The smile that has been a seemingly permanent fixture on trainer Chad Brown’s face throughout April at Keeneland, as his barn continues a strong meet and he prepares juvenile champion Good Magic for the Kentucky Derby, slipped for just an instant.
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ARCADIA, Calif. – The unbeaten and lightly raced Justify, the current favorite for the Kentucky Derby on May 5, turned in his penultimate drill for the race early Saturday morning at Santa Anita, officially going six furlongs in 1:13 after breaking off at the five-furlong pole.
The Kentucky Derby is a race unlike any other, and it’s appropriate that many bettors approach it that way. For some, Derby opinions are formulated days or even weeks in advance, not by the usual method of analyzing past performances but instead by story lines or obscure historical statistics that captured their attention.
On April 21, 1951, Counterpoint, who began the year as a maiden, finished second in the Ben Ali Handicap. Five days later he was fourth in the Blue Grass, then, on May 5, he finished 11th of 20 in the Kentucky Derby. Things got better, and by the end of the season he was Horse of the Year.
In a 19-day period between April 13 and May 2, 1942, Alsab, the reigning 2-year-old champ, finished second in the Chesapeake Trial, second in the Chesapeake Stakes, third in the Derby Trial, and second in the Kentucky Derby. One week later he won the Preakness.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – It was 73 degrees, the wind was calm, the sky was sunny, and the racetrack in perfect condition when Kentucky Derby contender Enticed and his multiple Grade 2-placed workmate Take Charge Paula came out to breeze shortly after the renovation break Thursday at Palm Meadows. Conditions were so perfect that trainer Kiaran McLaughlin may never want to leave South Florida this spring.
This I know for certain after the final round of American Kentucky Derby preps: Santa Anita Derby winner Justify is at least five lengths faster than the winners of the other races.
If this was Big Brown or California Chrome’s year, I would pronounce Justify a cinch. However, the other final prep winners are pretty consistent. Not super fast, but consistent. And UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn is an absolute cause for concern.
Going back to the Louisiana Derby, I have analyzed seven final Derby preps from a Beyer-figure standpoint, including that amazing performance in Dubai.
In a development that will bring far more attention to an already compelling Kentucky Derby, and likely make a decided longshot a far shorter price, Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots announced in a press release on Wednesday that he is now part of the ownership group of the colt named for him.
According to the press release, Gronkowski the football player “has acquired a substantial stake” in the racehorse Gronkowski, who earned his berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby by topping the inaugural European Road to the Kentucky Derby series.
Grade 3, $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks; 1 1/8 miles; Turfway Park; March 17, 2018
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth)
Winner: Blended Citizen, by Proud Citizen
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Kyle Frey
Owner: Greg Hall and Sayjay Racing LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 83
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis
Vino Rosso
Curlin–Mythical Bride, by Street Cry
Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther ($410,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Mike Repole and St. Elias)
Unbeaten Santa Anita Derby winner Justify tries to break the “Apollo curse” in the Kentucky Derby. Among his challengers will be a former stablemate, Wood Memorial victor Vino Rosso.