Grade 3, $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks, 1 1/8 miles (Tapeta), Turfway Park, April 2, 2022
(100 Derby qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Winner: Tiz the Bomb, by Hit It a Bomb
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.
Owner: Magdalena Racing Lessee
Beyer Speed Figure: 94
Messier
Empire Maker – Checkered Past, by Smart Strike
Bred in Ontario by Sam-Son Farm ($470,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky selected yearling purchase by SF/Starlight/Madaket)
Messier, who takes his one and only shot at earning a Kentucky Derby berth on Saturday at Santa Anita, is from a pedigree that has had classic success on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border for legendary breeding operations.
ARCADIA, Calif. – When Tim Yakteen first pedaled over to Los Alamitos, he could never have imagined the ride he’d end up on.
He was 18, newly arrived in the United States from Germany, living in an apartment in Cypress, Calif., and the only mode of transportation he had was a bicycle, which limited the scope of his job search.
“I needed to be able to bike to work,” he said.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Thursday to Saturday wagering window that will close before any prep races are run this weekend is a new wrinkle being presented by Churchill Downs with the fifth and final pool in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park, April 2, 2022
(100 Derby qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Winner: White Abarrio, by Race Day
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Owner: C2 Racing LLC and La Milagrosa Stable LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 96
With White Abarrio’s victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. is assured of having one runner in this year’s Kentucky Derby. On Saturday, in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Joseph will see if he can add to his roster for the May 7 Derby at Churchill Downs.
Grade 1, $1.25 million Arkansas Derby, 1 1/8 miles, Oaklawn Park, April 2, 2022
(100 Derby qualifying points for first, 40 for second, 20 for third, 10 for fourth)
Winner: Cyberknife, by Gun Runner
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Owner: Gold Square LLC
Beyer Speed Figure: 92
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Cyberknife for the first time in his career has won back-to-back races, owing to his Arkansas Derby victory on Saturday, in which he earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92, and his trainer, Brad Cox, is hoping he’s got another forward move in him five weeks hence in the Kentucky Derby.
