Stakes Earnings Start to Solidify Major 2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders

For horses trying to reach the starting gate for Kentucky Derby, earning enough money in graded stakes races during the lead-up to the first Saturday in May is of paramount importance. That's because Churchill Downs caps the Derby field at 20 starters. If more than that enters, starting slots are awarded to the horses who have accumulated the most money in graded stakes.

Several horses over the weekend put themselves in the running for a top-20 position with strong performances in Kentucky Derby prep races at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds. At Gulfstream Park, Union Rags solidified his position as a top contender for the 2012 Kentucky Derby with a sharp win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. He now has $1,070,000 in graded stakes earnings to rank second among this year's crop of 3-year-olds.

News Pending, who finished second in the Fountain of Youth while making his first start in a graded stakes, collected $80,000 for the effort to put him 41st on the earnings list. Discreet Dancer, who was also making his first start in a graded stakes in the Fountain of Youth, finished third and earned $40,000 to put him 55th on the list.

At Fair Grounds, El Padrino, a stablemate of Discreet Dancer for trainer Todd Pletcher, won the Grade 2, $300,000 Risen Star Stakes in thrilling fashion over Mark Valeski. El Padrino battled with Mark Voleski throughout the stretch in the Risen Star, but managed to get up at the wire and win by a nose. El Padrino, who finished third in the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes as a 2-year-old, added $180,000 to his bankroll with win to propel him to 12th on the graded stakes earnings list.

Mark Valeski collected $60,000 for the runner-up effort and is now in a tie for 48th on the list. Third-place finisher Z Dager earned $30,000 to give him a total of $60,000 in graded stakes earnings, which moved him up from 53rd to 45th on the list. Shared Property, who earned $6,000 with a fifth-place finish in the Risen Star, dropped one spot from 41st to 42nd. He has a total of $79,700 in earnings.

In 2011, it took at least $120,000 in Graded Stakes earnings to be in the top 20. Next up on the 2012 Triple Crown trail is the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct March 3 that's expected to draw last year's champion 2-year-old Hansen; and the Grade 2, $300,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Here are the top 20 3-year-olds in Graded Stakes earnings through Feb. 27:

21. Hansen, $1,160,000
22. Union Rags, $1,070,000
23. Sabercat, $600,000
24. Wrote—IRE, $556,630
25. Creative Cause, $518000
26. Liaison, $375,000
27. Dullahan, $375,000
28. Drill, $300,000
29. Excaper, $240,736
30. Algorithms, $240,000
31. On Fire Baby (f), $211,729
32. El Padrino, $200,000
33. Alpha, $180,000
34. Secret Circle, $170,000
35. Rousing Sermon, $164,000
36. Prospective, $155,452
37. I'll Have Another, $151,000
38. Castaway, $150,000
39. Currency Swap, $150,000
40. Daddy Nose Best, $145,558