Kentucky Derby alumni watch for Aug 24

Aug 24, 2021 Nicolle Neulist/TwinSpires.com

In this weekly series, we will visit with the names we have come to know from moments along the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Many horses go on to become seasoned veterans at different racing levels, distances and even new surfaces. See where and how our past equid stars are starting, some have made significant accomplishments since the First Saturday in May (or September)!

1. Essential Quality (4th, 2021 Kentucky Derby) tops the projected cast for the Travers (G1) on Saturday, Aug. 28. Derby rivals Midnight Bourbon (6th), Keepmeinmind (7th), and Dynamic One (18th) are also set for the Saratoga feature.
2. Medina Spirit (first across the wire, 2021 Kentucky Derby) has been working toward his next start, likely the Shared Belief S. at Del Mar on Sunday, Aug. 29.
3. Rock Your World (17th, 2021 Kentucky Derby) is confirmed for the Shared Belief. His other options were the Pacific Classic (G1), won by stablemate Tripoli, or reverting to turf for the Del Mar Derby (G2).
4. Code of Honor (2nd, 2019 Kentucky Derby) made his first start since January in the Philip H. Iselin (G3) at Monmouth Park. He put his class on full display. He chased midpack, bid into the far turn, vied outside of Brice, and cleared to win by 2 1/2 lengths, wrapped up in the final strides.
5. Long Range Toddy (16th, 2019 Kentucky Derby) made his fifth start of the year on Monday, Aug. 23 in the Chesapeake S. at Colonial Downs. He sat near the rear, made a mild three-wide bid on the turn, and flattened to sixth behind even-money favorite Just Might.
6. The Charles Town Classic (G2) is coming up August 27, and one familiar face from the Kentucky Derby is possible for the race. Ny Traffic (8th, 2020 Kentucky Derby) has been working at Saratoga, and was last seen in the afternoon finishing fourth behind Dr Post in the Monmouth Cup (G3) on July 17.
7. The ageless Whitmore (19th, 2016 Kentucky Derby), the champion male sprinter of 2020, is expected to contest the Forego (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 28. Though he is winless on the year, he has hit the board in all four starts including a third-place finish in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) on July 31.
8. Five of the seven runners in the Alabama (G1) on Aug. 21 at Saratoga had run in the Kentucky Oaks earlier this year. Oaks winner Malathaat may have stumbled at the start, but 1 1/4 miles later, she once again looked like the queen of her division. She chased midfield, rallied into the lane, and held off Clairiere (4th in the Oaks) to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Other Oaks alumni to run in the race included 4th-place Will's Secret (3rd in the Oaks), 6th-place Crazy Beautiful (10th in the Oaks), and 7th-place Maracuja (7th in the Oaks).
9. Friday's card at Charles Town also features the Charles Town Oaks (G3). That field has yet to take as clear a shape as the Charles Town Classic on the same day, but watch for Oaks fillies who did not run in the Alabama, including Pauline's Pearl (8th, 2021 Kentucky Oaks) and Competitive Speed (13th, 2021 Kentucky Oaks).
10. Dream Marie (8th, 2020 Kentucky Oaks) got her usual late-running trip in the Love Sign S. on Monday, Aug. 23. She made a grinding outside rally, nosing out Grade 1 winner Paris Lights for second, but missing by 1 1/2 lengths to 18-1 longshot Saracosa, who won in track-record time at Colonial Downs.
11. Swiss Skydiver (2nd, 2020 Kentucky Oaks) is expected to return in the Personal Ensign (G1) on Saturday. She returns to face fillies and mares after a fourth-place run against males in the Whitney (G1) on Aug. 7.
12. Gamine (disqualified to 9th, 2020 Kentucky Oaks), last year's champion female sprinter, is expected to run in the Ballerina (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 28. She most recently won the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos July 5.