WHO’S HOT
One can’t stop the feeling Timberlake’s reputation is growing. After winning his comeback Feb. 24 at Oaklawn, his first start since finishing fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Timberlake’s Derby Watch odds were lowered to 10-1 by linemaker David Aragona. Timberlake is now sol feeling that Timberlitary second choice behind Sierra Leone, the 8-1 Derby Watch favorite.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Tessuto won his first start at a mile in a maiden race at Santa Anita last Sunday in a manner that left trainer George Papaprodromou considering a start in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
After finishing third in two maiden races for sprinters earlier this winter, Tessuto closed from third in a field of six to win by 2 1/2 lengths on Sunday. Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Tessuto was timed in 1:37.90 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 79.
The $750,000 Santa Anita Derby is run at 1 1/8 miles.
“We may give it a shot,” Papaprodromou said.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Stakes-placed Tapalo is the latest California 3-year-old targeting an out-of-state stakes. Stronghold won in New Mexico, Slider runs Saturday in New York, and now Tapalo is heading to Kentucky for the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks on March 23 at Turfway Park.
John Sadler trains Tapalo, the better-than-looked runner-up in the El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 10 at Golden Gate Fields. Both tracks, Turfway and Golden Gate, have synthetic surfaces.
WHO’S HOT
Sierra Leone went from tepid favoritism on Derby Watch to clear-cut chalk following his solid comeback victory Feb. 17 in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Sierra Leone’s price was trimmed from 12-1 to 8-1 by Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona.
David Whitworth Beckman has helped many horses get to Triple Crown races. He worked with Uncle Mo and Eskendereya, both scratched in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby, and with Super Saver, who won the 2010 Derby. Beckman also laid hands on Good Magic, second in the 2018 Derby, and Cloud Computing, winner of the 2017 Preakness.
WHO’S HOT
Sierra Leone is the updated Derby Watch favorite, at least until he runs Saturday in an outstanding edition of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona lists Sierra Leone as the tepid 12-1 choice after downgrading Locked, who missed his scheduled comeback last week after spiking a fever.
WHO’S HOT
Locked spiked a fever, which delays his comeback, but the Grade 1 winner opens as the 8-1 Derby Watch favorite by Daily Racing Form linemaker David Aragona. Locked, who won the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland prior to finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, was aiming to the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs. The postponement is believed minor.
