Just when things seemed to settle on the Kentucky Derby graded earnings
list, there is a new shooter that could shake things up. Castaway, winner of a division of the
Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn and a dull 7th in the Sunland Derby
(G3), could have enough earnings for the Derby starting gate with a win in
Saturday’s Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. He was a late addition to the probable Lexington field
Tuesday, yet trainer Bob Baffert said the decision had nothing to do with
trying to squeeze into the Derby.
Rather, the race was chosen to simply earn some money, although racing
two weeks later at Churchill was not ruled out. Morgan’s Guerilla, Stirred Up, and News Pending are also
scheduled for the Lexington Stakes, and could move into the also-eligible slots
for the Derby// Creative Cause worked 5-furlongs at Hollywood Park Tuesday. He wore cheater blinkers, which only
block a small amount of vision as opposed to regular blinkers. Trainer Mike Harrington seemed happy
with the work, and said blinkers will most likely be off for Creative Cause in
the Derby, just as they were for his 2nd place finish in the Santa
Anita Derby (G1). Creative Cause will work once more at Hollywood next Tuesday
before shipping to Churchill Downs and working May 1st. There were
reports that Creative Cause was very ‘washy’ from the work, but apparently
that’s normal// Jerry Hollendorfer was non-committal on the plan for Rousing
Sermon’s next race. He said a
decision will be made soon on whether to go to the Derby or stay for a
restricted stakes race in California// In other notes, Take Charge Indy will
have his first breeze since the Florida Derby (G1) on Thursday at Palm
Meadows// Illinois Derby (G3) victor Done Talking will work at Laurel Park twice
before shipping to Louisville// Mark Valeski arrived on the Churchill Downs
grounds Tuesday afternoon in good order// Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor
International, said Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Went the Day Well is always dull
in morning works and there was nothing to be concerned about from his Saturday breeze
at Keeneland. He also said John Velasquez will retain the mount, however Todd
Pletcher could give Velasquez the option to ride El Padrino seeing as Javier
Castellano is committed to Gemologist// Alpha has recovered from an infection
and jogged at Belmont Park Tuesday. He could ship to Churchill as soon as
Friday or as late as April 30// Santa Anita Derby winner I’ll Have Another will
work the next two Thursdays at Hollywood Park before flying to Louisville//
Dale Romans is confident Dullahan will handle the Churchill surface just fine,
and has the proper acceleration needed to win the 1 1/4 mile contest// New
rankings and an updated graded earnings list from Churchill Downs with good notations
below…
Updated Graded Earnings List
Official
List 4/17 (Churchill Downs)
Kentucky Derby News and Opinion
Dozen
3-year-olds possible for Lexington (Bloodhorse)
Churchill
Downs barn notes 4/17 (Churchill Downs)
Romans:
Dullahan likes Churchill Downs dirt (Bloodhorse)
Donegal
prepares for another Derby experience (Bloodhorse)
Lane’s
End weekender pedigree: Bodemeister (Paulick Report)
Kentucky
Derby Barn List 4/17 (Churchill Downs)
Who’s
the favorite? (Bloodhorse Blog)
Kentucky
Derby criteria (Trackside with Trackman Blog)
Point/Counterpoint: Bodemeister vs Dullahan (Horse Racing Nation)
Point/Counterpoint: Bodemeister vs Dullahan (Horse Racing Nation)
A
few minutes with Hamilton Smith [Done Talking] (That’s Amore Stable Blog)
TCI
weekend wrap up: lovin’ the winners [with video] (TwinSpires Blog)
Time
out from Derby trail to talk about Derby memories (Racing at the Jersey
Shore Blog)
Photos and Video
Mark Valeski arrives for
Kentucky Derby (YouTube)
Rankings
Top
10: A new leader (And Down The Stretch They Come)
Paulick
Derby Index 4/17: Loud and Clear (Paulick Report)
Works
Creative
Cause- HOL- 5F- 1.01:20- H- 16/37
News
and Quotes from Twitter
“On quiet Tuesday morning at HOL, I'll Have Another
(SA Derby winner) looked super galloping mile and half for Doug O'Neill.” -
Brad Free DRF
“I will be taking I'll Have Another out on Thurs for his work, come
out and take photos of me, I mean him. I like being asst coach”- IamLavaMan
“I’ll Have Another to work Thursday at
Hollywood; final work April 27 at Hollywood; then fly to Kentucky April 28.”-
TTimes
“Creative Cause very washed out per work today. Rank going off, last
quarter in 24:4. 101:1 for the 5/8ths. Not what I expected”- Gary Mandella HRTV
“Yes,
Creative Cause got very hot Tues work at HOL. Not the first time”- Brad Free
“Fit horses don't need to work that often, long strong gallops can be
more effective at this point. [Take Charge Indy] will work soon at Palm
Meaodws”- Jill Byrne
“Take Charge Indy will work Thurs. at Palm
Meadows crack of dawn trainer Pat Byrne confirmed just minutes ago”- Mike
Welsch DRF
“Romans
compares Dullahan to Ferdinand. Can see him coming up rail and making last 1/8
of a mile run @KentuckyDerby” - MDoche
“Irwin
on Went The Day Well breeze Saturday: ‘He’s a lousy work horse…This is not a
horse that’s ever gonna inspire anybody in the morning’”- TTimes
“Irwin
says John Velazquez keeps mount on Went The Day Well for Derby”- TTimes
