Chasing The Derby: Daily Feed: Nothing wrong with Will Take Charge, Lukas eyes next spot on trail// Fortify taking Dubai route to Derby// Updated Futures

Summary:

The spotlight still shines on trainer D. Wayne Lukas after his recent sweep of last weekend’s two Kentucky Derby point races. Surprisingly he is showing some restraint in his prognostications, fully realizing it’s only January. Oxbow, winner of Saturday’s LeComte will either start next in the Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds February 23 or Rebel (G2) March 16 at Oaklawn. Smarty Jones Stakes winner Will Take Charge is most likely headed to the Rebel (G2) and Lukas said he will keep the two prospects separated for now. He also revealed jockey Jon Court thought Will Take Charge may have “tweaked or jammed something” just after the wire, but vet tests and a little jog revealed nothing was amiss// Texas Bling was just a neck away from taking the Smarty Jones Stakes away from Will Take Charge Monday. He will try for more Derby points in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn on February 18// Jennie Rees from the Courier Journal confirmed reports that multiple graded stakes placed runner Fortify is in Dubai preparing for the UAE 2,000 Guineas on February 14. If he handles the surface well, Fortify will then try the UAE Derby (G2) on March 29, where a win or place would probably give him enough points for the Kentucky Derby (He’s currently #24 in the point standings)//Ed DeRosa over at TwinSpires blogs about Kentucky future wager strategies in regards to Saturday’s Holy Bull. He’s hoping for a good effort from any horse with current future odds of 50-1 and over, with the proviso they don’t win the race. However, I would think a strong stretch move by any will most likely still cause their odds to drop regardless if they win or not// Speaking of Future odds, the latest were released by Wynn Las Vegas. A link to the full list, plus PPs from Brisnet below. I really don’t like taking any horse in January below 50-1 odds, yet it seems harder and harder every year to find potential value plays. Even mere maiden and allowance winners like Verrazano, Flashback, Palice Malice, and Bradester are all sub-50-1. I’ll take Honorable Dillon (150-1) and Mountain Eagle (100-1)// more…

Articles:

After sweeping the Smarty Jones and Lecomte, Lukas making plans for round 2 (DRF)

D. Wayne Lukas dominates Kentucky Derby trail races (Louisville.com)

Trip Notes: LeComte (DRF)

Fortify in Dubai and pointing for UAE 2000 Guineas (Courier Journal Blog)

Kentucky Derby pedigree Profile: Oxbow (Horseracing Nation)

The Kentucky Derby future wager question before a big prep race: Now or later? (TwinSpires Blog)
Ranking the latest Derby contenders (Bleacher Report)

Weewinnin out to prove 60-1 victory was no synthetic (Santa Anita Notes)

Churchill announces Spring Meet Stakes (Brisnet)

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas 1/21/13 (Brisnet PPs here)

Workouts: