The young stallion Not This Time has enjoyed a stellar spring with his runners. His leading 3-year-old is Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter, who will be among the favorites in the Kentucky Derby in less than three weeks.
With all the points-scoring races now complete, the Derby Watch list is entirely driven by the points list.
After 37 races spread over 210 days, everyone with designs on the Kentucky Derby knows where they sit. For those in the top 20 on points, they're in, holding their breath that nothing untoward bubbles forth. For those just outside the top 20, they're hoping a spot opens before the race is run at Churchill Downs May 7. The door isn't quite shut.
Rafael Bejarano will ride Happy Jack in the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs, trainer Doug O'Neill said Tuesday, reuniting a trainer and jockey team that had terrific success in Southern California before Bejarano returned to the Kentucky circuit.
The long and winding points-scoring road toward the Derby, which began in September, ended here with Tawny Port further solidifying his position in the field while proving he could handle dirt and come back on short rest following his runner-up effort in the Jeff Ruby two weeks prior.
In Due Time, third as the favorite Saturday in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, remains a prospect for the Kentucky Derby, although trainer Kelly Breen said Monday he and the owners of the Not This Time colt need more time to determine whether they actually want to run in the May 7 classic at Churchill Downs.
A precious few each year get to say they bred a Kentucky Derby runner. With thousands of Thoroughbreds born each year, it's a longshot – especially for smaller programs outside of Kentucky that raise a relative handful of foals. But for Ohio-based Bruce Ryan, who bred Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba, it's a longshot that he's around to enjoy this spring at all.
Holiday or not, it was back to some serious business for White Abarrio on Easter Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The $1 million Florida Derby winner turned in the first of his three scheduled works leading up to the May 7 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with an easy three furlongs in 34.49 followed by a very impressive-looking gallop out.
Un Ojo is bound for the Kentucky Derby after a Saturday morning work that satisfied his trainer, Ricky Courville. The drill came at the horse’s Copper Crowne training center base near Lafayette, La.
Slow Down Andy has been withdrawn from consideration for the Kentucky Derby after recently spiking a temperature at Keeneland, trainer Doug O’Neill confirmed Saturday morning.
