Summary:
WinStar Farm and Todd
Pletcher chose three-time Kentucky Derby winner Calvin Borel for riding duty on
Revolutionary. The WinStar press release says the fan poll “helped affirm” the
decision, even though Rosie Napravnik was the first choice… not sure how that
works?// Mike Smith gets the call on recent Blue Grass (G1) runner-up Palace
Malice. Garrett Gomez rode the colt on Saturday but was already committed to
ride Vyjack. Gomez and his agent could be kicking themselves for making a quick
decision, especially considering the jockey could have also been in the running
for Revolutionary// Verrazano took his first steps on the Churchill track
Monday, and according to the always-descriptive Todd Pletcher, “he galloped
nicely”. Pletcher indicated he has penciled April 21 and April 28 as official
breeze dates for both Verrazano and Revolutionary. His other three likely Derby
entrants- Charming Kitten, Overanalyze, and Palace Malice- will each have one
official work before the Derby on April 28// Normandy Invasion is settling into
his surroundings at Churchill and will have two workouts before the Derby, most
likely over the two remaining weekends// D. Wayne Lukas is also planning two
works for Will Take Charge and either one or two for Oxbow, who recently finished
a disappointing 5th in the Arkansas Derby (G1)// Considering how desperate most
owners and trainers are to have a horse in the Kentucky Derby gate, it’s
amazing how many would actually qualify this year but are instead bypassing the
opportunity. At least four horses that hold enough points to get in will skip
America’s greatest race (Uncaptured, Departing, West Hills Giant, Merit Man). That
makes this Saturday’s Coolmore Lexington (G3) and the following week’s Derby
Trial (G3) essentially “win and your in” type races. Not that any potential
winner of those races would definitely move onto the Derby, but Cerro and
Titletown Five have connections who’ve indicated it is a possibility// Get
ready for the onslaught of stories on how weak this year’s Derby field will be.
The same theme creeps up every year, but this prospective cast does seem to
lack a lot of star power. Steve Haskin alludes to the slow times of recent
preps in his weekly Derby Dozen column, and says the race will simply come down
to who’s peaking at the right moment. Morning workouts and gallops in the weeks
between now and May 4th will be
critical// more…
Articles:
Verrazano gallops, Lukas arrivals get settled in (Churchill Downs)
Kentucky Derby field 139- First look (Derby Wars)
Todd Pletcher could see five of his horses run in
Kentucky Derby (NY Daily News)
2013 Kentucky Derby could be slowest in history (The Island Packet)
Rankings:
Derby dartboard Week 3 (NY Times)
Haskin’s Derby Dozen April 16 (Bloodhorse Blog)
