Rapture to start in Virginia Derby; John Hancock rerouted to Louisiana Derby

Rapture will start Saturday in the Virginia Derby, while trainer Brad Cox’s second Colonial Down entrant, John Hancock, will be scratched to start in the Louisiana Derby on March 22 at Fair Grounds.

John Hancock won the Sam Davis Stakes on Feb. 8 at Tampa Bay Downs, beating runner-up Owen Almighty by a half-length. Owen Almighty returned this past weekend to easily capture the Tampa Bay Derby.

Flavien Prat has the mount on Rapture, a second-start Oaklawn Park maiden route winner in his most recent outing on Jan. 25.

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Cox said Monday that he also plans to send Flood Zone, the sharp winner of the Gotham Stakes on March 1, to the UAE Derby on April 5 at Meydan Racecourse on the Dubai World Cup undercard. Flood Zone, who earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gotham, made his first start last out for Cox and the Qatari owner Wathnan Racing, which purchased the colt after a fast Florida-bred maiden win at Gulfstream Park.

Cox and Wathnan will have Santa Anita Handicap third-place finisher Hit Show for the Dubai World Cup itself.

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