Ron Paolucci resisted the urge to run the maiden filly Nikki and Papa in the Fountain of Youth on Saturday at Gulfstream Park, but perhaps only in deference to his ownership partners.
Americanus earned himself an opportunity to compete in one of the upcoming Kentucky Derby preps after winning a loaded first-level allowance race for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs Saturday.
Jockeys Luca Panici and Jose Ortiz, who have ties to three horses currently considered major players on the Kentucky Derby trail will be sidelined indefinitely after sustaining injuries in two separate riding mishaps occurring less than 24 hours apart here last week.
Green Light Go is in but Structor will be out when entries are drawn early Wednesday afternoon for Saturday's Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.
A strong recent work has sent Sir Rick back into stakes company Sunday for the $100,000 Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park, according to his trainer, Robertino Diodoro.
Max Player, the Grade 3 Wither Stakes winner and a member of Daily Racing Form's Derby Watch, returned to the worktab Wednesday morning, breezing five furlongs in 1:03.75 over the Belmont Park training track.
Bill Mott is the defending training champ for the Kentucky Derby, winning it last year when his colt Country House was placed first following the disqualification of Maximum Security. Mott last Saturday put himself in position to get back to this year's Derby when Modernist scored an upset victory in the second division of the 1 1/8-mile Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Pam and Marty Wygod's homebred Modernist has now won consecutive races at 1 1/8 miles following his front-running score in a division of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. The colt is continuing to display the stamina bred into him from both sides of his family, including a female family that has been kind to the Wygods.
Modernist, Mr. Monomoy, and Silver Prospector – all of whom won graded stakes races last weekend – are the newest members of the Derby Watch top 20.
Gouverneur Morris has eased back into training at Palm Beach Downs following a successful 3-year-old debut as trainer Todd Pletcher considers what will come next for his top prospect for the 146th Kentucky Derby.
