Oaklawn riders arrive with live mounts

LEXINGTON, Ky. – One subtle clue that the Kentucky Derby is drawing ever closer – trainers and jockeys who have been active at Oaklawn Park begin showing up for the last half of the Keeneland spring meet.

Gary Stevens, Channing Hill, and Fernando De La Cruz are among the first riders to arrive here from Arkansas, where Oaklawn ended its 2018 meet Saturday. De La Cruz stands perhaps the best chance to make an immediate impact when he climbs aboard What’sontheagenda in the first of two $76,000 co-features on a nine-race Thursday card that starts at 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

What’sontheagenda is trained by Doug O’Neil, the California-based conditioner who had a presence throughout the Oaklawn meet while also dispatching a small string several weeks ago to Keeneland. Most recently fourth in a March 10 allowance, What’sontheagenda will return to turf as one of the main contenders in a field of eight older horses in the fifth race, a first-level allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs.

What’sontheagenda, a 4-year-old gelding by Dialed In, showed effective early speed in three straight turf sprints down the hill at Santa Anita prior to his Oaklawn outing under De La Cruz, whose 22 victories cracked the top 10 in his first full meet at Oaklawn. What’sontheagenda could be tested early by Ventry Bay, returning from a six-month layoff for Wesley Ward. He later could face challenges from the likes of Westwood’s Wizard, Turbo S, and Hollow Point, all of whom appear to suit this spot well.

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Stevens, the 55-year-old Hall of Famer who had 26 wins at Oaklawn, has the mount on Red Clay Magic, whose trainer, Steve Hobby, also is a recent returnee from Arkansas.

The other Thursday co-feature (race 8) also is a first-level allowance for older horses, although it will be run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

Silver Dust, who actually finished first at this level in his latest start March 9 at Fair Grounds but was disqualified for a bumping incident in deep stretch, could come a slight favorite in a field of seven. Corey Lanerie has the return mount for trainer Bret Calhoun, who began this week with five wins from just 10 starts at this 16-day meet.

Stakes action at Keeneland picks back up Friday with the Grade 3 Doubledogdare, which drew a field of 13 fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles.