Kentucky Derby contenders

On a cloudless August morning in Goshen, Kentucky, a steady stream of horses step on and off the synthetic track at Skylight Training Center. It's a tranquil, scenic drive along Liberty Road to get to Skylight, and quiet still upon pulling into the training center's drive. But at a barn towards the far end of the property, there's a certain effervescence at Tom Drury's stable. The magnetic energy is palpable even in watching the staff go about their daily tasks. "It's a lot busier around here lately," Drury said with...

Trainer Brendan Walsh joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to talk about his Triple Crown hopeful Maxfield after last weekend's win in the Matt Winn S., as well as Godolphin's pursuit of the elusive Kentucky Derby.

Maxfield's stall sits across from Barn 42's office, where trainer Brendan Walsh can keep a close eye on his star pupil at his Keeneland base. It's been a whirlwind of an early career for the Godolphin-owned colt, but he is now primed to make his sophomore debut this Saturday in the $150,000 GIII Matt Winn S. The son of Street Sense launched his juvenile season last year by breaking his maiden on debut before going on to take the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity by over five lengths. But then three...

Global Thoroughbred and Top Racing LLC's Caracaro (Uncle Mo) flashed signs of talent when a front-running, but green, second going seven furlongs at Gulfstream Dec. 8. He put it all together Saturday, however, stalking and pouncing his way to a six-length tally that earned him the day's second 'TDN Rising Star' nod. Bet down late and off as the 2-1 chalk, the $95,000 KEENOV weanling broke well and was reined in to press a longshot from out in the clear through a :23.70 opening split. He kept after that rival...

Lothenbach Stables Inc.'s Violent City (Violence), given a 7-1 chance for his first go for the notoriously patient Ian Wilkes barn, showed good speed and promise Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream to comfortably best $1-million fellow firster Palm Springs (Uncle Mo) and be named a 'TDN Rising Star'. Scrubbed on by Julien Leparoux to vie for early command, the dark bay poked a head in front down the backside and posted a :22.50 opening quarter as Palm Springs was steadied out and dropped back. Violent City appeared to be going much...