Cupid headed to Kentucky, but uncertain to start in Derby
Cupid, who finished 10th in Saturday’s $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park as the 4-5 favorite, will be sent from Arkansas to Kentucky in coming days while trainer Bob Baffert contemplates the colt’s next race.
Baffert, who watched the race from his home in Southern California, said on Sunday that he not decided whether Cupid will start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7.
“He’s waiting to go to Kentucky,” he said. “We’re on a wait-and-see basis. We’ll give him a week to chill.
“He just didn’t run. He didn’t fire.”
Cupid, the winner of the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 19 in his stakes debut, raced behind pacesetter Gettysburg to early stretch of the race at 1 1/8 miles before fading from contention. Cupid finished 11 1/4 lengths behind race winner Creator ($25.20).
By Tapit, Cupid has won 2 of 5 starts and earned $590,357 for owners Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Derrick Smith.
Cupid earned 50 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby from his win in the Rebel Stakes, enough to guarantee a start among a maximum field of 20 if that race is pursued.
Baffert has another contender for the Kentucky Derby in Mor Spirit, a two-time stakes winner who finished second to Exaggerator in the $1,000,690 Santa Anita Derby on April 9. Mor Spirit has earned 84 qualifying points.
Mor Spirit is scheduled to be flown to Kentucky on Friday. Baffert said he may wait until the colt has arrived at Churchill Downs before giving Mor Spirit a workout.
“He doesn’t have to work here,” Baffert said in reference to Santa Anita. “I’m playing it by ear.”