The fields for three important Kentucky Derby preps were drawn
Wednesday- the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Wood Memorial (G1), and Illinois Derby
(G3). The results will send some
prospects onto Churchill Downs where their connections will make the famous
walk from the backside to the paddock, while others will be left behind to only
dream of the scene for next year.
Creative Cause drew the rail in the Santa Anita Derby and is the 6-5
favorite. He will face nine others
including surprise San Felipe (G2) winner I’ll Have Another. Although I’ll Have Another has not
raced in nine weeks, he has been given a heavy workout load that involved two
7-furlong moves and a long mile.
Full entries and a link to PPs can be found below// Attention will be
focused on headliners Alpha and undefeated Gemologist in the Wood Memorial at
Aqueduct, but it wouldn’t surprise me if My Adonis or Street Life thrust
themselves into the Derby picture with good showings// The Illinois Derby had
a whopping 17 entries which includes 3 also-eligibles. The race appears wide-open with
Currency Swap the tepid 4-1 favorite.
He comes off a well-beaten 2nd place to Gemologist in a
Gulfstream allowance, but earned his respect from a victory in the Hopeful (G1)
back in September. Mike Repole, who you may remember from the Uncle Mo soap
opera last Derby, will try to make it back to Louisville with Our Entourage in
the Illinois Derby. Full entries
and preview articles below// Bob Baffert returned to Santa Anita
Wednesday. He was apparently
moving slowly from the surgery performed post-heart attack in Dubai. Other than his three in the Santa
Derby, it was confirmed Secret Circle and Bodemeister are headed to Oaklawn for
the Arkansas Derby (G1) April 14th// Larry Jones reported Mark
Valeski is fine after losing a shoe in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and will train
as if he’s going to the Derby.
Jones will be watching the outcome of this weekend’s preps with great
interest as a strong showing by any longshot could bump Mark Valeski off the
top 20 graded earnings list// Isn’t He Clever is another horse on the bubble in
graded earnings, but his connections are taking no chances. He will enter the Arkansas Derby in
hopes of earning more cash. If
Isn’t He Clever advances to the Kentucky Derby it would be his 5th
race in 13 weeks, which is quite a busy schedule in comparison to the recent
trend of lightly raced Derby starters// more…
Santa Anita Derby (G1)
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
/ TTimes
1 / TTimes
2
Wood Memorial (G1)
Illinois Derby (G3)
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
The Bay Shore (G3)
Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet
Articles
Mark
Valeski still on Derby trail (Bloodhorse)
3-year-olds
to watch (In The Money Blog)
Expect
the unexpected (Bloodhorse)
Irwin,
Romans to discuss Triple Crown (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky
Derby report April 5 (Brisnet)
Florida
Derby day photo album (DRF Blog)
Louisiana Hero or
hype? (Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds Blog)
Live
coverage of Santa Anita Derby on HRNN (Bloodhorse)
Here
of Order, Dorochenko arrive at Keeneland (The Downey Profile)
Works
Secret Circle- SA- 6F- 1.13:40- H- 1/10
Castaway- SA- 4F- 48:40- H- 6/22
Longview Drive- HOL- 4F- 49:20-
H- 11/24
Rankings
Kentucky
Derby Top 20 (DRF)
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter
“On Fire Baby one of 20 noms to
Grade 2, $300K Fantasy; also nominated to Ark. Derby; no decision on next spot,
Hartlage said Wed.”- Mary Rampellini via Twitter
“Kenny McPeek on ATR
resets 3yo's: Golden Ticket (abcess) to miss Blue Grass for Lexington; Atigun,
(orig. Ark Derby), likely to Blue Grass. Saturday Launch, ent. in KEE
Transylvania Fri., still IL Derby intended. AQU MSW winner Unstoppable U
possible for Lexington.”- Steve Byk via Twitter
