Kentucky Derby: McCarthy will find out what he's got in Gotham, San Felipe

Though he won the 2021 Preakness with his first Preakness starter, Rombauer, it is a reach to suggest trainer Michael McCarthy can win the Kentucky Derby with his first Derby starter. And yet, neither Lugan Knight nor Genius Jimmy can be ruled out yet.

Lugan Knight runs Saturday in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, where a good effort may lead to the Grade 1 Blue Grass on April 8 at Keeneland. Lugan Knight, who might be a sprinter, won his maiden at Keeneland last fall.

Genius Jimmy, on the other hand, is an interesting prospect in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita. The improving colt enters off a maiden win at 1 1/8 miles on turf, and McCarthy is confident he will handle the main track.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2023: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

“His works on the dirt have been very good, seems like he’s gotten over it nicely,” McCarthy said. “Now is the right time to give it a shot. We know we’ve always got the grass to fall back on.”

Genius Jimmy won the maiden turf race by three lengths and should start at a generous price against National Treasure, Hejazi, and others. Based on the trainer’s recent history at Santa Anita, Genius Jimmy is worth a longshot look. Since the start of last season, McCarthy has scored turf-to-dirt graded stakes upsets with Queen Goddess ($31.20) in the off-turf Grade 1 American Oaks, Law Professor ($10.20) in the off-turf Grade 2 Mathis Mile, and There Goes Harvard ($19.60) in the Grade 1 Gold Cup.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.