If Shanghai
Bobby fails to give a convincing effort in Saturday’s Florida Derby (G1), get
ready for critics to crawl out of the woodwork. There will be critics of the
2-year-old Champion’s distance capabilities, seeing as they already made noise
after his defeat in the Holy Bull (G3)- a second place finish that not only
registered high speed figures but came off a nearly three month layoff. There
will also be critics of the new Kentucky Derby point system, seeing as Shanghai
Bobby would likely not make the Kentucky Derby field with a finish outside the
top four on Saturday. Yes, he won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and was
crowned 2-year-old Champion but would you really include him on any of your
Derby tickets after a fifth or worse finish in the Florida Derby?// Below are
Florida Derby stories on trainer Shug McGaughey and his quest to have a real
Derby contender and hometown hero Eddie Plesa and his dreams with
Itsmyluckyday. Two likely entrants breezed four furlongs Tuesday: Turf and
synthetic runner Are You Kidding Me and maiden winner Pick of the Litter// As
expected, dominating Sunland Derby (G3) winner Govenor Charlie will train
straight up to the Kentucky Derby (G1) instead of squeezing in one more prep// It
was announced Gary Stevens will ride Oxbow in the Arkansas Derby (G1) for
trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The trainer said the horse belonged to Stevens all
along and Mike Smith was just a substitute in the Rebel when Stevens was
committed to ride at Santa Anita. That’s a little humorous seeing as Stevens
has never ridden Oxbow in any of his eight career races// Looks like impressive
Santa Anita maiden winner Summer Exclusive will stay off the Derby trail.
Trainer Peter Miller didn’t like the end of his 7-furlong workout and feels the
colt needs to stick to one turn for the time being. He will ship to Aqueduct
for the Bay Shore (G3)// When I commented a few days ago that video production
quality could easily be improved by some racing outlets, I didn’t really have
in mind what Brisnet released on YouTube late Monday night. It’s different, I’ll give them that// more…
Articles:
Eddie Plesa targets Florida Derby
with Itsmyluckyday
(Gulfstream Park)
Laughing his way to the Derby with
Orb? (Gulfstream
Park)
Campbell ready for takeoff with
Palace Malice (Bloodhorse)
Verrazano remains the standout (In The Money)
Where they’re going next (Downey Profile)
Kentucky Derby Daily March 26 (In The Money)
The Bullet Train Derby platform 3/25
[video] (Brisnet
via YouTube)
A bloodstock agent’s view [on
Shanghai Bobby]
(Courier Journal Blog)
PPs
Future Odds:
Wynn Las Vegas 3/25 (View From Vegas)
William Hill 3/25 (View From Vegas)
Rankings:
Down and Derby Sweet 16 (Zipse At The Track)
Works:
Are You
Kidding Me- PAY- 4F- 48.30- B- 1/12
Pick of the
Litter- GP- 4F- B- 49.62- 4/4
War
Academy- SA- 4F- 47:60- H- 2/20
Manando-
SA- 4F- 48:60- H- 11/20
Quotes and Tweets:
"Spiral
champ Black Onyx to arrive @ChurchillDowns Wednesday 9-9:30 a.m. Barn 41, Stall
12. Will be 1st #KyDerby horse on grounds"- Derby Media via Twitter
“Govenor
Charlie and Midnight Lucky will go straight to Ky Oaks and Derby"- Bob
Baffert via Twitter
