Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

The Grade 2 Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park Saturday will once again feature 3-year-olds taking a step along the 2012 Kentucky Derby trail that will end on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

The 61^st running of the seven-furlong race drew a small field of six contenders and will feature the 2012 debut of the highly touted Ever So Lucky (6). The race will go off as the eighth on the card and has a post time of 3:49 p.m. EST.

Ever So Lucky broke his maiden at first asking going six-and-a-half furlongs on Nov. 11 at Churchill Downs. He then was second to Gemologist on Nov. 26 in the Kentucky Jockey Club at a mile-and-a-sixteenth.

The son of Indian Charlie has been in South Florida for more than a month. Trainer Jonathan Sheppard was not happy with his last work on Feb. 6 when he went five furlongs in 1:01.60 over a sloppy track. Sheppard said he wished that he would have done more and he should have worked him in company. Sheppard also said if the colt doesn’t run Saturday he might look at the Swale on March 10 at the same distance as the Hutcheson.

Sheppard wants to run Ever So Lucky at a shorter distance in his first start, but waiting for the Swale is getting late in the game for the Derby. I expect to see him stay in the Hutcheson.

So, just what is Ever So Lucky going to face Saturday?

Tarpy’s Goal (1) has raced seven times with two wins. His last was a victory in a $75,000 optional-claimer on Jan. 21 going seven furlongs at Gulfstream. The son of High Cotton (Dixie Union) is trained by Dale Romans and will be ridden by Javier Castellano. His last speed figure says he can run with this group.

Wildcat Creek (2) was second in the Pasco Stakes on Jan. 14 at Tampa Bay Down. Prospective, the winner of the Pasco, was second in the Sam F. Davis last weekend at Tampa Bay. That may hold some hope for Wildcat Creek. The colt is by Wildcat Heir and trained by Eddie Plesa.

Thunder Moccasin (3) broke his maiden on Dec. 24 at first asking. The horses that ran second and third in that race broke their maidens in their next races. One, Ender Knievel, is getting a lot of attention and probably is headed to the Sunland Derby. Thunder Moccasin is a son of A.P. Warrior and earned a 97 speed figure for his maiden win. Todd Pletcher trains and John Velazquez has the ride.

Quick Wit (4) broke his maiden on Jan. 28 at Gulfstream in his third attempt. He’s by Sharp Humor and trained by Dale Romans. Ramon Dominguez heads south from New York for the ride. Colt may hold some promise with that move. His last speed figures were OK, and look for this guy late.

Il Villano (6) was most recently third in the Count Fleet on Jan. 7 at Aqueduct. Alpha, the winner of that race, came back to win the Withers last weekend at Aqueduct. Il Villano had been splitting his time between Aqueduct and Parx where he had three wins in five starts. The son of Pollard’s Vision has not been off the board in those races.

Il Villano is the quick of the quick and will give Thunder Moccasin all he wants early. Looking at the Count Fleet, Il Villano probably has distance limitations but the Hutcheson should be well within his range. With those two blazing on the front end, it will be a question of which one blinks first. Thunder Moccasin work four furlongs in 47.60 on Feb. 5, so he’s going to be ready.

Ever So Lucky could be fresh since he hasn’t run since the end of November, but his works really don’t suggest that. I’m going with the premise that he’ll need a race. I’ll take Thunder Moccasin, Il Villano, Ever So Lucky and Quick Wit. Ron’s picks: 3-5-6-4