WHO’S HOT
Fierceness is back, with a vengeance. The 2023 male juvenile champion scored a dazzling victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, winning by more than 13 lengths, earning a 110 Beyer Speed Figure, and reclaiming the role of early Kentucky Derby favorite. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona lowered the price on Fierceness to 3-1.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Just F Y I claimed a divisional championship winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies last November to complete an unbeaten campaign. She will need to return sharp off a five-month layoff Friday when she meets Breeders’ Cup second- and third-place finishers Jody’s Pride and Candied, plus the talented newcomer Impel, in a compelling edition of the Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – There’s nothing like New York in spring time, especially if you’re trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and running horses in stakes races at Aqueduct.
It was just a year ago, Lord Miles, with one win from four previous starts to his credit, upset the Wood Memorial at 59-1, the third longest shot in a field of 12. In 2022, Joseph ran third and fourth in the Wood with Skippylongstocking and A. P.’s Secret, sent off at odds of 17-1 and 49-1, respectively. In 2019, Math Wizard finished fourth at 64-1, the longest price on the board.
Frosted Grace, who went over $1 million in career earnings with his Saturday victory in the Grade 3, $500,000 Oaklawn Mile, could see stakes action later in the meet.
Trainer Mike Maker said Monday plans for the horse are to be determined, but options include the $200,000 Lake Ouachita here May 3.
Frosted Grace won the Oaklawn Mile by 1 1/2 lengths and for the effort, the 8-year-old earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“Very pleased with his race, obviously” Maker said. “Just an old classy horse, you wish you had a whole barnful of.”
Lat Long, who was a maiden special weight winner over Common Defense in December at Oaklawn, is being pointed to the Grade 1 Blue Grass on Saturday at Keeneland, trainer Kenny McPeek said Sunday.
Lat Long last raced Jan. 20 and was third in the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds. He worked a bullet half-mile in 46.40 seconds Sunday at Churchill Downs.
McPeek also trains Common Defense, who came back to win his maiden at Oaklawn one start after facing Lat Long and later in the meet ran second in the Grade 2 Rebel.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Southern California-based trainer Bob Baffert could attempt a sweep of the Southwest market’s two Grade 1 races.
He accounted for the first offering Saturday when Muth won the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby. Baffert said Sunday he could send a runner for the second Grade 1 race in the region, the $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap on April 13.
“I was looking at maybe Adare Manor for the Apple Blossom,” he said.
