Catching Freedom is catching a ride on a horse van from New Orleans to Louisville, where he’ll have the better part of a six weeks’ wait until a start in the May 4 Kentucky Derby.
Catching Freedom exited his one-length win Saturday in the $1 million Louisiana Derby healthy and happy, trainer Brad Cox reported Sunday morning, and will have a chance to become Cox’s first outright Derby winner.
West Saratoga, second to Endlessly in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby on Saturday at Turfway Park, will proceed to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, having likely amassed the points to get into the starting gate.
West Saratoga, trained by Larry Demeritte for Harry Veruchi, won the first points race toward the Kentucky Derby, last September’s Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, before finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland.
Endlessly, who dominated the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks on Saturday at Turfway Park, was to ship to trainer Michael McCarthy’s Churchill Downs barn on Sunday – but most likely not to prepare for the Kentucky Derby, despite essentially assuring himself a spot in the field.
NEW ORLEANS – On July 12 of last year, Catching Freedom worked in company with Mozlzil and Quarrymen, the two breeze companions leaving Catching Freedom in their wake.
In August and into autumn, Catching Freedom worked regularly with a colt named Ethan Energy, who, just as regularly, spanked him in those team drills.
On Jan. 28 at Fair Grounds, Awesome Road breezed under a death grip to keep him from burying Catching Freedom, and on Feb. 3, the filly Alpine Princess absolutely dusted Catching Freedom in a serious Fair Grounds drill.
NEW ORLEANS – Wednesday was shipping day for the Todd Pletcher-trained 3-year-olds based in Florida and entered in stakes races Saturday at Fair Grounds and Turfway Park, and thus it was time to make a final call on who was running where.
Agate Road is headed to New Orleans for the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, Pletcher confirmed in a text message, while Triple Espresso is bound for Turfway Park and the Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks. The two colts were cross-entered last weekend in both races.
Trainer Chad Brown is reconsidering his plan to get one more race into Domestic Product before the Kentucky Derby.
Following his narrow victory in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9, Brown felt that Domestic Product would benefit from having one more race before the May 4 Kentucky Derby. Upon further review, Brown said Wednesday that may not be the case. Brown said he wants to see how the horse works before making a final decision.
Stronghold, the winner of the Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby in New Mexico in his lone start this year, is scheduled to have his Grade 1 debut in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 6.
Trainer Phil D’Amato said on Wednesday that the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby is preferred over the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland at the same distance on the same day.
The Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes are key preps to the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4.
WHO’S HOT
Although there were no major dirt races for 3-year-olds last week, the 2023 champion juvenile male Fierceness was in the news. An odds-on third in his only start this year, he is working like he will rebound in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 30 at Gulfstream Park. Fierceness looked strong March 15 in a team work; he was best over 2-for-2 Tuscan Sky. Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona subsequently lowered Fierceness to 10-1, co-second choice with Timberlake.
Sierra Leone, winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star in his most recent start, closed as the favorite in last weekend’s Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool, followed by last year’s 2-year-old champion, Fierceness.
Sierra Leone, who is being pointed to the April 6 Blue Grass Stakes for his final Derby prep, was 7-1 at the close of betting, tops among the 39 individual interests. Fierceness, who has a single start this year, closed at 9-1. Fierceness is being pointed to the Florida Derby.
