Although Bullard may be nominated to the Santa Anita Derby, trainer Michael McCarthy said it would be “just to keep our options open.” Bullard is more likely to be trained toward the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes on April 12 at Keeneland.
Skip to main content
Create Your DRF Account
New to DRF?
Everything you could possibly
need in one place
need in one place
Register
Don't have an account?
Register Here
DRF Past Performances
Journalism, early favorite for the Kentucky Derby, worked in company Saturday with Kentucky Derby alumnus Endlessly. Both colts are trained by Michael McCarthy. Endlessly, a turf/synthetic specialist who finished ninth in the 2024 Derby, is training toward a spring comeback on turf.
“Endlessly is a pretty lackluster type work horse, so I needed something to pique his interest,” McCarthy said. “I put Journalism inside, just to get his attention. It was just a solid work, that’s all I was looking for. I don’t need to go fast. We know he’s fast.”
Wed, 03/26/2025 - 10:51
Barnes has slipped in popularity, partly based on a disappointing blinkers-off workout Sunday at Santa Anita. Barnes was outworked by Rodriguez, a stablemate he defeated by more than nine lengths while finishing second in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes on March 1.
The tables turned in the workout. Barnes pressed Rodriguez from the outside, but Barnes could not get past his rival and pulled up soon after the finish while Rodriguez went another furlong. It was a puzzling work by Barnes, five furlongs in 1:00.
WHO’S HOT
Tiztastic delivered the performance of his career to win the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and give trainer Steve Asmussen a shot at his first Kentucky Derby victory with his 27th Derby starter. Tiztastic, 3 for 8, will train into the Derby. Tiztastic rejoins Derby Watch at 25-1 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.
Manny Franco, currently the leading rider at Aqueduct’s winter meet, has picked up the mount on morning-line favorite Sovereignty for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park, trainer Bill Mott said Tuesday afternoon.
Franco replaces Sovereignty’s regular rider, Junior Alvarado, who suffered a fractured shoulder blade in a spill Sunday at Gulfstream Park and is expected to miss at least three weeks.
Final Gambit wasn’t necessarily nominated to Turfway Park’s marquee card last Saturday with the intention of earning a Kentucky Derby berth.
Juddmonte general manager Garrett O’Rourke said trainer Brad Cox felt the homebred colt, who had made his three prior starts at a mile, would appreciate the 1 1/8-mile distance of the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby, a Kentucky Derby prep. If he did not get into what was expected to be a full field, they would reroute to the Rushaway Stakes – a race that does not offer Derby points – at 1 1/16 miles.
Oaklawn racing secretary Pat Pope said he’s hoping for a field of nine to 12 horses for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Arkansas Derby next Saturday. Entries for the 1 1/8-mile race will be drawn Sunday.
Arkansas Derby probables include Coal Battle and Speed King, who have won the meet’s first three preps for the Kentucky Derby, as well as Sandman and Bestfriend Rocket.
The Arkansas Derby will be showcased on a 13- or 14-race card, Pope said Friday. All of the races will be either stakes, overnight stakes, allowances, or maiden special weight races.
Who’s Hot
American Promise is hot, in theory. He crushed the Virginia Derby and has earned 55 qualifying points, which virtually guarantees a Kentucky Derby berth. But the reality is American Promise defeated a second-tier field in an ungraded stakes around one turn at Colonial Downs, which hardly makes him a bona fide Kentucky Derby contender. For now, the Virginia Derby merely puts American Promise on the Derby Watch Top 20 as a marginal candidate. American Promise opens at 30-1 by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona.
Owen Almighty, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 8, will be pointed to the Kentucky Derby and will use the Grade 1, $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 5 to get there, trainer Brian Lynch said Tuesday.
Jose Ortiz will ride Owen Almighty in the Blue Grass, Lynch said. He replaces Irad Ortiz Jr., who is committed to ride Fountain of Youth runner-up River Thames in the Blue Grass, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed.