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.

“It has become practically impossible for a three-year-old which did not race as a juvenile to win a running of the famed classic.”

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Good Magic will breeze Saturday at Keeneland for the first time since his 1 1/2-length victory in the April 7 Blue Grass Stakes, with trainer Chad Brown back from his New York base to observe.

:: Kentucky Derby advance PPs are now available!

ARCADIA, Calif. – Instilled Regard, fourth in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7, is a candidate for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 5, if he can gain a berth in the field.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said on Wednesday that he has held discussions with owner Larry Best about a potential start in the Kentucky Derby for the colt, who was purchased for $1.05 million at a sale of 2-year-olds in training last year.

“We’d have to think about it,” Hollendorfer said. “We’re trying to make a plan.

WHO’S HOT

Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Keeneland; April 14, 2018
(20 Derby qualifying points for a win, 8 for second, 4 for third, 2 for fourth)

Winner: My Boy Jack, by Creative Cause
Trainer: Keith Desormeaux
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Owner: Don’t Tell My Wife Stables and Monomoy Stables LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 90