The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, finished as the 2-1 favorite in Pool 3 of the 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which closed Sunday at 6 p.m. Eastern following the customary three-day run.
After the field, the Pool 3 favorites are Smile Happy (8-1), Classic Causeway (13-1), Mo Donegal (14-1), and Emmanuel (15-1).
Grade 3, $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, 1 1/16 miles, Tampa Bay Downs, Feb. 12, 2022
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Classic Causeway, by Giant’s Causeway
Trainer: Brian Lynch
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.
Owner: Kentucky West Racing and Clarke Cooper
Beyer Speed Figure: 88
California-based trainer Doug O’Neill’s last trip to Fair Grounds was so satisfying he’s coming back for more fun.
Hot Rod Charlie won the Louisiana Derby last March, O’Neill’s first Fair Grounds runner in three years, and three days before Mardi Gras, O’Neill has live horses for the Risen Star and the Rachel Alexandra stakes.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Last Sunday began and ended at Santa Anita as so many race days have this winter for Hall of Fame trainer John Velazquez.
In the morning, Velazquez, riding in California on a temporary basis, arrived at trainer Bob Baffert’s stable to work a horse. In the afternoon, Velazquez climbed off two exciting Baffert-trained runners in the winner’s circle.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Now would be an opportune time for Classic Causeway to show that all the praise heaped upon him was legit.
“He’s training as good as a horse can for a race like this,” said Brian Lynch, trainer of Classic Causeway, the chestnut colt who figures to be favored again when he makes his 3-year-old debut Saturday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
“But that said, he’s going to have to show us the rest of the way if he’s good enough to become a serious contender” for the Kentucky Derby, Lynch said.
OLDSMAR, Fla. – Mark Casse sent out Flameaway to lower the stakes mark four years ago in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The Hall of Fame trainer wouldn’t mind having one of his three runners in Saturday’s running of the Davis become similarly successful.
Flameaway won more than $900,000 and five stakes from 18 starts. Perhaps his most memorable accomplishment was his 2018 Davis triumph when he sped 1 1/16 miles in a stakes record 1:42.44.
Grade 3, $250,000 Withers Stakes; 1 1/8 miles; Aqueduct; Feb. 5, 2022
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: Early Voting, by Gun Runner
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Owner: Klaravich Stables
Beyer Speed Figure: 87
Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes; 1 1/16 miles; Gulfstream Park; Feb. 5, 2022
(10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth)
Winner: White Abarrio, by Race Day
Trainer: Saffie Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione
Owner: C2 Racing and La Milagrosa Stable
Beyer Speed Figure: 97
The mutuel field, the 24th or “all others” option, is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the third of five pools in the 2022 Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Pool 3 opens Friday at noon Eastern and runs through Sunday at 6 p.m.
