Rag numbers suggest Mucho not strong favorite// Riveting Reason off trail// King Congie scratched from Spiral

Summary:

According to Ragozin numbers, Mucho Macho Man has no value as the favorite in the Louisiana Derby.  Elite Alex and even longshots Le Mans, Majestic Harbor, and Populist Politics could be players in the exotics// John Asher from Churchill wonders why Calvin Borel only has one possible contender (Elite Alex) for the Derby, seeing as he’s won 3 of the last 4 runnings// Great article below from the Sacramento Bee on Positive Response’s jockey Julien Couton and his journey from France. His biggest challenge in the Spiral Stakes, King Congie, is a scratch// Rumblings of Sweet Ducky still being on the trail are getting louder.  His trainer says if he finishes in the top 3 in Dubai tomorrow, Derby could be next// Riveting Reason is latest contender that will not make the Derby, out with a hoof injury// Although Rick Dutrow thinks Flashpoint should stay sprinting, he hints that the owners may insist on stretching him out in the Florida Derby.  Derby fever... tough to get rid of…

Entries:

3/26 Vinery Spiral Stakes: pps, videos, articles, and handicapper picks here

3/27 Sunland Derby: pps, videos, articles, and handicapper picks here

3/26 Louisiana Derby (G2): pps, videos, articles, and handicapper picks here

3/26 UAE Derby (G2): free pps, articles, and handicapper picks here

Articles:

·       Ragozin Insider: Louisiana Derby (TTimes)

·       Sunland Derby winner has ticket punched to Kentucky (Las Cruces Bulletin)

·       Sunland Park Derby marks season debut for Astrology [with video] (DRF)

·       Breen horses creating their own destinies (Fair Grounds News)

·       Breen running two in Sunland Derby (KTSM-TV)

·       Spiral Stakes loses injured King Congie (DRF)

·       Jockey [Couton] has found Bay area home, colt with Kentucky Derby potential (Sacramento Bee)

·       UAE Derby Notes 3/25 (Downey Profile)

·       Fillies headline UAE Derby (Brisnet)

·       Halls, Breen lead ‘do or die’ charge in weekend Derby preps (TTimes)

·       Road to the Derby: La Derby, Spiral, Sunland (Courier-Journal)

·       Mucho Macho Man and Astrology- Derby pretenders (Horse Racing Nation)

·       Kentucky Derby Update 3/25 (Churchill Downs)

·       Both racing channels to air Dubai races, split on Triple Crown preps (TTimes)

·       Rushaway has major contender in Crimson China (DRF)

·       Bowman’s Causeway Florida Derby bound (Bloodhorse)

·       Dutrow could be overruled for Flashpoint’s next start (Downey Profile)

·       Riveting Reason off Derby Trail (DRF)

·       Zito gets to train another three-year-old [Truman’s Commander] (Sports Network)

·       Calvin Borel’s Derby hopes could get a boost this week (Voice-Tribune)

·       KY Derby still a possibility for Sweet Ducky (AP)

·       Uncle Mo to return to worktab Sunday (TTimes)

·       If not Uncle Mo, then who? (Zipse At The Derby)

·       The Factor figuring into Kentucky Derby picture (Phillyburbs.com)

Handicapper Picks:

·       Mucho betting opportunities [La Derby, Spiral, Sunland Derby] (Bloodhorse)

·       Weekend Stakes preview: From Dubai to New Mexico (And Down The Stretch They Come)

·       Handicapping the Preps: Louisiana Derby (Star Telegram)

·       Spiral Stakes preview (DRF)

·       Dick’s Picks: Spiral Stakes (Downey Profile)

·       The American Handicapper faceoff: John Asher vs. Randy Bond (Paulick Report)

Works:

·       Norman Asbjornson: Bowie- 1M - 1.42:20- H- 1/3

·       Santiva: PMM- 5F- 1.02:20- B- 5/9

·       Supreme Ruler: SUN- 3F- 37.80- B- 4/8