Mendelssohn

Scat Daddy–Leslie’s Lady, by Tricky Creek

Bred in Kentucky by Clarkland Farm ($3 million purchase by M.V. Magnier at Keeneland September yearling sale)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – It’s probably fair to say that at this stage of his career – one of the best careers in racehorse-training history – Aidan O’Brien can live without winning the Kentucky Derby.

On the other hand, it’s probably fair to say he wouldn’t say no to the experience.

O’Brien has run five horses in four Kentucky Derbies.

:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The field for Saturday’s Florida Derby picked up one horse and lost another on Tuesday.

Hofburg, a sharp maiden winner at Gulfstream Park on March 3, will step into the deep end of the pool on Saturday when he runs in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, trainer Bill Mott told Gulfstream publicity on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Speed Franco, who had been listed as a probable Florida Derby starter, will instead run in the $150,000 Cutler Bay Stakes on the turf on the undercard, according to his trainer, Gustavo Delgado.

Bravazo emerged from his eighth-place finish Saturday in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in good physical condition and will advance to the Kentucky Derby, trainer D. Wayne Lukas said on Tuesday.

Bravazo returned to his Oaklawn Park base Sunday. He was the 2.90-1 second choice for the Louisiana Derby following his nose win in the Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds in February, for which he earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 93. In the Louisiana Derby, he raced in contention early under Gary Stevens before ending up 21 1/4 lengths behind winner Noble Indy.  

Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby; 1 1/8 miles; Sunland Park; March 25, 2018
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)

Winner: Runaway Ghost, by Ghostzapper
Trainer: Todd Fincher
Jockey: Tracy Hebert
Owner: Joe Peacock
Beyer Speed Figure: 85

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A field of nine 3-year-olds now seems likely when entries are drawn for the $1 million Florida Derby late Wednesday morning following a busy weekend of workouts throughout the South Florida area.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bolt d’Oro and McKinzie, the nation’s two leading 3-year-olds, cannot seem to get away from each other.

McKinzie finished a head in front of Bolt d’Oro in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita on March 10, but was disqualified and placed second for bumping his rival in deep stretch.

Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby; 1 1/8 miles; Fair Grounds; March 24, 2018
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Noble Indy, by Take Charge Indy
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez
Owner: WinStar Farm LLC and Repole Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 95

Something tells me that WinStar Farm will be exercising its option to buy back Take Charge Indy. The son of A.P. Indy was sold to South Korea in 2016 on an offer described as “too good to turn down,” but the sale announcement noted that the deal included an option to buy back Take Charge Indy “in the future.”

Runaway Ghost picked up 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points Sunday when the New Mexico-based colt won the state’s richest Thoroughbred race: the Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby.

Runaway Ghost darted to a 2 3/4-length win over Dream Baby Dream. Runaway Ghost went off as the favorite in the field of 12.

“I’d say he’s the No. 1 Thoroughbred I’ve ever had,” said Joe Peacock, who bred and owns Runaway Ghost.