Sitting on the Kentucky Derby bubble: Two out, two move up
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The Kentucky Derby bubble lost two, but picked up two horses over the weekend.
Nearly and Bravaro, who sit 23 and 24, respectively, on the Derby points list - and that’s with unlikely Derby starters Stark Contrast and Iron Honor still on that list - are no longer under Derby consideration, according to their connections.
Meanwhile, Litmus Test, the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity winner who most recently finished seventh in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and Great White, fifth in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes after winning the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park, are back under consideration, according to their trainers.
If one assumes neither Stark Contrast (American Turf) nor Iron Honor (Preakness) run in the Derby, then that puts Chip Honcho and Intrepido into the body of the 20-horse field. A decision on Chip Honcho’s Derby participation is unlikely to be made before entry day, which is Saturday. All of this would put Litmus Test and Great White at 21 and 22.
The Derby field is limited to 20 starters, but 24 may enter. The four also-eligibles would have to draw into the field by scratch time on May 1.
Nearly, the Holy Bull winner, is getting time off at Centennial Farm in Virginia, according to Dr. Stephen Carr, manager of horse operations for the Centennial Farm partnership that owns the colt. Carr said the team, including trainer Todd Pletcher, was not happy with Nearly’s “length of stride” in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28, when he finished fourth, or in his subsequent training.
Bravaro, second to Nearly in the Grade 3 Holy Bull and most recently fourth in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, is pointing to the $200,000 Mike Lee Stakes for New York-breds at Saratoga on June 3, according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
Litmus Test, trained Bob Baffert, is currently at Oaklawn Park, but is expected to move to Churchill Downs this week as Baffert begins to set up his Kentucky string for the summer.
Great White is being trained to a race at Churchill Downs on May 2 - either the Kentucky Derby or Pat Day Mile, according to trainer John Ennis.
“We’re training like we’re going to run in the Derby,” Ennis said. “Put a line through the Blue Grass.”
Behind Great White on the points list would be Ocelli, the maiden who finished third in the Wood Memorial. His connections have expressed a desire to run in the Kentucky Derby.
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