Fed Biz gets a race date, works slow// No blinkers for El Padrino// More press for Starlight// New rankings

Although a mere allowance winner as of now, Fed Biz has received Kentucky Derby buzz befitting a February 3-year-old stakes winner.  Bob Baffert announced Fed Biz will get his first graded stakes attempt in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita.  The colt worked a rather pedestrian 6 furlongs Wednesday. Stablemate Liaison also got an extended one mile work at Santa Anita and his move was slow as well, just as Baffert intended// Nice feature story on former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones and trainer Larry Jones who have two colts- Mr. Bowling and Mark Valeski- in Saturday’s Risen Star (G2).  The trainer admits he hasn’t figured out how good either colt is, which is a major reason for running them against each other at the Fair Grounds.  They’ll have to face the favorite El Padrino who Todd Pletcher considered adding blinkers to for the race.  He decided against it based on the colt’s progression and laid-back attitude// More feature articles on Starlight Stable and Jack Wolf// Entries were drawn for the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel.  The 7 furlong contest appears to not have any serious Kentucky Derby contenders, but graded stakes placed Friscan could advance himself along the trail with a win//Another 3-year-old stakes race this coming weekend that will not get the attention of the Fountain of Youth or Risen Star is the Borderland Derby at Sunland Park.  Isn’t He Clever is favored and he’ll try to get back to winning ways off his 4^th place finish in the Robert Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita// For Facebook users, be sure to “like” the relatively new CTD Facebook page here to receive update notices on the site// more…

Articles

Fed Biz, Liaison turn in easy works (Bloodhorse)

Fed Biz pointing to San Felipe (DRF)

Former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones has three in Saturday stakes (Fair Grounds News)

Super shopper Starlight has basket of 3YOs (Bloodhorse)

Starlight with bright roster (TTimes)

El Camino Real runner-up headed to Dubai (DRF)

Isn’t He Clever favored in Borderland Derby (Bloodhorse)

Pletcher’s turn to show off his talent (DRF)

Southwest runners exit races well (Brisnet)

3-year-olds to watch 2/22 (In The Money Blog)

Earnings for Kentucky Derby on the line in Grade 2 Risen Star (Graded Stakes Blog)

Bloodlines of KY Derby runners 2007-2011 (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Who’s hot who’s not 2/22 (DRF)

Kentucky Derby report 2/23 (Brisnet)

Currency Swap on list of Kentucky Derby contenders (Ocala.com)

Bob Baffert’s trainees shine in weekend of Derby preps (The Saratogian)

Rankings

Paulick Derby Index 2/22

Works

Liaison SA- 1M- 1.43:00- H- 1/2

Fed Biz SA- 6F- 1.16:00 H- 7/9

Brother Francis SA- 5F- 1.00:60- H- 3/10

Twelve Hundred HAW- 5F- 49:00- B- 1/23

Night Tide SA- 4F- 48:40- B- 11/18

Animal Spirits FG- 3F- 38:00- B- 10/13

LeComte choices vary/ Napravnik ready for 2nd try/ Friscan returns to winning ways

Bob Fortus at The Times-Picayune offers some perspective on maturing 3-year-olds and history of the LeComte Stakes.  The race has only produced one Kentucky Derby winner, War Emblem, who finished 5^th in the LeComte.  This year’s running has 13 entries (2 coupled) and just as many handicapping angles.  From a scan of equine sites and Twitter feeds there is no consensus choice, with Exfactor, Hammer’s Terror, Capetown Devil, Dan and Sheila, Z Dager, Shared Property, Seven Lively Sins, Ted’s Folly, and Mr. Bowling all getting consideration// Nice feature on Rosie Napravnik who’s hoping for her second Kentucky Derby mount, this time with Seven Lively Sins// Friscan, last seen finishing third in the Bashford Manor (G3) in early July, returned to racing today at Laurel.  The colt dominated a 5.5 furlong optional claimer in which he led the whole way// Wynn Las Vegas updated Kentucky Derby futures for the second time this week. Several LeComte entries, including favorite Shared Property are 175-1 and up.

Lecomte (G3)

PPs, race videos, picks and more here

Futures:

Wynn Las Vegas 1/20/11

Articles:

LeComte provides horses an early test for Louisiana Derby (The Times Picayune)

Horse racing in Saturday’s LeComte are still learning to run (The Times Picayune)

Countdown to the Crown Week 3 (DRF)

Everything’s coming up Rosie (ESPN)

Derby thoughts always in forefront (DRF)

Ted’s Folly has taken owner on a jolly ride (Courier Journal)

Thoroughbred racing weekend advance (UPI)

Kentucky Derby winning team has two top contenders in Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream (Sun-Sentinel)

Drill going back to one turn in San Pedro (DRF)

Hansen leads Holy Bull probables (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby 2012 dosage report (Horseracing Nation)

Works:

Fort Loudon- CRC- 5F- 1.01:80- B- 2/6
Team Six- FH- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 3/5
Il Villano- PRX- 5F- 1.02:45- B- 2/4
Creative Cause- HOL- 6F- 1.14:00- H- 5/16
Longview Drive- SA- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 21/53
Isn't He Clever- SUN- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 4/22
Stat- PMM- 5F- 1.02:22- B- 9/14