Steve Haskin's Derby Dozen - January 28, 2014
Cairo Prince Kiaran McLaughlin
Pioneerof the Nile—Holy Bubbette, by Holy Bull
The key formula for selecting a No. 1 horse is running style plus temperament plus pedigree plus class at 2 and showing improvement at 3. Based on that, I have little choice but to put this colt on top right now after what we saw in the Holy Bull and the number of good horses he not only beat but dominated. His action isn’t the smoothest, but he runs perfectly straight and is extremely professional and although there isn’t great extension to his stride he still generates a lot of power. One can say the Holy Bull did more to flatter Honor Code, who is a striking individual on all fronts, but Honor Code is just back breezing now while Cairo Prince is already proven at 3. And Honor Code was getting six pounds from Cairo Prince in the Remsen, and that’s a lot going 1 1/8 miles; certainly enough in a finish that close. He also was giving the runner-up six pounds in the Holy Bull. All in all he’s a solid choice, he’s improving, but doesn’t have much more to improve, and it’s about time for the Derby gods to smile down on McLaughlin.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/kentucky-derby-dozen/archive/2014/01/28/derby-dozen-january-28-2014-presented-by-shadwell-farm.aspx#ixzz2ro4wooPO
I like a horse named Ironicus. He's not on the radar yet but I think he will be. He's a Distorted Humor out of an A P Indy mare and is as well bred as any horse out there. He's owned by Stuart Janney III aand trained by Shug McGaughey. He might be worth a Derby Future bet at the right odds. - tgs