Going the Distance – The Biggest Question for the 2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders

With the official arrival of spring upon us, contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby will be tasked with carrying their speed at even longer distances. Races such as the Wood Memorial Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby, each contested at 1 1/8-miles, will help to clarify which Kentucky Derby contenders possess the sufficient stamina and proper running style to excel at the 1 1/4-mile-distance of the Kentucky Derby.

Each year during the lead-up to the first Saturday in May, contenders for the Kentucky Derby compete in races all over the country that get progressively longer. These contests are designed to weed out the strictly sprinter- and miler-types from those horses with true mile-and-a-quarter ability. The Kentucky Derby prep season then culminates with a series of 1 1/8-mile races, most of which are mentioned above, that go a long way toward identifying whether a particular contender can “get” the Kentucky Derby distance.

Here’s a rundown on some of the leading 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders, where they are headed next, and whether distance limitations could prove a problem:

Union Rags—The son of Dixie Union is considered the current Kentucky Derby favorite following his electrifying win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes when unveiled for the first time this year. He’ll remain at Gulfstream and will use the March 31 Florida Derby as his final Kentucky Derby tuneup. Union Rags has given no indication that distance will be an issue.

Creative Cause—By Giant’s Causeway, Southern California’s top Kentucky Derby contender is bred to run all day and his stalking style is perfectly suited for the Kentucky Derby. He’s expected to make his final prep run in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7.

El Padrino—The son of Pulpit is coming off consecutive wins at 1 1/16-miles, which includes the Grade 2 Risen Star in his last start. The fact El Padrino managed to hit the board going 1 1/8-miles in the Grade 2 Remsen at Aqueduct last year indicates the Derby distance could be within his scope.

Hansen—Last year’s champion 2-year-old had been strictly a front-runner throughout his career, but showed a new dimension when winning the Grade 3 Gotham from just off the pace. That was good to see, but early speed still seems to be this guy’s best game and he is likely to face plenty of pace pressure in the Kentucky Derby. He is expected to make his next start in the Wood Memorial on April 7.

Secret Circle—The son of Eddington has reeled off consecutive wins in the one-mile Southwest Stakes and the 1 1/16-mile Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Based in Southern California, Secret Circle may have the biggest distance questions among all of the top 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders. Many experts believe that will be exposed when he returns to Oaklawn to contest the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby on April 7.

In the final round of prep races coming up, it’s important to see which of the contenders finish the strongest at the 1 1/8-mile distance and how they gallop out past the wire. A horse that proves tough to pull up once the race is over is usually tipping its hand that it want to go further.