WHO’S HOT
There were no Kentucky Derby prep races last week, and fortunately, no one had a hiccup that forced him to the sidelines, so there are no changes to the Derby Watch top 20 this week in terms of the lineup and the future line of Daily Racing Form national handicapper Mike Watchmaker, who has Good Magic as the favorite at 6-1. Good Magic is scheduled to make his first start of the year Saturday in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Justify, who earned a brilliant Beyer Speed Figure of 104 with his runaway debut win Feb. 18, came back to work Monday, two days earlier than originally planned, owing to a forecast for rain in upcoming days. He went an effortless five furlongs in 1:01.40 under jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode him to his win.
Many options are open for Justify for his next race, including the Sunland Derby on March 25, trainer Bob Baffert said.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Bolt d’Oro’s workout Monday morning at Santa Anita, his main piece of work prior to his 3-year-old debut 12 days hence in the San Felipe Stakes, was a microcosm of his preparation this winter. He started off behind and finished well.
Bolt d’Oro missed some training time earlier this meet, which caused him to skip an intended comeback race in the San Vicente. His work Monday was a demanding six-furlong move from the gate, with a gallop-out to a mile. He just needed an extra moment to get started.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Ian Wilkes knows a thing or two about being on the Kentucky Derby trail, having been in the winner’s circle twice, first as the exercise rider for Unbridled in 1990 and again as an assistant to trainer Carl Nafzger 17 years later with Street Sense.
Wilkes had a Derby starter of his own a year ago, the highly regarded McCraken, who was virtually eliminated when knocked around in traffic shortly after the start, finishing eighth as the second choice in the wagering behind race winner Always Dreaming.
For people who grew up in Boston and are of a certain age, the 2018 Kentucky Derby will mark the 50th anniversary of a Derby that will always be steeped in controversy.
The 1968 Kentucky Derby was won by Dancer’s Image, who rallied from last in the field of 14 and scored by 1 1/2 lengths despite his rider losing his whip into the stretch.
Dancer’s Image was owned by the late Peter Fuller, the son of a former Massachusetts governor, a boxer in his youth, a highly successful businessman, and a sportsman of the first order.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Nero, second in the San Vicente Stakes on Feb. 10, and Ax Man, fourth as the favorite in that race, both had easy half-mile drills Thursday as they ready for their next starts, which could come out of town, trainer Bob Baffert said.
“I’m going to nominate a bunch of horses to a bunch of races and take a look,” he said. “They’ll be nominated everywhere.”
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Plans for Godolphin’s Enticed and Avery Island were confirmed this week as both continued their training at Palm Meadows for Kiaran McLaughlin.
Enticed, a disappointing fourth behind Audible in the Feb. 3 Holy Bull in his seasonal debut, breezed an easy half-mile in 53.80 seconds Thursday ahead of his next start in the March 10 Gotham at Aqueduct. The Medaglia d’Oro colt ended his 2-year-old season by winning the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
Justify
Scat Daddy –Stage Magic, by Ghostzapper
Bred in Kentucky by John D. Gunther ($500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by China Horse Club and Maverick Racing)
ARCADIA, Calif. – As training hours wound down Sunday morning at Santa Anita, trainer Bob Baffert turned to a few visitors and said, “I’ve got big plans for that colt this afternoon.”
A few hours later, Justify turned in the most impressive debut effort among 3-year-olds this year, crushing maidens while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 104, a performance strong enough to put him into this week’s Derby Watch top 20.
