The $150,000 Smarty Jones on Monday – won a year ago by Will Take Charge – is the first of three preps for the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. Coastline should go favored in the field of 10 by virtue of his win in last fall’s Street Sense at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Jose Garafolo confirmed Wildcat Red will be entered in the first major Kentucky Derby prep of Gulfstream Park’s meet, next Saturday's Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes, after watching his star work an easy five furlongs in 1:01.81.
Gold Hawk appears to have good potential as he makes his stakes debut Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lecomte at Fair Grounds.
With the unbeaten Exit Stage Left and Eddie Logan Stakes winner Enterprising among a field of eight, Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields is a legitimate stepping-stone to bigger stakes races for 3-year-olds.
The Lecomte, a 17-point (10-4-2-1) Kentucky Derby qualifying race, was one of five stakes drawn Wednesday for Saturday’s Road to the Derby Kickoff Day.
Trainer Shug McGaughey said he is eyeing a February return for his top Kentucky Derby prospect Honor Code, who will make his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth here at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 22.
Saturday’s $100,000 California Derby looks as if it will have a small field, according to Golden Gate Fields racing secretary David Jerkens’s early canvas. Jerkens said early this week that four runners were set to start in the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta race.
Trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled the newest member of his potential Kentucky Derby arsenal, Constitution, here Saturday. Constitution, a son of Tapit, overcame a very slow start to win his debut in game fashion, edging clear near the wire from the more experienced Juba following a furious stretch duel. Despite the tardy beginning, Constitution ran seven furlongs in 1:23.36 and was given a Beyer Speed Figure of 84.
Baratti proved to be a pleasant surprise winning a maiden race here last week for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin who now may have another 3-year-old prospect for the Triple Crown trail.
The field for the first major Kentucky Derby prep here this winter, the Grade 2 Holy Bull on Jan. 25, is slowly beginning to take shape, with several prospective starters turning in works at Palm Meadows on Sunday.
