Road to the Kentucky Derby

She's classy but she damn well better be forwardly placed on this quasi-turf course. The only pace in Race 10 is the 7 unless the 1 & 2 push.
 
Thanks guys, that was a fun one to watch, felt confident the whole way especially once he hit the stretch.

:cheers:

Had a great day at Gulfstream cashed hit exotics in last 4 races and a couple of early ones as well. Tried to post some but had very bad service at the track.
 
Current Standings and where the horse was positioned in his last points producing race:

1 Vicar's in Trouble Mike Maker 120 $760,000 - Wire to wire in La Derby, maintained lead in stretch.
2 Toast of New York Jamie Osborne 100 $1,200,000 - Rated near front in UAE Derby (dirt ability in question)
3 Constitution Todd Pletcher 100 $600,000 - Rated about 2 lengths back in FL Derby, won late.
4 Intense Holiday Todd Pletcher 93 $527,500 - Rated 2-3 lengths back in La Derby, flattened in stretch.
5 Wildcat Red Jose Garrofalo 90 $665,500 - Went to lead in FL Derby, caught late.
6 We Miss Artie Todd Pletcher 60 $544,000 - Rated 3-4 lengths back in Spiral, closed in stretch to win late (dirt ability in question)
7 Samraat Rick Violette Jr. 60 $450,500 - Rated about a length off the lead, moved on turn, dueled in stretch to win.
8 Hoppertunity Bob Baffert 55 $376,000 - Rated about a length off the lead, went 4 wide into stretch and outfinished rest.
9 Chitu Bob Baffert 54 $440,000 - Battled for lead throughout, pulled away late.
10 Midnight Hawk Bob Baffert 52 $320,500 - Rated 1-2 lengths off lead, made nice move on turn then flattened in stretch.

11 Ring Weekend H. Graham Motion 50 $210,000 - Wire to wire win in Tampa Derby, lost about a length off lead in stretch.
12 California Chrome Art Sherman 50 $182,250 - Wire to wire win in San Felipe, extending lead in stretch.
13 Tapiture Steve Asmussen 42 $420,738 - Rated 2 lengths off lead, moved on turn and dueled in stretch to a close loss.
14 General a Rod Mike Maker 40 $240,000 - Rated 1/2 length off lead in FL Derby, flattened in stretch.
15 Albano Larry Jones 34 $190,000 - Rated about 4 lengths back in La Derby, flattened in stretch.
16 Cairo Prince Kiaran McLaughlin 24 $520,000 - Rated about 3 lengths back in FL Derby, flattened in stretch.
 
Sorted by positioning and final result:

Went to lead

California Chrome Art Sherman 50 $182,250 - Wire to wire win in San Felipe, extending lead in stretch.
Vicar's in Trouble Mike Maker 120 $760,000 - Wire to wire in La Derby, maintained lead in stretch.
Ring Weekend H. Graham Motion 50 $210,000 - Wire to wire win in Tampa Derby, lost about a length off lead in stretch.
Chitu Bob Baffert 54 $440,000 - Battled for lead throughout, pulled away late.
Wildcat Red Jose Garrofalo 90 $665,500 - Went to lead in FL Derby, caught late.


Close to lead (1-2 lengths)

Samraat Rick Violette Jr. 60 $450,500 - Rated about a length off the lead, moved on turn, dueled in stretch to win.
Hoppertunity Bob Baffert 55 $376,000 - Rated about a length off the lead, went 4 wide into stretch and outfinished rest.
Toast of New York Jamie Osborne 100 $1,200,000 - Rated near front in UAE Derby (dirt ability in question)
Constitution Todd Pletcher 100 $600,000 - Rated about 2 lengths back in FL Derby, won late.
Tapiture Steve Asmussen 42 $420,738 - Rated 2 lengths off lead, moved on turn and dueled in stretch to a close loss.
General ARod Mike Maker 40 $240,000 - Rated 1/2 length off lead in FL Derby, flattened in stretch.
Midnight Hawk Bob Baffert 52 $320,500 - Rated 1-2 lengths off lead, made nice move on turn then flattened in stretch.


Rating 3 or more lengths back

We Miss Artie Todd Pletcher 60 $544,000 - Rated 3-4 lengths back in Spiral, closed in stretch to win late (dirt ability in question)
Intense Holiday Todd Pletcher 93 $527,500 - Rated 2-3 lengths back in La Derby, flattened in stretch.
Albano Larry Jones 34 $190,000 - Rated about 4 lengths back in La Derby, flattened in stretch.
Cairo Prince Kiaran McLaughlin 24 $520,000 - Rated about 3 lengths back in FL Derby, flattened in stretch.
 
Here you can see the dilemma that's brewing for the Derby. Of the top 16 point getters (taking us to Cairo Prince, who I think will be right near the bubble for that last spot when everything shakes out):

- 5 wanted the lead
- Another 7 took position with 1-2 lengths off the pace
- Only 4 were willing to sit 3 or more lengths back, and of those 4, three failed to rally in the stretch and the fourth won on the poly and has a bad dirt history.

You're going to have 20 horses in the gate, they can't all go right to the front. Enough figure to try, which should bring on a pretty stout pace. But half the field will be at least 5 lengths off the lead. Who is going to be sit there and then be able to rally?

Intense Holiday, maybe. Tapiture maybe. We Miss Artie? With his dirt record? That's about it right now. Otherwise this is going to be a race for the fittest in the top half of the field.
 
[h=1]Steve Davidowitz's Louisiana Derby analysis[/h]By Steve Davidowitz

Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles, March 29
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 50 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
After a major thunderstorm forced Fair Grounds to cancel racing on Friday, clockings were slow on Saturday at most points of call in most route races on this heavily manicured racing strip, including in this $1 million contest.
Vicar’s In Trouble, winner of the Lecomte Stakes early in the meet and third in the Risen Star Stakes Feb. 22, essentially went wire to wire here to suggest he will be a pace factor in the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby on May 3. He also might prove to be a legit win threat should some of the proposed speed types defect or fail to make the race. While other Derby horses in California and Florida have shown more overall talent, Vicar’s In Trouble does have tractable speed and he did not lack for challengers in this event.
First, he had to fend off simultaneous early pressure by Louies Flower and In Trouble before he needed to repulse Rise Up’s backstretch bid. Then in the upper stretch Vicar’s In Trouble needed to dispose of the rallying Intense Holiday.
Under excellent handling by the meet’s leading jockey Rosie Napravnik, Vicar’s In Trouble kept his lead while setting moderate splits of 23.56 for the first quarter, 47.86 for the half, and six furlongs in 1:12.14 before the Louisiana-bred son of Into Mischief surged to a winning advantage after a mile in 1:37.15. At the wire, Vicar’s In Trouble was 3 1/2 lengths ahead of runner-up Intense Holiday, the Risen Star winner. Vicar’s In Trouble’s time for the nine furlongs was 1:50.77 and it earned a respectable 97 Beyer Speed Figure.


The victory gave trainer Mike Maker his second probable Kentucky Derby starter, as General a Rod’s third-place finish in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream raised that colt’s Derby qualifying points to 40. That could be just enough to make the 20-horse limit that will be allowed to run for the roses on May 3.
Intense Holiday’s trip for second was not nearly as smooth as the winner’s, but he now has 93 qualifying points. Barring an injury, Intense Holiday is likely to join at least two other Todd Pletcher trainees in the Churchill Downs starting gate.
Pletcher’s We Miss Artie won the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park March 22, and his lightly raced Constitution won the Florida Derby on Saturday. We Miss Artie is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, owners of Vicar’s In Trouble. So, the Ramseys probably will have two in the Derby starting gate.
Intense Holiday had shown noticeable improvement when Pletcher shipped him in from Florida last month to win the Risen Star in the final strides. As a result, the son of Harlan’s Holiday was the 19-10 betting favorite on Saturday. When he made his move from midpack to briefly reach Vicar’s In Trouble at the top of the stretch, many probably expected him to once again prove best. But he inexplicably ducked in sharply despite left-hand whipping by jockey Mike Smith to nearly brush the inside rail. By the time he resumed his pursuit, Vicar’s In Trouble was gone.
There was some bumping early and late that impacted the performances of several in this race.
In Trouble was disqualified from fourth to fifth for bothering Albano when both were vying for fourth in the stretch. But the most important interference occurred immediately after the start when Rise Up broke inward to force 13-1 shot Commanding Curve back to last in the 10-horse field.
The incident only amplified the performance turned in by Commanding Curve, who rallied strongly for third and galloped out as if he might have been at least second best in the contest. While he has only 20 Derby qualifying points and seems light in proven talent, I would reserve some trifecta money for this horse if he actually makes it into Derby field.
 
[h=1]Steve Davidowitz's Florida Derby analysis[/h]By Steve Davidowitz

Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, 1 1/8 miles, March 29
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 50 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Cairo Prince was supposed to confirm his status as one of the top contenders for the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, but he turned in a relatively flat performance, finishing fourth to a new rising star, Constitution.
Constitution is a well proportioned son of Tapit who now has won all three of his races—all this year. With the 100 Derby qualifying points he earned on Saturday, he is assured of a starting berth in the 140th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.
A bit rank early under Gulfstream’s leading jockey Javier Castellano, Constitution settled into third along the inside behind front-running Wildcat Red and pace-pressing General a Rod through moderate splits of 24.01, 48.19 and 1:12. But, when Castellano was ready, Constitution responded with an aggressive move on the final bend through a narrow opening along the rail to get into a prolonged stretch duel with Wildcat Red.


Wildcat Red, a determined colt, held a slim advantage until the final few strides to finish a sharp second, beaten just a neck. He was 1 1/4 lengths in front of General a Rod, who remained a strong pace pressing challenger until he grudgingly gave ground through the final furlong.
Constitution and Wildcat Red reached the mile marker together in 1:36.46. At the wire, Constitution was clocked in 1:49.16 to earn a 99 Beyer Speed Figure. Wildcat Red essentially ran the same time and number, give or take a few hundredths of a second.
As for Cairo Prince, everything seemed to be set up for him to deliver a winning late rally, given his position behind the top three and the promise he showed winning the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths over this track Jan 25. He even made a threatening, albeit brief, move on Saturday, while swinging wide on the final bend. But, he never could gain an inch on the top three through the final quarter-mile.
Perhaps this lack of finishing punch might have been due to the seven weeks since the Holy Bull. But trainer Kiaran McLaughlin and jockey Luiz Saez were making no post-race excuses.
With the 10 Derby qualifying points Cairo Prince earned for fourth, he now has 24 and is in 16th place. This is a potential problem as it may not prove to be enough to rank among the top 20 who will be given post positions in the Derby starting gate.
“We’re almost shocked at the results, McLaughlin admitted. . . . "We’d like to go on if we can, but the points situation isn’t favorable.”
The connections of Wildcat Red do not have such worries, having 90 Derby points, and the same is almost true for the people behind General a Rod, who has 40.
At the very least Wildcat Red showed once again that he is a courageous colt with a lot of speed, a strong combination for any horse.
Mike Maker, (who also trains Louisiana Derby winner Vicar’s In Trouble), thought well of General a Rod’s third-place finish on Saturday and believes we have yet to see the colt’s best. “We’re going to make some adjustments with him,” Maker said. “He’s run well at
Gulfstream ... and at Churchill.”
Meanwhile trainer Todd Pletcher has every right to believe that the lightly raced Constitution is in line for another forward step. Actually, the limited racing career of the 2014 Florida Derby winner is both a positive and a potential negative.
The positive is linked to how much this colt has accomplished since his winning debut at seven furlongs over the Gulfstream track on Jan 11. Now a bona-fide Grade 1 stakes winner at nine furlongs, Constitution handled dirt kicked back into his face and gamely rallied between Wildcat Red and the inner railing to win a tough stretch duel.
The negative side of his three-race campaign is just that: He was not mature enough to start his career as a 2-year-old. As many Derby researchers have pointed out, no horse since Apollo in 1882 has managed to win the Kentucky Derby without having raced at least once as a 2-year-old.
We will see if that issue plays out against Constitution, or if he runs through it just as he ran through that narrow opening to win the $1 million Florida Derby. At the bottom line, he was an impressive performer in his first stakes appearance.
 
[h=1]Oaklawn Park: Tapiture, Ride On Curlin work for Arkansas Derby[/h]By Mary Rampellini

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Tapiture had a significant workout Monday for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby, breezing five furlongs in company in 1:00.80 at his Oaklawn Park base. He could go favored in the Arkansas Derby, a 1 1/8-mile race that closes out the meet April 12.
Tapiture is a leading Kentucky Derby hopeful for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen on the strength of his wins in the Grade 2
Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn. The work Monday was his first since he finished second by a half-length in the Grade 2 Rebel at Oaklawn on March 15.
Tapiture came out in the second set of horses on a clear, 52-degree morning during which the track was rated “fast.” He warmed up, then broke off about 1 1/2 lengths behind Grade 3 winner Sabercat. Tapiture quickly moved up to track his workmate through fractions of 13 seconds for the opening furlong, a first quarter-mile in 24.60, and three furlongs in 37.60. He finished on even terms, with Oaklawn head clocker Jim Hamilton getting Tapiture’s final quarter in 23.20 seconds. Tapiture galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.
Asmussen said he was pleased that Tapiture was willing to settle just behind Sabercat. “I was very pleased to see how relaxed he was off of him early,” Asmussen said. “It was nice and smooth. It was what we were hoping for.”


Tapiture breezed under regular exercise rider Abel Flores and will be ridden by Joel Rosario in the Arkansas Derby.
Ride On Curlin, third in the Rebel, breezed Sunday for the Arkansas Derby. He went five furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Jon Court for trainer Billy Gowan.
 
[h=1]Wood Memorial: For once, Pletcher barn is underdog[/h]By David Grening

Trainer Todd Pletcher will be seeking his fourth Wood Memorial victory in the last five years Saturday at Aqueduct, but for the first time in that span, he will not be running the favorite in the Grade 1 race.
“I’m going to go in totally relaxed this year,” Pletcher joked Sunday at Palm Meadows.
In the $1 million Wood, Pletcher will start Harpoon, a son of Tapit who has won just once in six career starts. Harpoon is owned by Let’s Go Stable, the same outfit that owned Verrazano, who won last year’s Wood as the 4-5 favorite.
Harpoon was beaten by a nose by stablemate Vinceremos in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 1 before finishing fifth behind Samraat in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct on March 1.


“He’s been a little bit of a frustrating horse,” Pletcher said. “We feel like there’s more talent there than we’ve been able to get out of him. He’s been a little bit of a slow horse to put everything together. He’s a little intimidated by kickback. He doesn’t like to be inside, so he’s been a little bit of a tricky horse to ride. We feel like he never picked his feet up in the Gotham, and he was only beaten five lengths.”
Harpoon, who will be ridden by John Velazquez, likely will be in the 10-1 range Saturday. In the last four years, Pletcher’s horses went off as the prohibitive favorite in the Wood. In 2010, Eskendereya won at 1-2; in 2011, Uncle Mo ran third at 1-9; and in 2012, Gemologist won at 6-5.
“You always want to go in 3-5,” Pletcher said. “All of the ones that we brought were high-pressure situations. We were fully expected to win, and we expected them to win. This one will be a little different.”
On Sunday, Harpoon worked four furlongs in 47.57 seconds in company with the Gazelle-bound filly My Miss Sophia. Harpoon began the move a length or so behind and finished a half-length behind the filly, who was very competitive in the move.
Pletcher also had considered running Danza in the Wood but said Monday that horse would run in either the Arkansas Derby or Blue Grass Stakes, which both take place April 12.
Entries were to be taken and post positions drawn Wednesday for the Wood Memorial, a race that has not produced a top-three Kentucky Derby finisher since Funny Cide and Empire Maker ran 1-2 in the 2003 Kentucky Derby, flipping their Wood Memorial finish. Those on the fence who committed to the race Monday were Schivarelli and Noble Moon.
Schivarelli, a son of Montbrook, is 2 for 2, including a 12-length allowance win in a two-turn, one-mile race over the inner track Feb. 21. He will be ridden by Javier Castellano, trainer Eddie Kenneally confirmed.
One horse who had been expected to run but won’t is Tonalist, who was second to Constitution – Saturday’s Florida Derby winner – in a February allowance race. Trainer Christophe Clement said Tonalist did not work as well as he expected last week and might have a lung infection.
The Wood field, with riders, is expected to be: Effinex (Rosario Montanez), Harpoon (Velazquez), Kristo (Martin Garcia), Los Borrachos (Cornelio Velasquez), Noble Moon (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Samraat (Jose Ortiz), Schivarelli (Castellano), Social Inclusion (Luis Contreras), Uncle Sigh (Corey Nakatani), and Wicked Strong (Rajiv Maragh).
Though 24-hour surveillance was scheduled to start on all Wood starters at noon Wednesday, not all of the horses will be on the grounds by that time. Samraat and Harpoon arrive on a flight from south Florida that doesn’t land in New York until 6 p.m.
The stewards have the discretion to allow horses in after the deadline, and New York Racing Association steward Braulio Baeza Jr. said Monday that there won’t be a problem with those two horses arriving late.
 
[h=1]Kentucky Derby: Maker has two strong contenders in Vicar's in Trouble, General a Rod[/h]By Jay Privman

NEW ORLEANS – Vicar’s in Trouble, the winner of the Louisiana Derby here Saturday, came out of the race in good order and, by Sunday afternoon, was scheduled to be in Louisville, Ky., where he will be prepared for the Kentucky Derby along with his Mike Maker-trained stablemate, General a Rod, who was third Saturday in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Maker was at his Fair Grounds barn to check on Vicar’s in Trouble very early in the morning Sunday. Vicar’s in Trouble left at 4:30 a.m. for a flight to Florida, where General a Rod was to join him en route to Louisville, where Maker trains at the Trackside training center, eight miles from Churchill Downs.
Maker said both horses came out of their races well, and “both will go straight to the Derby” on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Vicar’s in Trouble earned 100 qualifying points for his Louisiana Derby victory based on the points system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby should more than 20 horses enter, and he now tops the points standings with 120. General a Rod ranks 14th with 40 points. That should be enough to get in, but 170-point races like the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby are still to be run.
Intense Holiday, who finished second in the Louisiana Derby, earned 40 points Saturday to bring his total to 93, 50 of which were earned when winning last month’s Risen Star Stakes. Like Vicar’s in Trouble, he has no worries regarding points.
“It was a credible effort. Hopefully, it moves him forward for Churchill,” Todd Pletcher, who trains Intense Holiday, said in Florida on Sunday.
Pletcher said jockey Mike Smith believed his trip aboard Intense Holiday was compromised, owing to Vicar’s in Trouble getting loose on the lead through moderate fractions.
“He wanted to do something about it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t,” Pletcher said. “He checked on the first turn, checked on the far turn.” By that point, Vicar’s in Trouble, Pletcher said, “had too much left.”
There will be serious scoreboard watching among the third- and fourth-place finishers from the Louisiana Derby. Commanding Curve rallied for third after getting clobbered at the start by Rise Up. The 20 points he earned places him in a tie for 18th.
Albano, who finished fifth but was promoted to fourth via disqualification after being interfered with by In Trouble heading into the far turn, is 15th with 34 points.
The best results in upcoming weeks for horses like Commanding Curve and Albano would be for horses already ranked higher than them in the standings to glean the majority of points. Getting leapfrogged would make getting into the race more challenging.


 
[h=1]Kentucky Derby: Maker has two strong contenders in Vicar's in Trouble, General a Rod[/h]By Jay Privman

NEW ORLEANS – Vicar’s in Trouble, the winner of the Louisiana Derby here Saturday, came out of the race in good order and, by Sunday afternoon, was scheduled to be in Louisville, Ky., where he will be prepared for the Kentucky Derby along with his Mike Maker-trained stablemate, General a Rod, who was third Saturday in the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Maker was at his Fair Grounds barn to check on Vicar’s in Trouble very early in the morning Sunday. Vicar’s in Trouble left at 4:30 a.m. for a flight to Florida, where General a Rod was to join him en route to Louisville, where Maker trains at the Trackside training center, eight miles from Churchill Downs.
Maker said both horses came out of their races well, and “both will go straight to the Derby” on May 3 at Churchill Downs.
Vicar’s in Trouble earned 100 qualifying points for his Louisiana Derby victory based on the points system used by Churchill Downs to determine the field for the Kentucky Derby should more than 20 horses enter, and he now tops the points standings with 120. General a Rod ranks 14th with 40 points. That should be enough to get in, but 170-point races like the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Blue Grass Stakes, and Arkansas Derby are still to be run.
Intense Holiday, who finished second in the Louisiana Derby, earned 40 points Saturday to bring his total to 93, 50 of which were earned when winning last month’s Risen Star Stakes. Like Vicar’s in Trouble, he has no worries regarding points.
“It was a credible effort. Hopefully, it moves him forward for Churchill,” Todd Pletcher, who trains Intense Holiday, said in Florida on Sunday.
Pletcher said jockey Mike Smith believed his trip aboard Intense Holiday was compromised, owing to Vicar’s in Trouble getting loose on the lead through moderate fractions.
“He wanted to do something about it. Unfortunately, he couldn’t,” Pletcher said. “He checked on the first turn, checked on the far turn.” By that point, Vicar’s in Trouble, Pletcher said, “had too much left.”
There will be serious scoreboard watching among the third- and fourth-place finishers from the Louisiana Derby. Commanding Curve rallied for third after getting clobbered at the start by Rise Up. The 20 points he earned places him in a tie for 18th.
Albano, who finished fifth but was promoted to fourth via disqualification after being interfered with by In Trouble heading into the far turn, is 15th with 34 points.
The best results in upcoming weeks for horses like Commanding Curve and Albano would be for horses already ranked higher than them in the standings to glean the majority of points. Getting leapfrogged would make getting into the race more challenging.


 
[h=1]Kentucky Derby: Constitution has history working against him[/h]By Mike Welsch

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The name Apollo will be sure to surface at least a couple of hundred times between now and Kentucky Derby Day following Constitution’s game neck decision over Wildcat Red in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
That’s because Constitution will enter the Derby having made only three starts and none before launching his career with an impressive seven-furlong maiden special weight victory here Jan. 11.
Apollo is the last horse to win the Derby without having raced as a 2-year-old. That happened in 1882. It’s a story that’s already been told countless times over the years, including last season, when Todd Pletcher marched down the same road as the trainer of the undefeated Verrazano, who began his career by winning a maiden race at Gulfstream on New Year’s Day.
“I guess you have to respect the stats,” Pletcher said when Apollo’s name came up for the first time this spring shortly after the Florida Derby. “It’s real, and it can be a disadvantage. But that’s what we’ve got to deal with, and we’ll do the best we can.”
That said, Pletcher couldn’t be prouder of what Constitution has accomplished in such a short period of time, culminating with his gallant performance in the Florida Derby, for which he received a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.
“It’s rare you have a horse do what he’s done thus far, and it’s a tribute to how much quality you have there,” said Pletcher, who trains Constitution for the partnership of WinStar Farm and Twin Creeks Racing Stables. “To be able to go from a sprint maiden win to a route to a Grade 1 victory is pretty special.”


Constitution was able to slip inside of pacesetter Wildcat Red under brilliant handling from leading rider Javier Castellano before proving narrowly best following a stirring stretch drive and despite racing rankly during the early stages of the Florida Derby. After the race, Pletcher said the winning trip wasn’t one either he or Castellano had originally planned for Constitution.
“No, that wasn’t Plan A,” Pletcher said. “We really wanted to be in the spot General a Rod was, outside and stalking Wildcat Red. “But in some ways, since he won, it was actually a blessing because he was able to cover some bases you would worry about going to Churchill, like getting some dirt in his face. It did concern me he was rank early because I know that’s in his personality a little bit. And I was happy to see when the dirt hit him, he got strong, threw his head a little, and then he settled. Hopefully, that will help him mature a little bit.”
Pletcher said Constitution will remain at the Palm Meadows training center for at least the next few weeks and could have as many as three workouts prior to the Derby, the last one definitely at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Jose Garoffalo said Wildcat Red, who earned considerable respect in defeat for his gritty performance in the Florida Derby, came out of the race well and definitely will head on to Churchill Downs for the Derby.
“It was disappointing he did not win, but I certainly couldn’t be prouder of the way he ran,” said Garoffalo, who added that he watched the replay of the race about 10 times Saturday night. “The plan was to fan General a Rod out on the first turn because we felt he was the one to beat and didn’t want him pressing us like he did in the Fountain of Youth. [Jockey John Velazquez] took him out on the second turn as well, but unfortunately, the winner was right there behind us on the rail and was able to take advantage of the situation.”
Garoffalo said Velazquez, who replaced Luis Saez aboard Wildcat Red in the Florida Derby, remains his first choice to ride him again in the Kentucky Derby.
“Right now, John Velazquez is our rider in the Derby if he wants the mount, but we have to wait and see what his options are before we know for sure that will be the case,” said Garoffalo.


Wildcat Red will continue to train up to the Kentucky Derby at Gulfstream but, like Constitution, will have his final work for the race at Churchill Downs.
General a Rod, who finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Wildcat Red after being fanned wide on both turns, shipped to Kentucky on Sunday and will be pointed for the Derby.
“I thought he ran a good race,” said trainer Mike Maker, who was at Fair Grounds on Saturday to watch Vicar’s in Trouble capture the Louisiana Derby. “I thought [jockey Joel Rosario] could have pressed Wildcat Red a little bit more, been a little more into the race.”
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he does not plan on running Cairo Prince, who finished a disappointing fourth as the even-money favorite in the Florida Derby, again before the Kentucky Derby. The 10 qualifying points Cairo Prince earned gave him 24 overall, likely putting him on the bubble as far as making it into the Kentucky Derby field.
“It [running him back before the Derby] goes against everything we stood for ‘til now,” McLaughlin said when asked about squeezing in another race before the Derby with Cairo Prince. “We have to see and hope 24 points is enough to get him in.”
McLaughlin did not offer any excuse for Cairo Prince in the Florida Derby.
“Uneventful trip,” he said. “[Saez] got him in the clear, and then everything stayed the same, 1-2-3-4, all the way around.”
McLaughlin said Cairo Prince would remain at Palm Meadows for the time being.
 
[h=2]Kentucky Derby 2014 point standings[/h]Leader board for qualifying points to the 2014 Kentucky Derby, which will be run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Points are earned by the top four finishers in designated Kentucky Derby prep races. Earnings in non-restricted stakes races serve as a tie-breaker.
[TABLE="class: ckeditor-styled-table, width: 100%"]
<thead>[TR]
[TH="width: 5%, bgcolor: #CCCCCC, align: center"]Rank[/TH]
[TH="width: 30%, bgcolor: #CCCCCC, align: center"]Horse[/TH]
[TH="width: 30%, bgcolor: #CCCCCC, align: center"]Trainer[/TH]
[TH="width: 10%, bgcolor: #CCCCCC, align: center"]Points[/TH]
[TH="width: 10%, bgcolor: #CCCCCC, align: center"]Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings[/TH]
[/TR]
</thead><tbody style="border-top-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px;">[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]Vicar's in Trouble[/TD]
[TD]Mike Maker[/TD]
[TD]120[/TD]
[TD]$760,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]Toast of New York[/TD]
[TD]Jamie Osborne[/TD]
[TD]100[/TD]
[TD]$1,200,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]Constitution[/TD]
[TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD]
[TD]100[/TD]
[TD]$600,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]Intense Holiday[/TD]
[TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD]
[TD]93[/TD]
[TD]$527,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]Wildcat Red[/TD]
[TD]Jose Garrofalo[/TD]
[TD]90[/TD]
[TD]$665,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]We Miss Artie[/TD]
[TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD]
[TD]60[/TD]
[TD]$544,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]Samraat[/TD]
[TD]Rick Violette Jr.[/TD]
[TD]60[/TD]
[TD]$450,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]Hoppertunity[/TD]
[TD]Bob Baffert[/TD]
[TD]55[/TD]
[TD]$376,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]Chitu[/TD]
[TD]Bob Baffert[/TD]
[TD]54[/TD]
[TD]$440,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]Midnight Hawk[/TD]
[TD]Bob Baffert[/TD]
[TD]52[/TD]
[TD]$320,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]Ring Weekend[/TD]
[TD]H. Graham Motion[/TD]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD]$210,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]California Chrome[/TD]
[TD]Art Sherman[/TD]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD]$182,250[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]Tapiture[/TD]
[TD]Steve Asmussen[/TD]
[TD]42[/TD]
[TD]$420,738[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]General a Rod[/TD]
[TD]Mike Maker[/TD]
[TD]40[/TD]
[TD]$240,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]Albano[/TD]
[TD]Larry Jones[/TD]
[TD]34[/TD]
[TD]$190,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]Cairo Prince[/TD]
[TD]Kiaran McLaughlin[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]$520,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]17[/TD]
[TD]Uncle Sigh[/TD]
[TD]Gary Contessa[/TD]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]$150,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]18[/TD]
[TD]Vinceremos[/TD]
[TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]$190,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]19[/TD]
[TD]Harry's Holiday[/TD]
[TD]Mike Maker[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]$150,956[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]Commanding Curve[/TD]
[TD]Dallas Stewart[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]$140,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]21[/TD]
[TD]Ride on Curlin[/TD]
[TD]Billy Gowan[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]$154,387[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]22[/TD]
[TD]Kristo[/TD]
[TD]John Sadler[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]$56,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]23[/TD]
[TD]Coastline[/TD]
[TD]Mark Casse[/TD]
[TD]13[/TD]
[TD]$129,679[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]24[/TD]
[TD]Tamarando[/TD]
[TD]Jerry Holldendorfer[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]$495,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]Strong Mandate[/TD]
[TD]D. Wayne Lukas[/TD]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]$472,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]26[/TD]
[TD]Rise Up[/TD]
[TD]Tom Amoss[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$786,633[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]27[/TD]
[TD]Giovanni Boldini[/TD]
[TD]Aidan O'Brien[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$345,676[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]28[/TD]
[TD]Candy Boy[/TD]
[TD]John Sadler[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$260,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]29[/TD]
[TD]In Trouble[/TD]
[TD]Tony Dutrow[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$190,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]30[/TD]
[TD]Noble Moon[/TD]
[TD]Leah Gyarmati[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$145,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]31[/TD]
[TD]Ami's Holiday[/TD]
[TD]Josie Carroll[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$136,145[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]32[/TD]
[TD]Tanzanite Cat[/TD]
[TD]Cody Autrey[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$111,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]33[/TD]
[TD]Commissioner[/TD]
[TD]Todd Pletcher[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$104,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]34[/TD]
[TD]Cleburne[/TD]
[TD]Dale Romans[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$102,044[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]35[/TD]
[TD]Conquest Titan[/TD]
[TD]Mark Casse[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]$180,495[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]36[/TD]
[TD]Dance With Fate[/TD]
[TD]Peter Eurton[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]$150,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]37[/TD]
[TD]Casiguapo[/TD]
[TD]Mario Morales[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$271,050[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]38[/TD]
[TD]Financial Mogul[/TD]
[TD]Rick Violette, Jr[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$93,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]39[/TD]
[TD]East Hall[/TD]
[TD]Bill Kaplan[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$77,550[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]40[/TD]
[TD]Classic Giacnroll[/TD]
[TD]Lisa Guerrero[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$62,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]41[/TD]
[TD]Asserting Bear[/TD]
[TD]Reade Baker[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$31,432[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]42[/TD]
[TD]Schoolofhardknocks[/TD]
[TD]David Hofmans[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$18,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]43[/TD]
[TD]Scotland[/TD]
[TD]Tony Dutrow[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$45,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]44[/TD]
[TD]Big Bazinga[/TD]
[TD]Katerina Vassilieva[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$44,469[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]45[/TD]
[TD]Laddie Boy[/TD]
[TD]Chuck Peery[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$42,599[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]46[/TD]
[TD]Smart Cover[/TD]
[TD]Dale Romans[/TD]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$38,418[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]47[/TD]
[TD]Enterprising[/TD]
[TD]Tom Proctor[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$91,100[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]48[/TD]
[TD]Arctic Slope[/TD]
[TD]Ken McPeek[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$47,572[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]49[/TD]
[TD]Wicked Strong[/TD]
[TD]Jimmy Jerkens[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$40,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD]Gold Hawk[/TD]
[TD]Steve Asmussen[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$3,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]51[/TD]
[TD]Awesome Sky[/TD]
[TD]Mark Casse[/TD]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$16,819[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]52[/TD]
[TD]Diamond Bachelor[/TD]
[TD]Patrick Biancone[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$92,000[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]53[/TD]
[TD]Rum Point[/TD]
[TD]Doug O'Neill[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$30,250[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]54[/TD]
[TD]Almost Famous[/TD]
[TD]Patrick Byrne[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$28,579[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]55[/TD]
[TD]Matuszak[/TD]
[TD]Bill Mott[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$22,667[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]56[/TD]
[TD]Son of a Preacher[/TD]
[TD]Bret Calhoun[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$11,500[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]57[/TD]
[TD]Buck Magic[/TD]
[TD]Dave Fawkes[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$8,410[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: #F3F2F1"]
[TD]58[/TD]
[TD]I'll Wrap It Up[/TD]
[TD]Doug O'Neill[/TD]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$6,000[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
Sidelined/Inactive/No Longer Under Derby Consideration/Not Triple Crown Nominated: Asmar (40, $557,500), Emirates Flyer-GB ($381,691), Havana (14, $660,000), Harry's Holiday (20, $150,596), Honor Code (14, 300,000), Bond Holder (11, $333,000), New Year's Day (10, $1,100,000),Top Billing (10, $40,000), Surfing USA (10, $35,000), Dance with Fate (8, $150,000), Rebranded (5,), Smarty's Echo (4, $82,000), Walt (4, $45,857), Go Greeley (2, $220,601), Roman Unbridled (2, $113,000), Rankhasprivileges (2, $100,250), Ontology (2, $77,250), Can the Man (1, $111,000), and Puppy Manners (1, $18,000
 
TimeformUS Kentucky Derby Prep Recap: Florida Derby & Louisiana Derby


The Triple Crown chase hit full stride this weekend with a pair of stakes races worth 100 points towards a berth in the 2014 Kentucky Derby starting gate for the winners. A second-place finish in either race was worth 40 points, which will almost assuredly be enough to qualify for the Derby field as well. The Florida Derby is a Grade 1 and was run at Gulfstream Park. The Louisiana Derby is a Grade 2 run at the Fair Grounds.

The Kentucky Derby is usually won with a TimeformUS speed figure of between 110 and 120. Orb won in 2013 with a 111 in a race that featured an extremely fast pace. It could be argued that the best horse did not win that day. Several horses in the race were compromised by the pace and/or traffic problems. Horses that failed to hit the board in the Derby but accomplished more later in the season included Oxbow, Will Take Charge, Palace Malice, and Goldencents.

So far in 2014, the fastest horse at one mile and a sixteenth or longer has been Social Inclusion. He romped in a Gulfstream Park allowance race and earned a 114 speed figure. The best performance in a stakes race with the same distance qualification belongs to California Chrome. He earned a 111 taking the G2 San Felipe S. at Santa Anita.

The G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park was an all-Florida affair, with all eight starters having last raced at one of the three thoroughbred tracks in the state. The race included G2 Holy Bull S. winner Cairo Prince, the top two finishers from the G2 Fountain of Youth S., Wildcat Red and General a Rod, and G2 Swale S. winner Spot. However, it was first-time stakes-race participant Constitution who would steal the show and remain undefeated in three tries. Just as in the Fountain of Youth, it was Wildcat Red and General a Rod setting the pace, but this time in much slower fractions. While the four furlong call was run in a TimeformUS pace figure of 116 in the Fountain of Youth, the leader reached that point of the Florida Derby with only an 86. Into the stretch, it looked like a repeat of the Fountain of Youth, but Constitution was able to squeeze through along the rail and get up by a neck over Wildcat Red. That one did edge away from General a Rod late for a clear second, and Cairo Prince checked in a disappointing fourth while never posing a threat for the win. Constitution ran a career-best 101 TimeformUS speed figure. It should be noted that the final-time figure for the race was a 105, but the slow pace reduces the overall number. With lightly raced, improving horses like these, it is very possible they could be better than the number indicates. However, that is never a guarantee.

The G2 Louisiana Derby is the feature of the meet at the Fair Grounds and was held Saturday. The field included the top three finishers from the G2 Risen Star S. as well as seven of the top eight. In Trouble was shipped in off his very good third (off a lengthy layoff) in the G3 Gotham S. at Aqueduct. There was a dramatic change in post positions for a couple of runners from the Risen Star, Albano and Vicar’s in Trouble, and it proved decisive. Albano had drawn the rail in a field for 14 for the Risen Star and led all but the last jump, while Vicar’s in Trouble was marooned way outside. For the Louisiana Derby, Vicar’s in Trouble drew the more comfortable six post while Albano was in the 10 hole. Vicar’s in Trouble took advantage and was able to secure the lead over longshot Louie’s Flower. He ran the first quarter mile in a pace figure of 110. Albano, meanwhile, was caught wide around the first turn and lost any chance before the backstretch was reached. Vicar’s in Trouble was briefly challenged by Risen Star winner Intense Holiday, but put that one away and drew off to a three-and-a-half-length score. Intense Holiday was second by a length and a half over late-running Commanding Curve. The race slowed gradually throughout, from the 110 after a quarter to a 100 at the finish. Vicar’s in Trouble checked in with a 102 TimeformUS speed figure. Intense Holiday was rated 97 and Commanding Curve 94.





 
[TABLE="width: 612"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]
Race-8.jpg
[/TD]
[TD](Post Time: 3:30)[/TD]
[TD]Surface: Dirt[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 4"]Santa Anita Derby[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G1 STAKES | Purse: $1,000,000

<tbody>
</tbody>

[TABLE="width: 612"]
<thead>[TR]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]PP[/TH]
[TH]HORSE[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]JOCKEY[/TH]
[TH]TRAINER[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]CLAIM $[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]EQUIP.[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]MED.[/TH]
[/TR]
</thead><tbody>[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD]Rprettyboyfloyd[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]R. Bejarano
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]D. Breuer[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Blk-On[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD]Friendswith K Mill[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]T. Baze
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]D. O'Neill[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD]Hoppertunity[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]M. Smith
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]B. Baffert[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD]Big Tire[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]E. Maldonado
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]M. Glatt[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD]California Chrome[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]V. Espinoza
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]A. Sherman[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD]Candy Boy[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]G. Stevens
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]J. Sadler[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD]Schoolofhardrocks[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]J. Talamo
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]D. Hofmans[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD]Dublin Up[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]K. Desormeaux
122 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]P. Miller[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
 
[TABLE="width: 612"]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]
Race-10.jpg
[/TD]
[TD](Post Time: 5:40)[/TD]
[TD]Surface: Dirt[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 4"]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 4"]Twinspires.com Wood Memorial S.[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds | G1 STAKES | Purse: $1,000,000

<tbody>
</tbody>

[TABLE="width: 612"]
<thead>[TR]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]PP[/TH]
[TH]HORSE[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]JOCKEY[/TH]
[TH]TRAINER[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]CLAIM $[/TH]
[TH="align: center"]EQUIP.[/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]MED.[/TH]
[/TR]
</thead><tbody>[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]1[/TD]
[TD]Kid Cruz[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]M. Franco
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]L. Rice[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]2[/TD]
[TD]Wicked Strong[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]R. Maragh
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]J. Jerkens[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]3[/TD]
[TD]Noble Moon[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]I. Ortiz, Jr.
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]L. Gyarmati[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]4[/TD]
[TD]Harpoon[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]J. Velazquez
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]T. Pletcher[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]5[/TD]
[TD]Los Borrachos[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]C. Velasquez
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]W. Mott[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]6[/TD]
[TD]Kristo[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]M. Garcia
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]J. Sadler[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]7[/TD]
[TD]Schivarelli[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]J. Castellano
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]E. Kenneally[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]8[/TD]
[TD]Samraat[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]J. Ortiz
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]R. Violette, Jr.[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]9[/TD]
[TD]Effinex[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]R. Montanez
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]D. Smith[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]10[/TD]
[TD]Uncle Sigh[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]C. Nakatani
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]G. Contessa[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2, align: center"]11[/TD]
[TD]Social Inclusion[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L. Contreras
123 Lbs[/TD]
[TD]M. Azpurua[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"] [/TD]
[TD="align: center"]-[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F2F2F2"]L[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
 
Have fun Play, interesting field Saturday for the Bay Shore too.

The Big A was like playing the lottery today, horses started coming from off the pace early in the day, then the rail looked like it got fast. 7-1, 16-1, 9-1, 8-1 and 59-1 winners today and not a field over 8 in the bunch.

And in the nightcap the favorite gets it done from off the pace. Tough day to cap.
 
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We've got a couple of heavyweights taking the stage on Saturday.

I know Gulfstream is a faster track than Aqueduct in general, but Social Inclusion ran 8.5 furlongs at 1:40.97 in his last effort, which was 3 1/2 seconds faster than the Gotham! If there were no track variant that's over 20 lengths! With the track variant from Brisnet we're still talking about 7 lengths difference. The Beyer difference was about 8 lengths.

By comparison, California Chrome ran 1:40.6 in the San Felipe! However, Kristo, who is entered in the Wood, finished 13 lengths behind California Chrome, but got a BRIS speed rating that would also put him 13 lengths behind Samraat and Uncle Sigh. Hmmm, that's curious.

So was the Gulfstream win by Social Inclusion 7 really lengths better than the California Chrome win in the San Felipe? And were the San Felipe and Gotham close to equal? The Beyer numbers say not really:

Social Inclusion - 111
Samraat - 97 (8 lengths back)

California Chrome - 107
Hoppertunity - 100 (4 lengths back)
Candy Boy - 96 (6.5 lengths back)

Brisnet has things a little different, with Social Inclusion at 106, California Chrome at 102, Hoppertunity/Samraat/Uncle Sigh at 99, and Candy Boy at 97, with 1 length = 1 point in routes.

What's this mean for Saturday? Barring a couple of bounces or utter chaos in the pace I'd say Social Inclusion and California Chrome should win their preps handily. They're also #1 and #1A on the current list of Derby favorites.
 
Walking through the field for the Wood:

FRONT RUNNERS

10 Uncle Sigh - Comes off back to back 2nd place finishes to Samraat in Grade 3 events, has been very consistent in his 4 starts with 3 seconds and 1 win in a statebred maiden, with only one point of call where he's been worse than 2nd. Will be interesting to see how close he can rate to Social Inclusion, who appears to have a slight speed advantage and also will be coming on from outside. Has been tenacious in the lane in each of his starts.

11 Social Inclusion - The NOW horse after his huge effort against winter favorite Honor Code in a Gulfstream mid-week allowance, earning the top speed figure for any 3 year old to date. Was granted an easy lead in that 5 horse field, now will face some battle-tested front runners on their home track. Connections are not known for having elite horses, so this will be interesting to see if his travels north. 2 for 2 lifetime, has never trailed at any point of call.

6 Kristo - Showed frontrunning style in his maiden win and in finishing 2nd to Midnight Hawk in the Grade 3 Sham but could not keep up with the pace set by California Chrome in the San Felipe and finished evenly in 3rd but far back from the winner. Martin Garcia has never ridden him before but makes the trip East to ride him here. Has been working well in Cali but looks like he'll run into a buzz saw in this one. Pass.

STALKERS

8 Samraat - Tenacious winner of both NY Grade 3 preps winning exciting stretch duels against Uncle Sigh in both and adding In Trouble in the Gotham. In Trouble did not flatter this group with his performance in Louisiana. Whatever, Samraat is unbeaten in five and like Uncle Sigh has been very consistent. No reason to think he won't run his race here.

7 Schivarelli - Another unbeaten, this one is 2 for 2 after putting in a freakish effort in the muddy on the Aqueduct inner to win an optional claimer by 12. The third place horse, Village Warrior, was a next out winner. Maiden win was on a fast track, so this one can run in any weather. Sneaky horse from Kenneally, gets Eclipse winner Castellano to ride. Hmmmm. If you like longshots you should see double digits on this one. Has 3 straight bullet works too.

3 Noble Moon - The only Grade 2 winner in the field, having won the Jerome in January. Has been running once every two months and has shown improvement in each race. Another jump forward here could make him competitive. Came flying in the Nashua last year after getting bumped into last place early, finishing a closing third to Cairo Prince and Financial Mogul. Jerome win was a wire job though, so not sure if Ortiz would be willing to let him get too far back, all a one-run close against the speed in this field just might work. Interesting but a reluctant pass.

MID PACK TYPES

4 Harpoon - One of Pletcher's B squad horses, came into the Gotham off a near miss closing 2nd at Tampa went 6 wide in the Gotham to leave himself too much to do in the stretch, finishing fifth. His closing quarter was pretty solid despite the extra length to his journey, so he's interesting. Gets a big jockey upgrade to Johnny V, another plus. Will be a square price in a race that might be begging for someone to close into a fast pace.

2 Wicked Strong - Returns to NY after two bleh efforts at Gulfstream, maybe the familiar surroundings will help. Has back class from his close 3rd in the Remsen last year, although the two that beat him, Honor Code and Cairo Prince, have not flattered his effort that day. None of those three have moved forward in 2014. Pass.

CLOSERS

1 Kid Cruz - A horse that might get lost on the board. Has a win on the Aqueduct main. Has a speed rating on the inner that was very comparable to the numbers put up in the Gotham. Has a stakes win at Laurel at 9 furlongs with a sharp closing effort. Has a New York trainer in Linda Rice, and has a recent sharp 5 furlong work under his belt. Seems like an overlay at 20-1.

5 Los Borrachos - Maiden winner in his last after 4 tries, would be an auto toss if it weren't Mott training him. Adds blinkers off the win which is a negative. Speed figures are pedestrian, and the class jump is gigantic. No thanks.

9 Effinex - Ran pretty well in has last at 8.5 furlongs to win an optional claimer, but still would need to leap forward significantly to be a factor here. 50-1 and probably will be all of it on Saturday.

Interesting sidenote: In the 8th at Aqueduct today there was a matchup between Marriedtothemusic, a really good sprinter who's been banging heads on the inner all winter, and Mr. O'Leary, shipping up from Gulfstream after a gaudy 1:08&4 time in his last sprint, with solid connections in Rosario & Clement. By contrast, Marriedtothemusic hasn't run a sub 1:10 pace since last summer.

Marriedtothemusic crushed him, winning by open lengths.

The moral to the story is to be a little wary of sharp looking horses trying something new, especially those leaving the cozy confines of Gulfstream's speed zone. This race sets up as one of two stories: either a Social Inclusion romp, or a chaos race where the 8, 10 & 11 all duel themselves to death and either Kid Cruz or Harpoon picks them all off for an upset win. I'm expecting the former, and it would be the better story heading to Louisville, but I'll have some $ on the latter just in case.
 
Wood Memorial:

#1 Kid Cruz - Scratched

#2 Wicked Strong - Comes back to NY after a disappointing winter down in FL, made a decent middle move in the last down south, and winner of that came back and took the Florida Derby last week. Should get the pace up front to suit late running style, don't think he's good enough for the top spot but could see him come up for second or third.

#3 Noble Moon - Coming in off a 3 month layoff is usually a play against angle for me with 3 year olds this time of year, as I think seasoning and experience is important for these big races. Hasn't exactly been blowing it out training track in the mornings either. Will probably be stalking the pace early and at 12-1 or greater there are worse plays out there but I'll pass here and see where this one comes back next time.

#4 Harpoon - Didn't have much of a chance last out in the Gotham after being hung 4-5 wide the whole way, 2 back in the Sam Davis had to swing from the rail to 4 wide at the top of the stretch, with Johnny V he might be able to work out a better trip here. Will probably be sitting about 6-7 lengths off what should be a fast early pace, he should get the race flow to suit his style, the question becomes is he good enough. it's not often you get Pletcher and Velazquez at 8-1 or higher, I wouldn't take any lower than the ML, but if he starts to drift upwards of 10-1 he becomes a little interesting, will use underneath and very sparingly on top.

#5 Los Borrachos - Jumping from a MSW win to a G1 is not a move you will see too often from Mott, which leads me to believe he either thinks this one is super talented or the owners have derby fever, I'm going to side with the latter. I like the breeding and he should like stretching out a little more and is another who should get a great pace setup for his running style and can get a similar trip to last out win, leading the second pack 6 lengths behind the top 3 battling it out up front, the difference obviously is the talent of those 3 up front and a few of the others behind, probably a case of too much too soon, but may include in the bottom of some tri's because of the race setup and the price should be right.

#6 Kristo- California shipper couldn't keep up with California or Midnight Hawk last time out. Has done his best running on or near the lead which is a tough proposition with the other speed in here for a horse who I question really wants to go 9 furlongs. He has never failed to hit the board though and maybe this crop of horses out west is better than what he will see today. I think he will see this one involved early and although I think he can be viewed mainly as a pace presence will also probably include in the bottom of a tri or 2 as maybe he holds on for a minor piece.

#7 Schivarelli - The one horse I am truly confused about here, came from off the pace to get up in the debut before going wire to wire in the slop and fog to win by 12 in his second effort. Working out like a beast with 3 straight bullets over at Belmont. A true wildcard for me but the price should be right and will use a little on top as well underneath and probably sneak him into a couple of the multirace wagers.

#8 Samraat - 5-5 lifetime and showed an ability to rate slightly off the pace last time out in the Gotham. With the other speed signed in for this one that rating ability along with his tactical speed should enable him to get the desired trip behind the early front runners and getting first run on the closers. Has put in 2 1 mile works to build up the endurance for this stretchout and think he makes it 6-6 here as the one to beat. Predicted winner.

#9 Effinex- Takes a big step up from the state bred Optional Claiming group he bested last time out at 28-1. Named by the owner to express his thoughts of his ex, he has no early speed and would need a complete pace meltdown to hit the board as he will be deserving of the 50-1 or greater. Thanks to his entry I get to see Sanctify's name in the past performances.

#10 Uncle Sigh - Drew a tough spot here out in post position 9 as he wants to be on or near the lead but with the short run in to the first turn has a chance to be hung wide and has the speedy Social Inclusion to his outside. These 2 from the outside will be gunning right out of the gate to clear the field and get down near the rail and should be battling throughout. Has the experience and seasoning edge on Social Inclusion but that one will make him work on the front end here, probably even more so than In Trouble last time, needs to improve to turn the tables on Samraat, but don't think he does the deed today, another to use on the bottom portion of exotics as he may hold on for a small piece.

#11 Social Inclusion - Has run 2 real big races in impressive times and the 111 Beyer was the highest number earned by a pre-Derby 3yo since 2009. That was a race put together by Gulfstream in an effort to get Honor Code a race before the Florida Derby. The 5 horse field really was a match race between Honor Code and Social Inclusion and this one was never threatened as he ran as visually impressive a race as one could. The talent is obvious and abundant but is going to be tested like never before here in this spot and is going to have to work much harder than he has before. Stuck way outside with the short run into the first turn with some other speed in here will leave him hard pressed not to be hung wide through the first turn, he will be pressured by Uncle Sigh and maybe Kristo. If he is able to put them away he then have to deal with Samraat and then the possible closers. I don't doubt the talent but this will be much tougher than he has faced before and will be getting a real short price. Respect of the talent will have me use in a couple of multirace wagers and in all positions in exotics but mostly the bottom as I think this is probably too much to ask for at this time.

Probable Plays: Samraat to Win if 3-1 or greater; Exacta Box Samraat-Harpoon; Ex 8/2,4,7,11 Tri 4,8/4,7,8,11/2,4,6,7,8,10,11
 
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Pretty weak overall but top heavy field for the Santa Anita Derby. 2 of the 8 runners are still maidens and another 3 have only beaten maidens. The other 3 are damn good however, led by California Chrome, who proved he can handle the dirt with an impressive wire to wire win in the G2 San Felipe, but the versatile sort has shown an ability to rate. Took a big step forward last time and there is a risk he bounces here. Candy Boy comes in off a win in the Robert B. Lewis, should sit a few lengths off the lead before making a late charge. Hoppertunity comes back to Cali after taking the Rebel at Oaklawn over a wet track in his latest after a tough stretch battle. Not sure what order these 3 come in but would be surprised if any of the others are running for anything better than 4th.
 
Candy Boy is my choice in the Santa Anita Derby. I think California Chrome takes a slight step back in this one after his freakshow in the San Felipe. I also don't think Baffert will have Hoppertunity too cranked for this one, his third graded stakes effort with two travels in the last 7 weeks. Candy Boy on the other hand has been freshened and needs the points. Those three are definitely the top contenders though.

Outside of the big 3 the two with a shot to hit the board are Rprettyboyfloyd, getting Bejarano back and blinkers for a small barn and Schoolofhardrocks, a closer type who was 4th in the San Felipe and is eligible to improve in his 3rd career start.
 
Track is playing quite fair at the Big A as a 74-1 shot wins from off the pace. Should benefit Financial Mogul and Kobe's Back in the Bay Shore, Harpoon and Noble Moon in the Wood, and Sahara Sky and Golden Ticket in the Carter.
 
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