Black Onyx, who won the Spiral Stakes on Saturday, and Govenor Charlie, winner of the Sunland Derby on Sunday, both earned 50 points toward the May 4 Kentucky Derby, guaranteeing a berth in the 20-horse field and securing a spot in the top 20 of this week's Derby Watch.
The Louisiana Derby may not have the same success rate of producing Kentucky Derby winners as the Florida Derby. But take it from retired trainer Frank Brothers. It's a very special race if you're from Louisiana.
Titletown Five is set for Saturday’s Louisiana Derby after breezing a half-mile in 48.80 seconds Wednesday at his Oaklawn base.
Approaching the most lucrative Kentucky Derby preps – including the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday – the points system that replaced graded stakes earnings as the basis of determining the Derby field if more than the maximum 20 enter is operating largely as intended, rewarding performances closer to the Derby, and swelling field sizes of preps.
While trying to make sense of Saturday’s Florida Derby, I can’t get Florida Gulf Coast University out of my mind. Since I saw the university’s basketball team run two college basketball powers out of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia last weekend, I have been trying to think of something comparable I have seen in horse racing.
Revolutionary, who overcame severe traffic problems to win the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct in his last start, drew post 3 in a full field of 14 on Wednesday for the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Itsmyluckyday, the winner of the Gulfstream Park Derby and Holy Bull earlier this meet, drew post 3 and was installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in a field of 10 for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
The maiden race winner Summer Exclusive will skip the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6 in favor of the $250,000 Bay Shore Stakes over seven furlongs for 3-year-olds on the same day at Aqueduct.
Few have questioned his ability. No one has questioned his desire. Many have questioned whether Shanghai Bobby, last year’s 2-year-old champion male, is a legitimate Kentucky Derby contender. On Saturday, the horse will give his answer when he runs against Itsmyluckyday and Orb in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream.
Cot Campbell gave a number of reasons why he picked out the Louisiana Derby for Palace Malice, the colt who will represent Dogwood Stable on Saturday in the Fair Grounds showcase.
