This I know for certain after the final round of American Kentucky Derby preps: Santa Anita Derby winner Justify is at least five lengths faster than the winners of the other races.
In a development that will bring far more attention to an already compelling Kentucky Derby, and likely make a decided longshot a far shorter price, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots announced in a press release on Wednesday that he is now part of the ownership group of the colt named for him.
Road to the Derby 2018: Jeff Ruby Steaks
Unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner Justify stands out among the favorites in this year's Kentucky Derby as he tries to break the “Apollo curse.” But among his challengers will be not only another major prep winner but his former stablemate, Wood Memorial victor Vino Rosso.
“It has become practically impossible for a three-year-old which did not race as a juvenile to win a running of the famed classic.” So stated the Daily Racing Form on May 8, 1939, the day of the Kentucky Derby, and nearly eight decades later, those words have proved prophetic.
Good Magic will have his first breeze since his 1 1/2-length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Saturday with trainer Chad Brown back from his New York base to observe.
Instilled Regard, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7, is a candidate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, if he can gain a berth in the field.
Magnum Moon, the winner of the Arkansas Derby on Saturday, is now the co-second choice on the Kentucky Derby line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper.
Road to the Derby 2018: Lexington Stakes analysis
Blended Citizen, the winner of the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park on March 17, is under consideration for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5 if enough defections occur that would allow the colt to gain a berth in the field, trainer Doug O’Neill said on Monday.
