Mike Welsch
has a nice first-hand account of Orb’s final breeze ahead of Saturday’s Florida
Derby (G1). He claims the colt was authoritative in the last strides of the
four furlong work and barely came back blowing afterwards. The likely Florida
Derby field has already swelled to nine horses from just three listed as probable
two weeks ago. In addition to Orb and other headliners Shanghai Bobby and
Itsmyluckyday, the field will probably include Frac Daddy, Pick of the Litter,
Merit Man, Pontiff, Narvaez, and Are You Kidding Me// The Louisiana Derby (G2)
figures to be a full field of 14, with the connections for Sunbean keeping
their fingers crossed there are no surprise additions. Sunbean would push to
the also-eligible list considering he’s only raced in Louisiana-bred restricted
races. Departing is the other Al Stall Jr. possible Louisiana Derby prospect
and will probably be among the favorites in the race. Revolutionary figures to
be the top choice, along with stablemate Palace Malice taking a fair share of
betting money as well. Dallas Stewart still believes in Golden Soul, a close
6th last time out in the Risen Star, and thinks added distance will help// Bob
Baffert’s Flashback worked six panels at Santa Anita in the fastest time of 14
others, but it was still called “smooth”. Baffert said on the radio Monday that
War Academy will likely head to the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Power Broker will
join Flashback in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). The trainer announced he is
backing off Tiz the Truth and pointing for a Summer or Fall campaign instead// The
list of late Triple Crown nominations were announced Monday, with recent Spiral
Stakes (G3) winner Black Onyx headlining the additions. Among the notable exceptions were Show Some
Magic, currently #25 on the leaderboard, and El Camino Real (G3) winner Dice
Flavor. A full list can be found below// Speaking of Dice Flavor, he’s set to
race in the UAE Derby Saturday in Dubai along with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
runner-up He’s Had Enough and others// The Kentucky Derby trophy arrived safely
at Churchill Downs today, so you can breathe a sigh or relief// more…
Articles:
Flashback, Orb work for final Derby
preps (Bloodhorse)
Black Onyx heads 13 late nominees… [pdf] (Churchill Downs)
Derby points up for grabs in Dubai (Brisnet)
Sunland success credit to Pegram’s
program (Courier
Journal)
Spiral, Sunland Derby thoughts (DRF Blog)
Black Onyx: Contender or pretender? (Horse Racing Nation)
A Kentucky Derby field with just 14
horses? (Horse
Racing Nation)
Kentucky Derby Daily: March 25 (In The Money)
Derby Championship handle (Brisnet)
A legacy to John Nerud (Bloodhorse Blog)
Kentucky Derby trophy arrives safely
at Churchill Downs
(Churchill Downs)
Rankings:
Haskin’s Derby Dozen (Bloodhorse Blog)
Top 15 (NY Daily News)
Works:
Falling
Sky- PMM- 5F- 1.03:03- B- 5/8
Orb- PAY-
4F- 48:30- B- 3/7
Power
Broker- SA- 6F- 1.12:00- H- 2/15
Flashback-
SA- 6F- 1:11.80- H- 1/15
Quotes and Tweets:
"Govenor
Charlie, Midnight Lucky came out of Sunland wins in good order, Baffert said
today. They fly back to CA on Tues"- Jay Privman via Twitter
"[Bob
Baffert]tells ATR listeners he's stopping on Mercedes Stables' Tiz the Truth
(Tiznow) anticipating a 2nd half of the year campaign. Flashback a smooth 6f
this a.m. & Power Broker now probable for SA Derby as well; War Academy
most likely to AR Derby"- Steve Byk via Twitter
