Mischevious Alex came out of his victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct in good order and all options are open for him including potentially training up to the Kentucky Derby on May 2, trainer John Servis said Sunday morning.
Mischevious Alex doesn’t know his name is spelled incorrectly. He doesn’t know that he’s not really bred to be a Kentucky Derby horse.
Authentic continued to enhance his Kentucky Derby credentials with a front-running victory over several high-class rivals in the Grade 2, $401,000 San Felipe Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Santa Anita.
The connections of King Guillermo launched into a celebration of the most boisterous kind when the Uncle Mo colt sped to victory Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby, returning $100.40 to win and earning his way into the May 2 Kentucky Derby.
Churchill Downs officials announced Friday that wagering on O Seraphina (No. 17) in the Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will not be accepted. The filly was reported by trainer Joe Sharp to have suffered a minor injury since an easy win in a Feb. 22 maiden race at Oaklawn Park.
Four members of the Derby Watch top 20 – Storm the Court, Honor A. P., Thousand Words, and Authentic - are set to compete in the Grade 2, $400,000 San Felipe Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.
As a race, Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct is solid. It drew a healthy 11-horse field with a legitimate favorite in Mischevious Alex and a host of intriguing, albeit less accomplished, challengers. As a Kentucky Derby prep, the Gotham will likely prove inconsequential.
Saffie Joseph Jr. scratched Chance It last Saturday at Gulfstream Park after the colt was assigned the far outside post for the Fountain of Youth Stakes. One week later, Chance It will break from post 4 when vying for favoritism with a familiar rival, Sole Volante, among a full field of 12 in the 40th running of the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby, the annual highlight at Tampa Bay Downs.
Sole Volante was assigned post 7 as the morning-line favorite in a capacity field of 12 3-year-olds entered in the Grade 2, $350,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, to be run for the 40th time Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs.
Major Fed managed to finish second behind Modernist in the slower second division of the Risen Star while making only his third career start, second around two turns, and first against other winners. Major Fed is a colt with clear ability and classic lines, and Greg Foley, who trains him for owner-breeder Lloyd Madison, thinks Major Fed will find improvement in the Louisiana Derby.
