April 20, 2024

Copper Bullet Remains Atop 2018 Kentucky Derby Poll

We’re halfway home at the premiere summer meetings, and with the Road to the Kentucky Derby (i.e. points races) beginning in a few weeks and the Wynn Las Vegas expected to open its 2018 Kentucky Derby future book soon, now seemed like a good time to revisit my top ten lists for next year’s Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

Copper Bullet remains atop my Derby poll on the strength of his win in the Sanford Stakes on August 13 at Saratoga Race Course. He is the only two-year-old male this year to register at least a 94 Brisnet.com Speed Rating AND a 120 Class Rating.

Two fillies have done it: Schuylerville Stakes winner Dream It Is, who tops my Oaks poll even ahead of Adirondack winner Pure Silver, and Landaluce Stakes winner Surrender Now.

The 2018 Road to the Kentucky Derby begins with the Iroquois Stakes on September 16 at Churchill Downs, and Copper Bullet is expected to make his next start in that race.