Zandon

Upstart – Memories Prevail, by Creative Cause

Bred in Kentucky by Brereton C. Jones ($170,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Mike Ryan, agent)

WHO’S HOT

Classic Causeway was in the Kentucky Derby, then out, and now back in. While the decision on Monday to go ahead and run in the Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs despite a belly flop in his final prep, the Florida Derby, can be debated right up until post time, if not beyond, the significance of his addition cannot be overstated in terms of how he impacts the pace.

And over the past decade, the pace of the Derby, most notably where horses are in relation to that pace, has proven to be one of race’s most significant handicapping factors.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – April has been a breakthrough month for Saffie Joseph Jr., but he’s hoping May brings an even greater first.

Joseph won the Florida Derby for the first time in his ascendant training career, sending out White Abarrio to victory in the Gulfstream Park showcase April 2. The next day, Joseph wrapped up the Gulfstream Championship meet training title, ending an 18-year reign by Todd Pletcher.

“It was quite amazing,” Joseph said earlier this week via Zoom from his South Florida base.

Manny Franco has picked up the mount on Zozos for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Brad Cox said Monday afternoon.

Zozos most recently finished second in the Louisiana Derby to Epicenter, one of the leading contenders for the May 7 Derby. Zozos is one of three horses in the Derby trained by Brad Cox, and all three had Florent Geroux on them for their most recent starts. Geroux is sticking with Cyberknife, the Arkansas Derby winner. Tawny Port, winner of the Lexington Stakes, still needs a rider.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pioneer of Medina made the news here Friday when forced to miss a scheduled workout due to an issue with some blood work. Pioneer of Medina, the Louisiana Derby third-place finisher, was in the spotlight again on Monday as the only potential Derby starter to work during the special 15-minute training session reserved for Derby and Oaks candidates each morning at 7:30 a.m. at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Classic Causeway is back in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Brian Lynch said early Monday afternoon.

Classic Causeway earned more than enough qualifying points for the May 7 Derby in winning the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby but had been removed consideration after finishing 11th and last in his latest race, the Florida Derby on April 2.

However, Lynch said recent discussions with the colt’s owners, Clarke M. Cooper and Patrick O’Keefe, resulted in the decision to go forth with a Derby run.

While saying he is still leaning toward running Early Voting in the Preakness Stakes on May 21, trainer Chad Brown said Sunday afternoon that he is not shutting the door on pivoting to the Kentucky Derby if the complexion of the race changes between now and the May 2 entry day.

Churchill Downs
Weather: Sunny  
Track: Fast 
Temperature: 66

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - It was “big” work day for trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn Sunday morning at Churchill Downs with Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks king and queen pins Epicenter and Echo Zulu each working a serious six furlongs in company well before dawn.

Stablemates Epicenter and Echo Zulu, who are expected to be among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively, turned in their penultimate and most serious breezes for the spring classics on Sunday morning at Churchill Downs.

Unbeaten champion juvenile filly Echo Zulu worked shortly after the track opened at 5:15 a.m. for trainer Steve Asmussen. Inside of workmate King Ottoman, she went six furlongs in 1:11 4/5 seconds, according to Churchill Downs clockers.