Kentucky Derby Power Rankings: Week of March 10

1. Itsmyluckyday (9.75 points)

Itsmyluckyday retains his throne at the top of the crop, despite Verrazano scoring a big win last weekend. Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. says his top-contending colt is right on schedule and has worked his twice this week at Calder. Itsmyluckyday breezed a mile in 1:46.00 on March 9 and drilled five furlongs in 1:01.00 (1/12) early this morning. The next start for the son of Lawyer Ron will be the Florida Derby on March 30.

2. Verrazano (9.25 points)

Todd Pletcher tested his upstart colt in the Grade II Tampa Bay Derby and, suffice it to say, he passed. It was the colt's first graded stakes win. Although some Derby prospect-watchers are worried that Verrazano might be burning himself out, Pletcher is obviously high on his contender. The son of More Than Ready looks to be peaking at the right time and will run in the Grade I Wood Memorial on April 6.

3. Super Ninety Nine (7.25 points)

Today, Super Ninety Nine is either going to wax or wane in the rankings when he runs in the Grade II Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn. Bob Baffert's 'Oaklawn invasion' will be two-thirds complete if '99' can manage a win against stiff competition. He's had a pair of blistering drills in preparation for the Rebel, turning in a sub-47 second half mile and a sub-60 second five furlongs at Santa Anita. If 99 can score a win, he'll likely go on to the Arkansas Derby to round out his prep season.

4. Orb (5.75 Points)

Shug McGaughey is really excited about his top trainee. And why shouldn't he be? Orb won one of the more important Derby preps in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes a month ago at Gulfstream and looks to be rolling with the punches since breaking his maiden last November. He breezed a quick four furlongs Monday at Payson Park, clocking in at 48.40 (2/16). McGaughey will likely pit Orb against the some of the country's toughest competition in the Grade I Florida Derby on March 30.

5. Revolutionary (4.25 points)

Pletcher is gearing Revolutionary up for the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 30 at Fair Grounds. As we've previously mentioned, he scored a tough win in the Withers that upped his stock among his three-year old peers. Revolutionary has been somewhat of an enigma along the Derby trail. He's inexperienced yet successful, he's run a flashy race where he won by over eight lengths and a grittier race where he won by a nose. He's more of a work-in-progress for Pletcher, but he could be a force if he gets on a roll. The War pass colt turned in a modest five furlong breeze in 1:01.48 this week.

6. Vyjack (3.75 points)

This rank might seem low for a horse who's hasn't lost a race he's run, and has two graded stakes victories under his belt. His late run in the Grade III Gotham Stakes was nothing short of impressive as he beat out a quality field to take home the trophy. There are problems in Vyjack's camp though as trainer Rudy Rodriguez has been suspended by the New York State Gaming Commission for 20 days beginning March 16 and will not be able to be involved in Vyjack's training for that period. The colt turned in a modest four furlong breeze yesterday at Aqueduct, clocking in at :51.23 (17/20).

7. Shanghai Bobby (3.50 points)

Shanghai Bobby must be restless. After his first defeat, he's been forced to wait almost two months to seek revenge. He'll try and earn that revenge as he takes on rivals in Gulfstream's Grade I Florida Derby at the end of this month. Pletcher has his been putting his trainee through some pretty easy-going workouts down in Palm Meadows since his last race; where he hasn't registered a top-five workout time in February or March.

8. Normandy Invasion (2.5 points)

Normandy Invasion looks like he's getting a little bit of his swagger back after a disappointing fifth-place run in the Grade II Risen Star Stakes last month. This week he breezed four furlongs in a very impressive 48.01, good for second fastest time of the day at Palm Meadows on March 10. The son of Tapit will also get a new rider for his next start when Javier Castellano will replace regular rider Jose Lezcano for the Wood Memorial on April 6.

9. Code West (1.75 points)

Baffert's now, seemingly, number-two contender put in a nice four furlong drill this week at Santa Anita running it in 48.20. The son of Lemon Drop Kid will look to improve on a pair of impressive second-place finishes when he runs in the Louisiana Derby March 30. Code West needs a good showing in his upcoming race to secure a solid amount of Derby qualifier points. If he should disappoint in the Louisiana Derby, the colt could find himself on the proverbial 'bubble' heading into the final months of Derby preparation.

10. Goldencents (1.63 points)

Doug O'Neill has got to be hoping Goldencents rebounds from his clunker in the Grade II San Felipe last weekend. The unnecessary speed-duel down the stretch is the talk of the race world, and cost Goldencents (and Baffert-trained Flashback) valuable Derby points. Goldencents will look to return to winning ways in the Grade II Santa Anita Derby on April 6 at Santa Anita.

First Five Out:

11. Oxbow (1.25 points)
12. Overanalyze (1.25 points)
13. Hear The Ghost (1 point)
14. Flashback (0.75 points)
15. Charming Kitten (0.75 points)

Others Receiving Votes: Rydilluc, Tiz A Minister, Elnaawi, Power Broker, Titletown Five, Mr. Plamer, Java's War, Gombey Dancer, Dry Summer.