Soldat soars to No. 3 in AP's Top 10 Derby picks

Kiaran McLaughlin knows all about long shots in the Kentucky Derby.

Six years ago the trainer thought he had it won, only to see his 71-1 shot Closing Argument lose the lead in the final strides to 50-1 outsider Giacomo.

"Not that anybody remembers who finished second, but it was a great thrill," McLaughlin said the day after the 2005 Derby.

This time, he may have one of the Derby favorites in Soldat.

The 3-year-old colt's two-length victory in the Fountain of Youth over the weekend moved Soldat to No. 3 from No. 10 in The Associated Press' latest Run to the Roses Top 10 Derby contenders.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has the top two contenders, with Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo remaining No. 1 and Brethren moving up a spot to No. 2.

McLaughlin says he likes his chances in the Derby now that Soldat has proved himself on dirt after previous starts on turf and in the slop.

The win caused a reshuffling in the Top 10. Runner-up Gourmet Dinner moved in for the first time at No. 9, while third-place finisher To Honor and Serve dropped to No. 10 from No. 2.

Soldat's next stop is the Florida Derby on April 3 before a trip to Churchill Downs for the Derby on May 7.

Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott didn't seem too discouraged with To Honor and Serve's first race since winning the Remsen three months ago. Mott was looking for a solid effort, not necessarily a win. He said jockey John Velazquez told him the horse "did everything he asked until he got to the quarter pole and then he said he got a little flat."

Flashpoint is a horse to watch following his 7 1/4-length win in the seven-furlong Hutcheson at Gulfstream. Now 2-for-2, he is being pointed to the Florida Derby.

"He kind of took your breath away in both starts," trainer Rick Dutrow said. "Right now at least we can think and dream about the (Kentucky) Derby.

The next preps are Saturday, the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park and the Gotham at Aqueduct.

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1. Uncle Mo (Todd Pletcher, trainer; John Velazquez, jockey): Set for 3-year-old debut March 12 at Gulfstream, not Tampa Bay Downs. ...Unbeaten colt worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.60 Sunday at Palm Meadows. ...Next start: Timely Writer (March 12, Gulfstream Park, dirt). ...Derby future wager odds: 7-2.

2. Brethren (Pletcher, Ramon Dominguez): Sam F. Davis winner worked 4 furlongs in 49.40 Sunday at Palm Meadows. ...Like Uncle Mo, also unbeaten in three races. ...Next start: Tampa Bay Derby (March 12, Tampa Bay Downs, dirt). ...Odds: 15-1.

3. Soldat (Kiaran McLaughlin, Alan Garcia): Proved he can win on dirt with two-length score in Fountain of Youth. ...Moves up seven spots from last week. ...Son of War Front has three wins and four seconds in seven races. ...Next start: Florida Derby (April 3, Gulfstream, dirt). ...Odds: 18-1.

4. Mucho Macho Man (Kathy Ritvo, Rajiv Maragh): Risen Star winner back in Florida preparing for next race. ...Could run in Louisiana Derby on March 26, but trainer would like to stay in Florida. ...Next start: Florida Derby. ...Odds: 30-1.

5. Dialed In (Nick Zito; Julien Leparoux): Zito still uncertain when Holy Bull winner will run next, perhaps Timely Writer or Florida Derby. ...Worked 5 furlongs in 59.79 Friday at Palm Meadows. ...Next start: Undecided. ...Odds: 8-1.

6. Santiva (Eddie Kenneally, Shaun Bridgmohan): Risen Star runner-up back in Florida preparing for next race. ...Won Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes last year. ...Next start: Undecided. ...Odds: 37-1.

7. The Factor (Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia): San Vicente winner looking like best of Baffert's 20 Triple Crown nominees. ...Speedy colt's next race unlikely to be in California, with Rebel (March 19) an outside possibility. ...Next start: Sunland Derby (March 27, Sunland Park, dirt). ...Odds: 25-1.

8. Jaycito (Baffert, Mike Smith): Norfolk winner finally close to 3-year-old debut. ...Worked a bullet 5 furlongs in 58.60 Monday at Santa Anita. ...Next start: San Felipe (March 12, Santa Anita, dirt). ...Odds: 21-1.

9. Gourmet Dinner (Steven Standridge, Ramon Dominguez): Solid runner-up in Fountain of Youth. ...Delta Jackpot winner has four wins, two seconds and a third in eight races. ...Next start: Santa Anita Derby (April 9, Santa Anita, dirt). ...Odds: 85-1.

10. To Honor and Serve (Bill Mott, Velazquez): Well-beaten third in Fountain of Youth in first start since November. ...Race considered a seasoner for next prep race. ...Next start: Florida Derby. ...Odds: 10-1.

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Keep an eye on: Anthony's Cross, Beamer, Flashpoint, J P's Gusto, Stay Thirsty.