Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza is one of two riders to win the Kentucky Derby twice in the last decade. A chance for a third win for Espinoza at Churchill Downs on May 6 hinges on a measure of luck days before the runners reach the starting gate.
Espinoza is set to ride Skinner, the third-place finisher in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 8, provided the colt can gain a berth in the 20-runner field.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Saturday, April 22
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 46
Track: Sloppy
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With trainers Todd Pletcher and Brad Cox working their plethora of potential Derby starters here Thursday and Friday and rain soaking the racetrack overnight, Saturday was a quiet one locally on the Kentucky Derby watch.
CHURCHILL DOWNS
Friday, April 21
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 68
Track: Fast
LOUISVILLE Ky. – After pretty much dodging the unprecedented heavy rains that inundated South Florida a week earlier to get in Forte’s previous work on schedule, trainer Todd Pletcher found himself watching the weather reports closely again this week in Louisville, hoping to be able to stay on course with the Derby favorite’s first local breeze penciled in for Friday at Churchill Downs.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It was the fastest few minutes in sports, at least for the day. A flurry of important workouts from the top contenders for the May 6 Kentucky Derby all took place within a matter of moments early Friday at Churchill Downs, with their connections later expressing their satisfaction with how those horses are progressing with a little more than two weeks to the big race.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the trainers of Kentucky Derby and Oaks hopefuls continued to monitor the coming April showers, Kingsbarns was the first of Todd Pletcher’s major prep winners to turn in his penultimate breeze toward the Run for the Roses on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Skinner bounced out of his Santa Anita Derby third-place finish in such good shape he has already returned to work. Just nine days after missing by a half-length in the Santa Anita Derby, Skinner worked a half-mile Monday to stay on target for the Kentucky Derby.
Only one problem. As of Wednesday morning, Skinner ranked 22nd on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 45 points. He needs two defections to make the field. For trainer John Shirreffs, who won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo, it is déjà vu all over again.
Forte, the clear-cut favorite for the May 6 Kentucky Derby, has settled into a daily routine at Churchill Downs after arriving before dawn Monday following the long overnight van ride from trainer Todd Pletcher’s winter base at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida. The Florida Derby winner was sent through easy gallops Tuesday and Wednesday morning and was scheduled to be sent through his first Churchill workout Thursday or Friday, depending on weather.
WHO’S HOT
Disarm finished third with a 90 Beyer in the Lexington Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. The performance was not remarkable, but it was good enough. The Louisiana Derby runner-up needed a third-place finish or higher in the Lexington to earn at least six points and make the Derby field with 46 points or more. Mission accomplished. Disarm makes the cut, as trainer Steve Asmussen seeks his first Kentucky Derby victory with his 25th Derby starter. Disarm is 30-1 by Derby Watch linemaker David Aragona.
WHO’S NOT
There is life after the Kentucky Derby. Whoever wears the roses in less than three weeks at Churchill Downs will have new foes awaiting them in Baltimore, as the field for the May 20 Preakness Stakes is already beginning to take shape, with some late bloomers and those who may miss the Derby for various reasons already targeting the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
