Summary:
Rosie Napravnik, who fell
short in the “contest” to ride Revolutionary by WinStar and Todd Pletcher,
picked up a Derby mount nonetheless on Mylute. The Tom Amoss trainee will be a
big price May 4th, but Napravnik is definitely pleased to be going to the big
dance for the second consecutive year// Pletcher mentioned on Steve Byk’s radio
show Tuesday that Edgar Prado is the likely rider for Charming Kitten, another
probable Derby starter who will go off at long odds// Gary Stevens will retain
the mount on Oxbow, despite a poor ride in the Arkansas Derby (G1). Trainer D.
Wayne Lukas thinks Stevens learned a lot from the experience and will keep
Oxbow more forwardly placed in the Derby// Trainer Rudy Rodriguez appeared in
Lexington Tuesday for his hearing in front of the Kentucky Horse Racing
Commission. He was approved for a training license despite recent medication
violations, but his Derby contender Vyjack will be under video surveillance
24/7 while stabled at Churchill Downs// Word came Tuesday that the connections
of Tiz A Minister, currently right on the cusp of qualifying for the Derby, are
strongly considering pointing for the race. Tiz a Minister was 4th last time
out in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with no apparent excuse// Speaking of the
Kentucky Derby leaderboard, there is some confusion over the last few spots.
Several sources, including the latest official standings submitted by Churchill
Downs, still have Super Ninety Nine and Code West at spots #18 and #21 respectively.
However, Santa Anita has Bob Baffert quoted as stating “and then there was
one”, which suggests Govenor Charlie is his lone entrant and Super Ninety Nine
is out. Also, the official Kentucky Derby website has both Code West and Super
Ninety Nine removed from the list. So, while most signs point to their absence,
no official statements have been issued// According to Trakus data, Java’s
War’s wide trip in the Blue Grass (G1) resulted in the colt traveling 52
additional feet compared to runner-up Palace Malice. That margin equates to a
six-length victory if both would have traveled the same distance// For
Saturday’s Lexington Stakes at Keeneland (G3) we’re hearing more about horses
NOT pointing for the Kentucky Derby instead of trainers making last ditch
efforts to get in. The filly Pure Fun is going against males just to get in a
race before her main target of the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Examen’s trainer Tom
Proctor essentially said he could care less about the Derby and instead will
focus on the Swaps (G1) as a long-term goal. Todd Pletcher’s lone Lexington
Stakes entrant Winning Cause will also likely skip the ‘Run for the Roses’ even
with a good result Saturday. Other probables for the Lexington Stakes include
Cerro, Hip Four Sixtynine, Johnny Handsome, Pick of the Litter, Title
Contender, and Where’s Dominic// more…
Articles:
Napravnik to ride Louisiana Derby runner-up Mylute
in Kentucky Derby (Courier Journal
Blog)
Stevens remains on Oxbow for KY Derby (Bloodhorse)
Vyjack
will be watched closely at Churchill (Courier Journal)
Pure Fun to challenge males in Lexington (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky
Derby Update April 16 [video] (Churchill Downs)
Kentucky Derby shaping up to be interesting race (GamingToday.com)
Predictions fly as major Kentucky Derby preps wrap up (Ocala.com)
Predictions fly as major Kentucky Derby preps wrap up (Ocala.com)
Goldencents will not win the Kentucky Derby (Zipse at the Track)
Derby points: Moderate bump in prep runners (The Downey Profile)
The bullet train Derby platform 4/15 (Brisnet via YouTube)
Blue Grass/Arkansas Derby= Little Derby impact? (Horseracing Nation)
This week’s Road to the Kentucky Derby (Courier Journal Blog)
Events where public can meet Kentucky Derby
horsemen (Courier Journal Blog)
Rankings:
Top 15
(NY Daily News)
Quotes and Tweets:
"Todd Pletcher tells
ATR listeners that Edgar Prado the leading candidate to ride Charming Kitten
for the Ramseys in Kentucky Derby"- Steve Byk via Twitter
