Chasing The Derby: Fields set for Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby; questions to be answered// New CTD Top 5// more...

The stage is set for the final weekend of major Kentucky Derby preps. The questions that will be answered are numerous. Will a dominating effort in the Blue Grass (G1) propel Hansen to favoritism in the Derby? Will a long shot or two unexpectedly jumble the graded earnings list? Can Optimizer, Howe Great, or Jake Mo earn enough to get off the bubble? If Secret Circle were to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) and enter the Derby field as the only horse to win three graded preps as a 3-year-old, does he finally get the respect he deserves? Will Bodemeister progress in just his 4^th race to become a legitimate top 5 contender? Every horse brings his own questions to Saturday’s race, yet Saturday will most definitely produce even more questions to be answered three weeks later. Entries, preview articles, and links to past performances for the Blue Grass and Arkansas Derby can be found below// Nice article from the Wall Street Journal on the recent trend of Derby winners usually not winning one of the five major prep races (defined as Blue Grass, Arkansas Derby, Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, and Santa Anita Derby). Another important statistic is that they may have not won, but 17 of the last 20 did run in one of those preps// Lots of new rankings released today, including my own CTD Top 5// more…

Upcoming:

Arkansas Derby (G1)

Entries

Past Performances: Click here (look for April 14 Stat)

Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes

Blue Grass Stakes (G1)

Entries

Past Performances: Click here (look for April 14 Heavy Breathing)

Preview Articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes / Courier Journal

Derby News

Prospective hoping to day-trip up Hansen (Courier Journal)

Looking at Derby prep Beyer figures (DRF Blog)