Despite being defeated Saturday as the odds-on favorite in the Florida Derby, Union Rags was the 7-2 favorite heading into the final day of wagering into Pool 3 of the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said Daddy Longs, a 1 1/4-length winner in Saturday's $2 million UAE Derby, and third-place finisher Wrote are likely headed to the Kentucky Derby.
The Pacific Pet Transport crew shows you how Bob Baffert's Midnight Transfer was moved from Santa Anita Park to the 2011 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Mark Valeski has emerged as the top 3-year-old this winter in New Orleans and seems certain to be favored Sunday in the $1 million Louisiana Derby on closing day at Fair Grounds.
I’ll Have Another will be one of the most lightly raced horses of 2012 when he starts in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita next Saturday.
Given the circumstances – as well as the reverence with which certain Northern lawmakers hold the day – the Louisiana Derby might be ripe for a Rousing Sermon.
Rousing Sermon, the champion 2-year-old California-bred male of 2011, needs a strong result in Sunday’s $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds to justify a start in the Kentucky Derby on May 5.
Countdown to the Crown returns for a seventh season online as one of the most comprehensive handicapper’s scouting reports of the 3-year-old scene. Posted each Friday at DRF.com from Jan. 6 through the Belmont Stakes, Countdown keeps you apprised of the rising stars of the 3-year-old class.
From week to week, Alpha seemingly had a different destination. At one point, he was headed to the Louisiana Derby. Then the Florida Derby was in play. With the dust finally settled, Alpha will run in the spot trainer Kiaran McLaughlin circled long ago on his calendar: the $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7.
Union Rags, four-length winner of the Fountain of Youth last month and current favorite for the Kentucky Derby, is the imposing force El Padrino will be up against on Saturday in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. “Anyone who has seen [Union Rags] run or train has to be impressed. It’s a tall order,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains El Padrino. “But our horse is doing well.”
