ARCADIA, Calif. – It has been nearly 12 years since John Shirreffs won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with Giacomo, and in that time, he’s still never watched a replay of the race.
“It was just too good,” said Shirreffs, who said he only wants to remember the race from his perspective, not have it altered by watching a pan-camera angle. His memory includes not only what he saw while standing near the outer rail, about a sixteenth of a mile from the finish, but how he felt.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Todd Pletcher said Wednesday that Malagacy, untested in a pair of sprints at this meet to begin his career, will make his next start at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 2, $900,000 Rebel Stakes on March 18.
Malagacy, by Shackleford, won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race by 15 lengths and a 6 1/2-furlong optional-claiming race by seven lengths.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – This year marks not only the 25th anniversary of trainer Rusty Arnold having his second and most recent starter in the Kentucky Derby but also the 35th anniversary of his first.
There would be no better way to celebrate than having another Derby starter.
“It’s the plan we’ve had since last fall,” said Arnold, who on Saturday will be looking to take a big step in that direction when Wild Shot runs in the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.
Mo Town, who finished fifth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 25, returned to the work tab Wednesday at Payson Park in Florida, breezing a half-mile in 49.60 seconds.
Trainer Tony Dutrow said he is considering the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on April 1 or the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8 for the colt’s next start.
:: ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Prep races, point standings, replays, and analysis
Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Aqueduct; March 4, 2017
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: J Boys Echo, by Mineshaft
Trainer: Dale Romans
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Owner: Albaugh Family Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 102
Gormley
Malibu Moon–Race to Urga, by Bernstein
(Bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate; $150,000 buyback at 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale; private purchase by Jerry and Ann Moss)
Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Gulfstream Park; March 4, 2017
(50 Derby qualifying points for a win, 20 for second, 10 for third, 5 for fourth)
Winner: Gunnevera, by Dialed In
Trainer: Antonio Sano
Jockey: Javier Castellano
Owner: Peacock Racing Stables LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 97
As the great stallion A.P. Indy contentedly lives out his days as a pensioner at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, Ky., his legacy to the breed is already more than secure, thanks to his sons and grandsons at stud who continue to make headlines and new representatives looking to join the ranks.
Jockey James Graham took off riding Saturday afternoon at Fair Grounds to be at Turfway Park on Saturday evening for the mount on It's Your Nickel in the $100,000 John Battaglia Stakes. Suffice to say, it was a good choice.
It’s Your Nickel romped to a 6 1/2-length victory in the Battaglia, and in doing so, became the presumptive favorite for the Grade 3, $500,000 Spiral at Turfway on March 25.
