'DANGEROUS' STEPPENWOLFER
One of the most satisfying aspects of the
Arkansas Derby was seeing Steppenwolfer close for second and
earn a well-deserved spot in the Kentucky Derby field. Now that he
has the graded earnings to get in, he will be dangerous. He has
proven to be the most consistent closer of any 3-year-old on this
year's Derby trail, and it's no disgrace to be beaten by Lawyer
Ron. But watch out for this horse at 1 1/4 miles. It will be a
totally different scenario, and there will be no horse in the Derby
field with a better 10-furlong pedigree.
The son of Aptitude made a strong steady run from
11th before running into traffic at the five-sixteenths pole. Once
he found clear sailing he bounded away from the pack and took off
after Lawyer Ron and Private Vow, having only to catch the latter
to assure his place in the Derby. Lawyer Ron, as usual, was not to
be caught, but Steppenwolfer charged by Private Vow to finish a
clear second by 1 1/2 lengths. Despite the 13-horse field, Private
Vow finished 7 1/4 lengths ahead of the fourth-place finisher. This
was a case of the three classiest horses in the field displaying
their dominance over the others.
Date:
18 April 2006