For most of his adult life at this time of the year, Kiaran McLaughlin was trying to get to the Kentucky Derby. The goal remains the same. The path, though, has changed.

Mandaloun

Into Mischief – Brooch, by Empire Maker

Bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Shug McGaughey has confirmed Greatest Honour for the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, a Feb. 27 race for which the bay Tapit colt surely will be a solid favorite.

After Greatest Honour posted a breakthrough victory in the Jan. 30 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park, McGaughey had said he would monitor the colt’s training to determine whether to run back in the Fountain of Youth or wait instead for the March 27 Florida Derby, the final race in the annual Gulfstream series of Kentucky Derby preps for 3-year-olds.

Senor Buscador, the promising 3-year-old based at Sam Houston Race Park, could see Kentucky Derby prep action at Oaklawn or Santa Anita.

Trainer Todd Fincher said Monday that the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel on March 13 at Oaklawn and the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 3 are options being discussed with owner Joe Peacock Jr.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Keepmeinmind’s status for the postponed Southwest Stakes next week at Oaklawn Park will be determined by the status of training here.

Horses were last able to train over the Oaklawn surface on Feb. 11. A winter storm has since moved into the region, forcing the cancellation of five days of training through Tuesday and eight days of racing through Feb. 21.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Nicky the Vest, the 11 3/4-length winner of Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds, will most likely get a stakes start against open company in his next start.

Whether that start is in the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 6 or the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial on April 3 remains to be seen.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – It’s been a while since trainer Bob Baffert traveled the New York route to the Triple Crown, but he is giving serious consideration to doing it this year.

Baffert plans to nominate a trio of 3-year-olds to the Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham and is pointing Freedom Fighter to the one-turn mile race on March 6.

:: KENTUCKY DERBY 2021: Derby Watch, point standings, prep schedule, news, and more

They were first, second and third in the Lecomte Stakes on Jan. 16 and one-two-three this past Saturday in the Risen Star, and Mandaloun, Proxy, and Midnight Bourbon stand a good chance of meeting again March 20 at Fair Grounds in the $1 million Louisiana Derby. 

Mandaloun won Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star by 1 1/2 lengths over Proxy, who also had been second in the Lecomte. Midnight Bourbon won the Lecomte, going wire to wire, and after chasing Risen Star pacesetter Rightandjust finished third on Saturday. 

The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, closed as a lukewarm favorite after three days of betting into Pool 3 of the 2021 Kentucky Derby Future Wager. The pool opened Friday at noon Eastern and closed Sunday evening at 6.

The mutuel field closed at 3-1, followed by Life Is Good at 7-1 and Essential Quality at 8-1. They were followed by Greatest Honour (9-1), Prevalence (14-1), Caddo River (15-1), Mandaloun (16-1), and Concert Tour (17-1), with all others ranging from 25-1 to 91-1. The lowest $2 exacta will-pay is Essential Quality over the field (5-24), worth $64.

Listed, $101,350 El Camino Real Derby, 1 1/8 miles (all weather), Golden Gate Fields, Feb. 13, 2021 
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Rombauer, by Twirling Candy

Trainer: Michael McCarthy

Jockey: Kyle Frey

Owners: John and Diane Fradkin

Beyer Speed Figure: 84