Trainer Shug McGaughey said that Data Link will be heading to Kentucky for the Grade 1 Blue Grass shortly after the steadily improving 3-year-old worked an easy three furlongs in 38.40 seconds here at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday.

Data Link, a 3-year-old son of War Front, has won his last three starts, including a maiden special weight and entry-level allowance race here this winter. All three of those victories have come on the grass.

“He’ll ship this weekend,” said McGaughey. “I just wanted to give him an easy work this morning before he goes.”

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Elite Alex, the well-regarded 3-year-old who finished fourth in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby last Saturday, is back at his Oaklawn base and pointing for the Arkansas Derby, said his trainer, Tim Ritchey.

“He’ll have a breeze or two before he would run in it, and as long as everything’s okay, we’re certainly going to try it,” said Ritchey.

DRF COVERAGE: Uncle Mo heads list of 364 Triple Crown nominees | Thirteen late nominations

ORIGINAL NOMINEES | Jump to: Late nominees

ARCADIA, Calif. – With or without Jaycito, the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9 is likely to have a large field.

As of Wednesday, there were 11 probable starters for the West Coast’s leading prep for the Kentucky Derby, a list that tentatively includes Jaycito, the winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes last year and the runner-up in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes in his 3-year-old debut on March 12.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Flashpoint is scheduled to run Sunday at Gulfstream Park. The question is will he go postward as the odds-on favorite in the seven-furlong, Grade 2 Swale or as the one to catch later that afternoon in the $1 million Florida Derby?

Led by Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go and Swift Warrior, winner of the Rushaway Stakes last Saturday at Turfway Park, a total of 13 horses have been made late nominees to the Triple Crown, it was announced Wednesday by Churchill Downs, home of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The results of several key prep races in recent weeks has led to eight new names for the third and final pool in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens its three-day run Friday at noon Eastern at tracks and wagering outlets throughout North America.

ALBANY, Calif. – Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer once used a baseball metaphor to explain why he entered a horse in a seemingly tough stakes race: “You can’t hit a home run, if you don’t go up to bat.”

Joes Blazing Aaron, wire-to-wire winner of the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf in his last start, has been moved into the barn of trainer Mike Maker and will try to move into the Kentucky Derby picture by running next in the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on Polytrack at Keeneland.

KENTUCKY DERBY NEWS: Track all the 3-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail

ARCADIA, Calif. - The 2010 stakes winner Celestic Night, claimed for $80,000 on March 10, is being considered for the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 9, trainer Mike Mitchell said Sunday.

Mitchell admits that Celestic Night will be a longshot in the Santa Anita Derby, run over 1 1/8 miles, but was encouraged by the colt’s six-furlong workout in 1:13.60 at Hollywood Park on Sunday.

“I’ve always had distance in mind with him,” Mitchell said. “If he continues to do well and gives me another good work, we’ll run.”