Sizable fields for Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass// Two more Derby Trail withdrawals

Summary:

The Factor was a made a heavy 7-5 favorite in the Arkansas Derby, which drew 13.  Saturday’s most intriguing prep includes several looking to live up to their original hype (Elite Alex, Sway Away, Brethren) and others looking to move up quickly in their first tries in stakes company as Midnight Interlude did last Saturday (Alternation, Dance City)// A full field was drawn for the Blue Grass Stakes lead by Santiva at 3-1. While the race appears competitive on paper, Santiva is the only real contender who has been mentioned in the same breath as Derby, mostly due to the others specializing in turf or artificial surfaces.  The first place check of $450,000 would push forward whoever wins, regardless of their background.  In the four runnings of the Blue Grass on Polytrack, the shortest priced winner was 8-1, so it will be interesting to see if the favorite disappoints again. Swift Warrior was expected to be entered but was injured during his three furlong workout on Wednesday// The Kentucky Derby seems to still be a very likely spot for European runner Master Of Hounds, much to the dismay of those sitting just outside the top 20 in graded earnings// Arthur’s Tale, one of those who were on the cusp, was ruled out of The Run For The Roses due to an injury// more…

Entries:

4/16 Arkansas Derby (G1)- Entries, pps, race video, handicapper picks here

4/16 Blue Grass Stakes (G1)- Entries, pps, race video, handicapper picks here

Articles:

·       Arkansas Derby previews: (Bloodhorse) (Brisnet) (TTimes) (Sports Network) (The Brock Talk)

·       The Factor giving owners more than they expected (Courier Journal)

·       Blue Grass Stakes previews: (Keeneland) (Brisnet) (Bloodhorse) (TTimes) (DRF) (Courier Journal) (Sports Network)

·       Blue Grass Stakes post position draw quotes (Keeneland)

·       Blue Grass Stakes a natural spot for Wilkinson (DRF)

·       Swift Warrior out of Blue Grass with condylar fracture (DRF)

·       Master of Hounds still may be Derby bound (Bloodhorse)

·       Arthur’s Tale to miss Derby with injury (Bloodhorse)

·       Santa Anita’s top two resume training in California (DRF)

·       Midnight Interlude is a late-hour Derby hopeful (Bloodhorse)

·       Pletcher hopes tests solve puzzle of Uncle Mo’s Wood show (Courier Journal)

·       Uncle Mo returns to track, still on course for Kentucky Derby (DRF)

·       Kentucky Derby-wise you’ve got to know your limitations (DRF)

·       Another wide-open Kentucky Derby not want fans want or horse racing needs (Lexington Herald Leader)

Rankings:

·       Super six Derby pix (They Are Off)

·       Almost a Derby dozen (The Derby Post)

Works:

·       Astrology: SA-5F- 1.00:80- H- 21/52