, including Fountain of Youth. ... Faded to fourth in Florida Derby last time out. ... Odds: 17-1.
8. Imperialism (Kristin Mulhall; Espinoza) - Won San Vicente and San Rafael before being cut off in the stretch in Santa Anita Derby and finishing third (moved up to second after runner-up Rock Hard Ten was DQ'd and placed third for interference). ... Odds 15-1.
9. Tapit (Michael Dickinson; Ramon Dominguez) -Overcame lung infection and ran down leaders to take Wood by half-length. ... Has won three of four career starts, and is trying to become first Derby winner off just two 3-year-old starts since Sunny's Halo in 1983. Odds: 23-1.
10. Wimbledon (Bob Baffert; Javier Santiago) -Looks like Baffert's only shot. ... Enters Derby off fifth-place finish in Santa Anita Derby. Odds: 16-1.
** Keep in mind: Birdstone, Castledale, Limehouse, Pollard's Vision, Preachinatthebar.
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