Hence jumps into Kentucky Derby picture

Sunland Derby winner Hence was traveling back to his Oaklawn base on Monday, his spot in the Kentucky Derby secure as he picked up 50 qualifying points for his victory. But the path he will take to the May 6 classic at Churchill Downs is to be determined, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Asmussen said he wants to evaluate how Hence handled the race and the travel before discussing with owner Calumet Farm “the best way to proceed to the Derby.”

“We’ve got to look at whether we think he would benefit from another race or training up to the Derby, depending on how much the race and the trip took out of him,” said Asmussen.

Another part of the discussion, said Asmussen, is determining whether Hence should continue to train at Oaklawn or head to Kentucky. As for potential prep races, Asmussen said the horse is nominated to all available options.

Hence ran the best race of his young career in the Sunland Derby, closing from next to last for a 3 3/4-length win. He covered 1 1/8 miles on a fast track in 1:48.10. Hence is a Calumet homebred by Street Boss.

“Very strong performance,” Asmussen said. “Loved how he went through the wire – put a good margin on them late and looked good.”

Hence launched his career last year at Saratoga. He was a maiden special weight route winner in January at Oaklawn.

Conquest Mo Money finished second in the Sunland Derby, but his status for the Kentucky Derby is to be determined, said Sandy McKenna, who owns the horse with her husband, Tom. McKenna said Conquest Mo Money was made a late nominee to the Triple Crown for $6,000 on March 24, and while a Churchill Downs representative confirmed receipt of the nomination, he said the track could not accept it because the due date for late nominations was March 20. The horse would have to be supplemented to the Triple Crown for $200,000 if his connections choose to enter the Kentucky Derby.

McKenna said Tuesday morning she could not comment on the nomination situation as she did not have first-hand information from Churchill, but said with Conquest Mo Money borderline on points with 20, she and her husband were already planning to just see how things play out in the run up to the Kentucky Derby.

“We’re on the cusp with all those other 20-pointers,” McKenna said. “To me, at this moment, it’s kind of up in the air, a moot point. We’ll make that decision down the road. At this point, we’re sitting back and waiting to see how things unfold.”

Conquest Mo Money ranked in a tie for 14th on the latest points listings from Churchill Downs. Hence was fifth on the list Monday.

Trainer Miguel Hernandez said Monday that it would be ideal to train up to the Kentucky Derby if the points the horse has earned from his runner-up finish in the Sunland Derby look like they will secure a spot in the starting gate. But if it looks tight on points, the horse would be pointed for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on April 15 at Oaklawn.

Hernandez said the timing of the Arkansas Derby would work well for Conquest Mo Money, and he also likes the idea of keeping him in the region for now. Based at Sunland, Conquest Mo Money had won all three of his starts heading into the Sunland Derby – including both local preps for the race - and had the lead at the top of the stretch Sunday before being overtaken by Hence.

“He ran really good,” said Hernandez.

The Sunland Derby anchored a card of seven stakes worth $1.5 million. The track reported attendance of more than 16,000. The card also featured the $200,000 Sunland Park Oaks, won by Ghalia. The race offered eligibility points for the Kentucky Oaks.