We have two big-event days Saturday at Gulfstream Park and Fair Grounds, with $1 million Kentucky Derby preps anchoring both stakes-packed cards. The Grade 1 Florida Derby is the feature at Gulfstream, where eight other stakes, five of them graded, also will be run. The Grade 2 Louisiana Derby is the headliner at Fair Grounds, where seven other stakes will be decided, three of them graded.
Florida Derby
Brian Hernandez Jr. launched his career as a professional jockey in 2003, and last year, finishing 12th aboard Tom’s Ready, he got his first mount in the Kentucky Derby. For 14 years, Hernandez would have jumped at the chance to ride any horse in the Derby, but this year, he is on the verge of having to choose between two of North America’s leading 3-year-olds.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The late addition of three decided outsiders to the field suddenly made Wednesday’s post-position draw for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby very relevant. And sure enough, the draw proved significant, with Fountain of Youth winner and 9-5 morning-line favorite Gunnevera assigned the far-outside post 11, a disadvantage with such a short run to the first turn in 1 1/8-mile races at Gulfstream Park.
Local Hero
Hard Spun-Liam’s Dream, by Saint Liam
(Bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm; $500,000 purchase by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds at Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of selected 2-year-olds in training)
The Grade 2, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes on April 8 at Keeneland lost one significant player but picked up another on Tuesday as the connections of Classic Empire and Practical Joke finalized plans for their dual Grade 1-winning 3-year-old colts.
Classic Empire, the champion 2-year-old male of 2016, will make his next start in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on April 15, his trainer, Mark Casse, said Tuesday. The Blue Grass had been under consideration for Classic Empire, who won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland fall.
The connections of Sunland Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money tried to make the horse a late nominee to the Triple Crown, but they missed the deadline and the nomination was rejected, confirmed a representative from Churchill Downs. In order to run in the Kentucky Derby, he will have to be supplemented to the race at a cost of $200,000 by time of entry.
Co-owner Sandy McKenna said a check for $6,000 to make Conquest Mo Money a late nominee to the Triple Crown was sent March 24. But the deadline for late nominations was March 20.
Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Sunland Park, March 26, 2017
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Hence, by Street Boss
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Alfredo Juarez Jr.
Owner: Calumet Farm
Beyer Speed Figure: 97
Sunland Derby winner Hence was traveling back to his Oaklawn base on Monday, his spot in the Kentucky Derby secure as he picked up 50 qualifying points for his victory. But the path he will take to the May 6 classic at Churchill Downs is to be determined, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
Asmussen said he wants to evaluate how Hence handled the race and the travel before discussing with owner Calumet Farm “the best way to proceed to the Derby.”
