Keeneland: Ramseys in position for big weekend
A relatively slow start (1 for 7) to the spring meet can be easily forgotten by Ken Ramsey with a big upcoming weekend.
Marty McGeeApr 08, 2014
A relatively slow start (1 for 7) to the spring meet can be easily forgotten by Ken Ramsey with a big upcoming weekend.
California Chrome made his debut almost a year ago. Not even trainer Art Sherman could have dreamed that the colt would end up as the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby.
Trainer Jamie Osborne on Tuesday made official what he and owner Michael Buckley had insinuated for the past week: Toast of New York, the winner of the United Arab Emirates Derby, will not travel to the United States for the May 3 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Todd Pletcher confirmed Monday that he will have three starters in the Blue Grass Stakes as he tries to increase his numbers for the Kentucky Derby.
Tapiture breezed a half-mile in 50.80 seconds for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby on Monday, going a half-mile in 50.80 seconds in the second set of workers at Oaklawn Park. He is one of the favorites for the mile and an eighth race that closes out the meet Saturday.
California Chrome easily won the Santa Anita Derby by 5 1/4 lengths over Hoppertunity on Saturday for his fourth straight victory. His dominating performance also stamped him as a likely betting favorite for the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby, May 3.
The third-place finish by Candy Boy in Saturday’s $1 million Santa Anita Derby may not assure the colt a starting berth in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 3.
California Chrome has bragging rights that he’s certainly the best 3-year-old on the West Coast, and the likely favorite for the May 3 Kentucky Derby, following his powerhouse victory in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.
Wicked Strong came out of his 3 1/2-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct “a little tired” but otherwise in good order, according to trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who added that he will wait until as late as possible to ship his horse to Louisville for the May 3 Kentucky Derby.
A trio of previously unbeaten horses – Samraat, Social Inclusion, and Shivarelli - finished second, third, and fourth in this important Kentucky Derby prep race, while the winner Wicked Strong rallied past all three to score his first victory since a maiden win at Belmont last October.