LEXINGTON, Ky. – George Weaver and Mike Trombetta both are self-starter types who have risen from humble backgrounds to enjoy successful careers as horse trainers on the East Coast. Both have had one Kentucky Derby starter.

On Saturday, Weaver and Trombetta will be seeking to return to Churchill Downs for their second Derby when they saddle the favorites for the annual spring showcase at Keeneland, the Blue Grass Stakes. Weaver sends out Vekoma, the 9-5 program favorite in a full gate of 14 for the 1 1/8-mile race, while Trombetta has Win Win Win, the 7-2 second choice.

Hoffa’s Union, scheduled to run in the Wood Memorial on Saturday, is one of four 3-year-olds who were made late nominees to the Triple Crown via a payment of $6,000 that was due on Monday, Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, announced on Wednesday.

Hoffa’s Union was a runaway winner against maidens at Laurel before being purchased privately by a partnership that includes Gary Barber and Adam Wachtel. He is now trained by Mark Casse.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Roadster was breathtaking in his debut. He had his breath taken away in his next race.

Eight months later, in the Grade 1, $1 million Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, Roadster will make his bid for a berth in the May 4 Kentucky Derby. For a horse with a mere three starts, he’s had an eventful journey to get to this point, including time off for throat surgery to address a malfunctioning wind flap.

Maximum Security

New Year’s Day – Lil Indy, by Anasheed

Bred in Kentucky by Gary and Mary West

WHO’S HOT

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Ten new names are in the lineup for the fourth and final pool in the 2019 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Friday at noon Eastern for the customary three-day run.

The morning line for Pool 4 as set forth by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia shows 8-1 co-favorites in Game Winner and Maximum Security – but with three major Derby preps to be run Saturday, there figures to be plenty of movement in odds by the time the pool closes Sunday.

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – When Maybry’s Boy won the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park in the winter of 2002, his neophyte owner Randy Hill thought, “This game’s not that hard.”

Over the last 17 years, Hill, like most owners, has learned just how hard it can be to own horses. For all the difficult times, though, there is the anticipation for days like this coming Saturday that make it all worthwhile.

Saturday, Hill will be part-owner of three horses running in major Kentucky Derby preps and another in a high-class sprint stakes.

 Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby; 1 1/8 miles; Gulfstream Park; March 30, 2019

 (100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Maximum Security, by New Year’s Day

Trainer: Jason Servis

Jockey: Luis Saez

Owner: Gary and Mary West

Beyer Speed Figure: 101

Group 2, $2.5 million United Arab Emirates Derby; 1,900 meters (about 1 3/16 miles); Meydan, March 30, 2019

 (100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Plus Que Parfait, by Point of Entry

Trainer: Brendan Walsh

Jockey: Jose Ortiz 

Owner: Imperial Racing LLC

Beyer Speed Figure: N/A

Al Ain won his first Grade 1 race in nearly two years with a 21-1 upset in Sunday’s $2.09 million Osaka Hai at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan.

Ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, Al Ain, a 5-year-old by Deep Impact, finished a neck in front of 3-1 Kiseki, who was a neck in front of 7-1 Wagnerian.

Kiseki was second to Almond Eye in the Japan Cup last November. Almond Eye won Saturday’s Group 1 Dubai Turf in the United Arab Emirates. Wagnerian won the 2018 Japanese Derby.

Blast Onepiece, the 2-1 favorite, finished sixth of 14 in the Osaka Hai.