Orb ready for showdown with Bobby, Lucky// Bullet for Flashback// Louisiana Derby could be wide open// Late nominations// more…

Mike Welsch has a nice first-hand account of Orb’s final breeze ahead of Saturday’s Florida Derby (G1). He claims the colt was authoritative in the last strides of the four furlong work and barely came back blowing afterwards. The likely Florida Derby field has already swelled to nine horses from just three listed as probable two weeks ago. In addition to Orb and other headliners Shanghai Bobby and Itsmyluckyday, the field will probably include Frac Daddy, Pick of the Litter, Merit Man, Pontiff, Narvaez, and Are You Kidding Me// The Louisiana Derby (G2) figures to be a full field of 14, with the connections for Sunbean keeping their fingers crossed there are no surprise additions. Sunbean would push to the also-eligible list considering he’s only raced in Louisiana-bred restricted races. Departing is the other Al Stall Jr. possible Louisiana Derby prospect and will probably be among the favorites in the race. Revolutionary figures to be the top choice, along with stablemate Palace Malice taking a fair share of betting money as well. Dallas Stewart still believes in Golden Soul, a close 6th last time out in the Risen Star, and thinks added distance will help// Bob Baffert’s Flashback worked six panels at Santa Anita in the fastest time of 14 others, but it was still called “smooth”. Baffert said on the radio Monday that War Academy will likely head to the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Power Broker will join Flashback in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). The trainer announced he is backing off Tiz the Truth and pointing for a Summer or Fall campaign instead// The list of late Triple Crown nominations were announced Monday, with recent Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Black Onyx headlining the additions.  Among the notable exceptions were Show Some Magic, currently #25 on the leaderboard, and El Camino Real (G3) winner Dice Flavor. A full list can be found below// Speaking of Dice Flavor, he’s set to race in the UAE Derby Saturday in Dubai along with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up He’s Had Enough and others// The Kentucky Derby trophy arrived safely at Churchill Downs today, so you can breathe a sigh or relief// more…

Articles:

Florida Derby preparation finds Orb in perfect spot (DRF)

Flashback, Orb work for final Derby preps (Bloodhorse)

Proud Strike, Code West, Revolutionary, Palace Malice Get Louisiana Derby Works (Fair Grounds)

Louisiana Derby: Risen Star also-rans look to take big step forward (DRF)

Kentucky Derby berth assured, Govenor Charlie heads home (DRF)

Black Onyx heads 13 late nominees… [pdf] (Churchill Downs)

Derby points up for grabs in Dubai (Brisnet)

Sunland success credit to Pegram’s program (Courier Journal)

Spiral, Sunland Derby thoughts (DRF Blog)

Black Onyx: Contender or pretender? (Horse Racing Nation)

A Kentucky Derby field with just 14 horses? (Horse Racing Nation)

Under the radar: Titletown Five (DRF)

Kentucky Derby Daily: March 25 (In The Money)

Derby Championship handle (Brisnet)

A legacy to John Nerud (Bloodhorse Blog)

Kentucky Derby trophy arrives safely at Churchill Downs (Churchill Downs)

Rankings:

Haskin’s Derby Dozen (Bloodhorse Blog)

Top 15 (NY Daily News)

Works:

Falling Sky- PMM- 5F- 1.03:03- B- 5/8

Orb- PAY- 4F- 48:30- B- 3/7

Power Broker- SA- 6F- 1.12:00- H- 2/15

Flashback- SA- 6F- 1:11.80- H- 1/15

Quotes and Tweets:

"Govenor Charlie, Midnight Lucky came out of Sunland wins in good order, Baffert said today. They fly back to CA on Tues"- Jay Privman via Twitter

"[Bob Baffert]tells ATR listeners he's stopping on Mercedes Stables' Tiz the Truth (Tiznow) anticipating a 2nd half of the year campaign. Flashback a smooth 6f this a.m. & Power Broker now probable for SA Derby as well; War Academy most likely to AR Derby"- Steve Byk via Twitter

Verrazano, Flashback, Goldencents headline upcoming Derby points races// Proud Strike still on trail// Majestic Hussar, Bradester get time off// Updated future odds// more

Summary:

Entries were drawn for the two upcoming Kentucky Derby points races- the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita and Tampa Derby (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs. No surprises with Flashback and Goldencents squaring off in Southern California as expected and Verrazano set for his stakes and two-turn debut in Florida. All post positions, previews, and PPs can be found below// Aqueduct will host an intriguing sprint, although both headliners, Clawback and Whiskey Romeo, will probably stick to one-turn races for the foreseeable future// Eddie Kenneally is backing off training for both Bradester and Majestic Hussar. The trainer insists nothing is wrong with either, but easing up on Bradester particularly seems puzzling seeing as the colt has only raced once this year// A minority stake in recent Risen Star (G2) winner Ive Struck a Nerve was sold to Boston investment manager Paul Braverman// Proud Strike, who finished 8th in the Risen Star will get another shot to make the Derby in either the Rebel (G2) or Louisiana Derby (G2). Trainer Steve Asmussen thinks he’s better than his last effort// Edgar Prado will ride Palace Malice in the Louisiana Derby (G2). He replaces Rosie Napravnik who has decided to go to Gulfstream Park in order to ride Shanghai Bobby// Speaking of the 2-year-old Champion, trainer Todd Pletcher said Shanghai Bobby is on target for the Florida Derby// Updated Wynn Las Vegas Future odds were released with Flashback the favorite at 9-1 followed by Verrazano at 11-1. While I normally don’t like anything less than 50-1 this far out from the Derby, Itsmyluckyday at 18-1 could be a value play if he continues his good form in the Florida Derby. As Pletcher alluded to Wednesday, the impressive 1-2 runners from the Holy Bull have lost some buzz with the passage of time// more…

Upcoming Derby points races:

Tampa Bay Derby (G3)

Tampa Bay Downs

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Time: 5:15 PM ET

TV: TVG

Previews: Brisnet / Bloodhorse

San Felipe (G2)

Santa Anita

1 1/16 Miles

PPs: Click here

Time: 6:35 PM ET

TV: TVG

Previews: Santa Anita / Brisnet / Bloodhorse

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:

Hear the Ghost could make noise in two turn debut at Santa Anita (DRF)

Casse has live one in Dynamic Sky for Tampa Bay Derby (DRF)

Shanghai Bobby on course for Florida Derby (Brisnet)

Kenneally gives Majestic Hussar, Bradester a rest (DRF)

Palace Malice picks up Prado for Louisiana Derby (Brisnet)

Bryant sells minority stake in Ive Struck a Nerve (DRF)

Proud Strike to get another shot on Derby trail (DRF)

Q&A with Vyjack owner (Courier Journal Blog)

Search for next superhorse resumes (ESPN)

The Triple Crown Watch: March 7 (ABR Live)

Kentucky Derby Report: March 7 (Brisnet)

Kentucky Derby Daily: March 6 (In The Money)

Who’s hot, who’s not: March 8 (DRF)

Tampa Bay Derby was perfect for Street Sense (Bloodhorse)

Futures

Wynn Las Vegas 3/4 (View From Vegas)

William Hill 3/4 (View From Vegas)

Rankings:

ESPN Top 10 (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby Top 20 (DRF)

Workouts:

Uncaptured- OTC- 5F- 1.00:00- B- 1/7 (3/5/13)

Integrity- PMM- 4F- 48:29- B- 1/13

Golden Soul- FG- 4F- 47:80- B- 4/46

He's Had Enough- SA- 3F- 36:20- H- 2/8

Quotes and Tweets:

"Noble Tune set to make first start since @BreedersCup Juvenile Turf in one mile turf allowance Sat. at Tampa Bay. Pataky Kid also entered" - J.J. Hysell via Twitter

Updates on plans for Flashback, Verrazano, Revolutionary// New future odds, Flashback favored// Goldencents works 6 panels for Felipe

Summary:

Great quote from Todd Pletcher’s assistant Mike McCarthy on Withers winner Revolutionary: “That may have been one of the worst winning trips I've ever seen”. Despite Revolutionary shipping to Florida for training, he very well could end up back at Aqueduct for the Wood Memorial April 6, however Pletcher says the Florida Derby (G1) or Louisiana Derby (G2) March 30 are possible too. If Revolutionary returns to Aqueduct for the Wood, he will most likely have a rematch with Withers runner-up Escapefromreality, who could sneak one race in before that in the Gotham (G3) March 2// Pletcher is still in a quandary over where to send Verrazano next. The Fountain of Youth (G2) Feb 23, Tampa Bay Derby (G2) March 9, and Gotham are all in the discussion, but he has problems with all of those- whether it’s spacing, quirky track, or the fact he’s already pointing other horses to the same races// Bob Baffert has decided to keep Flashback at Santa Anita for a likely start in the San Felipe (G2) March 9, which could set up an intriguing matchup with Goldencents, the current co-leader in Derby points. Goldencents had an extended workout at Santa Anita Monday where he went six furlongs in 1.12:40, the fastest of eight// Baffert also stated that prospects Super Ninety Nine and Robert Lewis (G2) runner-up Den’s Legacy will ship somewhere outside Santa Anita for their next starts, all dependent on who’s doing best in a given week// John Terranova, trainer of Sam F. Davis (G3) winner Falling Sky, said Aqueduct’s Gotham or the Rebel (G2) at Oaklawn are being considered as next preps, although the Tampa Bay Derby is still the most logical. Perhaps he’s waiting to see what Pletcher decides with Verrazano?// New future odds were released, with Flashback as the favorite down to 9-1 followed by Violence at 12-1, and Verrazano 14-1.  Full links below and you can always access the latest odds on the right sidebar// More opinions and analysis from the busy weekend, as well as retooled rankings// more…

Articles:

Wood Memorial possible for Withers’ top two (Bloodhorse)

Kentucky Derby preps see Pletcher and Baffert flex muscle (DRF)

Fountain of Youth could be next for My Name is Michael and Speak Logistics (DRF)

Verrazano most breathtaking on a good Saturday for Derby prospects (Courier Journal)

Verrazano the No. 1 Kentucky Derby contender (Herald Online)

Apparently they don’t get the ‘point’ (ESPN Blog)

Kentucky Derby update 2-4-13 (In the Money Blog)

Saturday 3-year-old thoughts (DRF Blog)

Trip Notes: Sam F. Davis, Robert Lewis, Withers & more (DRF)

After the wire 2/3/13 [video] (Bloodhorse)

Under the radar: Proud Strike (DRF)

2013 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Revolutionary (Horseracing Nation)

Kentucky Derby points vs. graded stakes earnings (Horseracing Nation)

Rankings:

Expert Picks (Churchill Downs)

Steve Haskin’s Derby Dozen 2/4/13 [video] (Bloodhorse Blog)

Jerry Bossert’s Rakings (NY Daily News)

Workouts:

Goldencents- SA- 6F- 1.12:40- H- 1/8

Demonic- SA- 5F- 1.00:20- H- 3/27

Oxbow- OP- 5F- 1.01:40- B- 3/12

Proud Strike- FG- 5F- 1.00:60- B- 6/32

War Academy- SA- 6F- 1.12:60- H- 2/17

Manando- SA- 5F- 1.01:20- H- 21/42

Hear the Ghost- HOL- 5F- 1.01:40- H- 11/21

Little Distorted- PAY- 4F- 50:10- B- 11/14

Quotes and Tweets:

"Fortify, 4th in BC Juvenile, will make 2013 debut in UAE 2000 Guineas Feb. 14, Godolphin's Simon Crisford reports from Dubai"- Jay Privman via Twitter