HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Patrick Biancone mimed a French adage that roughly translates into “It’s a long way from the cup to the lips” when acknowledging just how much time exists between now and the 146th Kentucky Derby.

“De la coupe aux levres,” a smiling Biancone said while taking an imaginary drink.

His point is well taken. With 11 weeks to the May 2 Derby, Biancone is the trainer of a couple of live contenders, Sole Volante and Ete Indien, both of whom have been ridden in most of their races by Luca Panici.

The broodmare Drumette has produced four foals to race who have won a combined six of 51 starts with earnings of about $290,000. Her other foal to race, however, is called Monomoy Girl, and she won five Grade 1 races, including the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, during an epic 2018 campaign that made her champion 3-year-old filly.

So, when the connections of the colt foaled in 2017 by Drumette chose a name, they picked one with a burden, calling this son of Palace Malice Mr. Monomoy.

NEW ORLEANS – A filly who required five tries to clear the maiden ranks and has one win from six races coming into the second start of her 3-year-old season isn’t really supposed to be a serious threat in a spot like Saturday’s Grade 3, $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Yet Tempers Rising almost certainly is more qualified to contend here Saturday than her record might suggest.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Bourbon Bay, who dead-heated for second with Prince of Pharoahs behind Independence Hall in the Jerome Stakes here on New Year’s Day, will make his next start in Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.

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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York State Gaming Commission on Monday overturned a 10-day suspension handed to jockey Benjamin Hernandez Jr. for an ontrack situation that occurred a year ago.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Hay Field, a popular commodity at the claim box for the last nine months, will jump into stakes company in Saturday’s $100,000 Broadway Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Starting last May, Hay Field has been claimed for $40,000 in six of her last seven starts, winning her last three straight. The only time Hay Field wasn’t claimed during that span came when she wasn’t eligible to be claimed in a starter-allowance race.

WHO’S HOT

Red roses are top of mind this weekend. Valentine’s Day is Friday, and on Saturday, the most important races to date in 2020 will be held for aspirants to the Run for the Roses.

The Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds was split into two divisions that each will award 50 points to the victors, a number that virtually guarantees spots in the inevitable 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby, to be held this year on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Del Mar plans to maintain a five-day racing week this summer despite a decline in racing days and the number of starters per race at the current Santa Anita meeting.

Racing secretary David Jerkens said on Wednesday that the track is finalizing an expanded financial incentive program to lure horses to Del Mar this summer.

A formal announcement is expected in March on the incentives, which may include a purse increase and an expansion of the ship-and-win program, which provides bonuses for horses brought to California from other circuits, Jerkens said.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Storm the Court, the champion 2-year-old male of 2019, may remain in California for his second start of the year following a fourth-place finish in Sunday’s Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita.

In his first race since an upset win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here last November, Storm the Court was beaten 2 1/4 lengths by the heavily favored Nadal in the $200,500 San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs. Storm the Court was as close as third on the turn, and was beaten a neck for third by Fast Enough.