Twelve colts and geldings were entered in Saturday’s Vinery Spiral (G3),
a race where the winner is guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby gate. However,
none are considered serious Derby contenders. Of course, neither was Animal Kingdom last year and we know
what came of that theory. There is
no clear-cut favorite in this year’s field. Todd Pletcher’s Heavy Breathing is the morning line favorite
at 3-1, followed closely by Handsome Mike and Went the Day Well at 4-1. Full stories, entries, and PPs can be
found below// Of all the reasons Kiaran McLaughlin gave Wednesday for sending
Alpha to the Louisiana Derby (G2) instead of the Wood Memorial (G1), he never
mentioned avoiding Hansen. However,
when it was announced Thursday that Hansen would surprisingly go next in the
Blue Grass Stakes (G1), just moments later McLaughlin announced Alpha would now
point again to the Wood. There is
the fact that Alpha’s connections could retain the services of jockey Ramon
Dominguez with the new plan, however it is not certain he will be recovered
from injury. Make no mistake about
it, they are trying to find the easiest spot for Alpha. However, the same can be said with
Hansen. Although owner Kendall Hansen
and trainer Mike Maker never called the Bluegrass “easier”, you have to believe
that reason is stronger than “staying in Kentucky” and enjoying the “romantic
atmosphere” of Keeneland. By going to the Blue Grass, Hansen avoids facing
Gemologist and Alpha who were threats to put pressure on the front end//
Another domino fell with these recent decisions when it was stated Cozzetti, 3rd
in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) last out, could go to the Wood instead of the
Arkansas Derby (G1)// In Wednesday’s post I mentioned Bourbon Courage, a 103
Beyer earner, who was entered in an allowance at the Fair Grounds
Saturday. I wasn’t sure of his
connections’ Derby aspirations, but Thursday brought the answers through a nice
feature on ESPN. If Bourbon
Courage does well Saturday he will most likely go to the Derby Trial (G3) with
a following start in the Preakness...
Vinery Spiral Stakes (G3)
Preview Articles: DRF
/ DRF
2 / Bloodhorse
/ TTimes
/ Brisnet
Picks: That
Handicapping Show (Bloodhorse) / Time
to get Ill (Thorofan)
Articles
Steven
Haskin: What’s it all about, Alpha? (Bloodhorse Blog)
Enjoying
3-year-old ‘Bourbon’ (ESPN Blog)
O’Neill
‘pumped’ by I’ll Have Another’s work (Bloodhorse)
Lukas
hopes to Optimize his chances for another Kentucky Derby (Zipse at the
Track Blog)
Nine
probables likely for Louisiana Derby (Bloodhorse)
Breeders’
Cup Juvenile could be key (The Saratogian)
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
“Defection of Hansen from Wood
Memorial could prompt Romans to send Cozzetti there instead of Arkansas”-
DerbyContenders via Twitter
