• Bloodhorse.com
• >> Triple Crown Mania
• >> Classic Spotlight

Racing Analysis by Steve Haskin

There are two Ravels on this year’s Derby trail, and you just have to decide which one you want to concentrate on.

There is the Ravel on course to have only one more start before the Derby, putting him in the unenviable position of trying to become only the second horse in modern times to win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) off two starts at 3, and the first horse since Exterminator in 1918 to win the Derby off only four career starts. Also, by pointing for the Florida Derby (gr. I) as his final prep, it would give him five weeks to the Run for the Roses, a feat accomplished for the first time in 50 years last year by Barbaro. Nothing is etched in stone, but trainer Todd Pletcher seems to be leaning in that direction.

Then there is the other Ravel, who has "star" written all over him. Of all the Derby contenders to date, he is the closest we’ve seen to perfection. He has the style, the brilliance, the heart, the professionalism, and the pedigree you look for in a Derby horse.

He showed brilliance and push-button acceleration in his maiden victory, in which he swept by his foes with ease before drawing off to an easy score. He became the complete package in the Sham Stakes (gr. III) when he jumped way up in class and out-fought a classy horse in the grade I-placed Liquidity to win by a length. Trapped down on the rail for most of the race, Ravel accelerated at the right time to get himself in the clear. Despite being carried five-wide, he wore down a stubborn Liquidity, showing heart and determination, while doing everything like a seasoned pro. And his final splits of :234⁄5 and :121⁄5 were as good as it gets.

Pletcher said he’s a light-framed horse and he doesn’t want to over-race him. While the lack of seasoning is a major concern, if there is one horse that can overcome it, it is this horse. Pletcher feels he’s "special," and it’s easy to see why.

Pedigree Profile by Avalyn Hunter

If royal blood was the primary qualification for winning the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), Ravel would have to be among the favorites. Sired by a Kentucky Derby winner out of a graded stakes winner by a Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner, his pedigree is a veritable symphony of classic winners and classic influences.

Fusaichi Pegasus, the sire of Ravel, needs little introduction. The last top son of the great stallion Mr. Prospector out of a full sister to 1992 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Pine Bluff, "Fu Peg" scored a commanding win in the 2000 Kentucky Derby. This year, Fusaichi Pegasus has 12 sons among the early nominees to the Triple Crown, making him the co-leader among sires of Triple Crown nominees. The other horse with 12 early Triple Crown nominees is none other than A.P. Indy, whose daughter Let is the dam of Ravel.

The leading sire of 2003 and 2006, A.P. Indy would seem to have every credential to make a superb broodmare sire as well. By Seattle Slew out of one of Secretariat’s best daughters, Weekend Surprise, A.P. Indy has received a superbly bred book of mares year after year, giving him an excellent chance to make good as a maternal grandsire.

Let is typical of A.P. Indy’s best daughters, with an excellent pedigree backing up high-class racing performance. Winner of the 1999 Churchill Downs Distaff Handicap (gr. II), Let is out of stakes-placed Net Dancer, a daughter of Northern Dancer’s champion son Nureyev. The next dam, Doubles Partner, is a stakes-winning daughter of 1967 Preakness and Belmont winner Damascus. The family is one with a stellar history and includes such luminaries as 1925 Belmont Stakes winner American Flag and champions Arazi and Ajdal.

The combination of proven stamina with the brilliant speed often seen in the family of Doubles Partner bodes well for Ravel’s future. Should Ravel continue developing the talent he displayed in the Sham Stakes (gr. III), he will be one to watch as the spring progresses