There is no trainer more focused on winning the Kentucky Derby, or with clientele who share the same goal, as Bob Baffert.

In the years since he first won the Derby back in 1997 with Silver Charm, his stable size has grown, and Derby stock has become the biggest part of the portfolio. The combination of choice horses and a Hall of Fame trainer has resulted in three Derby victories and two Triple Crowns in the last six years. With six Derby victories overall, Baffert is tied with the legendary Ben Jones for the lead among trainers.

OLDSMAR, Fla. – A busy weekend of Kentucky Derby prep races is liable to uncover a surprise or two. Vicki Oliver hereby volunteers to provide the surprise with Big Blue Nation.

Oliver is the trainer of Hidden Stash, one of the live contenders Saturday in the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs. A late-closing third in the Sam F. Davis here Feb. 6 after winning back-to-back races in Kentucky to end his 2-year-old season, Hidden Stash stands to improve enough to enter the Derby discussion with a big finish in the 1 1/16-mile Tampa Bay Derby.

Or so Oliver is hoping.

Life Is Good

Into Mischief – Beach Walk, by Distorted Humor

Bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West ($525,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by China Horse Club and Maverick Racing)

WHO’S HOT

$82,830 John Battaglia Memorial, 1 1/16 miles, Turfway Park, Feb. 26, 2021
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Hush of a Storm, by Creative Cause
Trainer: Billy Morey
Jockey: Santiago Gonzalez
Owner: Joseph P. Morey Jr. Revocable Trust
Beyer Speed Figure: 86

Essential Quality, a decisive winner last Saturday in his 3-year-old debut, is the morning-line favorite in Pool 4 of the 2021 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens for the customary three-day run Friday at noon Eastern.

Pool 4 coincides with the only Kentucky Oaks futures and Oaks-Derby double to be offered by Churchill Downs prior to both classics. Pool 4 will close Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern, and the Oaks pool a half-hour later at 6:30. Win and exacta wagering are offered for both pools.

Mystic Guide’s romping victory Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn definitely was the high point of the week for trainer Mike Stidham’s stable, but Friday morning at Fair Grounds yielded an encouraging result, too.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Prevalence, the Godolphin homebred who was withheld from a race last week at Gulfstream, could make his second career start in the coming days following a quick recovery from a minor illness. Prevalence breezed a half-mile in 48.40 seconds Saturday at the Palm Meadows training center.

Trainer Brendan Walsh said before leaving Tuesday for California, where on Saturday he will run Maxfield in the Santa Anita Handicap, that he hopes to run Prevalence in a first-level allowance in time to make a Kentucky Derby points qualifier.

Senor Buscador, who won the Springboard Mile and was fifth most recently in the Risen Star Stakes, emerged from a recent workout in preparation for the March 13 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn with what appears to be a minor injury and will be given time to recuperate, trainer Todd Fincher said Monday from Sam Houston, where Senor Buscador has been training.

Fincher said the issue is with Senor Buscador’s right front leg.

A capacity field of 12 3-year-olds is expected when entries are taken Wednesday for the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby, to be run Saturday for the 41st time at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla.

Candy Man Rocket, winner of the Feb. 6 Sam F. Davis at Tampa, figures as a lukewarm favorite in the $350,000 Tampa Derby, a 1 1/16-mile race that offers Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 50-20-10-5 scale. It’s one of three Derby preps set for a busy Saturday across the country, along with the Gotham at Aqueduct and the San Felipe at Santa Anita.