Six months to the Ky. Derby

Yes, it's exactly one-half year until the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

Our friend Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form (and formerly of the Daily News) makes fun of people who ask him in the weeks before the race, "Who's your Derby horse?" Jay always says he'll make his pick once all the prep races and training are complete. He says until then it's nuts to lock in on one 3-year-old just for the sake of securing bragging rights if he wins.

While recognizing the wisdom of Jay's view and the fact many good young horses have yet to race, I have a question for everyone today: Who's your Derby horse? Or, more seriously, which 2-year-olds have impressed you the most so far?

Maybe we'll come up with a prize -- beyond bragging rights -- for the reader who's first to name the eventual Kentucky Derby winner in a comment on this blog.

Here's a loose Top Twelve, based on main-track performances this season, that I jotted down right after Midshipman won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last week:

Midshipman
Square Eddie
Run Away and Hide
Street Hero
Charitable Man
Terrain
Vineyard Haven
Cribnote
Pioneer of the Nile
West Side Bernie
Gallant Son
Elusive Bluff