_defeats_GameWinner_2019SADerby_BA.jpg)
After Saturday’s preps, and despite the fact that he finished second yet again, in the view of this corner, Game Winner remains the favorite for the Derby, albeit a tepid one.
Tacitus displayed toughness as well as talent at Aqueduct on Saturday, overcoming significant trouble early on to win the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial and nail down his spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate in four weeks. Tacitus outfinished a stubborn Tax by 1 1/4 lengths, with Haikal another 3 3/4 lengths back in third. All three horses accrued enough points to go on to the Kentucky Derby on May 4.
In contrast to less predictable events that have occurred along the Kentucky Derby trail this year, form held up just fine Saturday, when the favored Vekoma sped to victory in the 95th running of the Grade 2, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
Improbable and Gray Attempt had major works for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby and Country House was committed to the race in Friday developments for the centerpiece of the upcoming Racing Festival of the South at Oaklawn Park.
Omaha Beach, in his final drill for the Arkansas Derby next Saturday, looked sharp on Saturday morning at Santa Anita when working five furlongs in 1:00.60 under jockey Mike Smith, who rode him to victory in a division of the Rebel last month and has the mount in the Arkansas Derby.
The joy of seeing the best West Coast prospects for the Kentucky Derby on a card filled with stakes and top-class runners is overlaid by the turmoil that continues to surround Santa Anita. The Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday leads to the Kentucky Derby. The path for Santa Anita is far more opaque.
On Saturday, George Weaver and Mike Trombetta will be seeking to return to Churchill Downs for their second Kentucky Derby when they saddle the favorites for the annual spring showcase at Keeneland, the Blue Grass Stakes.
Hoffa's Union, scheduled to run in the Wood Memorial on Saturday, is one of four 3-year-olds who were made late nominees to the Triple Crown via a payment of $6,000 that was due on Monday, Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, announced on Wednesday.
Roadster was breathtaking in his debut. He had his breath taken away in his next race. Eight months later, in the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, Roadster will make his bid for a berth in the May 4 Kentucky Derby. For a horse with a mere three starts, he's had an eventful journey to get to this point, including time off for throat surgery to address a malfunctioning wind flap.
A newcomer to the Derby Watch list this week is undefeated Maximum Security, who was risked for a claiming tag in his debut, but has now punched his Kentucky Derby ticket with a victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby.
