Best among the runners in the nine two-year olds in the 2010 season, turf racing seemed to be a strength for I’m Steppin’ It Up. Trainer, Anthony Pecoraro, seemed to play into this colt’s comfort on turf by starting him in races that highlighted this. Three of the four races set for Steppin’ It Up were to be turf, but at the last minute on the day of his maiden victory in Delaware Park, all grass races were moved to the main track. At the end of the season, I’m Steppin’ It Up ran six starts, placing a moderate two firsts, one second, two thirds and a sixth (his maiden run). Ranked 41st graded this year; there is hope for a Derby start this year.

Now as March quickly approaches, I’m Steppin’ It Up is working on an almost five month layoff. This can prove both good and bad, depending on the horse itself and the trainer’s method and program. The question is, as with many of the Derby contenders, where will his 2011 debut happen? There are a few possibilities in March, and no shortage of turf races to cater to his comfort zone. Perhaps the training over the last few month and his transition into maturity will show a different side of this dirt-oriented pedigree. Although, at this time there has been no word from trainer Pecoraro as to what their plans are for him or where they see him in the next few months. As first crop to sire Congrats, the half-brother to Thunder Brew and his dam being a half-sister to a stakes winner, it would seem as though pedigree would be helpful on a dirt start for I’m Steppin’ It Up.

So if one were to play the best odds for a turf race, the Aqueduct may just be the debut race for this colt. Or perhaps, The Rebel at Oaklawn Park will be the debut start on a dirt track. In either circumstance he goes up against some decent competition, but has the rankings at this point to come on strong from the gate.

Considering that we have not seen him since last year, and he has decent standings to start this year, all it will take is a few solid finishes in the preps to get him to the Derby.

One thing that stands in memory from last year with I’m Steppin’ It Up was his start at the Champagne Stakes. Here, though eventually taking third place to Uncle Mo’s first, he gave Uncle Mo a run for his money off the start in this first grade race. Impressive, given that Uncle Mo is the top favorite for the Kentucky Derby this year and is one fast runner on the track.

Perhaps we will see this colt face Uncle Mo once again in the Timely Writer, or perhaps not again until the Derby. Time will tell where I’m Steppin’ It Up will be seen next.