Reagan's Honor has chance to capitalize in Blue Grass

The weekend news that leading Kentucky Derby hope Paladin had suffered an injury and will not race in the Triple Crown drastically altered the complexion of Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes, Paladin’s intended final Derby prep.

The Blue Grass favorite out of the picture, Reagan’s Honor’s Blue Grass stock has risen, and a Sunday workout at Keeneland, his first since shipping from Fair Grounds, did nothing to alter that notion.

Breezing inside Remember Mamba, a talented 3-year-old grass horse who goes in the Transylvania on Friday, Reagan’s Honor worked a smooth half-mile in an official 48 seconds. Trainer Cherie DeVaux had the colt going out five furlongs under the lightest of pressure in 1:00.20.

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Reagan’s Honor debuted Dec. 20 at Fair Grounds, finishing fourth in one of the quicker maiden sprints of the Fair Grounds season. Stretched to a two-turn maiden Jan. 20, Reagan’s Honor went to the lead and won nicely enough, but it was his next race, on Feb. 19, that put Reagan’s Honor on the Derby trail. Facing older horses in a first-level allowance, Reagan’s Honor set a strong pace and still drew away for a 6 3/4-length score, his 1:42.02 for 1 1/16 miles yielding a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

A good race, for sure, and Reagan’s Honor has gotten better.

“Physically, he’s matured since he ran. He needed to take a step forward, which is why we took our time with him, and he’s really put on a lot of condition,” DeVaux said.

Reagan’s Honor needs at least a second-place finish Saturday to earn sufficient qualifying points for the Derby. Further Ado, who ran his best race in October at Keeneland, and Rebel Stakes winner Class President look like his main rivals.

DeVaux already has one Derby horse, Golden Tempo, who won the Lecomte in January and finished third in the Risen Star on Feb. 14 and a better third March 21 in the Louisiana Derby, his first start in blinkers. Both he and the supremely talented Englishman – aimed toward the Pat Day Mile – will work sometime this weekend at Keeneland.

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