Lord Miles

Curlin – Lady Esme, by Majestic Warrior

Bred in Kentucky by Vegso Racing Stable

With all the major Kentucky Derby prep races in the books, the biggest newcomer on this week’s Daily Racing Form Derby Watch is Lord Miles, who returned $120.50 for his nose victory in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial on Saturday at Aqueduct. While he will again be a long price in the Derby, he brings classic credentials from a pedigree standpoint.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – There was celebration at Stonestreet Farm last week when homebred Dreaming of Julia was honored as Kentucky’s Broodmare of the Year. And the party may not be over yet.

Dreaming of Julia, the dam of Eclipse Award champion Malathaat, was named Broodmare of the Year at the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders awards dinner April 5 in Lexington. Two days later, her Grade 2-winning daughter Julia Shining added a Grade 1 placing to her résumé when a close third in the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.

Mage

Good Magic – Puca, by Big Brown

Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine ($235,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by New Team; $290,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile purchase by OGMA Investments)

Red Route One

Gun Runner – Red House, by Tapit

Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds

Prominent U.S. runners have played a key role in the development of the Japanese breeding and racing program into an international superpower. Chief among those, of course, is Horse of the Year Sunday Silence, with the 1989 Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner becoming a breed-shaping sire in Japan.

Sunday Silence appears in the pedigree of all four Japanese-bred colts who are considered potential Kentucky Derby candidates. However, other American expatriates figure prominently in this quartet, as well.

Two Phil’s visited two Thoroughbred auctions in as many years but did not change hands at either one. Instead, it was trainer Larry Rivelli’s relationships, and a longtime client, that led to the private purchase of Two Phil’s, now a multiple graded stakes winner and prominent Kentucky Derby hopeful following his win in the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby last Saturday at Turfway Park.

Instant Coffee

Bolt d’Oro – Follow No One, by Uncle Mo

Bred in Kentucky by Sagamore Farm ($200,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Joe Hardoon, agent)

Instant Coffee is the morning-line favorite for Saturday’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, which will award 100 Kentucky Derby points to its winner. The Gold Square LLC colorbearer is by a promising young sire and from a steadily productive female family.