Chasing The Derby: Secret Circle out, El Padrino in// Take Charge Indy, I’ll Have Another breeze// Matz using Barbaro playbook for Union Rags

I haven’t finalized any of my Kentucky Derby wagers yet. Similar to the latest blog entry by Brian Zipse, I am in the process of eliminating “pretenders”. I’m pretty certain Secret Circle would have not made that list. Dismissed by many to have distance and class challenges, you can’t argue the colt’s toughness finishing in the money in every race entered. The multiple graded stakes winner was one of the most consistent horses on the trail and would have gone off at attractive 20 to 1+ odds. However, the Derby was not meant to be when it was revealed Thursday that Secret Circle has a sesamoid injury and will be on the shelf for several months. His defection paves the way for Todd Pletcher trained El Padrino and puts Reveron on deck// Two closely watched officially timed workouts took place Thursday for Take Charge Indy and I’ll Have Another. The latter worked a stretched out 6 furlongs at Hollywood Park. Doug O’Neill said it was “fantastic” and “he got stronger as he went”. I’ll Have Another will work again in one week at Hollywood before shipping to Churchill Downs// Take Charge Indy’s 5-furlong breeze at Palm Meadows was in company, unlike I’ll Have Another’s solo effort. Trainer Patrick Byrne said Take Charge Indy was very focused and the colt will work once more in Florida before flying to Louisville May 1^st// Wood Memorial (G1) winner Gemologist’s first work since the race is in flux due to weather. He’s penciled in for Sunday but could move up one day if storms are expected in south Florida// Michael Matz is duplicating the Barbaro training regimen for Union Rags. A chart from the DRF story shows virtually the exact same spacing and distances for official works. Union Rags is currently training at Keeneland like Barbaro did before the Derby, and will also move to Churchill for his final work one week before the race// As I mentioned several days ago, be prepared for the onslaught of “The Apollo Curse” talk on Bodemeister, who is trying to become the first horse since 1882 to win the Derby without racing as a 2-year-old. It is no surprise however that Gary West at ESPN sheds new light on a once tired subject. He points out Bodemeister was actually in serious training since June of last year and has great quotes from trainers Bob Baffert and Steve Asmussen// Several more stories and handicapper picks for the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. For full previews and PPs check out Wednesday’s entry below// For a nice background article, check out DRF’s piece on Dullahan’s dam Mining My Own who also produced 2009 winner Mine That Bird. Mining My Own could become the first mare ever to produce two Derby winners// more…

Kentucky Derby Contenders

For past performances, pedigree info including dosage and TrueNicks grades, and best Beyer/BRIS speed ratings go here

Kentucky Derby News and Opinion

Injured Secret Circle out of Derby (Bloodhorse)

Take Charge Indy workout reports: DRF / Bloodhorse / TTimes

I’ll Have Another workout reports: DRF / Bloodhorse

Kentucky Derby Notes 4/19 (Churchill Downs edited by Bloodhorse)

Will Bodemeister rewrite history? (ESPN)

Matz keeps Union Rags fresh for big day (DRF)

Barbaro trainer bringing Union Rags to Derby [with video] (Bleacher Report)

Alpha looks to be healing well (DRF)

Pletcher may shift Gemologist’s work (DRF)