HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Union Rags breezed a leisurely five furlongs in 1:04.21 seconds shortly after sunrise Saturday morning at Palm Meadows as he continues preparations for the $1 million Florida Derby on March 31.
Union Rags was on the track at the same time as another Florida Derby hopeful, Take Charge Indy, who worked a quicker five-eighths in 1:01.88 from the half-mile to the mile pole for trainer Pat Byrne.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is undecided on where his top 3-year-old, Alpha, will make his next start, but indicated Friday afternoon that he is now leaning slightly toward the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7. His other choice appears to be the Louisiana Derby six days earlier at Fair Grounds.
"I don't know, to be honest," McLaughlin said Friday afternoon by phone from Florida. "I'd say it's 60-40 New York."
Racing officials at Turfway Park are expecting a sizable field for their annual showcase event, the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes, with a handful of prominent trainers likely to run a pair of 3-year-olds apiece.
Todd Pletcher, Graham Motion, Mike Maker, and Mark Casse all have two horses under consideration for the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral, which will be run next Saturday, March 24, at the Florence, Ky., track.
Editor’s Note: Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class from the maiden ranks through the Grade 1 stakes. You can access daily updates and interactive features at Countdowntothecrown.com as well.
3 things you won’t read anywhere else
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Beat Bob Baffert.
That’s been the story of the Rebel the last two years, and the Oaklawn Park Grade 2 reads much the same on Saturday. Baffert has favored Secret Circle in the Rebel, which he won last year with The Factor and in 2010 with Lookin At Lucky.
A pair of colts who finished far behind two of this season’s top Kentucky Derby prospects in graded stakes last time out will attempt to regroup against easier competition in Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms at Laurel Park.
Went the Day Well, one of three Kentucky Derby candidates trainer Graham Motion has for Team Valor International along with Howe Great and Lucky Chappy, could make his next start in the Grade 3 Vinery Racing Spiral at Turfway Park.
Went the Day Well, who launched his career on grass in England, was an impressive maiden winner over the main track going one mile and one sixteenth here earlier this month in just his second U.S. appearance.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A handful of runners that were nominated to Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park have instead landed in a first-level allowance that highlights the card Friday. Unbridled’s Note, Kid Sidney, and Ring It Up should all start as top contenders in the 1 1/16-mile race that goes with a field of 11.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Whether trainer John Servis will have his first Kentucky Derby starter since winning the race in 2004 with Smarty Jones could be determined over the next nine days. His most advanced 3-year-old prospects are scheduled to see action in two key preps, with Adirondack King on deck for the Grade 2, $500,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, and Ill Conceived being pointed for the Grade 3, $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral at Turfway on March 24.
