Dullahan is fighting a cough, but he is still on track to make his 3-year-old debut in the Palm Beach on March 11, and from there perhaps the Blue Grass and the Kentucky Derby.
The first of three pools in the 2012 Kentucky Derby Future Wager will open Friday at noon Eastern at tracks and wagering outlets throughout North America.
Trainer Pat Byrne said Take Charge Indy's next major objective will likely be the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby on March 10. Take Charge Indy, who closed his 2-year-old campaign finishing fifth in the BC Juvenile, earned a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure while finishing two lengths behind El Padrino in his 3-year-old debut.
Prospective Fountain of Youth starter, Discreet Dancer, did not get his scheduled work in Monday, but not because of the weather. Trainer Todd Pletcher said Discreet Dancer spiked a slight temperature Monday, forcing him to cancel his planned workout.
Thus far, El Padrino has displayed several admiral traits. He is not afraid to race down inside where there is a possibility of getting dirt kicked back into his face. His lead changes are smooth and professional, and he has shown good tactical speed in his last few races.
Trainer Michael Matz had two objectives when sending his Kentucky Derby prospect Union Rags out to work early Monday morning at Palm Meadows – beat the rain and give his Grade 1 winner the opportunity to get a little bit of a blow from what otherwise would have been a routine half-mile breeze.
I’ll Have Another, the upset winner of the Robert Lewis Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita, came out of the race well and will await the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 7 for his next and final prep for the May 5 Kentucky Derby, his trainer, Doug O’Neill, said Monday morning.
Alpha, the 3 1/4-length winner of Saturday’s Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, will most likely make his next start in New York, but it remains to be seen whether that start will come in the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham on March 3 or the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial on April 7.
Alpha passed another test - okay call it a quiz if you like - on the road to the Kentucky Derby with a good-looking 3 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct.
After a dip in early nominations to the Triple Crown last year, the numbers came roaring back this year, with 397 3-year-olds – led by champion 2-year-old colt Hansen - announced on Saturday as nominees to the 2012 Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes.
