Yahoo News: High Fly soars to No. 1 in Derby Top 10 list

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- The winner's circle routine for Nick Zito features smiles, leaps, handshakes, hugs and kisses. And then he pours on the praise, thanking everyone and everything that had anything to do with his most recent success.

The trainer was at it again after High Fly won Saturday's Florida Derby and stablemate Noble Causeway finished second in their final preps before the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

``I had a lot of help this week,'' Zito said Sunday morning outside his barn at Gulfstream Park. ``Look at the weather. Last week it was 94 degrees -- that's too hot for Florida in March. I've said High Fly's tough in cooler weather, and I'm really proud of the way Noble Causeway ran in his first stakes race.''

A cool, breezy day arrived just in time for the $1 million Florida Derby, allowing High Fly to soar to a 1 1/2 -length victory and move to No. 1 in this week's Run to the Roses Top 10.

``The horses came out of it great,'' Zito said.

High Fly and Noble Causeway were off to Keenelend in Lexington, Ky., on Sunday, and Zito hopes to move them to Churchill Downs later in the week.

Tests for the contagious strangles infection are ongoing, and horses leaving Florida still need medical clearance before arriving at certain tracks, including Aqueduct and Belmont in New York and Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Zito's three other Derby hopefuls already are at Churchill Downs preparing for their final preps. Tampa Bay Derby winner Sun King, who drops to No. 2 this week, is set for the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 16, and Andromeda's Hero will run in either the Arkansas Derby on April 16 or the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland a week later. Bellamy Road is scheduled to run in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on Saturday, pending test results.

Although High Fly did not beat a stellar field, the chestnut colt won his second straight 1 1/8-mile race with authority under Jerry Bailey. With five wins in six starts, including three stakes victories at Gulfstream, High Fly is likely to be among the Derby favorites.

The prep season heats up Saturday with the Santa Anita Derby and the Wood.

-- The filly Sweet Catomine could face as many as 11 male rivals in the Santa Anita Derby, including Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Wilko, Don't Get Mad and Giacomo.

-- Trainer D. Wayne Lukas sends San Miguel Stakes and Sham Stakes winner Going Wild to meet New York's best in the Wood, including Gotham winner Survivalist.

-- Trainer Ken McPeek said Sunday he plans to run Kansas City Boy -- seventh in the Louisiana Derby -- in Saturday's Illinois Derby.

Also:

-- Thor's Echo beat Southern Africa in the $500,000 WinStar Derby on Saturday. Both horses, as well as third-place finisher Sort It Out -- trained by Bob Baffert -- are nominated for the Triple Crown races.

This week's top 10, with Derby future wager odds (set March 12):

1. High Fly (Nick Zito, trainer; Jerry Bailey, jockey): Moves to head of the class after Florida Derby win ... Will train up to the Derby after fifth win in six races ... Next start: Kentucky Derby (May 7) ... Odds: 21-1.

2. Sun King (Zito, Edgar Prado): Needs to beat strong field to regain top billing ... Next start: Blue Grass (April 16) ... Odds: 10-1.

3. Rockport Harbor (John Servis, Stewart Elliott): Skipped workout Saturday with undisclosed ailment that has nothing to do with now healthy right rear hoof ... Racing status is shaky .... Next start: Arkansas Derby (April 16) ... Odds: 14-1.

4. Sweet Catomine (Julio Canani, Corey Nakatani): Tuning up for first test against the boys ... Had sharp five-furlong workout (59.60) last Monday ... Next start: Santa Anita Derby (Saturday) ... Odds: 16-1.

5. Consolidator (D. Wayne Lukas, Rafael Bejarano): Out to prove San Felipe win was no fluke ... Worked five furlongs in 1:00.00 at Churchill Downs on Sunday ... Next start: Blue Grass ... Odds: 44-1.

6. High Limit (Bobby Frankel, Ramon Dominguez): Settled in at Churchill Downs ... Worked five furlongs in 1:02.20 ... Will have just four races going into Derby ... Next start: Blue Grass ... Odds: 9-1.

7. Noble Causeway (Zito, Prado): Moves in after superb runner-up finish in Florida Derby in stakes debut ... Could be really tough in 1 1/4 -mile Derby ... Next start: Kentucky Derby ... Odds: 18-1.

8. Greater Good (Bob Holthus, John McKee): Worked five furlongs at Oaklawn Park in leisurely 1:04.40 ... Looking for Southwest-Rebel-Arkansas Derby sweep, just like Smarty Jones ... Next start: Arkansas Derby ... Odds: 28-1.

9. Survivalist (Shug McGaughey, Richard Migliore): Worked four furlongs in 51.82 at Belmont Park last week ... Needs solid effort to stay on Derby trail ... Next start: Wood Memorial (Saturday) ... Odds: 6-1 (mutuel field).

10. Bandini (Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez): Missed Florida Derby with bruised hoof, but a two-week wait won't hurt ... Next start: Blue Grass ... Odds: 14-1.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Afleet Alex, Bellamy Road, Don't Get Mad, Galloping Grocer, Going Wild.