[Tommy]

May 6, 2005 -- ED FOUNTAINE
BELLAMY ROAD: Runaway romp in Wood Memorial was most impressive Derby prep performance of all time. Won two-turn graded stakes as 2-year-old, making him "conceptual" dosage dual-qualifier. Huge, effortless stride allows him to outrun any horse early, but he's not speed-crazy and runs very relaxed.

SUN KING: Topped Post's "Derby Dozen" from day one until he ran fourth in Blue Grass after terrible trip, when he dropped back to last and raced seven wide over track that favored inside speed. Edgar Prado won't make same mistakes again. NOBLE CAUSEWAY: Son of Euro superstar Giant's Causeway, who was beaten head in Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill, is bred to run all day.

Longshot: HIGH FLY

RAY KERRISON

SUN KING: Everybody's Derby favorite till he slumped with dismal fourth in Blue Grass under inexplicable ride. Horses that perform poorly at Keeneland often rebound with vengeance in Derby. Faces hard task here, but price might fit risk.

AFLEET ALEX: Solid, true-blue running machine who has finished worse than second only once in nine starts because of lung infection. Always comes to run, blew Arkansas Derby off hinges, and has trained smarter than anyone else here. Top chance.



BELLAMY ROAD: Very lightly raced colt who set racing world afire with spectacular Wood Memorial romp in record time, but it's far too early to cast him in bronze yet.

Longshot: GOING WILD

JOHN DaSILVA

AFLEET ALEX: Trainer Tim Ritchey has done outstanding job with Alex, putting him on training regimen that sends him to track twice in morning, jogging or galloping. Had great work on Tuesday and is likely best-conditioned horse coming into race.

HIGH FLY: Zito trainee doesn't do anything in spectacular fashion, but just goes out and gets job done, having won five of six career starts. Has good tactical speed and with Jerry Bailey aboard, should get first run at pacesetters.

BANDINI: Despite slow final three-eighths when he won Grade 1 Blue Grass, this could be horse moving fastest in stretch drive in Derby.

Trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez still looking for their first Derby victory.

Longshot: COIN SILVER

VIC CANGIALOSI

WILKO: Ready to move forward off Santa Anita Derby effort where he was closing-with-fire third. Foot injury earlier in year slowed three-year-old progress but Craig Dollase has 2004 Juvenile champion working bullets. Stretch running style works well here in race rich in speed.

BELLAMY ROAD: Won Wood by eye-popping 171/2 lengths, tying Riva Ridge's track record, but front-running style could meet up with some trouble as speed***** like High Limit and Spanish Chesntut vie to set pace. Love him but not at 2-1.

BANDINI: Won Blue Grass by six widening lengths, defeating suspect bunch. Distance? Daddy was Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus. Has nasty habit of getting overly aggressive when running in company of others.

Longshot: COIN SILVER


The Impaler:

$25 Trifecta
W-11-High Fly, Bailey (8/1)
P-16-Bellamy Road, Castellano (5/2)
S-4-Noble Causeway, Stevens (12/1)

$50 Exacta
11-16

$100 to Win
11 - High Fly (8/1)

Prop Bet