This past weekend we witnessed three major preps for the derby headed by the GR-1 SA Derby and the GR-1 Wood Memorial. Also on the lineup was the GR-3 IL Derby.

Most of the attention was on the GR-1 Wood  to see how last year's two year old champion Halfling would perform in his second and most important start of the year. There had been some doubts and concerns buzzing around the HRP community. Some were wondering if he had fallen behind others on the derby path and the question was could he regain his two year old form. He did not disappoint his fans.

Going into the GR-1 Wood Halflings highest SRF figure in a route race was a 92 which he had accomplished in his previous three starts. To be considered up there with Crown Heights, Risen Ruler and Mai Mia Bambina, Halfling needed a big run. You like to see an increase in the speed figure as the distances increases. In finishing the 9f event in 1:49.28 Halfling recorded a 97 SRF speed figure which places him right up there at the top with other major contenders. The win was just what Triple K stables wish for. More importantly the performance is what counts. This was the type of run needed for both fitness and confidence leading up to the derby. Be cause of this performance Halfling breaks into the Top Five.

Over at SA a field of eight gathered for the GR-1 SA Derby headed by 30wests Flyflyfly the Sham Stakes and San Felipe Stakes winner. Flyflyfly was sent off as the favorite however it would be Out Of The Park (Team 7 Illusions) who would take the victory in the GR-1 9f event. Covering the distance in 1:49.99 Out Of The Park earned a 96 SRF speed figure, the best of his career. This was an increase in his figure from his previous start a second place finish in the GR-2 Lewis Stakes where he missed by just a nose toe Risen Ruler. Out Of The Park is yet another who looks to be shaping up well going into the derby. He seems to be a horse that is always coming and it appears the longer the better. Flyflyfly was somewhat disappointing as he did not look to have that something extra in the stretch. Good sign is he did not quite and his number slightly regressed to a 95 SRF however since his 97 performance in the 8.5f Sham Stakes he had a slight regression in two straight races and it may be an area of concern. The thinking is he will have to get better to take the derby but it is within reach if he can reverse this downward trend.

Of note in the SA Derby was the finish of 19-1 shot Born A Banana (Pumpkin Racing) who briefly had the lead in the stretch put up a huge run. Was this was a wakeup call, his numbers leading into the SA Derby gave no hint of this potential. His best number was a 91 in an ALW race his previous start. His only previous stakes start was a sixth place finish at RET back  in October. Born A Banana was gelded before the SA Derby could this be the reason for the sudden change in form? We will have to see how he performs in his next start, chances are he may not make the derby which may be a blessing in disguise because if can improve then perhaps we will see him in the PRK Stakes.

Over at Haw racecourse  Montepulciano (Alabarda Stable) captured the GR-3 IL Derby in a tight three way finish. Montepulciano was sent off as odds on favorite in the field of six. The final time was 1:49.79 and earned the winner a 95 SRF speed figure . The win was Montepulcianos fifth win in nine lifetime start. It was also his third graded stakes win in his last four starts. It was a good solid performance that looks to set him up well for the 1-1/4m derby distance.

Based on these performances there are some shakeups in the top ten and is reflected in the Top Five list though the top three remain the same.

SRF Top Five 3yo's

								SRF
DATE	TRK	Grade	Purse	Race Name	Dist	Sfc	Time	SR	Winner/Place
4/9/2011	AQU	GR-1	$1,000.00	Wood Mem	1-1/8m	fst	1:49.28	97	Halfling, Iditarod Diademe
4/9/2011	SA	GR-1	$1,000.00	SA Derby	1-1/8m	fst	1:49.99	96	OutOfThePrk, BrnAbanana
4/9/2011	HAW	GR-3	$250.00	IL Derby	1-1/8m	fst	1:49.79	95	Monteplciano, Team Spirit
4/9/2011	AQU	GR-3	$200.00	Bay Shore	7f	fst	1:22.74	96	Seven Reasns, EchoOfDrknss
4/3/2011	GP	GR-1	$1,000.00	FL Derby	1-1/8m	fst	1:48.92	100	Crown Heights, Jamcn Bolt
3/27/2011	SUN	GR-3	$800.00	SUN Derby	1-1/8m	fst	1:49.22	96	Risen Ruler, Fnd duLacRiver
3/26/2011	FG	GR-2	$1,000.00	LA Derby	1-1/8m	fst	1:49.27	97	MaiMia Bambina, Alien Drive
3/26/2011	TP	GR-3	$500.00	Vinery St	1-1/8m	fst	1:50.20	95	Suave n Dbnre, Soviet Flash
3/26/2011	TP	NG-3y	$100.00	Rushaway St	1-1/16m	fst	1:44.01	95	Babayin, CosmicNNsty
3/19/2011	OP	GR-2	$300.00	The Rebel	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.59	93	Sabers Edge,Thrlng Star
3/12/2011	TAM	GR-2	$350.00	TAM Derby	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.77	96	EightAlarmFire, MLK
3/12/2011	SA	GR-2	$250.00	San Felipe St	1-1/16m	fst	1:44.46	96	Flyflyfly, Alexithymia
3/5/2011	AQU	GR-3	$250.00	The Gotham	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.58	94	Tropical Ldge, Star Bet
3/5/2011	TP	NG-3y	$100.00	BtglMemrial	1-1/16m	fst	1:44.90	92	NY Minute, Endorsemnt
2/26/2011	GP	GR-2	$400.00	FountainOfYth	1-1/8m	fst	1:50.31	95	Noble Warrior, Drvitlkyoustlit
2/26/2011	GP	GR-2	$150.00	Hutcheson St	7f	fst	1:23.97	94	Silent Rebllion, ComeOnVan
2/21/2011	OP	GR-3	$250.00	Southwest St	1mi	fst	1:36.76	96	Crown Hgts, Beafrking Star
2/20/2011	SA	GR-2	$150.00	San Vicente	7f	fst	1:23.78	93	Iditarod Diadme, Savabeel
2/19/2011	FG	GR-2	$300.00	Risen Star	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.81	92	Alien Drve, Jmcn Bolt
2/12/2011	SA	GR-2	$250.00	Lewis Stakes	1-1/8m	fst	1:50.40	92	Risen Ruler, OutofthePark
2/12/2011	GG	GR-3	$200.00	EL Camino	1-1/8m	fst	1:50.92	96	Wtch4 Sailor, Willow Grove
2/12/2011	TAM	GR-3	$225.00	Davis Stakes	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.84	95	Donative, Fnd duLacRvr
2/5/2011	AQU	NG/3y	$100.00	Whirlaway	1 1/16m	fst	1:48.89	91	Thrling Star, Rock Rules
1/30/2011	GP	GR-3	$400.00	Holy Bull	1mi	fst	1:37.14	93	Laffin Hyena, Jamcn Bolt
1/22/2011	FG	GR-3	$100.00	LeComte St	1m70y	fst	1:42.20	90	Montepulciano,ChipIn Birdie
1/22/2011	OP	NG/3y	$100.00	Smarty Jones	1mi	fst	1:38.18	92	Fnd du LacRvr, Jaxo
1/15/2011	SA	GR-3	$100.00	Sham St	1-1/16m	fst	1:43.78	97	Flyflyfly, BeafrkingStar
1/15/2011	GG	NG/3y	$100.00	CA Derby	1-1/16m	fst	1:45.00	93	Alien Drive, Sabers Edge