Chasing The Derby: Watch Me Go to the Derby// Jaycito absent from Lexington// J P's drama

Summary:

When entries were drawn for the Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, the anticipated main attraction was missing from the small field of six. Jaycito, who has recently assumed the role of this year’s “wise-guy” horse—more for what he hasn’t done than what he’s actually accomplished—was deemed unfit by trainer Bob Baffert. Amazingly, he’s still pointed for the Kentucky Derby where he will run off of an eight-week layoff and questionable bruised foot. The Lexington field does include Silver Medallion who needs a 1^st or 2^nd place finish to qualify for the Derby// Another graded three-year-old stakes, the Jerome Stakes at Aqueduct, drew a competitive field of former CTD Trackers. While there are no Derby implications, it will be an important tune-up for Astrology whose connections hope to move on to the Preakness// Apparently The Bloodhorse has a vested interest in Blue Grass Stakes winner Brilliant Speed. They published two articles today touting his pedigree and making excuses for his poor dirt tries// Derby mount-less jockeys are in the news again and we can expect to hear much more on that as draw day nears. Derby winners Calvin Borel, Mike Smith, and Edgar Prado, plus top money earners Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, and Martin Garcia are all in limbo// Watch Me Go, currently #21 on the Derby list, worked at Tampa Bay today and was declared headed to Churchill. His team will be rooting against Silver Medallion Saturday plus will need another defection. Midnight Interlude, guaranteed a spot in the Derby field, put in his final California move (a bullet) before boarding a plane to Louisville// The connections of J P’s Gusto have provided the best soap opera along the Derby trail this year. The colt has been plagued by knee-jerk decisions from his owners and trainers (emphasis on the plural) and nothing has changed close to two weeks from Derby. Current trainer Joe Petalino had no idea of the whereabouts or Derby intentions for his horse and surmises he may no longer train him// more…

Derby Field as of April 20^th:

In: Archarcharch, Brilliant Speed, Decisive Moment, Dialed In, Midnight Interlude, Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, Pants On Fire, Santiva, Soldat, Toby’s Corner, Twice The Appeal

Most likely in: Master Of Hounds, Stay Thirsty

50/50: Comma To The Top, Uncle Mo, Animal Kingdom, The Factor, Jaycito, J P’s Gusto

Outside looking in: Watch Me Go, Shackleford, Twinspired, Silver Medallion, Anthony’s Cross

Entries:

The Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3): entries, pps, video, and handicapper picks here

Jerome Stakes (G2): entries

Articles:

· Coolmore Lexington Stakes preview articles: (Keeneland) (Bloodhorse) (Brisnet) (DRF) (Courier Journal)

· Preakness best case scenario for Howard-trained Lexington entry Prime Cut (DRF)

· Look for Lexington winner later (The Brock Talk Blog)

· Jerome Stakes preview articles (NYRA) (TTimes) (Bloodhorse) (Brisnet)

· Watch Me Go a go for Derby following Tuesday workout (TTimes)