Listed, $101,800 El Camino Real Derby; 1 1/8 miles (all-weather); Golden Gate Fields; Feb. 15, 2020

(10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Azul Coast, by Super Saver

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

Owner: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman

Beyer Speed Figure: 74

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Horses trained by Brad Cox locked up the second- and third-place spots in the Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes on Monday at Oaklawn, with Wells Bayou earning 4 Kentucky Derby points for his runner-up finish and Answer In earning 2. 

Silver Prospector moved past Wells Bayou in the later stages for a length win. Wells Bayou was making his stakes debut. He earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 96. 

Grade 3, $750,000 Southwest Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Oaklawn; Feb. 17, 2020

 (10 Derby qualifying points for a win, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)

Winner: Silver Prospector, by Declaration of War

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Owner: Ed and Susie Orr

Beyer Speed Figure: 97

Invader has made himself right at home since shifting to Turfway Park, winning his second consecutive race at the northern Kentucky track as he rolled to victory in the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial on Friday night.

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.

NEW ORLEANS – One-tenth of the 2020 Kentucky Derby field could be set when the dust settles Saturday evening at Fair Grounds.

The Grade 2, $400,000 Risen Star Stakes awards 85 Derby qualifying points. The 50 that go to the Risen Star winner essentially assure a spot in the 20-horse Derby – and this year there are two Risen Stars.

WHO’S HOT

Sole Volante

Karakontie – Light Blow, by Kingmambo

Bred in Kentucky by Flaxman Holdings ($6,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by New Hope AB; $20,000 OBS April juvenile purchase by Patrick Biancone, agent)

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.

It’s not every Friday that a top Kentucky Derby prospect breaks from the starting gate at Tampa Bay Downs. But that will be the case this Friday when Gouverneur Morris makes his 3-year-old debut among a field of five in a $27,500 first-level allowance.

In two starts at 2, Gouverneur Morris sparked high hopes that he would develop into a serious Derby candidate, winning a Saratoga maiden race by nine lengths before finishing second as the favorite in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.