Bodemeister was so impressive winning the Arkansas Derby that Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper, has made him the 9-2 favorite on his future line for the May 5 Kentucky Derby.
Uncertain weather conditions make it difficult for trainer Michael Matz to decide whether Union Rags will work out this weekend on Polytrack at Keeneland or ship to Churchill Downs to prepare for the Kentucky Derby. The one sure thing is that the workout will come Saturday or Sunday, and the horse's final work will come at Churchill Downs a week or so out from the Derby.
A decision on whether Rousing Sermon will be pointed for the Kentucky Derby may be made this week, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Tuesday.
Creative Cause moved closer to a start in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with a five-furlong workout at Hollywood Park on Tuesday, but plans for another California-based Kentucky Derby prospect, Rousing Sermon, have not been finalized.
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The Coolmore Lexington Stakes might produce a starter for the Kentucky Derby after all. Bob Baffert has decided to run Castaway in the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington on Saturday at Keeneland, and a victory would give the colt enough graded earnings to run back in the Derby if his connections so wished.
Though Alpha, the Wood Memorial runner-up, did not ship to Churchill Downs as originally scheduled on Monday, his connections remain optimistic the multiple stakes winner can still make the Kentucky Derby on May 5.
Bodemeister has come a long ways in his short career, from an unstarted maiden a little more than three months ago to the possible favorite for the Kentucky Derby following his overpowering victory in the Arkansas Derby on Saturday.
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The respective second- and third-place finishes in the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday by Hansen and Gung Ho (31-1) added to an impressive recent record that trainer Mike Maker has compiled in the Keeneland showcase, particularly with longshots.
Keeneland racing officials are looking for a field of perhaps 10 3-year-olds to run Saturday in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, but with the apparent defection of Reveron, none of those horses has a realistic chance to make the Kentucky Derby field.
Mike Smith, who rode Bodemeister for the first time when winning the Arkansas Derby on Saturday, will retain the mount for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday.
