LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The regional finals for the Kentucky Derby have been completed in California, Florida, Illinois, and New York the past two weeks. Now, with the exception of this Saturday's Arkansas Derby, the focus is squarely on this state, and on Monday, the sun was shining on the old Kentucky home of the Derby, Churchill Downs, where had his final prep for this state's most important Derby prep, the Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland.
Skip to main content
Create Your DRF Account
New to DRF?
Everything you could possibly
need in one place
need in one place
Register
Don't have an account?
Register Here
DRF Past Performances
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Brother Derek closed as a clear-cut favorite Sunday evening in the third and final pool of the 2006 , which drew a final-pool total of $454,743, third-highest in the eight-year history of the futures.
Off his emphatic triumph in the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, Brother Derek closed as the 5-1 favorite and would return $12.60 if he wins the 132nd Kentucky Derby on May 6 at Churchill Downs.
Jay Privman reports that Fountain of Youth winner First Samurai worked 4 furlongs in 48.20 this morning at Churchill Downs in preparation for Saturday's Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
David Grening reports Jazil may still be on the Kentucky Derby graded earnings bubble despite bankrolling $150,000 with his runnerup finish in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 8.
Gotham winner Like Now will likely make his next start in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Like Now's connections are still uncertain whether their horse will take part in the Kentucky Derby.
ARCADIA, Calif. - For the second time in less than four years, trainer Bob Baffert has lost a client with whom he won the Kentucky Derby, and with whom he had grown close. Four years ago, only months after War Emblem won the Derby, owner Prince Ahmed bin Salman died, reportedly of a heart attack, in Saudi Arabia.
Less than two months ago, Bob Lewis, with whom Baffert won the 1997 Derby with Silver Charm, also died. But unlike the survivors of Salman - who in short order dispersed their racing holdings - Lewis's widow, Beverly, and oldest son, Jeff, continue to head the stable.
Michael Matz has been training racehorses for less than 10 years. On that, he's relatively inexperienced. But he brings a lifetime of top-tier horsemanship to the endeavor, having been an Olympic-class show jumper for two decades.
Matz rode in the Olympics for the first time at Montreal in 1976. A lesson learned that year, Matz said, is what has compelled him to map out a decidedly nontraditional route to the Kentucky Derby with his unbeaten colt Barbaro, who will be favored on Saturday in the Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Brad Free reports that leading Kentucky Derby contender Brother Derek worked six furlongs in 1:11 at Santa Anita on Sunday, and will have one more work before the Santa Anita Derby on April 8.
Marty McGee reports that Lane's End winner With a City will go straight to the Kentucky Derby without another prep run.
Chuck Dybdal reports that California Derby winner Cause to Believe, who worked six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields on Friday, will have one more work before he ships to Hawthorne for the April 8 Illinois Derby.