Not everyone sold on Soldat. To Honor got what he needed? Gotham field comes into focus. Rankings shuffled. Blazing works out West.

Summary:

Joe Drape at the New York Times expounds on Bill Mott’s old-school training technique with To Honor and Serve and why we shouldn’t be concerned with his third place finish.  However, even Mott admits he wasn’t expecting To Honor to come up that short, which makes the Florida Derby all the more interesting//  Speaking of the Florida Derby, it seems to be the next spot for Soldat, To Honor, and Sweet Ducky while Gourmet Dinner could be headed to the easier West division//Steve Haskin believes Soldat’s action better on turf// Several new rankings released with a lot more variance on who’s #2// Blazing works out West// Gotham up next…

 Articles:

·       Gotham draw on Wednesday gives Aqueduct a breath of Spring (DRF)

·       For now, (To Honor and Serve) Trainer’s goal is seasoning, not necessarily first place (NY Times)

·       Steve Haskin’s KY Derby Trail: Dis and Dat (Bloodhorse)

·       Derby Watch: Fountain of Youth winner Soldat has it all (Herald-Leader)

·       The Florida Derby may be Derby prep of the year (The Star-Ledger)

·       Soldat, To Honor and Serve likely for Florida Derby. Gourmet Dinner probably Santa Anita Derby (DRF)

·       Jaycito, Comma To The Top sizzle in workouts (Bloodhorse)

·       No plans for Crossbow. Sweet Ducky to go in Florida Derby (DRF)

·       Under The Radar: Awesome Patriot (DRF)

·       Mountain Valley runners seek launching pad (Downey Profile)

·       Pedigree Spotlight: Soldat, Archarcharch, Stay Thirsty (Zipse at the Derby)

Works:

·       Wilkinson: FG- 4F- 51:40- B- 84/88

·       Justin Phillip: FG- 4F- 50:20- B- 61/88

·       Machen: FG- 4F- 50:60- B- 66/88

·       Rocking Out: GP- 4F- 50:30 B- 14/22

·       Comma to the Top: HOL- 5F- 58:80- B- 2/37

·       Jaycito: SA 5F- 58:60- H- 3/53

·       Silver Medallion: SA- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 40/53

·       Awesome Patriot: SA- 6F- 1.13:20- H- 5/11

Rankings:

·       Haskin’s Derby Dozen (Bloodhorse)

·       The Rail’s Derby 10 (NY Times)

·       NTRA Poll (Bloohorse)

·       Watchmaker Divisional Rankings (DRF)

·       AP Top 10 (Miami Herald)

·       Courier Journal Celebrity Selector: Johnny Avello (Courier Journal)

Futures:

·       Wynn Las Vegas Future Book  (Courier Journal)

Video

·       Jill Bynre reviews the Fountain Of Youth (Churchill Downs)

·       Jill Byrne reviews the Hutcheson Stakes (Churchill Downs)

Notes:

·       Gotham Possibles: Nacho Saint, Norman Asbjornson, Preachintothedevil, Rescind the Trade, Stay Thirsty, and Toby's Corner, Dawly, Monzon, Starship Caesar

·       Jaycito was stunning in 110.2, got 58.3 officially, began some 12 lengths behind Awesome Patriot. Finished like a freight train. Awesome. (@DeJulio Twitter)