Chasing The Derby: Alpha gets 90 Beyer from Withers// Overdriven officially off trail// Southwest contenders breeze// Gemologist returns to work tab

It appears most runners from Saturday’s Derby preps are in good order Sunday. Alpha, the winner who grabbed the most headlines, will be pointed to just one more race before the Kentucky Derby- either the Gotham (G3) or Wood Memorial (G1)// Gemologist, the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner at Churchill Downs in November, finally returned to the work tab with a short and slow breeze. Other than Todd Pletcher mentioning the colt will have two races before the Derby, specifics are unknown// Another Pletcher contender was officially ruled off the Derby trail Sunday. Overdriven, winner of the Sanford (G2) at Saratoga in July and injured in August, will not have enough time to prepare for Derby. That leaves owner Mike Repole of Uncle Mo/Stay Thirsty fame with only one possible contender in Our Entourage. That prospect will race on turf for his 3-year-old debut and then point for the Wood Memorial (G1)// Several contenders for the Southwest (G3) worked at Oaklawn Sunday, including Smarty Jones Stakes winner Junebugred who put in a strong 5-panel move// Lost amid all Saturday’s key results was that Cyber Secret returned to winning ways at Oaklawn and could be headed to the Rebel (G2) or Arkansas Derby (G1) next. The colt earned a 96 Beyer figure from the allowance which immediately puts him ahead of the other 3-year-olds on that circuit// Another race that didn’t get much attention Saturday was the 5-furlong Needles stakes at Gulfstream. Musical Flair made his return from a four-month layoff to win by 3/4 lengths in come-from-behind fashion. Trainer Sal Santoro says he’ll most likely point Musical Flair to the Fountain of Youth (G2), where he would face very stiff competition in Union Rags, Hansen, and others.

Articles

Gotham or Wood likely next for Alpha (DRF)

Alpha continues drive towards Derby (ESPN Blog)

Petals on the path- The Withers (Staten Island Advance)

Choking on chalk- 3YO preps (DRF Blog)

Needles winner Musical Flair may stretch out for Fountain of Youth (DRF)

Gemologist reappears on work tab; other Pletcher horse breeze (The Downey Profile)

Oaklawn Barn Notes Feb 5 [info on Junebugred and Cyber Secret] (Oaklawn Park)

Stat returns in Thursday GP allowance (The Downey Profile)

Works

Brown Eyed- Jozi LAD- 5F- 59:40- B- 1/3

Reckless Jerry- OP- 5F- 1.02:40- B- 17/56