Confidence Game, one-length winner of the Rebel Stakes on Feb. 25 at Oaklawn Park, is unlikely to run back March 25 in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, where he is training. Trainer Keith Desormeaux is keeping options open for Confidence Game, who could run on April 1 in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, on April 8 in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, or train right into the Kentucky Derby.
2023 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Practical Move
In partnership with Gainesway Stable, Mandy Pope co-owns Tapit Trice, who figures as a solid favorite Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby. Tapit Trice enters the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Derby off an eight-length allowance victory last month in a Gulfstream Park allowance for Todd Pletcher.
The brilliant and unseasoned Arabian Knight, who went 19 days without a workout during the Santa Anita wet-weather track closures, is back on the tab. An early favorite for the Kentucky Derby after runaway wins in a maiden sprint at Keeneland and Grade 3 Southwest at Oaklawn Park in January, Arabian Knight worked five furlongs Saturday in 59.20.
Who's hot, who's not among this year's contenders for the Kentucky Derby.
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The complexion of the San Felipe changed long before post time when morning-line favorite Natiional Treasure was scratched with a foot problem. Fourth-choice Practical Move won with a perfect trip (and some help from his friends) as the rest of the field ran in ascending odds order.
You never know how a talented 2-year-old is going to winter and come back at age 3. Take BLAZING SEVENS, a Grade 1 winner last year who ran a slyly strong fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to cap his 2022 campaign. He showed nothing at any point in the Fountain of Youth.
Practical Move earned a triple-digit Beyer in scoring a decisive victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita and emerging as a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby.
