WHO’S HOT
There has been little to no change to the perspective field with no major defections. Renegade, the presumptive Derby favorite, was expected to return to the work tab on Thursday at Palm Beach Downs. It would be his first breeze since his victory in the Arkansas Derby on March 28.
With more than 4,500 wins and five Eclipse Awards to his credit in a career that is still in its prime, jockey Irad Oritz Jr. has had more than his share of memorable moments. None of them, however, have come in the Kentucky Derby.
Nine times Ortiz has ridden the Derby without success. His best Derby result came with Improbable, the favorite in 2019, who was elevated from fifth to fourth following the disqualification of Maximum Security from first. However, Ortiz feels Mo Donegal, fifth behind longshot Rich Strike was, to date, his best chance.
Fair Grounds Oaks winner Life of Joy, who was considered one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Oaks, has been declared out of the race as the picture for the filly classic continues to take shape.
Trainer Brad Cox told Churchill Downs representatives on Tuesday evening that Life of Joy – a stakes winner last fall at Churchill who impressively won the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks over Bella Ballerina on March 21 – has incurred a “minor setback” and will be pointed to a fall campaign.
Chief Wallabee, beaten a half-length when third behind Commandment and The Puma in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28, will most likely be equipped with blinkers when he runs in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bill Mott said Monday.
“To me, he seemed slightly distracted in his last run,” Mott said Monday. “Something to keep him a little more focused. He’s still a little green.”
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Sunday the campaign to be mapped out for Claret Beret this season will be determined by working backward from the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
She earned a berth for the race Saturday, with a 4 1/2-length win in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. It was the first time the Apple Blossom was run as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Silent Tactic, who remains on course for the Kentucky Derby, and Counting Stars and Search Party, who are on deck for the Kentucky Oaks, all worked Sunday morning at Oaklawn and will ship Wednesday to Churchill Downs, according to trainer Mark Casse.
The horses each won points races for the 3-year-old classics during the current meet at Oaklawn. The drills on Sunday came on an overcast morning hovering around 70 degrees. The track was fast.
“I thought everybody looked good working,” Casse said.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year following a campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Journalism, the winner of the Preakness and Haskell stakes, will meet in a blockbuster renewal of the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap next Saturday.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The key word around trainer Gustavo Delgado’s barn on Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park was maintenance. At least when it came to The Puma’s first work back since his second-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby two weeks earlier.
Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy will ship April 21 from Santa Anita to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Mark Glatt said Saturday. The colt resumed training this week, and will post his final California workout April 18 or 19 before shipping. So Happy’s final Kentucky Derby workout will be at Churchill Downs.
So Happy has won three races and $480,000 from four starts. The son of Runhappy is owned by Hans and Ana Maron (Saints or Sinners Stable) and Robbie Norman (Norman Stables. So Happy’s rider is Mike Smith.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In her final preparations leading up to the May 1 Kentucky Oaks, relaxation has been a focus for Bella Ballerina. After another educational workout for the filly on Saturday morning at Keeneland, in which she worked behind horses by design, trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione also appeared relaxed, and pleased with their contender.
"Everything went according to plan," Gaffalione said.
