Cairo Prince in precarious position for Kentucky Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been keeping his eyes firmly affixed on the Kentucky Derby qualifying point standings ever since his Cairo Prince finished fourth in the $1 million Florida Derby. As a result of that race, Cairo Prince’s Kentucky Derby status is precarious heading into the two final two major Derby preps Saturday, the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby.

Cairo Prince is one of six possible Kentucky Derby starters still stabled in south Florida. Wildcat Red, Intense Holiday, Constitution, and We Miss Artie are guaranteed spots in the Derby field. Like Cairo Prince, Social Inclusion still remains on the outside looking in following last Saturday’s third-place finish in the Wood Memorial.

[ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays]

“Cairo Prince is doing great,” McLaughlin said. “We have him penciled in to work over the weekend, and we’re going to keep a close eye on the final preps to see where we stand. If it looks like we’re in or even close, then we’ll ship him to Churchill Downs on the 22nd.”

Cairo Prince is 16th on the list with 24 qualifying points. McLaughlin said he was happy to dodge one bullet last weekend after Samraat nosed out Social Inclusion for second money in the Wood.

“Only two horses went above us last weekend, and we were very lucky Rick Violette’s horse [Samraat] won that photo for second in the Wood,” McLaughlin said. “Now we have to sweat out this weekend. It’s likely three or four could go above us, two almost for certain in the Blue Grass. We’ll definitely be rooting for Tapiture in the Arkansas Derby because he’s already in.”

Cairo Prince’s Derby status also could determine who rides Wildcat Red on Derby Day. Wildcat Red was one of the first 3-year-olds to punch a ticket to the Derby with his victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. He then added to his imposing résumé with a game second-place finish behind Constitution in the Florida Derby.

Luis Saez guided Wildcat Red to victory in the Fountain of Youth but took off to keep his regular seat aboard Cairo Prince in the Florida Derby. John Velazquez rode Wildcat Red in the Florida Derby and is currently trainer Jose Garoffalo’s first choice for the Kentucky Derby.

“I haven’t heard from John since the Florida Derby,” Garoffalo said Wednesday. “But if he’s not available and Cairo Prince doesn’t get in, I’d love to have Luis [Saez] ride him since he already knows the horse so well.”

Garoffalo said Wildcat Red would have one more work at Gulfstream on Sunday, April 20, before flying to Louisville, where he likely will have one final breeze the following weekend at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said We Miss Artie definitely will work Sunday at Palm Meadows. A decision regarding the weekend work status for Intense Holiday and Constitution won’t be made until Saturday. All three will have their final local preps on Easter Sunday before joining Wildcat Red and perhaps Cairo Prince on the April 22 flight to Kentucky.