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Shanghai Bobby gets vacation, off Derby trail// Speak Logistics skipping Bluegrass, chance at Kentucky Derby// Santa Anita Derby, Wood, Blue Grass news// more…


Chalk one up for logic. The connections of Shanghai Bobby announced they will put the 2-year-old Champion on the shelf for awhile and gear up for a Summer campaign instead of the Spring Classics. Shanghai Bobby’s prospects of making the Derby field were slim as is, considering his 24 points were likely not enough to qualify. Not to mention, it doesn’t appear anything over 1 1/16 miles suits him// Well, take that point away from logic. Todd Pletcher tells Jennie Rees that there is a real possibility Palace Malice will be wheeled back in two weeks to the Blue Grass (G1). Not only is the Polytrack surface a complete unknown for Palace Malice, but also the timing of the race being just two weeks after the Louisiana Derby (G2) and three weeks before the Kentucky Derby (G1) is asking a lot from any 3-year-old// Keeneland announced probables for the likely full Blue Grass field: Will Take Charge, Uncaptured, Charming Kitten, Dewey Square, Dynamic Sky, Falling Sky, Fear the Kitten, Footbridge, Java’s War, Noble Tune, Reporting Star, Rydilluc, Tessaron, Tiz a Minister, Undrafted, and War Academy. Three others were listed as possible: Palace Malice, Mudflats, and Eton Blue. While I realize Bob Baffert has to separate his prospects as best he can, I was disappointed to see War Academy on the Blue Grass list. He did break his maiden on synthetic, but it seems more of a choice for the B-team. The Blue Grass lost a contender in Speak Logistics, whose connections decided to race in the Calder Derby instead. That ensures the colt is no longer on the Derby trail// Baffert said Flashback had the “perfect” work Monday ahead of the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Flashback is one of many contenders racing Saturday primarily for Kentucky Derby points. The Santa Anita Derby will be a strong cast led by the top four finishers from the San Felipe (G2)- Hear the Ghost, Flashback, Tiz a Minister, and Goldencents. Power Broker and Super Ninety Nine have their connections looking for redemption at Santa Anita after well-publicized last race failures. Recent maiden winner Storm Fighter rounds out the list of probables// The star attractions of the Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct, Verrazano and Vyjack, don’t have to worry about Derby points, but for the rest of the field the race represents the last chance for a run at the Roses// I’ve updated the CTD Top 5. You’ll notice Revolutionary still didn’t crack the list. Something about the Louisiana Derby (G2) just doesn’t sit well with me. It’s easy to get caught up in the latest flavors of the week, but I’m basing his exclusion on the belief the La Derby field was weak and there was nothing convincing about his victory. Orb did make the cut for essentially the same reasons Revolutionary didn’t// more…


Articles:


PPs


Rankings:
CTD Top 5 (CTD)
AP Top 10 (AP)
NTRA Top 10 (Bloodhorse)
Top 10 (Star-Ledger)
Top 10 (Left at the Gate)
Derby Gauge Top 15 (In The Money)


Works:
Cerro- PMM- 5F- 1.06:14- B- 7/7 (Turf)
Flashback- SA- 4F- 48:00- H- 4/22
War Academy- SA- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 4/23


Quotes and Tweets:
"Solid 5/8 for Flashback, in co., in final prep for SA Derby, good gallop out. Tab workmate Del Mar Sunset when meets maidens" - Jay Privman via Twitter

"Kind of disappointing work for War Academy (5f, 1:01), in co. with Belvin, who looked to be going best in team drill"- Jay Privman via Twitter

"Pletcher says Palace Malice, troubled stretch run in #LaDerby, could run back in #BlueGrass w goal of #KyDerby pts (and G1 win)"- Jennie Rees