Cupid

Tapit – Pretty ‘n Smart, by Beau Genius

($900,000 purchase by M.V. Magnier at 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale)

Grade 1, $1 million Blue Grass Stakes; 1 1/8 miles; Keeneland; April 9, 2016
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

 Winner: Brody’s Cause, by Giant’s Causeway

Trainer: Dale Romans

Jockey: Luis Saez

Owner: Albaugh Family Stable

Beyer Speed Figure: 91

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Jockey Luis Quinonez has been something of a late bloomer in his line of work. He did not begin race riding until the age of 23, and he could have his first Kentucky Derby starter this year at the age of 49.

“It doesn’t matter as long as it happens,” said Quinonez. 

Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial; 1 1/8 miles; Aqueduct; April 9, 2016
(100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

Winner: Outwork, by Uncle Mo

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: John Velazquez

Owner: Repole Stable

Beyer Speed Figure: 93

The media horde primed to cover the 142nd Kentucky Derby gave a whoop and a holler last Saturday when the action provided not only Brody’s Cause and Dale Romans, that mischievous Kentucky quote machine, but also Trojan Nation and Paddy Gallagher, Northern Ireland’s version of Chris Rock.

They should have been enough to feed the hungry media maw. But as the day wound down, there emerged from the muck and mire of Santa Anita’s main track a result so ripe with possibilities that every publication from Mad Magazine to Psychology Today might be begging Churchill Downs for credentials.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Dale Romans threw some fighting words into the Arkansas Derby mix on Monday when he confirmed the front-running Unbridled Outlaw for the Grade 1, $1 million race Saturday at Oaklawn Park.

“Cupid’s arrow will not be able to reach him,” said Romans.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Exaggerator, Outwork, and Brody’s Cause, the winners of the three major Kentucky Derby preps run last Saturday, all came out of their races in good order and will move on to the 142nd Derby on May 7, with several horses who chased them Saturday also headed to Churchill Downs for what assuredly will be a maximum 20-horse field.

Red-hot young stallion Uncle Mo continued to light it up over the weekend, with four colts from his first crop currently under consideration for the Kentucky Derby after last weekend’s three major prep races.

As the sun rose Monday morning, Kentucky Derby favorite Nyquist was allowed to gallop for the first time in more than a week.

"I let him go and I said, 'Have fun out there,'" said Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill. "And he did."

With exercise rider Jonny Garcia aboard, Nyquist jogged a lap and galloped a lap of Keeneland's main track. It was his first gallop since winning the Florida Derby on April 2 to remain unbeaten in seven career starts.

Grade 1, $1,000,690 Santa Anita Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita, April 9, 2016

 (100 Derby qualifying points for a win, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)

 Winner: Exaggerator, by Curlin

 Trainer: Keith Desormeaux

 Jockey: Kent Desormeaux

 Owner: Big Chief Racing LLC, Head of Plains Partners LLC, Rocker O Ranch LLC

 Beyer Speed Figure: 103