Weekend prep favorites Union Rags and Mark Valeski hog headlines// Key works for Wood, Santa Anita Derby, and Arkansas Derby// KDFW Pool 3 opens, money comes in on Hansen

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #3

Live Odds

Articles

Mellow Union Rags is Michael Matz’s next hope at Florida Derby (Miami Herald)

Union Rags in prime form going into Florida Derby (Philadelphia Daily News)

Union Rags and El Padrino face off in the Florida Derby (Louisville.com)

Top Derby contender lightly tested, and healthy (NY Times)

El Padrino looking to punch ticket to Kentucky Derby (USA Today)

El Padrino’s owner ready to meet Union Rags (Bloodhorse)

Florida Derby to test Reveron’s potential (Miami Herald)

Romans likes New Pending’s versatility (The Downey Profile)

Take Charge Indy fresh for Florida Derby (Bloodhorse)

Road to the Derby: Florida Derby (Courier Journal)

Haskin’s Derby Trail: Ride the Wild Surf (Bloodhorse Blog)

Mark Valeski gives off good vibes heading in to Louisiana Derby (DRF)

Mark Valeski has much to prove in crowded Louisiana Derby (Graded Stakes Blog)

On Palm Sunday, Rousing Sermon a good hunch play (DRF)

Friday’s UAE Derby notes (The Downey Profile)

Derby prep contenders in March 30 drills (Bloodhorse)

Alpha, My Adonis put in final works for Wood (Bloodhorse)

Freshness supplants experience for Santa Anita prospect I’ll Have Another (DRF)

Najjaar on way to Arkansas Derby (The Downey Profile)

Secret Circle’s aptitude contradicts pedigree (Bloodhorse)

Hansen surprise early favorite as pool 3 opens (DRF)

The road to Kentucky Derby runs through Florida’s Gulfstream Park (Forbes Online)

A look at weekend thoroughbred racing (UPI)

Countdown to the Crown Week 13 (DRF)

Why you should make plans for the 138th Kentucky Derby (Forbes online)

Picks

Florida Derby: Staff Picks (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Florida Derby: Union Rags vs. El Padrino (Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds Blog)

Louisiana Derby: The Morning Line: Louisiana Derby (The Derby Post)

Works

Jake Mo- OP- 4F- 51:20- B- 23/28

Midnight Transfer- SA- 6F- 1.11:80- H- 1/11

Najjaar- OP- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 3/14

I'll Have Another- HOL- 7F- 1.26:00- H- 1/3

Alpha- PMM- 4F- 49:17- B- 6/21

My Adonis- AQU- 4F- 47:12- B- 1/17

Midnight Transfer- SA- 6F- 1.11:80- H- 1/11

Notes and bits from web and Twitter:

“Trainer Danny Peitz and jockey Calvin Borel were very happy with the way Najjaar worked today in advance of the Arkansas Derby. The local horses are going to try to keep Secret Circle from completing the sweep”- Oaklawn Park via Facebook

“Dominguez scheduled to ride Alpha in Wood Memorial next Saturday. Dominguez was injured in Aqu. accident March 18”- Jay Privman via Twitter