Chasing The Derby: Out of Bounds injured in work, no Kentucky Derby// Alpha leaning towards Florida Derby// Spring Hill Farm to prove himself in Tampa?

The start of new week is already beginning to look like last week- another serious Kentucky Derby contender was knocked off the trail Monday. Sham (G3) winner Out of Bounds was found to have a condylar fracture to his left front ankle after a 5-furlong bullet workout at Hollywood Park. Luckily it’s not displaced meaning he can return to racing after surgery and recovery// Hansen continues to grab headlines all over the country. Bob Ehalt of ESPN notes his slow final sixteenth time as well as the questionable field he beat. A nice short blog post on ThoroEdge Equine Performance by Bill Pressey who mentions Hansen’s pre-Gotham “blowout” the day of the race could have been a contributing factor to how he was able to rate and relax. He backs it up with a physiological explanation// Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was impressed with Hansen and is using the Gotham as an excuse to probably keep his leading contender Alpha in South Florida for the Florida Derby (G1). He likes the spacing of the race, probable small field, and fact he can retain the riding services of Ramon Dominguez who rides both Hansen and Alpha. McLaughlin was still considering the Wood Memorial (G1) for Alpha, mostly to avoid Union Rags, however the Wood now features an apparent revitalized and improved Hansen// Speaking of the Wood Memorial, an allowance race Wednesday at Aqueduct could produce a couple promising 3-year-olds that may take the next step up// Todd Pletcher’s Spring Hill Farm could be the favorite of Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2), but he won’t be too short priced with rivals Take Charge Indy, Battle Hardened, Reveron, and Prospective in the mix// New rankings and more below…

Articles and Videos

Out of Bounds suffers fracture in workout (Bloodhorse)

Tampa Bay Derby to have Pletcher standout (DRF)

Alpha looks headed to Florida Derby (DRF)

Inflation Target stretching out (DRF)

El Padrino was one cool yearling dude (Bloodhorse)

Under the Radar: Daddy Nose Best (DRF)

Hansen’s pre-Gotham blowout… (ThoroEdge Equine Performance)

Hansen planning return to trip to New York for Wood Memorial (DRF)

Hansen paints the town blue (ESPN Blog)

Newport doctor hits hit big with Kentucky Derby contender [with video] (WKRC-TV)

Monday training videos of El Padrino and Union Rags (Racing with Bruno)