Your top 3 picks for the Kentucky Derby this year?

Like you said, Its way to early and a lot of the good ones havent even won any graded stakes money yet. Lets put it this way: If the derby was to be run this Sat. Feb.11 and with what we have so far my top 3 would be .

1. Union Rags

2. Creative Cause

3. Discreet Dancer

Fostitude, don't count out Bo-Rail! Also, Johnny V. Ramon Dominguez, Leparoux, etc.

Algorithms has a great pedigree for the distance. You can read his pedigree profile here: http://www.ironmaidensthoroughbreds.com/

Alpha also has a good pedigree for the distance, but he needs to grow mentally.

Creative Cause has the pedigree for 1 1/4 miles, hopefully he'll move forward this year.

Union Rags' pedigree is borderline for 1 1/4 miles. His sire, Dixie Union never produced a stakes winner past 1 1/8 miles, but all it takes is one. His pedigree profile as well as Hansen, Mr. Bowling, and more are here: http://www.ironmaidensthoroughbreds.com/Articles.h...

You can also find more pedigree profiles at HorseRacingNation.com

It's still way too early to be looking for Derby horses. plenty can happen in 3 months. Thanks for posting the question though 'cause I always have fun talkin' Derby!

1- Union Rags (Dixie Union / Tempo by Gone West) He was my win pick in 2011 Saratoga Special. He's amazingly fast, best young closer I've seen..last out he got a really bad trip so I will overlooked that. Union Rags is due to race soon, in a couple weeks, really looking forward to that. Plus, I really respect Michael Matz he's a great trainer with integrity.

2- Smart Ellis (Smarty Jones / Corrazona by El Gran Senor) Taking a stab here, for personal reasons, for I feel this horse (in my opinion) has great potential. With his early speed he may be able to overcome the 20 horse field wire to wire. I loved his sire Smarty Jones..one of my favorites.

3- My Miss Aurelia- (Smart Strike - My Miss Storm Cat by Sea of Secrets) I have to get my filly in there..lol..she was the 2 year Female Champion for 2011. My Miss Aurelia, is undefeated in three previous starts, captured the title with a solid 3-length victory and impressive enough to warrant a try against males in my opinion.

Honorable Mention- Secret Circle - (Eddington -Ragtime Hope by Dixieland Band) Bred in Kentucky. I don't know there just something special to me about this horse, I like him.. Secret Circle attended wicked splits in the BC Juvenile Sprint and had just enough left to hold off overseas filly Shumoos (remember that)? Awesome. Also, he has some awesome works lately too. I'm keeping my eye on him.

Early as you stated, many races yet leading up to the Derby, so we shall see as time goes on..plus we'll probably here of some other names topping the list soon.

Great Horse Racing Question..love it. :)

I would pick Alpha, because I just saw him win a major stake last weekend ( forgot the name of the race). After that, Union Rags is one of my contenders, and so is Secret Circle.

MIKE SMITH

EDGAR PRADO

CORNELIO VELASQUEZ