Churchill releases slew of Derby updates// Connections undecided on Flashpoint// Mystery solved on Gourmet Dinner

Summary:

Churchill Downs released three important Derby elements today- #1: the updated graded earnings list, which always differs slightly from other unofficial versions floating around.  #2: list of the 13 horses who filled in a late Triple Crown nomination, among them Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go and Rushaway Stakes winner Swift Warrior.  #3: preliminary odds for Future Pool #3.  Uncle Mo is still the favorite at 3-1 while there were 8 new additions including Premier Pegasus at 8-1 and other surprise Derby prep winners// Mystery solved on Gourmet Dinner, who ran an impressive second place in the Fountain Of Youth.  Brian Zipse spoke with trainer Steve Standridge and learned he’s definitely off the trail with a sore shin// Elite Alex is confirmed for the Arkansas Derby// You gotta love it when trainers and owners say they’re not eyeing the Kentucky Derby.  The connections of Data Link, Flashpoint, and Comma To The Top all claim racing at Churchill on May 7^th is not a priority. Most of the reasons are actually logical (distance, surface), but we’ll see if they hold that line after a good performance in an upcoming prep// more…

Graded Earnings

·       Updated Official Graded Earnings List 3/30 (Churchill Downs)

Futures:

·       Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #3 (Churchill Downs)

Articles:

·       13 Late Triple Crown nominations (Brisnet)

·       Flashpoint: Keeping his options open [also: Shackleford and Watch Me Go] (DRF)

·       Florida Derby field taking shape (Derby Post)

·       Strength of Florida Derby field exciting for Zito (Miami Herald)

·       Making a case for Uncle Mo’s stablemate Stay Thirsty (Bleacher Report)

·       Road To The Triple Crown: Dialed In, To Honor And Serve out to regain luster (TTimes)

·       It’s Official: Gourmet Dinner off the Derby Trail (Zipse At The Derby)

·       Archarcharch gets back to work (Bloodhorse)

·       Roxborough’s take on Master of Hounds (Downey Profile)

·       Santa Anita Derby looking crowded (DRF)

·       Elite Alex aimed at Arkansas Derby (DRF)

·       Kentucky Derby Trail: Fallen Arches (Bloodhorse Blog)

·       Animal Kingdom- A Derby bomber dark horse? (Horse Racing Nation)

·       Derby Trail: Where’ they’re going next (Downey Profile)

·       Porter on Pedigrees: Pants On Fire (Bloodhorse)

·       Halls continue quick success as breeders (TTimes)

·       Data Link a candidate for Blue Grass, but not Kentucky Derby (DRF)

·       Animal Kingdom joins Pluck in distinct mix of homebreds (TTimes)

·       Mike Reopole live chat Friday (Downey Profile)

·       Five new names surface for Kentucky Derby 137 (Voice Tribune)

·       Preakness’ ‘Kegaus’ controversial (Bloodhorse)

Video

·       Triple Crown Insider: Pants, shoes, and Derby blues (Bloodhorse)

Works:

·       Watch Me Go: TB- 4F- 49:80- B- 13/31

·       Awesome Patriot: SA- 5F- 1.00:00- H- 6/27

·       Comma to the Top: HOL- 4F- 49:40- H- 15/30

·       J J’s Lucky Train- Parx- 5F- 1.00:10- B- 1/14