Remsen winner Catholic Boy, second in the Sam Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 10 in the first of his two Kentucky Derby preps this year, will use the Florida Derby on March 31 at Gulfstream Park as his final Derby prep.
Nine new names are in the lineup for Pool 3 of the 2018 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Friday at noon Eastern for the customary three-day run. Pool 3 runs concurrent to the lone annual Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.
Road to the Derby: Fountain of Youth analysis
As far as Dale Romans is concerned, when it comes to trying to win the Kentucky Derby, eight is more than enough.
Starlight Racing announced it has reached an agreement with GF Bloodstock to purchase interests in a pair of potential Kentucky Derby hopefuls, Holy Bull winner Audible and eye-catching maiden winner Justify.
Led by Grade 1 winners Firenze Fire and Free Drop Billy and Grade 2 winner Enticed, a field of at least 10 3-year-olds is expected to be entered Wednesday for Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.
Dale Romans has so much depth to his 3-year-olds this spring that he was able to scratch the best of his three runners entered Saturday in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, yet still win the race while turning back last year’s divisional champion.
Enticed worked five furlongs in 1:01.85 Friday morning at the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida, his final serious move before he starts in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham at Aqueduct next Saturday.
Ayacara closed with interest to finish second in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 3 in his 3-year-old debut. Next for Ayacara is the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes next Saturday, a key prep for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 7.
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is changing plans with his 3-year-olds, opting to keep Kanthaka in Southern California for the Grade 2 San Felipe and deciding to ship Afleet Ascent to New York for the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct.
