Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:50

Kentucky Derby: Pletcher pointing three to Wood Memorial

Adam Coglianese/NYRA
Classic Catch wins his maiden in November at Aqueduct.

When Mo Donegal won last year’s Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial, it was trainer Todd Pletcher’s seventh victory in the race, equaling the record of Sunny Jim Fitzsimmons.

On April 8, Pletcher is likely to send out three runners in search of a record eighth Wood trophy – and perhaps another Kentucky Derby starter.

Pletcher is planning to start recent allowance winner Classic Catch and maidens Dreamlike and Crupi in the 1 1/8-mile Wood, which awards 200 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to its first five finishers (100-40-30-20-10).

Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:15

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for March 29, 2023

Coady photo
Two Phil's moved up the Derby Watch list after winning the Jeff Ruby with a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

WHO’S HOT

Wed, 03/29/2023 - 10:05

2023 Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Red Route One

Red Route One works at OP March 27 2023
Coady Photography
Red Route One, who was bred by and races for Winchell Thoroughbreds is by Gun Runner out of a Tapit mare.

Red Route One

Gun Runner – Red House, by Tapit

Bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds

 

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:12

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Sunland Park Derby analysis

Coady photo
Wild On Ice wins the Sunland Park Derby at odds of 35-1, which before the race almost seemed like an underlay.

$600,000 Sunland Derby, March 26, 2023

[50 qualifying points for first, 20 for second, 15 for third, 10 for fourth, and 5 for fifth]
Winner: Wild On Ice, by Tapizar
Trainer: Joel Marr
Jockey: Ken Tohill
Owner: Frank Sumpter
Distance / time: 1 1/8 miles / 1:51.39
Win margin: 1 ¼ miles
Beyer: 77 

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 13:46

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: UAE Derby analysis

Derma Sotogake, winning the UAE Derby on Saturday at Meydan, is a son of Mind Your Biscuits, a Grade 1-winning sprinter in the U.S. who stands in Japan.
Dubai Racing Club
Derma Sotogake won the UAE Derby pretty easily, but past winners of the race have not fared well in the Kentucky Derby.

$1 million UAE Derby, March. 25, 2023

[100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth]

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 13:36

Thirteen pony up Triple Crown late nomination fee

Ninetyprcentmaddie wins the City of Brotherly Love at PRX March 6 2023
Bill Denver/Equi-Photo
Ninetyprcentmaddie was a late nominee to the Triple Crown by Monday's deadline after winning the City of Brotherly Love Stakes at Parx by 9 3/4 lengths for trainer Butch Reid.

Wild On Ice, upset winner of Sunday’s Sunland Park Derby, was among a group of 13 3-year-olds who were made eligible for the Triple Crown, their connections paying a $6,000 late nomination fee by Monday’s deadline.

There were 12 horses announced on Tuesday; on Wednesday a 13th horse, Empirestrikesfast, was added to the list after a clerical error was discovered.

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 12:10

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Jeff Ruby Steaks analysis

Two Phil's wins Jeff Ruby Steaks at TP March 25 2023
Coady Photography
Two Phil's overpowered his rivals in the Jeff Ruby Steaks, winning by 5 1/4 lengths and earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure.

Grade 3, $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, March. 25, 2023
 [100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth]

Winner: Two Phil’s, by Hard Spun
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Owner: Patricia’s Hope and Phillip Sagan
Distance / time: 1 1/8 miles Tapeta, 1:49.03
Win margin: 5 1/4 lengths
Beyer Speed Figure: 101

Tue, 03/28/2023 - 09:10

Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby: Louisiana Derby analysis

Barbara D. Livingston
Kingsbarns and jockey Flavien Prat took advantage of a soft pace to score a decisive victory in the Louisiana Derby.

$1 million Louisiana Derby, March. 25, 2023

[100 qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 30 for third, 20 for fourth, and 10 for fifth]
Winner: Kingsbarns, by Uncle Mo
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Owner: Spendthrift Farm
Distance / time: 1 3/16 miles / 1:57.33
Win margin: 3 1/2
Beyer: 95 

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 15:47

2023 Kentucky Derby: Sunland Derby winner Wild On Ice made eligible to Triple Crown

Wild On Ice wins Sunland Derby at SUN March 26 2023
Coady Photography
Wild On Ice takes the Sunland Derby under jockey Ken Tohill. Wild On Ice, a son of Tapizar, was bred in Texas by his owner, Frank Sumpter.

Sunland Park Derby winner Wild On Ice has been made eligible for the Triple Crown, but his status for the Kentucky Derby is to be determined, trainer Joel Marr said Monday.

Wild On Ice won the Grade 3, $600,000 Sunland Derby at 35-1 on Sunday and picked up 50 qualifyinh points for the Kentucky Derby. Late nominations for the Triple Crown closed Monday at a cost of $6,000.  

“The money was paid today,” Marr said Monday. “He’s on the list.”  

Mon, 03/27/2023 - 14:10

Dubyuhnell, Fort Bragg committed to Florida Derby despite outside posts

Dubyuhnell drew post 12 for the Florida Derby - a very tough spot to win from.
Barbara Livingston
Dubyuhnell drew post 12 for the Florida Derby - a very tough spot to win from.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Like just about everyone else, trainers Danny Gargan and Tim Yakteen were caught off guard when a full field of 12 3-year-olds was drawn for Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby. And neither was pleased when his horse drew an outside post position for the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby prep. Dubyuhnell, trained by Gargan, and Fort Bragg, trained by Yakteen, drew posts 12 and 10, respectively.