"Still a Factor" - Derby Top 21 for March 21st

For all of the naysayers, myself included, The Factor proved himself a serious contender for the Derby in winning the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park Saturday.

The Factor. Photo: Alex Evers/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f/5, iso 400, 300mm.

The Factor (War Front) showed a dimension that we had not yet seen. Martin Garcia, trainer Bob Baffert's first call rider, was able to harness The Factor's speed. Breaking alertly, the colt was able to go to the front and set a reasonable pace. He coasted across the wire, 6 lengths in front of Caleb's Posse and Archarcharch. The question of whether The Factor could leave enough in the tank for the final furlong was clearly answered.

The Factor. Photo: Alex Evers/EquiSport Photos 1/800 @ f/3.2, iso 1000, 400mm.

Baffert seems to be weighing his many options with the colt, "Right now, I would say he’s going back to the Arkansas Derby. I could leave him at Santa Anita, but I don’t know."
With regards to Oaklawn Park, Baffert said after the race, “We love it here. As long as (The Factor) comes out of it well, I’m sure we will come back."

"THE WORD",  DERBY TOP 21 for 3.21.2011
Rank Horse (Sire)
1 UNCLE MO (Indian Charlie)
2 SOLDAT (War Front)
3 PREMIER PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus)
4 MUCHO MACHO MAN (Macho Uno)
5 STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini)
6 THE FACTOR (War Front)
7 ELITE ALEX (Afleet Alex)
8 DIALED IN (Mineshaft)
9 TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini)
10 JAYCITO (Victory Gallop)
11 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway)
12 ASTROLOGY (AP Indy)
13 GOURMET DINNER (Trippi)
14 ANTHONY'S CROSS (Indian Charlie)
15 ARCHARCHARCH (Arch)
16 BRETHREN (Distorted Humor)
17 JP'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal)
18 COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie)
19 FLASHPOINT (Pomeroy)
20 SILVER MEDALLION (Badge of Silver)
21 POSITIVE RESPONSE (Pomeroy)

Wendy and I are keeping an eye out for participants for Capture the Light - Equine Photography Workshop, presented by EquiSport Photos, May 3-5, 2011.
This is a great destination workshop in Lexington, Kentucky for beginning and intermediate photographers. Some of the great learning topics are outlined in our blog.


That's it for now... mw