Kentucky Derby field becoming clear, contenders migrate to Churchill

Summary:

Sunday was a day for planning and moving on.  The top two finishers from the Arkansas Derby (Archaracharch, Nehro) and Blue Grass Stakes (Brilliant Speed, Twinspired) appear headed to Louisville, where all but Twinspired are guaranteed a spot in the Derby gate.  Brilliant Speed will wait until just a week before, while the others will arrive this week.  As for the show horses and also-rans; The Factor, J P’s Gusto, Brethren, Dance City, Sway Away, and Santiva are also shipping to Churchill with only the first two being within the top 20 in graded earnings.  Bob Baffert is still undecided if he will enter The Factor based on his dull performance and the possibility of surgery for a displaced palate// Speaking of graded earnings, the all important official list was released late Saturday and a link is below// Archarcharch earned a 98 Beyer speed figure in the Arkansas Derby which is the highest of all last-round Derby preps, but still sub-100 which gives more support to the “less than mediocre” tag on this year’s crop// Decisive Moment appeared to relish the muddy track at Churchill by firing a bullet work. Stay Thirsty also breezed a quick four panels// Below are links to some nice blog postings on Saturday's preps and justified questions on the relevancy of the Blue Grass Stakes// more…

Graded Earnings List (Top 20 qualify for Kentucky Derby)

·       Official 4/16 (Churchill Downs)

Articles:

·       Archarcharch, Nehro head for Louisville (Bloodhorse)

·       The Factor to Kentucky (Gary West Blog)

·       Brilliant Speed bound for Kentucky, King Congie mulls Preakness (Brisnet)

·       Stay Thirsty, Decisive Moment post half-mile drills (Brisnet)

·       As favorites fall, others are waiting to fill their shoes (NY Times)

·       Kentucky Derby finally a reality for Jinks Fires, thanks to Archarcharch (DRF)

·       Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass recap (DRF Blog- Mike Watchmaker)

·       Arkansans headed to Kentucky Derby (KATV-TV)

·       Another favorite gets trumped (Left At The Gate Blog)

·       Seeing golden arch’s in the Arkansas Derby (Rail Runner Blog)

·       Albertrani back in Derby picture with speed (Bloodhorse)

·       The Blue Grass and Kentucky Derby do not mix (Zipse At The Derby)

·       Guest Post: Does the Blue Grass deserve Grade 1 status? (Pull The Pocket)

·       A conversation with  Mike Repole, the owner of Uncle Mo (New Albany Times-Union)

·       A day at the races April 17 (NY Daily News)

·       Calling the race caller (They’re in the Gate)

·       What a weekend of racing (Pull The Pocket)

·       Suddenly, Derby road is a lot hard to try and figure (Ocala.com)

Rankings:

·       CTD Top 5 (Chasing The Derby)

·       The Rail’s Derby 10 (NY Times)

Works:

·       Stay Thirsty: CD- 4F- 48:00 B- 2/29 (Muddy)

·       Decisive Moment: CD- 4F- 47:40- B- 1/29 (Muddy)