Blue Grass rather than Louisiana Derby next for Santiva
Santiva will be pointed to the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland rather than the Louisiana Derby as originally planned.
Mike WelschMar 12, 2011
Santiva will be pointed to the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland rather than the Louisiana Derby as originally planned.
A sizable bet on newcomer Runflatout made for a surprise early favorite and a skewed oddsboard during the opening hours of betting into Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future wager, which began its three-day run at noon Eastern on Friday.
Trainer Rick Violette is consdering several two-turn stakes for his 3-year-old Rescind the Trade, including the Ilolinois Derby, the Sunland Park Derby, and the Rebel at Oaklawn Park.
Preachintothedevil, another New York-bred 3-year-old, has seemingly recovered from a foot bruise that forced him to scratch out of the Grade 3 Gotham on March 5 and is now being considered for the Grade 3, $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral on March 26 at Turfway Park, trainer Gary Contessa said.
Trainer Juan Arias has informed racing officials at Turfway Park that he intends to ship Decisive Moment from south Florida for the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes on March 26.
The San Felipe on Saturday marks the return of Jaycito; the race could have been more interesting if a Feb. 17 turf allowance for 3-year-olds had filled. That turf race was where trainer John Shirreffs planned to start Mr. Commons, which would give him enough spacing between starts to run back in both the San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby.
Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher is back at Tampa with Brethren, an undefeated half-brother to Super Saver who will be heavily favored against eight rivals to win the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby.
The unbeaten Bench Points puts his perfect record on the line against proven 3-year-olds Comma to the Top and Jaycito in Saturday's San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo finally makes his first start of 2011 on Saturday, when he takes on a five others in the Timely Writer at Gulfstream Park.
Edgar Prado will take over as the rider on Machen when he runs next in the Louisiana Derby on March 26 at Fair Grounds.