Rydilluc leaning toward Blue Grass// Picks and news for Tampa Derby, San Felipe// Carve might not make Rebel field// more…

Park City, who was a likely scratch in Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G2), is now definite for the race. Jack Wolf of Starlight racing cited Edgar Prado and the likely large Rebel field were reasons for staying in Tampa// Handicapper picks are starting to roll in for the two upcoming Derby point races. Those are linked below with more previews as well// It’s not unusual to hear trainers say their horses are training well or they like their spot in a race. Both D. Wayne Lukas and Doug O’Neill are happy with their positions on the Derby trail. O’Neill loves the #3 post position in the San Felipe (G2) for Goldencents, as it will allow him to gauge Flashback’s break from the #2 spot and act accordingly. Lukas was quoted as saying the Tuesday breezes by Oxbow and Will Take Charge were “excellent”. He also said Titletown Five tricked him into thinking he was ready for his comeback race in the Gazebo Stakes last Saturday. Although he proved he was not fit in the end, Lukas thinks the race will set Titletown Five up well for the next undecided destination// With the Rebel field looking crowded and the prospect of it splitting into two divisions no longer a possibility, some connections are getting nervous they won’t make the cut. Undefeated Carve could be on the outiside looking in if more than 14 enter// Gary Contessa announced through his Twitter account he is now leaning towards the Blue Grass (G1) at Keeneland instead of the Spiral (G2) at Turfway for recent Palm Beach (G3) winner Rydilluc. No reason was given, but the extra three weeks to the Bluegrass surely factors into the decision. The only drawback is the relatively quick turnaround to the Derby// more…

Upcoming Derby points races:

Tampa Bay Derby (G2)

Tampa Bay Downs

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Time: 5:15 PM ET

TV: TVG

Previews: Brisnet / Bloodhorse / DRF / Churchill Downs [video]

Picks: Downey Profile / Bloodhorse [video] /

San Felipe (G2)

Santa Anita

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Time: 6:35 PM ET

TV: TVG

Previews: Santa Anita / Brisnet / Bloodhorse / DRF / Churchill Downs [video]

Picks: Downey Profile / DRF [Video] / DRF [Byron King] /

Upcoming non-Derby points stakes races:

Fred “Cappy” Capossela Stakes

Aqueduct

6 Furlongs

PPs: Click here

Time: 4:52 PM ET

TV: TVG

Previews: NYRA / DRF /

Articles:

Purple Egg looks to turn potential into performance (Tampa Bay Downs)

O’Neill on Triple Crown trail again, now with Goldencents (Santa Anita)

Lukas very pleased with Rebel contenders Will Take Charge, Oxbow (Brisnet)

Dynamic Strike gets test in Private Term Stakes (DRF)

Haskin’s Derby Watch: Beware the second wave (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby point system a game-changer (DRF)

Kentucky Derby Daily: March 7 (In The Money)

Pointing toward to the Kentucky Derby (Staten Island Advance)

Q&A: John Oxley talks Kentucky Derby trail, past and present (DRF)

Workouts:

Carried Interest- PMM- 5F- 1.01:03- B- 4/12

Quotes and Tweets:

"For my Twitter friends and followers only I am starting to lean toward the Blue Grass rather than the Spiral [for Rydilluc] but too soon to say for sure"- Gary Contessa via Twitter

"San Vicente winner Shakin It Up, scheduled for Sunland Derby for next start, worked 6f at SA this morning in 1:12.40"- Jay Privman via DRF

"Owner Jack Wolf says Park City will run in Tampa Bay Derby, rather than #Rebel. Field size, rider are factors"- Jennie Rees via Twitter

Dynamic Sky gets new rider// Uncaptured in good shape for Spiral// Crowded Rebel won’t split// New rankings// more

Mark Casse wasn’t happy with Luis Contreras’ ride on Dynamic Sky in the Sam Davis (G3) several weeks ago, so has named Joel Rosario the new jockey for the upcoming Tampa Derby (G3). The trainer admitted that even a rider change might not be enough to catch the likely short-priced favorite Verrazano. On a conference call Tuesday, Casse also discussed Uncaptured, who remains on target for the Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park March 23. The Grade 2 winner worked in the morning at Ocala and Casse believes he’s matured physically and mentally from his 2-year-old season// Gary Contessa confirmed that the plan of attack for recent Palm Beach Stakes (G3) winner Rydilluc is the Spiral// As I mentioned yesterday, the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn is shaping up to be a popular race. For now, Oaklawn officials don’t foresee splitting the race into two divisions, although a full field is very likely. Bob Baffert all but confirmed Super Ninety Nine will return for the race with Rafael Bejarano aboard, and D. Wayne Lukas will call on Mike Smith to ride Oxbow. Both trainers will bring other likely entrants, as Baffert will ship Den’s Legacy, while Lukas will send Smarty Jones Stakes winner Will Take Charge. Other probables include Todd Pletchers’ Capo Bastone, Park City, and Delhomme; Ron Ellis trainee Treasury Bill; recent stakes winner Departing; and locals Texas Bling, Always In A Tiz, Carve, Big Lute, So Raise Yourglass and Heaven’s Runway// Lukas also mentioned that recent allowance winner Channel Isle will go in the Louisiana Derby (G2), Red Wings could go to the Spiral, and Titletown Five may go to the Sunland Derby (G3) or Louisiana Derby// Omega Star will be stepping into the deep end Saturday in the San Felipe, which will be his graded stakes debut. Flashback and Goldencents headline the race, but trainer John Sheriffs thinks the added distance will suit him. Dennis O’Neill said in a conference call Tuesday that Goldencents could train up to the Kentucky Derby if he earns enough points from the San Felipe. While many trainers have taken the “less is more” theory heading into the Derby of late, that would make Goldencents very light in seasoning heading into a much longer and tougher race// You can read below for the story behind Verrazano’s name, but I’ll warn you it’s not all that interesting// more…

Articles:

Rosario to ride Dynamic Sky in Tampa Derby (Bloodhorse)

Omega Star getting tough test in San Felipe (DRF)

Super Ninety Nine, Oxbow part of big group pointing to Rebel Stakes (DRF)

Oxbow staying home for Rebel (DRF)

Uncaptured now Spiral-bound after another strong workout (Courier Journal Blog)

Turfway’s Spiral popular prep for Kentucky Derby hopefuls (In The Money)

Call it abridged version: How Verrazano got his name (Courier Journal Blog)

Triple Crown qualities [video interview with Dale Romans] (YouTube)

Where they’re going next (The Downey Profile)

Kentucky Derby Daily: March 5 (In The Money)

Watch list for March (Horseracing Nation)

Gotham Stakes recap [video] (DRF)

Derby Dreams: Ive Struck A Nerve (Paulick Report)

Triple Crown Nominations- Updated PPs (Brisnet)

Rankings:

Jerry Bossert’s Top 15 (NJ Daily News)

Florida Filly’s dark horse Derby picks part 2 (Horseracing Nation)

Workouts:

Will Take Charge- OP- 6F- 1.13:60- B- 1/2

Oxbow- OP- 6F- 1.13:80- B- 2/2

Code West- SA- 4F- 48:60- H- 15/31

Hear the Ghost- HOL- 4F- 48:60- H- 3/21

Quotes and Tweets:

"Rydilluc came back bouncing out of the Palm Beach so barring any steps backward we are on track for the Spiral on March 23rd"- Gary Contessa via Twitter

"Super 99 now definite for Rebel. Bejarano retains mount. That means Shakin It Up to Sunland Derby 3-24 for Baffert"- Jay Privman via Twitter

"Mark Casse says we've only seen about 75-80% of Dynamic Sky's ability, but cautions that even at 100% he may not be able to beat Verrazano"- ABR Live via Twitter

"Java's War will be entered in Tampa Bay Derby tomorrow and is doing "super" according to Kenny McPeek"- Sid Fernando via Twitter

"Casse: Gunderman could go in Sunland Derby, to Oaklawn or (sounds more likely) Illinois Derby"- Jennie Rees via Twitter

"Dennis O'Neill says that if he has enough points @TheGoldencents will skip the @santaanitapark Derby and train up to the #KYDerby"- ABR Live via Twitter

"Winning 3yo Beyers last week: Departing-97; Clearly Now-96; Vyjack-93; Coolusive-91; Fordubai & Rydilluc-89; Gunderman-87"- DerbyContenders via Twitter

Scratches inevitable in Risen Star, Fountain of Youth// Uncaptured thriving// Rebel gets early probables// more…

Summary:

There is a good possibility neither of Al Stall’s runners will enter the gate for the Risen Star (G2) on Saturday. Sunbean will most likely go in the undercard Gentilly Stakes on the grass, while Stall mentioned there needs to be quite a few scratches to bring Departing closer to the rail from his outside post// The Fountain of Youth (G2) is also guaranteed a scratch with news that Sky Captain will instead go in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway or Gotham (G3) at Aqueduct March 2. Trainer Mark Casse didn’t like the 7 post due to the speed bias and short run to the first turn at Gulfstream// Casse also mentioned that Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner Uncaptured is doing very well and will start next in the Spiral (G3) at Turfway. Uncaptured breezed four furlongs at Ocala Training Center yesterday and Casse said he galloped out another furlong all in 1:00// Next race plans are already set for some Southwest (G3) runners who had to deal with the mud flying behind dominating winner Super Ninety Nine Monday. Always in a Tiz, who was found to have a lung infection following his fifth in the race, will point for the Rebel as will 9th place finisher Texas Bling// The Rebel will also get undefeated Park City, whose honest owner said “Derby Fever” played a part in the aggressive placement for the recent allowance winner// more…

Upcoming Points Races:

Fountain of Youth (G2)

Gulfstream Park

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Gulfstream Park/ DRF DRF2/ Bloodhorse / Brisnet

Risen Star (G2)

Fair Grounds

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Previews: Brisnet / DRF DRF2 / Bloodhorse

Articles:

Sunbean serves as pride of Louisiana (Fair Grounds)

He’s Had Enough getting acclimated (DRF)

Sky Captain seems likely to pass Fountain of Youth (DRF)

McLaughlin testing Elmutahid in Fountain of Youth (DRF)

2-for-2 Park City’s next target: Oaklawns’ Rebel (Courier Journal)

Big Brown’s son 3YO colt Darwin switches from Pletcher to O’Brien (Aiden O’Brien Fan Site)

Kentucky Derby points quest begins in earnest (DRF)

Always in a Tiz found to have lung infection (DRF)

Big weekend for two of Pletcher’s Lucky 7 (Horseracing Nation)

Who’s hot, who’s not Feb 20 (DRF)

3-year-olds to watch 2/20 (In The Money Blog)

Kentucky Derby Daily: Feb 20 (In The Money Blog)

Kentucky Derby Report 2/21/13 (Brisnet)

They’re Off [video includes discussion on Violence, Falling Sky] (Bloodhorse)

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile follow-up (Thoghts On Racing, Life, & More Blog)

Gary Stevens’ dilemma: Ride or talk in Kentucky Derby? (USA Today)

Pitino is running for unusual double (ESPN)

Famous trainers already prepping for Kentucky Derby (The Record)

Triple Crown races to air again on HRRN (Bloodhorse)

Rankings:

Top 20 (DRF)

Workouts:

Uncaptured- OTC- 4F- 47:80- B- 1/4 (Tuesday)

Little Distorted- CRC- 4F- 49:00- B- 3/15

Titletown Five- OP- 6F- 1.14:80- B- 1/1

Clawback- AQU- 1 Mile- 1.46:75- B- 1/1

Pletcher, Baffert plan invasions of Southwest, El Camino, Risen Star, Tampa Derby// List of prep probables// Key workouts// more…

Summary:

A strong hint yesterday has turned into fact with the announcement Bob Baffert will send recent Santa Anita allowance winner Super Ninety Nine to Oaklawn for the Southwest (G3) Monday. The son of the Pulpit will most likely be favored, even though he will face Smarty Jones Stakes winner Will Take Charge and runner-up Texas Bling. Always in a Tiz and Brown Almighty are other Smarty Jones runners returning to the Southwest, while sprint stakes winner Tour Guide was officially ruled out due to shin issues// Bob Baffert not only plans to send an invader to Oaklawn, but could send one or two to Golden Gate Fields for the El Camino Real Derby (G3). Manando and Carving are being considered, with the latter the possible favorite if he joins the cast. Others considered probable for the El Camino are California Derby winner Zeewat; runner-up Wildcat Moon; locals Nina’s Dragon and North Pacific; and Southern California shippers Counting Days and Dice Flavor// My current top choice to win the Kentucky Derby, Verrazano, will make his stakes and two-turn debut in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 9. Todd Pletcher chose the race over others due to spacing, avoiding stablemates, and keeping the colt in Florida// Pletcher will also give Palace Malice his first stakes try in the Risen Star (G2) at the Fair Grounds Feb 23. The Fountain of Youth was also under consideration, but the connections say the fact Rosie Napravnik is available to ride at the Fair Grounds tipped the balance. I’m expecting a big effort from Palace Malice in the Risen Star seeing as his recent 2^nd in an allowance at Gulfstream was his first race in over five months and a stunted six furlongs. Others probable for the Risen Star include Oxbow, Normandy Invasion, Code West, Proud Strike, and Golden Soul. It was announced Tuesday that Gary Stevens picked up the mount on Proud Strike. While many were excited over the news, I’m sure Brian Hernandez Jr. has a different take on being pushed out// Delhomme, unraced since a 3rd in the Remsen in November, will return most likely in the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn March 16// A busy worktab Tuesday with Flashback, Super Ninety Nine, Orb, Den’s Lagacy and others hitting the track. Full details below// more…

Articles:

Pletcher pointing Verrazano to Tampa Bay Derby [and news on Delhomme] (DRF)

Baffert sending in Super Ninety Nine for Southwest Stakes (DRF)

Palace Malice confirmed for Risen Star (Brisnet)

El Camino Real Derby highlights holiday weekend (DRF)

Demonic unlikely for San Vicente (DRF)

Park City on the upswing (Courier Journal)

Fortify will try to stop the ‘Rain’ at Meydan (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky Derby Daily- Feb 12 (In The Money Blog)

Kentucky Derby pedigrees (The Saratogian)

‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ TV schedule announced (Bloodhorse)

Workouts:

Orb- PAY- 4F- 49:20- B- 8/17

Flashback- SA- 4F- 47:80- H- 4/34

Den's Legacy- SA- 4F- 48:00- H- 6/34

Code West- SA- 4F- 48:00- H- 6/34

Belvin- SA- 4F- 47:40- H- 2/34

War Academy- SA- 4F- 47:80- H- 4/34

Super Ninety Nine- SA- 4F- 47:60- H- 3/34

Zeewat- GG- 4F- 49:40- H- 2/9

Quotes and Tweets:

"Flashback just breezed 1/2 in 47.4 cruising"- Bob Baffert via Twitter

"Gary Stevens has picked up the mount on Steve Asmussen's impressive MDN winner Proud Strike in the G2 Risen Star 2/23"- Steve Byk via Twitter

Code West, second to Super 99 in SA alw, heading to FG for Risen Star 2-23, Bob Baffert says. He worked 4f in 48 at SA today- Jay Privman via Twitter

Oxbow jogged about a mile then galloped the same distance after break @ #Oaklawn, preparing for Grade 2 Risen Star @ #FairGrounds on 2/23.- Mary Rampellini via Twitter

Weekend Review: KDFW Pool #1 closes// Park City victorious in return// Dynamic Strike takes Miracle Wood// Updated Wynn Odds// Pletcher discusses next starts// more...

Summary:

Dynamic Strike won the richest of weekend races for 3-year-olds with a one-length victory in the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Park. Jockey Forest Boyce liked the way Dynamic Strike settled just off the pace, something he hadn’t done in his previous two wins// Park City, unraced since a debut maiden win at Saratoga last July, returned in fine form to take a Gulfstream allowance Saturday. The race was just six furlongs and the margin was only a neck, so Park City will have to keep progressing quickly to catch up on the trail// Doug O’Neill is not giving up hope that Mudflats could be a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender. One might think after a poor 7th place finish in his two-turn debut in the Jerome (G2) Mudflats would be considered a sprinter, but O’Neill still likes his stride and pedigree. He will start in Saturday’s San Vicente (G2), and with a strong showing will be given another shot at a route// Another San Vicente challenger, Treasure Bill, is also using the San Vicente as the first step towards bigger and better things. Trainer Ron Ellis said the colt could be bound for Arkansas if all goes well Saturday// Todd Pletcher gave a very informative interview Saturday to HRNN when he shed light on his plans for several lesser-known Derby contenders. Capo Bastone, who hasn’t raced since finishing 3rd in the Breeders Cup Juvenile in November, is pointed for a return race in two or three weeks at Gulfstream. Forty Tales, 2nd in the Hutcheson (G2) last week, will sprint again in the Swale (G2) March 2nd, but could be entered in a two-turn Derby point race after that// Time is ticking for any recent maiden winners to make some serious noise on the Derby trail. Salutos Amigos is one of those that can’t look back. The colt broke his maiden Saturday at Santa Anita by over three lengths and earned a very respectable 94 Beyer speed figure. His pedigree doesn’t scream distance however, so his back is really against the wall for now// Pool #1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday night with ‘all others’ the favorite as expected. The favorite of the individual selections came down to the wire with Verrazano (11-1) edging Flashback (12-1).  Not far behind was a 3-way tie with Itsmyluckyday, Violence, and Revolutionary (all 13-1). For the full list see below// A full list of contender workouts over the weekend is below// more…

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool #1:

Final Odds

Story: Near-record Derby Futures favor ‘all others,’ wild scramble for favored individual (Churchill Downs)

Wynn Las Vegas Future Odds 2/9/13

Click here (Courier Journal Blog)

Key Weekend Results:

2/9/13 Miracle Wood Stakes

Winner: Dynamic Strike

Chart: Equibase

2/9/13 Gulfstream Park Race 5: Allowance Optional Claiming

Winner: Park City

Chart: Equibase

2/9/13 Santa Anita Maiden Special Weight

Winner: Salutos Amigos

Chart: Equibase

Articles:

Dynamic Strike makes Miracle Wood his third straight victory (DRF)

Mudflats needs good San Vicente effort to rejoin Kentucky Derby trail (DRF)

Treasury Bill using San Vicente as stepping stone (Brisnet)

Goldencents, biomechanics, and oxygen debt (ThoroEdge Equine Performance)

Four new trends emerge in picking Champion (Lexington Herald Leader)

Verrazano has small stable dreaming big (Lexington Herald Leader)

Nominations:

El Camino Real Derby (G3) (Golden Gate Fields)

Rankings:

CTD Top 5

Workouts:

Saturday

Titletown Five- OP- 4F- 48:20- 2/61

Brown Almighty- OP- 5F- 1.00:40- B- 2/72

Texas Bling- OP- 5F- 1.02:60- B- 37/72

Frac Daddy- GP- 4F- 49:28- B- 23/34

Carried Interest- PMM- 5F- 1.00:40- B- 3/25

Sunday

Mountain Eagle- PMM- 4F- 50:77- B- 31/39

Manando- SA- 5F- 1.01:00- H- 18/64

Hear the Ghost- HOL- 6F- 1.15:00- H- 4/5

Dewey Square- GP- 5F- 1.01:93 B- 1/4 (Turf)

Purple Egg- TP- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 2/20

Capo Bastone- PMM- 5F- 1.01:93- B- 11/26

Normandy Invasion- PMM- 5F- 1.00:44- B- 1/26

Palace Malice- PMM- 5F- 1.01:01- B- 4/26

Overanalyze- PMM- 5F- 1.01:93- B- 11/26

Violence- PMM- 5F- 1.01:01- B- 4/26

Sky Commander- PMM- 4F- 51:08- B- 32/37

Delhomme- PMM- 5F- 1.01:28- B- 6/26

Integrity- PMM- 5F- 1.00:44- B- 1/26

Quotes and Tweets:

"Pletcher tells @HRRN Forty Tales likely for Swale, might stretch out for one #KyDerby prep after that"- J.J. Hysell via Twitter

"Pletcher on Capo Bastone: "The horse is training really well." Says seasonal debut in next few weeks"-DerbyContenders via Twitter

"Pletcher says plans for Palace Malice to be determined after this weekend's breeze"-DerbyContenders via Twitter

"Trainer @GrahamMotion tells @HRRN Crop Report is about two weeks away from an allowance race."- J.J. Hysell

"Motion says Cerro will be nominated to Fountain of Youth S. but Palm Beach S. likely then Spiral Stakes" -DerbyContenders via Twitter

Shug McGaughey on Captial OTB TV says he's considering Fountain of Youth S. for Orb but prefers an allowance next. -DerbyContenders via Twitter

Bold Challenger and Java's War worked sharp 1/2 in 48 flat. Both doing super. Java runs on March 3 in Palm Beach.- Kenny McPeek via Twitter

Frac Daddy and Taken By The Storm work 1/2 together easy 49.1. Frac foot seems fine. Workout two more times and find a good spot for him- Kenny McPeek via Twitter

"Mike Moreno & Eric Guillot's Salutos Amigos, 3yo colt by Salute the Sarge, a 94 Beyer in impressive Mdn-breaker Sat. @santaanitapark"- Steve Byk via Twitter

"Rosario to ride Sam Davis 2nd Dynamic Sky in Tampa Bay Derby, trainer Casse says"- Jennie Rees via Twitter