The Kentucky Derby is only a few days in the future. But for a few of the colts who will try to write their names in the history books this Saturday, part of their future is already secured. Several of the expected entrants in their Derby field are already spoken for as future stallions, led by favorite Tiz the Law, who will eventually join some of the biggest stars in modern history at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud.
DEL MAR, Calif. - There may be questions over whether Authentic can stretch his speed to 1 1/4 miles Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, but there is no question he's coming into the biggest test of his life as good as can be. This was confirmed Sunday morning at Del Mar when he completed his serious training for the Derby with a strong drill that capped off an excellent series since his victory in the Haskell.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Owner Charles Fipke announced on his Twitter account Saturday that his unbeaten 3-year-old colt Shirl’s Speight will miss next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby due to a cough.
“Unfortunately, Shirl’s Speight has come up with a minor cough today and he will not be going to the Kentucky Derby. His health is our number one concern, and we’ll look forward to his next race.”
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Honor A. P. is right where trainer John Shirreffs and jockey Mike Smith want him. In his final afternoon work here at Del Mar, his final work for the Kentucky Derby seven days hence, Honor A. P. worked a steady seven furlongs in 1:27.20, including a final quarter in 24.40 seconds, then galloped out a mile in 1:40.60.
“Really good,” Shirreffs said as Honor A. P. galloped back after the work. “I’m really happy. The only thing that could have gone wrong was to go too fast. He went nice and even all the way around.”
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Todd Pletcher has confirmed plans for his 3-year-olds, with Money Moves going to next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and Dr Post, the Belmont Stakes runner-up, pointing to the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga the same day.
Money Moves, who will be ridden by Javier Castellano, becomes the 18th confirmed starter for the Kentucky Derby. Money Moves, who has never run in a stakes race, has no qualifying points for the Derby, but points don’t matter if 20 horses or fewer are entered in the race.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mother Nature fought the Law and the Law won.
Before the rain came Saturday morning in upstate New York, Tiz the Law completed his major preparation for next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby by working a fast five furlongs in 58.96 seconds over a fast Saratoga main track.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sole Volante, whose last start resulted in a distant sixth-place finish in the June 20 Belmont Stakes, was scheduled to arrive by van Sunday at Churchill for the Kentucky Derby after sizzling five furlongs in 57.80 seconds over turf Friday at the Palm Meadows training center in south Florida.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Major Fed doesn’t figure to garner much wagering action when he goes postward Saturday in the 146th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, but that’s to be expected. The colt has won just once in six career starts, whereas the favorites, Tiz the Law and Art Collector, both are 4 for 4 on the year.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Saffie Joseph said he couldn’t have been happier with the way Ny Traffic worked here Friday in his final serious drill before the Kentucky Derby. The Haskell runner-up went five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, completing his final three-eighths in 35.26 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40 and easing up after seven-eighths in 1:26.58.
David Cohen was aboard for the work, although Paco Lopez has the mount in the Derby.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Todd Pletcher worked a trio of 3-year-olds Friday at Saratoga with Money Moves still seeming to be the one he would run in the Derby if he runs one at all.
Since he has no qualifying points, Money Moves would need 19 or fewer other horses to be entered in the Derby to make it into the field. On Friday, he worked five furlongs with You’re to Blame in 1:00.14, getting his last quarter in 24.13 with a strong gallop out of 1:12.99, 1:26.09, and a mile in 1:40.34, indicative of a pre-Derby type of work for Pletcher.
