Chasing The Derby: Interesting bunch in Sunland Derby// Drill to try 2 turns again// I’ll Have Another goes long// Dominguez optimistic on making the Wood

A field of eight will contest Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby (G3). The cast is diverse and varied; 2 graded stakes winners, 3 listed stakes winners, and 3 maiden winners. Most have hopped to and from various tracks including Gulfstream, Golden Gate Fields, Santa Anita, Oaklawn, Churchill Downs, and Saratoga to name a few. Southwest (G3) winner Castaway heads the field and drew the rail, while El Camino Real (G3) victor Daddy Nose Best makes his return in lane 6. Todd Pletcher and Bob Baffert could spoil things (possibly for themselves in Baffert’s case) with maiden winners Ender Knievel and Stirred Up respectively. Isn’t He Clever takes another stab at graded cash on a track where he has fared well. The full field with a link to free PPs can be found below// Aside from Sunland Derby entries, there is an interesting allowance at the Fair Grounds on Saturday featuring Bourbon Courage, a maiden winner who garnered a whopping 103 Beyer Speed figure in his debut. That figure is the second highest number of all current 3-year-olds, just behind the 105 by Algorithms who is off the Derby Trail. Bourbon Courage is definitely behind the 8-ball in making it to the Derby, but could be wheeled back in 3 weeks for the Louisiana Derby (G2). Not sure how likely that is however, given his pedigree and the fact Saturday’s race is only 6-furlongs// The sheer number of articles for the Spiral Stakes (G3)- a race where entries haven’t even been drawn yet- is bordering on obsessive. The once quirky little Derby prep that drew a cast of mostly B-list prospects now suddenly gets all the attention based on the fact Animal Kingdom graduated from the race last year before wearing the Roses// I’ll Have Another continued his steady workout routine with a 7-furlong move at Hollywood Park. The surprise Sham (G3) winner is still gearing up for the Santa Anita Derby (G1)// Drill will try two-turns once again. Although Bob Baffert has intimated sprinting is probably best based on his dull efforts in routes, there still appears a strong need to point for the Kentucky Derby. He will most likely go to Keeneland for the Bluegrass (G1)// Gemologist was confirmed for the Wood Memorial (G1)// Ramon Dominguez says that doctors are very optimistic on his recovery time from a dislocated collarbone and the jockey should be able to ride Hansen in the Wood…

Sunland Derby (G3)

Entries

Link to PPs (look for Sunday 3/25/12 Castaway)

Articles

Sunland Derby (G3) preview articles: DRF / Bloodhorse / TTimes / Brisnet

I’ll Have Another posts solid 7-furlong move (Bloodhorse)

Drill will stretch out for Keeneland’s Bluegrass (DRF)

Eight listed for Wood Memorial; Possible or probable (The Downey Profile)

Nine now likely for Louisiana Derby (The Downey Profile)

Pletcher looking for third win in Spiral (Brisnet)

Handsome Mike has plenty to prove in Spiral Stakes (DRF)

Motion, Team Valor follow familiar path with Went the Day Well (DRF)