‘Tis the season for Derby fever.
Just three days ago, the connections for Swale (G2) winner Trinniberg
claimed the Preakness, not Kentucky Derby, would be the main target based on
the fact it was too soon to stretch him out. Now, in a piece from the Bloodhorse, owner Shivananda
Parbhoo says with a good effort in Saturday’s 7-furlong Bay Shore (G3) they will
strongly consider the 1 1/4 mile race at Churchill Downs// Not everyone
contracts Derby fever however. Surprisingly, the connections of On Fire Baby announced
Thursday their filly will race next in the Kentucky Oaks. There were indicators they would try
the Derby, where she would have qualified for the starting gate based on
earnings, however owner Anita Cauley opted for the Oaks// El Padrino was sent for
an examination after his 4th place effort in the Florida Derby
(G1). Nothing was found out of the
ordinary so the colt will train for the Kentucky Derby. In a more surprising statement, Todd Pletcher
will keep all of his Derby hopefuls at Palm Meadows until May 1, meaning none
will have an official breeze at Churchill Downs. He attributed the decision to avoiding unpredictable
weather and the relative peaceful surroundings at the South Florida training
center. This marks a significant
change in his pre-Derby training from the last several years, including 2010
when he won with Super Saver. That
year, Super Saver had a key work one week before the race on a sloppy Churchill
track. He won the Derby seven days
later on a similar surface// There’s an interesting and somewhat amusing
animated simulation of the Santa Anita Derby via ESPN. I’ll Have Another wins by a neck over a
late charging Creative Cause. You can find it in the Picks section below// Tons
of features articles on entrants in this Saturday’s Derby preps. I’ll Have Another, Holy Candy, Creative
Cause, Gemologist, and Alpha all get time in the spotlight// Russian-born
trainer Gennadi Dorochenko will most likely miss out on the Kentucky Derby with
his Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Hero of Order due to not being nominated,
however he has another chance if Russian Greek runs good enough in the Blue
Grass (G1). That horse is
thankfully Triple Crown nominated, however faces a tall order at Keeneland where
he will go up against Hansen and other qualified prospects. Russian Greek has finished off the
board in two previous graded stakes tries, both on synthetic surfaces like the
Blue Grass// Updated future odds were released by Wynn Las Vegas. Despite a third place finish last
Saturday, Union Rags is still favored at 7/2 followed by Hansen and Creative
Cause at 10-1. Regardless of what
happens this weekend or next-- barring an absolute runaway victory by the above
stated second choices-- the tote board come Derby day will be mouthwatering…
Articles
Santa Anita Derby:
Rosario
hoping Creative Cause his homerun (Courier Journal)
Wood Memorial:
Wood
Memorial offers glimpse into Alpha’s future (Lexington Herald Leader)
Wood
Memorial is a big test for Gemologist (Sports Network)
Illinois Derby:
Other articles:
Russian
Greek eyes Blue Grass for Dorochenko (Bloodhorse)
Two
added to Arkansas Derby probable field (Bloodhorse)
Trinniberg
auditions for KY Derby (Bloodhorse)
The
son following in dad’s footsteps [Isn’t He Clever] (Sports Network)
On
Fire Baby to train up to KY Oaks (Bloodhorse)
Todd
Pletcher has a handle on Derby fever (Bleacher Report)
Future Odds
Picks
Santa Anita Derby:
Dick’s Picks
(The Downey Profile)
Wood Memorial:
Commish’s Picks
(The Downey Profile)
Historical
Derby prep race (Thorofan Blog)
Illinois Derby:
