By My Standards, Pletcher duo earn Kentucky Derby spots

Mar 26, 2019 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

The prospective field for the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4 is slowly but surely firming up, especially after last weekend's first 100 points-to-the-winner scoring event, the TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2).

The winner in an upset was stakes debuter By My Standards (#1, 100 points), who now sits atop the leaderboard for trainer Bret Calhoun. Earning 40 points for his runner-up placing was Spinoff (#9, 40) for two-time Derby-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.

The Pletcher barn had another horse virtually cement his position in the Derby starting gate when Cutting Humor (#5, 50) narrowly held off Anothertwistafate (#12, 30) in the Sunland Park Derby (G3) on Sunday. Finishing a distant third was Mucho Gusto (#16, 24).

One defection from the Top 18 this past week was Gunmetal Gray, who is sidelined with an injury. Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) winner Somelikeithotbrown (#18, 20) now occupies the 18th slot.

On Saturday, the UAE Derby (G2) and Florida Derby (G1) will award qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 to their respective top four finishers as the Road to the Kentucky Derby series continues. Expected to line up in the latter event at Gulfstream are Code of Honor (#3, 54), Bourbon War (#17, 21), Harvey Wallbanger (#24, 10), and Hidden Scroll (#38, 5).