Dialed In quashes rumors with bullet move// Mucho handicappers don’t like Macho Man in La Derby//

Summary:

Some were concerned with the status of Holy Bull winner Dialed In based on the fact he had not returned to the workout tab since his last allowance race.  Those fears should be eased with his big bullet move at Palm Meadows this morning.  Nick Zito was about as exuberant as he can be and claimed Dialed In came home in a blistering 11.4 seconds// If you run through some of the handicapping articles and videos below for the Louisiana Derby, you’ll see there are several Mucho Macho Man doubters.  Despite being a heavy favorite, handicappers tend to like Nacho Business, Machen, Elite Alex and Wilkinson instead.  Although I’ve been leaning towards Elite Alex, Dick Downey notes he missed a workout two back for reasons unknown// More news and notes on the upcoming Vinery Spiral Stakes, Sunland Derby, and UAE Derby// Elliot Walden at Winstar suggested Cal Nation will take the Bernardini route to the Preakness and revealed Brethren could go to the Santa Anita Derby, although the Arkansas Derby is more likely// more…

Prado flies in to take Machen for a spin, 5 others work for La Derby// Sweet Ducky not off the Derby Trail just yet// UAE Derby Set...

Summary:

Six Louisiana Derby contenders worked today. Longshot Populist Politics gets the bullet but Neil Howard’s Machen and Wilkinson were sharp too. Edgar Prado flew in to test-ride Machen for the first time// Kiaran McLaughlin describes more of Florida Derby-bound Soldat’s work yesterday.  Apparently he took a lot of dirt in the face by design, which seems like a smart tactic looking forward// Sweet Ducky’s trainer doesn’t rule out the Derby if he finishes well in Dubai’s UAE Derby.  That field is set as well// The Wood Memorial looks like it now has a chance of filling for Uncle Mo. Two horses originally scheduled to go elsewhere, Norman Asbjornson and Toby’s Corner, may now stay in New York.  Bob Baffert also announced Jaycito will join the cast// The familiar debate about The Factor dominated news again today. Will he get the distance, and more specifically can he win the Derby with his running style?// It’s time to start looking more closely at the graded earnings list. The top 20 qualify for the Derby.  The Factor jumped to #5 with his Rebel win.  Some big names that need an extra boost: Astrology, Sway Away, and Wilkinson.  Even Brethren and Archarcharch may need more dough// An array of new rankings released today, including celebrity Bo Derek who likes The Factor// I failed to note MacLean’s Music’s impressive maiden win at Santa Anita on Saturday (video at bottom of post).  He earned a whopping 114 Beyer which is highest first-time number ever. No word on his next start and if the Derby Trail is even in the cards// more…

The Factor goes the distance// Rouge Romance off the Trail// Dance city noses out hyped stablemate…

Summary:

The Factor answered the two turn question in the Rebel Stakes today. Now the question will be added distance, but let’s give credit where credit is due.  You can’t deny he was impressive by setting honest fractions, feeling a little breath from Saratoga Red, and pulling away to win by over 6 lengths against a competitive field.  He’s legitimate (although some critics below will note his final fractions).  On the not-so-impressive side we had a no show from Sway Away.  As his trainer insisted, he had a bad trip, but serious Derby horses need to settle at some point and he never looked comfortable. Also disappointing was the scary scratch of Alternation. Luckily, it sounds like everything is ok, but I was looking forward to his move up// Bandbox wins easily in the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel.  Trainer Rodney Jenkins says he could very well be pointed to the Preakness (no Derby)// Rogue Romance is the latest casualty on the Derby trail. He’s out with a fractured foot// Dance City held off his much-hyped stablemate Cal Nation in an allowance at Gulfstream.  What will Pletcher do with them next?// Loads of works today including Louisiana Derby contenders Left and Mucho Macho Man. Macho Man also gets a nice background article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution// more…

Rebel Stakes: crowded with horses, questions, and angles. Elite Alex may bail// A Kentucky Derby Future Pool #2 conspiracy?// The Wood gets a boost...

Summary:

Saturday’s Rebel Stakes will be crowded.  13 total entries with lots of angles and questions. Will The Factor get the distance?  Will J P’s Gusto and Sway Away move up from their last efforts? Is Archarcharch for real? Will Elite Alex even run, or wait for the Louisiana Derby// Dick Downey has an interesting email conversation with John Asher at Churchill Downs about Gourmet Dinner and Sweet Ducky still being in the Future Pool last weekend despite rumblings they were off the trail.  Tough issue, but I probably have to side with the argument that it comes with the inherent risk of the bet itself// The Blue Grass Stakes seems to get a new entrant each day.  Monzon, the winner of the Count Fleet Stakes and well beaten in the Sam F Davis, is the latest pointed there.  That race seems to now be a backdoor entry into the Derby if your horse is questionable on dirt// The Wood Memorial just got a sponsor and purse increase to one million.  It’s not like Uncle Mo needs the extra earnings, but it could improve Norman Asbjornson’s Derby gate chances if he finishes in the money// more…

Gomez’s agent wouldn’t trade places with The Factor// Astrology going to Sunland Derby// Louisiana Derby coming up light...

Summary:

Garret Gomez’s colorful agent Ron Anderson makes some bold statements on Sway Away vs. The Factor in the upcoming Rebel Stakes. He says The Factor “is not going to outrun” him, which I actually tend to agree.  The Daily Racing Form claims Sway Away could be on the pace based on his June 2010 maiden, which doesn’t really hold up considering he’s been off of it his last two races// Speaking of the Rebel, it’s worth noting Dreaminforthewin has been battling a quarter crack// We have what seems to be a definite destination for Astrology: The Sunland Derby March 26. That leaves only 3 weeks between his next possible prep and then another 4 weeks for the Derby.  Many think that’s too tight, especially coming off a long layoff// Gomez gets the mount on To Honor and Serve which makes sense considering Johnny Velazquez has Mo duties // Steve Crist says don’t worry about Uncle Mo’s low Beyer from the Timely Writer// Norman Asbjornson, 2^nd place in the Gotham, is headed to the Wood Memorial and gets a late Triple Crown nomination//For more in-depth reporting on the connections of Premier Pegasus be sure to check out the two part article from Stride Live// // More fallout on the sale of Sweet Ducky to controversial Chechan President.  The original owners are claiming they had no clue.

Entries drawn for two big preps, Mandella throws Ten Devils into the fire, Zito reveals more on The Factor

Summary:

The big news of the day is the close of entries for two stepping-stones to the Kentucky Derby.  Comma To The Top draws the rail in the El Camino.  The easier race for them might have just got a little trickier.  Trial by fire- Mandella not only switches Ten Devils to dirt but also talks of altering his running style… in a G2 no less. Plus the Factor still possible for San Vincente, Walden says no rush with Cal Nation, and Mucho Macho Man may bolt from the South Florida circuit to the Fairgrounds.

Comma To The Top ready for more artificial action, Haskin takes aim at J P, six contenders work and more

Peter Miller explains why he’s keeping Comma To The Top on the fake stuff, which is bad for us Derby handicappers.  If you’ve followed the daily trail news recently it’s not hard to figure out who Steve Haskin is aiming his latest piece at.  It will be interesting if team J P’s Gusto 2.0 can prove him wrong.