Chasing The Derby: Integrity

Summary:

Tons of new articles and handicapper picks for Saturday’s Risen Star (G2) and Fountain of Youth (G2). Links can be found below under the race headings// While Verrazano was the narrow favorite after Pool #1 closed for the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Las Vegas currently has Flashback as the most likely to wear the Roses// Recent maiden winner Demonic had a hiccup in training, but is still hopefully headed to the San Felipe (G2)// Mac The Man, winner of a minor stakes at Turfway will bypass the next race in the Northern Kentucky circuit and train up to the Spiral (G3) March 23// The newly named Mine That Bird Stakes at Sunland will be held Saturday, with the race serving as a prep for the Sunland Derby (G3). Dry Summer was installed as the favorite, but his stakes resume isn’t what you would call stellar. He finished 4th of 5 in the Sham (G3), 17 lengths behind winner Goldencents, and before that tried the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) where he finished 11th of 14// A possible key allowance race occurred at Gulfstream Thursday where impressive maiden winner Integrity was the overwhelming favorite. The Chad Brown trained colt was part of a speed duel and finished second by a length behind Divine Ambition. The winner finished 6th in his prior race in the Sam Davis (G3) at Tampa Bay. Given that performance and the fact he took advantage of a hot pace Thursday, there’s probably not much to get excited about in terms of the Kentucky Derby// more…

Upcoming Points Races:

Fountain of Youth (G2)

Gulfstream Park

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park2 [Violence] / DRF DRF2 DRF3 / Bloodhorse / Brisnet

Picks: Downey Profile / Bloodhorse THS / DRF [Video] / DRF Weekend Warrior

Risen Star (G2)

Fair Grounds

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Brisnet / DRF DRF2 DRF3 DRF4/ Bloodhorse

Picks: Downey Profile / DRF [Video] / DRF Weekend Warrior

Articles:

Gulfstream News and Notes [He’s Had Enough, Speak Logistics] (Gulfstream Park)

Can He’s Had Enough put it together in Florida? (Horseracing Nation)

Shakin It Up on silver alert (Bloodhorse Blog)

Demonic playing catch up to make San Felipe (DRF)

Mac The Man likely to pass Battaglia and train up to Spiral (DRF)

Q&A: Churchill’s John Asher talks Kentucky Derby preps (DRF)

Q&A with Brian Hernandez Jr. [re; Risen Star] (Courier Journal Blog)

Heaven’s Runway will try Arkansas Derby next (Brisnet)

Flashback heads Kentucky Derby futures at Vegas books (DRF)

Weekly update: ‘Road to Kentucky Derby’ Championship Series begins (Churchill Downs)

Derby preps get serious (Bloodhorse Blog)

Dry Summer tops field in Mine That Bird Derby (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby point standings [video] (ABR via YouTube)

Trusty Champion, now stable pony to the stars, accompanies He’s Had Enough to Florida (In the Money Blog)

Kentucky Derby Daily: Feb 21 (In The Money Blog)

Flight of the thoroughbreds (ESPN)

Rankings:

ESPN Top 10 (ESPN) List of voters here

Workouts:

Vyjack- AQU- 6F- 1.15:13- B- 1/2

Summary:

Yesterday we had a Tweet from a suspicious source announcing much-hyped Archwarrior is off the Derby trail, and today we have a little more clarity. Jennie Rees at the Courier Journal stated via Twitter the maiden winner will have a break in Kentucky and will be under a tight timeframe to qualify for the Derby. The particular injury or ailment remains unnannounced// Rees also stated via Twitter that Fortify, a multiple graded stakes placed runner who many believe will get better with more experience, will winter in Dubai. If history is any indication, this is the wrong way to get to Louisville in May// Brad Free at the Daily Racing Form draws comparisons to last year’s Derby winning tandem of I’ll Have Another and jockey Mario Gutierrez to this year’s contender Goldencents and rider Kevin Krigger. Superstitious minds might see this as a jinx. O’Neill is leaning towards a pre-Derby strategy of the San Felipe (G2) March 9 followed by the Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 6. The backup plan is for Goldencents to race in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn February 18 then the Sunland Derby (G3) March 24. The former scenario seems to make more sense to minimize traveling and allow the best spacing between races// A nice write-up by J.J. Hysell on the success of Lion Heart sired juveniles from last year. It will be interesting to see how Uncaptured, Bradester, and Purple Egg perform in their sophomore year// There was an interesting maiden special weight at Gulfstream today that featured horses owned by super chef Bobby Flay and University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino. Neither fared very well in their first start, while Chad Brown’s first time starter Integrity stole the show going gate-to-wire for a 3 1/2 length win// Brown also revealed that Normandy Invasion, 2nd last time out to Overanalyze in the Remsen (G2), will most likely have just two starts before the Derby. He’s opting to skip the preps at Gulfstream and ship to the Fair Grounds for the Risen Star (G2) February 23. Brown envisions the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct April 6 after that// Rankings and contender lists continue to pop up with the New Year. Byron King from Daily Racing reveals his early top 10 with Frac Dady on top// more…

Articles

San Felipe likely next for Kentucky Derby prospect Goldencents (DRF)

Goldencents, Krigger could be this year’s version of I’ll Have Another, Gutierrez (DRF)

Normandy Invasion eyes Risen Star (DRF)

Casse wants to test Dynamic Sky in Pasco Stakes (DRF)

Zeewat faces new challengers in California Derby (DRF)

A lion’s share of Lion Hearts (In The Money Blog)

Rankings

Kentucky Derby top 10 list is a fun way to usher in new year (DRF)