The Kentucky Derby points parade makes a stop in New Mexico on Sunday for the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby led by California shippers Mucho Gusto and Anothertwistafate, and local favorite Hustle Up.
For those who are not able to make the scene in New Orleans and enjoy the Louisiana Derby festivities on Saturday, they can always rustle up a few po' boys, dip into a tureen of seafood gumbo, and crank up Dr. John's greatest hits on the box while they watch War of Will, Country House, and the rest of the fine young animals scramble for a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. Or they can call Bob Fortus.
War of Will has knocked off the Lecomte and Risen Star, and on Saturday War of Will will seek a sweep of the local Kentucky Derby prep races when he heads the field in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby over 1 1/8 miles.
Nolo Contesto, who beat the recent graded stakes winner Omaha Beach in January, is likely to start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6, pending a workout on Saturday.
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas is debating what course of action to take with Market King, who finished third behind Omaha Beach and champion Game Winner in the second division of the Grade 2, $750,000 Rebel Stakes last Saturday at Oaklawn.
Sure, Harvey Wallbanger was terrific in his last race, but now he's something of a forgotten horse. Enough has happened since his 29-1 upset in the Feb. 2 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park to push him back down everyone's Kentucky Derby lists.
Long Range Toddy, who beat the previously unbeaten Improbable in the first division of the Rebel last Saturday, is the lone newcomer to this week's Derby Watch top 20. He is listed as a 20-1 shot on the ante-post line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper.
Bill Mott knows every inch of Churchill Downs. It's where he rose to prominence in a career that sent him to the Hall of Fame at age 45 as the youngest trainer ever inducted. It's where, in 1986, he became the track's winningest trainer, a position he held for 31 years until local hero Dale Romans passed him.
Lookin At Lucky, winner of the 2010 Preakness Stakes and an Eclipse Award champion at ages 2 and 3, had a career year as a sire in 2018.
Road to the 2019 Kentucky Derby: Rebel Stakes (division 2) analysis
