Chasing The Derby: Reveron will try to increase chance of making Derby// Ever So Lucky fires bullet ahead of Blue Grass// Handsome Mike out of Ark Derby

The connections for Reveron are making no bones about their desire to get to the Kentucky Derby. They have decided to point the colt to the Lexington Stakes (G3) April 21st at Keeneland in an effort to boost his graded earnings. Reveron currently sits at #23 on the list, and that ranking could drop further after this weekend’s prep races// Ever So Lucky fired a bullet at Keeneland in preparation for the Blue Grass (G1) Saturday. Dick Downey may have misinterpreted trainer Jonathan Sheppard’s quote after the work, in which Sheppard mentioned the Blue Grass would be the longest race of Ever So Lucky’s life. Downey took that to mean Ever So Lucky will not point for the Derby, but Sheppard may have meant “so far”. We’ll know more after the Blue Grass// Miguel Mena will ride Russian Greek in the Blue Grass for the first time. Russian Greek is coming off a disappointing 8^th place finish in the Vinery Spiral (G3) at Turfway and is now under the care of trainer Gennadi Dorochenko// Ken Ramsey will have two interests in the Blue Grass with Gung Ho and and Politicallycorrect. It appears both horses can only gain entry into the Derby with a victory. Adirondack King and Golden Ticket were officially declared out of the Blue Grass, which means maiden winner Holy Candy will most likely get in the race// Handsome Mike will miss the Arkansas Derby (G1) due to a cough and questionable blood work results. Doug O’Neill’s assistant Leandro Moro hopes to get the colt right in time for the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland where a victory could squeeze him into the Derby// Michael Matz is still undecided on when to send possible Derby favorite Union Rags to Louisville, but he has scheduled the colt’s first workout since the Florida Derby (G1) for Friday or Saturday at Palm Meadows// Take Charge Indy, winner of the Florida Derby, will ship into Louisville with the Todd Pletcher contingent (Gemologist and El Padrino) on May 1// Larry Jones confirmed Mark Valeski will not race again before the Derby, which means they will need some luck to stay at #20 on the graded earnings list. Jones thinks he has a “live horse” and says the numbers are very similar to Hard Spun, who finished a hard fought 2^nd in the 2007 Kentucky Derby// I almost had a panic attack myself reading quotes from Dr. Hansen’s NTRA teleconference Tuesday, and I’m not really sure why. In a whirlwind of thoughts he says he has tremors due to Derby fever, thinks Hansen will dominate the Blue Grass Saturday, believes it’s a no-brainer for Ramon Dominguez to opt for Hansen over Alpha in the Derby, and likes the little white stripe between his colt’s nostrils. OK…// A blog entry by Steve Haskin theorizes the winner of the Kentucky Derby could be determined by the jockey who can manage the best trip. That theory is true in tons of races, but especially important when many of the 20 likely contenders appear evenly matched. Haskin also takes Joel Rosario to task (again) for using the whip on Creative Cause who seems to veer off course when urged// Updated rankings and weekly top speed figures below…

Derby News

Keeneland Notes Tuesday 4/10 (Keeneland)

Blue Grass contender summary 4/10 (The Downey Profile)

Sheppard hints: Ever So Lucky not a Derby candidate [and more notes] (The Downey Profile)

Prospective could get Casse into Kentucky Derby picture (DRF)

Oaklawn Park Notes April 10 (Oaklawn Park)

Handsome Mike sick, will miss Arkansas Derby (The Downey Profile)

Court targets first Arkansas Derby three-peat (DRF)

Reveron may enter Lexington in last-ditch effort for graded earnings (DRF)

Parbhoo gives update on Trinniberg (Brisnet)

Derby dreams ride in on a white horse (NY Times)

Haskin’s Derby Trail: Riders on the storm (Bloodhorse Blog)