Summary:
Entries
were drawn for five Saturday races that could each carry Kentucky Derby
implications. The obvious headliner is the Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct, which will
award 50 Derby points to the winner. That amount will most likely guarantee a
spot in the Kentucky Derby gate. Overanalyze is the best on paper, but will
start from the far outside in a 12 horse field. Previews and a link to free PPs
can be found below// Departing, scratched from last weekend’s Risen Star (G2)
due to a bad post position is going with option B in the Texas Heritage Stakes
at Sam Houston// The Gazebo Stakes at Oaklawn features a small but intriguing
cast including impressive maiden winner Titletown Five, undefeated Colorado
bred Get Happy Mister, and the former hyped allowance winner Malibu High// The
John Battaglia Stakes at Turfway serves as a prep for the Spiral (G3) and drew
horses that have raced in Arkansas, Louisiana, Illinois, New York, Florida, California
and its own backyard// It’s tough seeing any of the contenders in the Swale
(G3) being able to stretch out on the trail and make their way to Louisville
for the Derby. It was already reported that Merit Man will scratch due to the
post// Opening odds were announced for Pool #2 of the Kentucky Derby Future
Wager. ‘All others’ are favored
again at 3-1 with Verrazano and Super Ninety Nine the 10-1 co-favorites for
individual selections. Overanalyze (15-1), Vyjack (30-1), and Titletown Five
(30-1) are particularly susceptible to fluctuating odds following their
performances this Saturday// A nice article from Paul Moran at ESPN on the
“mystique” of the Kentucky Derby with fantastic observations from novelist John
Steinbeck when he attended the race in 1956// There was a small outcry over a
DRF story explaining the reasoning behind the Beyer speed figures given to last
Saturdays stakes races at the Fair Grounds. Once you actually read the article it
seems to make sense that final time alone does not tell the whole story// more…
Articles:
The return of
Overanalyze (ESPN Blog)
Q&A: Mike Repole on
Overanalyze, Derby, etc. (Courier Journal Blog)
Fever
knocks Balance the Books out of Palm Beach (Gulfstream Park)
Kentucky Derby prep
horses to watch (allhorseracing)
In the Money:
3-year-olds to watch Feb 27 (In the Money)
Kentucky Derby Report
Feb 28
(Brisnet)
The
Kentucky Derby mystique (ESPN)
Horse Racing’s top
bachelor [Tapit] (The Wall Street Journal)
Rankings:
Kentucky Derby Top 20 (DRF)
ESPN
Top 10 (ESPN)
Jerry
Bossert’s Top 15 (NY Daily News)
Top 10: Kevin’s best
bets
(Sports Chat Place)
Workouts:
Zeewat- GG- 4F- 49:60- H-
5/14
Pataky Kid- TB- 5F-
1.00:80- B- 1/6
Little Jerry- HOL- 5F-
1.00:80- H- 7/23
Quotes and Tweets:
"GP alw winner Capo
Bastone headed to Rebel 3-16, with John Velazquez to ride, reports Aron Wellman
of owner Eclipse Thoroughbreds"- Jay Privman via Twitter
