Destin

DESTIN (c, Giant's Causeway—Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer)

Apr. 15 TDN Top 12 Rank: 7

O-Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC. B-James C. Weigel & Taylor Made Stallions Inc (KY). T-Todd Pletcher

Sales history: $400,000 Ylg '14 KEESEP

Last Start: 1st, GII Tampa Bay Derby, TAM, Mar. 12

KY Derby Points: 51

You knew this would happen sooner or later. With trainers so bent on giving their horses as much time as possible between races we have the first serious Derby contender in eons to come into the race off an eight-week layoff. It's a strategy that is working for a lot of major stables, but will it work in a race that is as unique as the Derby? This isn't a five-horse, mile-and-a-sixteenth race, after all. It has happened at least once in history, as 1917 winner Exterminator was making his first start of the year in the Derby and had last raced July 26, 1916.