Chasing The Derby: Itsmyluckyday, Goldencents go slow// Velazquez on target// Videos, betting strategies, features, more…

Summary:

With just a little over a week to go until the Kentucky Derby, when every move and twitch your horse makes is crucial, the last thing you need is a tentative exercise rider. Trainer Eddie Plesa instructed his rider to take an easy 4-furlong breeze aboard Itsmyluckyday at Calder, but he didn’t mean to practically walk. The final time of 53 flat was unsurprisingly ranked the slowest time of the day. Now, Plesa will have to decide whether to give Itsmyluckyday a blowout just before the Derby// On the West Coast, Goldencents also posted a slow breeze, however trainer Doug O’Neill was pleased with the way he settled early and then picked up steam towards the end// Conditions were improved at Churchill Thursday with the track labeled as “good”. Mike Welsch noted Normandy Invasion looked “razor sharp” and other standouts included Orb and Falling Sky. He was also critical of Frac Daddy, noted improvement from Govenor Charlie, and said it was more of the same from the Pletcher contingent. His full report with video can be found below// A nice chart from the Courier Journal tracks the weather and track conditions of all previous Kentucky Derbies// Byron King lays out how he sees the Derby pace shaping up by placing likely entrants in four distinct groups: front-runners, stalkers, mid-pack closers, and deep closers// It’s that time of year when there’s too many features to mention in detail. Look below for stories on Kevin Krigger, Ken Ramsey, Rick Pitino, betting strategies, odds prognostications, the life of a clocker, and more…

Articles:

Kentucky Derby Update 4/25 (Churchill Downs)

Kentucky Derby Workouts: Normandy Invasion continues to impress [Clocker Report Video] (DRF)

Goldencents final workout at Santa Anita before Kentucky Derby [video] (Santa Anita via YouTube)

Goldencents works six furlongs at Santa Anita (Bloodhorse)

Velazquez expects to resume riding Wednesday (DRF)

Must-win situation for Titletown Five in Derby Trial (DRF)

No Kentucky Derby for Officer Alex (DRF)

Kentucky Derby pace scenario a matter of grouping (DRF)

TCI: Kentucky Derby preview 4/25 [video] (Bloodhorse)

‘Wild Card’ Derby Trial no a misnomer (Downey Profile)

Q&A Ken McPeek on his Kentucky Derby chances (DRF)