Road to the Derby: Sunland Derby analysis
An analysis of Sunday's Sunland Derby at Sunland Park.
Jay PrivmanMar 27, 2017
An analysis of Sunday's Sunland Derby at Sunland Park.
Sunland Derby winner Hence was traveling back to his Oaklawn base on Monday, his spot in the Kentucky Derby secure as he picked up 50 qualifying points for his victory. But the path he will take to the May 6 classic at Churchill Downs is to be determined, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
The starting lineup for Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park was all but finalized last Saturday following a frenetic morning during which all eight potential starters put in their final works at four different venues around the local area.
Tapwrit, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby in his last start, will head to Keeneland for the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 for his final start before the May 6 Kentucky Derby, Aron Wellman, who runs the Eclipse Thoroughbred partnership, said Monday.
It is increasingly doubtful that a Japanese-based runner will compete in this year's Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs. Epicharis, the runner-up in the United Arab Emirates Derby on Saturday, has been removed from consideration by his connections, and the only other two prospects who could be invited by Churchill Downs are unlikely to participate, according to the Japan Racing Association.
There is no denying that Kendall Hansen has put in the legwork to help prove out his namesake stallion, the champion juvenile Hansen, in his lone U.S. crop before being sold to Korea in late 2013.
With McCraken coming off an eight-week layoff as he goes into his final Kentucky Derby prep, trainer Ian Wilkes sent his pupil out for a six-furlong work Monday intended to “put some bottom in him.” McCraken responded by blitzing his workmate through the six furlongs in 1:13.40 in his penultimate move before the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes.
Hence put himself in the gate for the Kentucky Derby on Sunday, when he closed from next to last for a 3 3/4-length win over Conquest Mo Money in the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.
Kendall Hansen couldn’t help himself. The pain-management doctor known in racing circles for his outlandish tendencies got down on his knees to kiss the Turfway Park ground Saturday just minutes after his longshot colt, Fast and Accurate, pulled a stunning 24-1 upset in the 46th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral Stakes, the annual Turfway showcase.
In 2014, when Joe Sharp was working as an assistant for trainer Mike Maker, owner Brad Grady gave him the financial backing to go out on his own and begin claiming horses. Next Saturday at Fair Grounds, Sharp and Grady will send out two horses in the $1 million Louisiana Derby, including likely favorite Girvin.