Summary:
Two Kentucky Derby
contenders had longer than normal breezes today. Itsmyluckyday worked a mile at
Calder and the report from the Daily Racing Form reminds of us of how nice it
is when Mike Welsch is present. Not only are there informative quotes from
trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who was more than pleased with the move, but Welsch
makes the astute observation that the Calder course was “cut up pretty well”
just before the renovation break// At Churchill Downs, Dallas Stewart sent
Golden Soul out for a strong 6-furlong breeze. The colt currently sits at #23
in the point standings (or #21 depending on the leaderboard you look at) and
Stewart thinks he’s “very credible”. Although Golden Soul’s recent prep outings
are nothing to write home about, he was always closing and Stewart contends the
more distance the better// A decision has still not been made on whether
Falling Sky will start next in the Kentucky Derby, but the would-be rider is
set in stone. Luis Saez, who rode Falling Sky to victory in a December
allowance at Gulfstream, would get his first Derby mount aboard the son of Lion
Heart// Several handicappers have weighed in on how they see Saturday’s
Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland shaping up. Picks are linked below// Dave
Tuley at the Daily Racing Form makes an argument of parlaying your Derby horse from
race-to-race (in other words: betting the selection to win in each of the
Triple Crown Races) as opposed to betting the Triple Crown wager beforehand
offered by Wynn Las Vegas. He uses Verrazano’s 12-1 odds to win the Triple
Crown as an example of where you would most likely make more money betting him
to win in each leg of the Triple Crown// more…
Upcoming Kentucky Derby Points Race:
Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G3)
Keeneland
1 1/16 Miles
PPs: Click here
Previews: Keeneland
/ DRF
/ Bloodhorse
Articles:
Golen Soul works, Frac Daddy gallops, Java’s War
arrives
(Churchill Downs)
Mike
Smith talks Derby (Brisnet)
Outsiders with a chance in Kentucky Derby 139 (The Voice-Tribune)
TCI: Kentucky Derby preview April 18 [video] (Bloodhorse)
Jersey-born jockey Napravnik Derby-bound again (Hunterdon County Democrat)
Point-Counterpoint: Midnight Lute vs. War Pass (Horseracing Nation)
Lukas,
Stevens headline ‘It’s My Derby’ party (Bloodhorse)
Churchill Downs strengthens security policies,
expands screenings (Churchill
Downs)
Rankings:
Derby Gauge Top 15 (In The Money)
Works:
Itsmyluckyday- CRC- 1M-
1.43:20- H- 1/2
Golden Soul- CD- 6F-
1.12:40- B- 1/3
Quotes and Tweets:
"Itsmyluckyday:26.82
:53.82 1:18.29 mile in 1:43.10 last 1/2 :49.29 finished well when asked over
cut up track just B4 break at CRC"- Mike Welsch via Twitter
Golden Soul, hoping to get
into #KyDerby, breezed 6F in 1:12.40 to 7/8 pole. Splits: 12, 23.40, 35, 46.80
& 59. Out 7F in 1:27.40- Derby Media via Twitter
"If Falling Sky runs
in the Derby, Luis Saez would ride, says Nick Sallusto, racing manager for the
owners"- Davide Grening via Twitter
