What a difference a day makes.
The immediate sentiment after the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) draw on Wednesday
was that it was Hansen vs. “the rest”.
Thursday rolls along and the tides change. Whether the reasons have to do with actual doubts about the
favorite or simply bettors trying to find more of a payoff remains
unclear. 3 of the 5 handicapper picks
below have Dullahan as the winner, which is not crazy when you look at the
colt’s class and success at Keeneland.
The debate on Hansen’s chances are centered on pace, with at least 6
entries showing a propensity for early speed. Although Hansen showed some ability to rate in the Gotham
(G3), he was not far off the pacesetter and had the luxury of staying in the
clear on the outside. He could be
under considerably more pressure Saturday, both from a speed and crowding perspective//
Jennie Rees from the Courier Journal posted a video interview with trainer John
Sadler in which the trainer says he pulled an audible to run Holy Candy in the
Blue Grass (G1) due to the apparent favorable pace scenario. He thinks his colt could be flying from
the back of a hotly contested battle.
Sadler also says Holy Candy is one of the most talented horses he’s ever
trained// There are nice features on Blue Grass entrants Ever So Lucky and
Prospective below as well// The connections of Cozzetti are hoping for a quick
pace in the Arkansas Derby (G1), seeing as the colt proved he can close in his
last race the Tampa Bay Derby (G3)// Union Rags put in his first official
breeze at Palm Meadows since a third place finish in the Florida Derby
(G1). The possible Derby
favorite’s first workouts off a race are usually modest in final time, however
Thursday’s work was a zippy 48:40 for 4-furlongs. Observers noted he did it with ease. Union Rags will ship to Keeneland on
Saturday where he will work either there or Churchill Downs the following
week// I’ll Have Another will ship to Churchill April 28th. Trainer Doug O’Neill says the Santa
Anita Derby (G1) winner is showing “great energy”// With Julien Leparoux
committed to ride Union Rags in the Kentucky Derby, Mike Smith picked up the
mount on Daddy Nose Best. The El
Camino Real (G3) and Sunland Derby (G3) winner is a sleeper candidate who has
done nothing wrong in his two races as a sophomore// Kiaran McLaughlin stated
Alpha will van to Churchill Downs on Monday where he will work twice before the
Derby// more…
Race pages for Arkansas Derby
(G1) and Blue Grass (G1) with past performances, picks, and previews here
Daily Kentucky Derby News:
Arkansas Derby
Blue Grass Stakes
Maker
was banking on Hansen’s success (Courier Journal)
Time
for Hansen to step up (Sports Network)
Hansen
highlights Blue Grass with surprise in store (Bleacher Report)
Hansen
faces big test in Blue Grass (View From The Blue Grass Blog)
Holy
Candy trainer John Sadler on the Blue Grass Stakes [video] (Courier
Journal)
Prospective
a race from being Derby ready [with video] (Toronto Sun)
Final
chance to grab graded earnings (And Down The Stretch They Come)
Picks:
Arkansas
Derby
Commish’s Picks: One last
surprise before May 5? (The Downey Profile)
Triple
Crown Insider [video] (TwinSpires Blog)
Weekend
Warrior (DRF)
Blue Grass Stakes
That
Handicapping Show [video] (Bloodhorse)
Dick’s Picks:
Bluegrass win to early speed or deep closer (The Downey Profile)
Triple
Crown Insider [video] (TwinSpires Blog)
Weekend
Warrior (DRF)
Other Kentucky Derby News and
Opinion
Union Rags workout reports: DRF
/ Bloodhorse
/ TTimes
Mike
Smith to ride Daddy Nose Best in Kentucky Derby (Bloodhorse)
Point/Counterpoint:
East vs. West best preps? (Horse Racing Nation)
On
to Kentucky for Gemologist, I’ll Have Another (TrueNicks)
Gemologist
made big impression as a weanling (Bloodhorse)
Works
Union Rags- PMM- 4F- 48:40- B- 2/16
Russian Greek- KEE- 4F- 50:00- B- 24/27
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
“Union Rags final Fla. work 1/2 in :48.32 at PM
final 1/4 :23.81 going EZ galloped out 1:01.39 looked great!”- Mike Welsch via
Twitter
“Union Rags 4F 48.40 at Palm Meadows.
Splits 24.60, 36.60. Out 1:01.60. Next ship & breeze at Kee, then work at
CD on 4/28 or 29”- Derby Media via Twitter
“McLaughlin confirms Alpha vans to
Churchill on Monday; to work twice before Derby”- David Grening via Twitter
