Kentucky Derby Update: The Derby Dispatch for Thursday, March 8, 2018

Mar 08, 2018 Kevin Kerstein, Darren Rogers

The complexion of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard could be altered pointedly within a 22-minute span on Saturday as three significant point-scoring races have been scheduled from coast to coast in rapid-fire succession.

  The Grade II, $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby at 1 1/16 miles begins Saturday’s stakes procession at 5:20 p.m. (all times Eastern) and is quickly followed by the Grade II, $400,000 San Felipe over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita at 5:30 p.m. and Aqueduct’s Grade III, $300,000 Gotham over one mile at 5:42 p.m.

  The San Felipe features a showdown between juvenile star Bolt d’Oro, who is scheduled to make his much-anticipated 3-year-old debut, and the flashy Bob Baffert-trained McKinzie, a two-time winner of Road to the Kentucky Derby scoring races.

  Each lucrative race will help determine the lineup for this year’s $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) by awarding 85 points to the Top 4 finishers – 50 to first, 20 to second, 10 to third and 5 to fourth.

  Total points accrued by 3-year-old Thoroughbreds in Road to the Kentucky Derby races will ultimately determine the preference list for the 1 ¼-mile classic at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5.

  Also thrown into Saturday’s mix is the lone Road to the Kentucky Oaks points-scoring race: the Grade III, $200,000 Honeybee for 3-year-old fillies over 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park, which will be run at 5:38 p.m.

  A precursor to the sensational weekend racing action is Friday’s penultimate European Road to the Kentucky Derby race. The one-mile Patton Stakes at Dundalk, rescheduled after snow forced its cancellation a week ago, will showcase the 3-year-old debut of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (GI) winner Mendelssohn as the Coolmore camp attempts to qualify the half-brother to Beholder to America’s greatest race. Post time is 2:30 p.m. – Darren Rogers

BOLT D’ORO RETURNS AGAINST McKINZIE IN GRADE II SAN FELIPE AT SANTA ANITA

By virtue of impressive wins in the FrontRunner (GI) and Del Mar Futurity (GI), Bolt d’Oro established himself as a top contender for the 2018 Kentucky Derby. A troubled third as the 3-5 favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) did little to harm his reputation and the well-built son of Medaglia d’Oro will make his much-anticipated return to the races in Saturday’s $400,000 San Felipe (GII) at Santa Anita.

  It’s not an easy spot with well-regarded McKinzie also entered and the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe will award a total of 85 points (50-20-10-5) as a Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.

  Co-owned and trained by Mick Ruis, Bolt d’Oro stylishly captured his first three starts and registered BRIS Speed numbers as high as 105. The bay colt will receive a rider switch to Javier Castellano.

  McKinzie brings an excellent slate of BRIS Speed ratings (100-100-104) and undefeated record into his fourth career start. An eye-catching debut winner in late October, the Bob Baffert pupil was placed first in his stakes debut, the Los Alamitos Futurity (GI), after stewards disqualified stablemate Solomini for interfering with another rival. The Street Sense colt exits a facile 3 ½-length tally in the Jan. 6 Sham (GIII) at Santa Anita and regular rider Mike Smith has the call.

  Lombo and Ayacara, the 1-2 finishers in the Feb. 3 Robert B. Lewis (GIII), are back for the San Felipe. The former picks up a new jockey in Rafael Bejarano while the latter keeps Kent Desormeaux in the boot.

  San Vicente (GII) winner Kanthaka figures to be rolling in his first two-turn attempt. Conditioned by Jerry Hollendorfer, the son of Jimmy Creed rallied boldly to win his last start going away by 3 ¼ lengths and Flavien Prat sticks with the late-running chestnut.

  Maiden winners Aquila, Calexman and Peace complete the line-up. – James Scully, Brisnet.com

WORLD OF TROUBLE LOOKS TO STRETCH HIS SPEED IN GRADE II TAMPA BAY DERBY

World of Trouble produced one of the more impressive displays turned in by a 3-year-old this young season when taking the $125,000 Pasco over seven furlongs by nearly 14 lengths on Jan. 20, but the swift son of Kantharos will have to be even better to stretch his speed 1 1/16 miles on Saturday in the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (GII).

  The Tampa Bay Derby, as part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, offers qualifying points of 50-20-10-5 to the Top 4 finishers, with the winner virtually assured a spot in the Derby starting gate.

  World of Trouble would seem suspect going much farther than Saturday’s trip, but is the likely pacesetter under Irad Ortiz Jr. How long he lasts will depend on the pressure applied by rivals such as Flameaway, the upset, wire-to-wire winner of the Sam F. Davis (GIII) last month. One of only two in the field currently not nominated to the Triple Crown, the Scat Daddy colt is by far the most accomplished with four stakes victories in seven starts to his credit.

  Others that figure to be in close attendance are Grandpa Knows Best and Quip, both unraced since the Churchill Downs Fall Meet in November. The former earned maiden and allowance wins at the Louisville track last fall, while Quip, also a two-time winner, finished seventh in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) last out.

  Vino Rosso adds blinkers for the Tampa Bay Derby after running third in the Sam Davis. Losing ground, and apparently focus, around the far turn in the Davis, the Todd Pletcher-trained son of Curlin did his best running very late to narrow the gap between he and Flameaway to 1 ¼ lengths.

  Tiz Mischief, a close second in the Kentucky Jockey Club, was a distant third in the Holy Bull (GII) to Audible in his season debut for Dale Romans.

  Untamed Domain, a son of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, will try dirt for the first time. Hero of the Summer (GII) and a strong second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (GI) last term, he enters off a third in the Dania Beach (GIII) at Gulfstream. – Vance Hanson, Brisnet.com

FIRENZE FIRE FACES EIGHT IN GOTHAM

Grade I hero Firenze Fire returns to Aqueduct on Saturday for the $300,000 Gotham Stakes (GIII) going one mile under jockey Manual Franco.

  The race is part of the Championship portion of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series and offers up a total of 85 points toward a starting berth in the May 5 Kentucky Derby (GI).

  Firenze Fire and Franco last teamed up to take the Jerome Stakes for trainer Jason Servis in the colt’s sophomore debut over the same eight-furlong distance but on a muddy, sealed track. The bay followed that performance with a runner-up effort last out in the 1 1/8-mile Withers (GIII), but with Trevor McCarthy aboard.

  Firenze Fire captured the Champagne (GI) last October over a mile at Belmont Park and also scored in the six-furlong Sanford (GIII) at Saratoga in just his second career start after taking his maiden debut at Monmouth Park by 3 ½ lengths.

  Dial Operator will try to move his perfect mark to three-for-three while making his stakes bow in the Gotham. Also trained by Servis, the chestnut colt took his maiden debut by 1 ¼ lengths last July at Monmouth Park and reappeared Feb. 4 at Laurel Park to add a 4 ½-length victory in an allowance/optional claimer to his record. McCarthy has the call for the first time.

  Trainer Dale Romans scratched Free Drop Billy from the Fountain of Youth (GII) last Saturday at Gulfstream Park in favor of running the Union Rags colt in this spot. However, those plans are now in flux as the flight originally scheduled to depart Palm Beach, Fla. on Wednesday has been rescheduled to Thursday due to winter weather hitting New York. With that in mind, Romans cross-entered Free Drop Billy to the Tampa Bay Derby (GII).

  The chestnut is seeking his first win since taking the Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland in October. He ran second to Firenze Fire in the Sanford and just missed by a neck in the Hopeful (GI) in two starts prior to that initial stakes win. The Florida-bred then closed out his 2-year-old campaign with a ninth-placing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Del Mar.

  Free Drop Billy returned to action Feb. 3 with a second-place effort in the Holy Bull (GII) at Gulfstream, and will be ridden by Dylan Davis.

  Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has been pointing Enticed to the Gotham and the Kentucky-bred was scheduled to fly out of Florida on the same plane as Free Drop Billy. With the rescheduling, McLaughlin also cross-entered the Medaglia d’Oro colt to the Tampa Bay Derby.

  Also like his rival, Enticed was last seen running in the Holy Bull. The dark bay sophomore finished a well-beaten fourth in the 1 1/16-mile contest in his first start since gutting out a head victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 25. He kicked off his career with a six-furlong maiden win at Saratoga and was third in the Champagne before shipping to Kentucky for the Kentucky Jockey Club. Junior Alvarado, aboard for Enticed’s first three races, reunites with the colt in the Gotham.

  Nine Route, Old Time Revival, Beautiful Shot, Whereshetoldmetogo and Cove Blue complete the field. – Jennifer Caldwell, Brisnet.com

MENDELSSOHN EXPECTED TO RETURN FRIDAY IN DUNDALK EUROPEAN ROAD TO DERBY RACE

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Grade I) winner Mendelssohn is expected to make his 3-year-old debut in Friday’s Patton Stakes at Dundalk in Ireland.

  Coolmore’s Mendelssohn, the younger half-brother to four-time champion Beholder, is one of three Triple Crown nominees from the barn of champion trainer Aidan O’Brien that were entered in the one-mile race over Dundalk’s synthetic course. Stablemates Seahenge and Threeandfourpence also hold entries in the field of eight.

  All three also are nominated to the March 31 UAE Derby and the Triple Crown.

  The Patton, rescheduled for Friday after snow forced its cancellation a week ago, is the second-to-last race on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby. It will offer Top 4 points on a scale of  20-8-4-2.

  “The ‘European Road to the Kentucky Derby’ is a fantastic series of races and we’re delighted that the 32Red Patton Stakes is forming part of it,” Jim Martin, CEO at Dundalk Stadium, said. “It will be the most-valuable race ever staged at Dundalk and will be the feature on what should be an excellent night of racing.”

  The European Road to the Kentucky Derby series will climax March 30 with the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle Racecourse, in which points will increase to 30-12-6-3 for the Top 4 placings.

  At the series’ end, only one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series. No invitation will be extended beyond the Top 4 point earners. – Darren Rogers

GRONKOWSKI SCORES KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS AT KEMPTON PARK

Like his namesake, the 3-year-old Gronkowski is proving to be a formidable opponent that’s able to beat you in a variety of ways. On Wednesday evening at Kempton Park, outside London, the equine version rolled to a third consecutive win in the $67,500 Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes as the odds-on choice.

  Contested on Kempton’s all-weather surface at one mile, the Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes is part of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series, which offers a single slot in the starting gate of the May 5 Kentucky Derby (GI) to a horse that accumulates the most points in the seven-race series that began last September and runs through March 30.

  Taken back early by jockey Jamie Spencer, Gronkowski pulled hard in the run down the backside, but was allowed to advance with a three-wide move on the turn. Ranging up to be on even terms with pacesetter Ventura Knight in upper stretch while still under a snug hold, Gronkowski responded when asked with just over a furlong to go and passed the wire three-quarters of a length ahead of early trailer Court House. The final time was 1:37.74.

  Kempton judges reviewed the final furlong of the race when Gronkowski appeared to come in on Court House, who was forced to switch left for a clear run, but no action was taken.

  In the U.S. pools, Gronkowski paid $3.40. Finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind second choice Court House was Fortune’s Pearl, who was followed by Ventura Knight, Three Weeks, Ambient and Bobby Biscuit.

  The top four finishers earned European Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 20-8-4-2. Gronkowski is the first prep winner in the series to be an actual Triple Crown nominee. The only other one in this field was Three Weeks.

  Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited and trained by Jeremy Noseda, Gronkowksi finished seventh and second in his first two outings, both on grass, but has adapted well to all-weather surfaces. He won by 4 ½ lengths in his first try on the surface at Chelmsford City in November, and then led throughout in taking his 3-year-old debut by six lengths at Newcastle last month.

  The European Road to the Kentucky Derby series continues Friday with the Patton Stakes at Dundalk in Ireland (Top 4 points: 20-8-4-2), featuring Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) winner Mendelssohn. The series concludes on March 30 with the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle (Top 4 points: 30-12-6-3). – Vance Hanson, Brisnet.com

OAKS

WIDE-OPEN HONEYBEE – The Road to the Kentucky Oaks Championship Series continues Saturday with the $200,000 Honeybee (GIII) at Oaklawn Park and will award 50-20-10-5 points to the Top 4 finishers.

  The top-three finishers in the Feb. 10 Martha Washington Stakes – Red Ruby, Sassy Sienna and Cosmic Burst, respectively – are set to take on Silverbulletday Stakes winner Stronger Than Ever, Dixie Belle Stakes winner and Triple Crown nominee Amy’s Challenge, improving allowance winner Bo Peep, and six-length maiden winner Rahway. – Kevin Kerstein

 

DERBY DETAIL

PLETCHER SUCCESS IN TAMPA BAY DERBY – Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has ruled the Tampa Bay Derby in the recent years. The 50-year-old conditioner, who is scheduled to saddle Vino Rosso in the race on Saturday, has won the Tampa Bay Derby five times, including four of the last five editions of the 1 1/16-mile race: Tapwrit (2017), Destin (2016), Carpe Diem (2015) and Verrazano (2013). -Kevin Kerstein

TURF/SYNTHETIC TO DIRT HORSES – Since the Road to the Kentucky Derby point system’s debut in 2013, horses that raced exclusively on turf or synthetic surfaces are 10-0-0-2 in Championship Series races when making their dirt debut. The only two horses to finish third were Bolo (2015 San Felipe) and Yu Change (JPN) (2016 UAE Derby). Untamed Domain will attempt to buck the trend in Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby. – Darren Rogers

DOWN THE STRETCH – This from Santa Anita: Highly respected longtime private clocker Gary Young assessed Bolt d’Oro’s work thusly following training hours on Monday: “He looked terrific,” said Young. “No one could knock the way he worked (Monday), it was perfect. It looks like the stage is set for Saturday. McKinzie worked great (Sunday), so the two favorites come into (the San Felipe) really good.” … Kanthaka, winner of the 2018 San Vicente, will attempt to become the first horse since Sidney’s Candy (2011) to complete the San Vicente-San Felipe double. In the last 20 years, winners of the San Vicente who were on the Kentucky Derby trail and stretched out in distance in their subsequent start have a record of 14-6-4-1. … Trainer Jeremy Noseda reported Wednesday that Gronkowski, winner of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes at Kempton Park, could be pointed to the April 7 Blue Grass (GII) or Wood Memorial (GII) for his final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. … Through 21 races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, post time favorites have a record of 8-6-2 (38.1%) with a -$2.40 return on investment for a $2 win wager. … Jack Wolf’s Starlight Racing acquired interest in two Kentucky Derby prospects Sunday: Holy Bull (GII) winner Audible and impressive maiden winner Justify. Starlight Racing has had seven Kentucky Derby starters. … Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey III reported Monday that three-length Davona Dale (GII) winner Fly So High will miss approximately 60 days of training. The Malibu Moon filly was vanned off following her victory in Saturday’s race and “tweaked her upper suspensory,” according to McGaughey. -- Kevin Kerstein

 

SPOTLIGHT HORSE: SOLOMINI

 

On Saturday, March 17, the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series will stop at Oaklawn Park for the $900,000 Rebel Stakes (GII) where Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is expected to ship Los Alamitos Futurity third-place finisher Solomini from his Southern California-base to the Natural State for his 3-year-old debut. Solomini began his career on Sept. 2 at Del Mar where he broke his maiden at first asking. Following two runner-up finishes in the Sept. 30 FrontRunner (GI) and Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI), the son of Curlin crossed the wire first in the Los Alamitos Futurity but was disqualified to third due to interference in the stretch.

·     Horse information: (4-1-2-1—$472,000)

o        Owner: Zayat Stables LLC (Ahmed Zayat)

o        Trainer: Bob Baffert

o        Current Jockey: Flavien Prat

o        Breeder: Glenna R. Sayler DVM (Ky.)

o        Sire: Curlin (Smart Strike)

o        Dam: Surf Song (Storm Cat)

o        Purchase Price: $270,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale

o        Named After: Ahmed Zayat’s grandson Solomon

·     Owner information: Ahmed Zayat, 55, is an Egyptian-born businessman who entered the horse racing business in 2005. Zayat was the part owner of Al-Ahram Beverage Company in Egypt, which was eventually sold to Heineken in 2002. Zayat Stables has been among the top owners in North America having campaigned 13 Grade I winners including 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. Zayat’s record in the Kentucky Derby is 7-1-3-0.

·     Trainer Information: Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is a four-time winner of the Kentucky Derby (GI). Baffert, 65, grew up in Arizona on a cattle ranch where he began grooming and galloping horses for his father. Baffert became a jockey in 1971 but couldn’t maintain his riding weight. A four-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer (1997-99 and 2015), Baffert’s Kentucky Derby winners are Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (’98), War Emblem (2002) and American Pharoah (’15). – Kevin Kerstein

SCULLY’S KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT

 

CHAMP DOESN’T MEET EXPECTATIONS IN RETURN

Good Magic lacked the necessary finishing kick returning with a non-threatening third in the Fountain of Youth (GII) at Gulfstream Park. Disappointment came easy after the 3-5 favorite failed to fire, but the 1 1/16-mile race remains a steppingstone and it would be premature to give up on the 2-year-old champion.

  He’s still lightly-raced and couldn’t win last year before delivering when it counted most in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI) at Del Mar. And similar to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Alysheba (4-5 in 1987 Blue Grass), Good Magic likely will be a solid favorite in his final prep despite being eligible for a non-winner of two races lifetime allowance.

  Promises Fulfilled surprised posting an 18-1 upset, scoring in wire-to-wire fashion, and improved significantly with a career-best 104 BRIS Speed rating. Irad Ortiz Jr. picked up the mount and the Dale Romans-trained colt will bring high speed to the first leg of the Triple Crown by virtue of the 50-point prize.

  A major weekend lies ahead with a trio of Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifiers scheduled for Saturday, including the return of Bolt d’Oro in the San Felipe (GII). The juvenile star faces a serious challenger in McKinzie.

Fountain of Youth

  Making his first start since late November, Promises Fulfilled was easy to overlook in the Dale Romans barn. The colorful conditioner handles a large contingent of 3-year-old prospects, with stablemates Free Drop Billy, Tiz Mischief, Dak Attack, Hollywood Star, Storm Runner and C.S. Incharge all meriting attention in previous months.

  Promises Fulfilled received little respect when making his stakes bow and juvenile finale in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII), leaving the starting gate at double-digit odds despite winning his first two outings. The chestnut son of Shackleford got away with slow fractions on a short lead before giving way in the Churchill Downs stretch and registered a modest 90 BRIS Speed rating after finishing 2 ½ lengths behind Enticed and Tiz Mischief in third. Promises Fulfilled added front wraps and drew the far outside post for his unceremonious return in a speed-laden Fountain of Youth field.

  Strike Power, who blazed the way leading wire-to-wire in his first two starts sprinting, looked like a need-the-lead type destined to set sail from an inside post. Machismo and Storm Runner also appeared capable of applying serious early pressure during the opening stages (Storm Runner advanced to momentarily challenge stablemate on the backstretch before having the brakes applied by Joel Rosario). I couldn’t envision a wire-to-wire performance but Romans put it best afterward when stating “a lot of times that speed doesn’t materialize.”

  Promises Fulfilled broke on top and hustled his way clear into the first turn, crossing over in front of rivals to show the way unopposed through reasonable splits of :23.80, :48.39 and 1:12.60. Strike Power made him work through most of the short stretch, but Promises Fulfilled kept finding more to win going away by 2 ¼ lengths late.

  “The trainer told me to go to the lead and hold on…the trainer was right,” Irad Ortiz said.

  Owned by Robert J. Baron, Promises Fulfilled received an excellent 102 BRIS Late Pace rating. He improved 12 points upon his previous best Speed rating but did have everything his own way on the front end. Longer distances and pace pressure loom as potential obstacles but Promises Fulfilled can validate the impressive win when stretching out to 1 1/8 miles in the March 31 Florida Derby (GI).

  Strike Power, who easily held second by 2 ¼ lengths over Good Magic, conceded pacesetting duties entering the first turn and held his positioning throughout. A son of champion sprinter Speightstown, Strike Power hails from a stamina-rich female family and the Swale (GIII) winner outperformed expectations of those who felt he was limited to one-turn distances. It would be nice to see him switch leads in the stretch and we’ll learn more when Strike Power returns for the Florida Derby, which is also expected to attract Audible and Catholic Boy.

  Good Magic, who was ruled out of the Florida Derby prior to the Fountain of Youth, received an ideal stalking trip before coming under a ride nearing the completion of the far turn. He briefly appeared to be laboring as the top two started to get away from him while straightening for home but the Curlin colt didn’t fold his tent, finishing with decent energy to be a clear third.

  His profile took a hit with the setback but jockey Jose Ortiz expressed the optimism emanating from Good Magic’s camp: “He’s coming off the layoff and I’m sure he will move forward with this race under his belt, next time we’ll be ok.”

  “It looked like he needed the race,” trainer Chad Brown added. “Hopefully, he got what he needed out of it and go on to the next step.”

  Over the last six years, Kentucky Derby winners have posted a 15-0 record in 3-year-old starts prior to the first Saturday in May but the recent trend holds as much relevance as the 20-year losing streak endured by favorites from 1980-99. Being favored didn’t negatively impact any runner during that time span.

  Prep races serve as building blocks and every Kentucky Derby winner in the 1990s lost at least one sophomore appearance beforehand. Seven years ago, Super Saver dropped both starts before wearing the roses and in the last 31 years, three future Hall of Famers (Silver Charm, Winning Colors and Alysheba) have been defeated in 3-year-old preps.

  Lower BRIS Speed ratings do rate as a legitimate concern. Accomplished juveniles need to keep moving forward at age 3 or the competition catches up and surpasses them. Good Magic didn’t have to match the 105 Speed rating registered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but a seven-point decline (98) raises red flags.

  He’s expected to point toward the April 7 Blue Grass (GII) at Keeneland and winning won’t be essential; Good Magic must deliver a faster performance. He’ll be up against it on Kentucky Derby Day if his BRIS Speed numbers don’t reach triple-digit territory in the final prep.

Up Next

  Multiple Grade 1 winner Bolt d’Oro didn’t break cleanly in 3-of-4 starts last year and couldn’t overcome a poor start when finishing third at 3-5 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (GI). McKinzie will try to take advantage of any rust and the 1 1/16-mile distance of the San Felipe could favor him.

  Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (GII) drew 11 runners but Free Drop Billy and Enticed were cross-entered as a back-up for Saturday’s Gotham (GIII) at Aqueduct. Their travel plans were delayed Wednesday by the storm hitting New York. Vino Rosso adds blinkers after a fast-closing third in the Sam F. Davis (GIII) and I like his chances for an initial stakes victory.

  Firenze Fire is among the top draws in a nine-horse Gotham at a one-turn mile. – James Scully, Brisnet.com

 

TAKING SHAPE

 

The possible fields for Kentucky Derby Championship Series races are fluid as horsemen vie for points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Below are known horses (with Road to the Kentucky Derby point totals) mentioned to be under consideration for each race based on published news reports and other sources. Again, the shape of these fields is fluid and some horses are considered “possible” for multiple races:

MARCH 17 REBEL – $900,000 Rebel (GII) to be run over 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.: Solomini (14), Combatant (12), Mourinho (11)*, Sporting Chance (2), Zing Zang (1), Curlin’s Honor* (0), High North (0), Higher Power (0), Magnum Moon (0), Pryor (0), Title Ready (0). Points to Top 4: 50-20-10-5.

MARCH 17 JEFF RUBY STEAKS – $200,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (GIII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles (Polytrack) at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.: Hollywood Star (5), Believe in Royalty (0), Dreamer’s Point (0), Magicaclmeister (0). Points to Top 4: 20-8-4-2.

MARCH 24 LOUISIANA DERBY – $1 Million Louisiana Derby (GII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.: Bravazo (54), Snapper Sinclair (22), Instilled Regard (19)*, Avery Island (14), My Boy Jack (10), Noble Indy (10), Dark Templar (9), Retirement Fund (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

MARCH 25 SUNLAND DERBY – $800,000 Sunland Derby (GIII) to be run over 1/18 miles at Sunland Park in Hobbs, New Mexico: Mourinho (11)*, Justify (0), New York Hero (0), Reride (0), Runaway Ghost (0), Transgress (0). Points to Top 4: 50-20-10-5.

 

MARCH 31 UAE DERBY – $2 million UAE Derby (GII) to be run over 1 3/16 miles at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai: Gold Town (GB) (0), Raaya (0), Ruggero (JPN) (0), Taiki Ferveur (JPN) (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

MARCH 31 FLORIDA DERBY – $1 million Florida Derby (GI) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.: Promises Fulfilled (50), Strike Power (20), Catholic Boy (14), Audible (10), Storm Runner* (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

APRIL 7 WOOD MEMORIAL – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct in Ozone Park, N.Y.: Gronkowski (20)**, Westerdale (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

APRIL 7 BLUE GRASS – $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (GII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.: Gronkowski (20)**, Good Magic (10), Storm Runner* (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

APRIL 7 SANTA ANITA DERBY – $1 million Santa Anita Derby (GI) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.: Instilled Regard* (19). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

APRIL 14 ARKANSAS DERBY –$1 million Arkansas Derby (GI) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.: My Boy Jack* (10), Exclamation Point (0). Points to Top 4: 100-40-20-10.

APRIL 14 LEXINGTON – $200,000 Lexington Stakes (GIII) to be run 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.: Greyvitos (10), Curlin’s Honor* (0), Mask (0). Points to Top 4: 20-8-4-2.

*Under consideration for multiple races.

** Points were earned in European Road to the Kentucky Derby.

PAST PERFORMANCES & HISTORY

ROAD TO DERBY VIDEO SERIES

 

JOB FAIR AT CHURCHILL DOWNS

   Churchill Downs Racetrack will host a Derby-sized job fair on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to hire positions for the upcoming Kentucky Derby and Spring Meet.

  Billed as the “Staff Call to Post,” Churchill Downs and its vendor partners – Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC), Levy Restaurants and SP+ – will be looking for candidates to fill various positions for Derby Week and the 38-day Spring Meet, which begins a 10-week run Saturday, April 28 through Saturday, June 30. The 144th runnings of the $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks and $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve will be staged on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5, respectively.

    Available job positions include:

   Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC): Event Staff, Ushers, Security, Access Control and Supervisors.

   Levy Restaurants: Bartenders, Captains, Servers, Bussers, Carvers, Cooks, Concessions, Dishwashers, Host/Hostess, Suite Attendants, Supervisors and Warehouse.

   SP+: Special Events Flagger and Valet

   Churchill Downs Racetrack: Box Office Ticket Attendant, Ticket Takers and Program Attendant.

   Saturday’s job fair will take place in Millionaires’ Row 4 at Churchill Downs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Job seekers should enter through the Clubhouse Gate (formerly known as Gate 10) and park in the Longfield Lot.

  For more information and to register in advance, visit www.staffcalltopost.com. Interested candidates with further questions may email [email protected] or call (502) 410-1555.

Full PDF: The Derby Dispatch -- March 8, 2018

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