The Derby Dispatch for Thursday, March 28, 2019
Mar 28, 2019
The fact Hidden Scroll only lost last month’s Fountain of Youth (Grade II) by three lengths to more experienced rivals after setting a scorching pace following a troubled start was, by any measure, an admirable performance. On Saturday, in the $1 million Florida Derby (GI) at Gulfstream Park, the lightly-raced Juddmonte homebred will try again to get himself qualified for the Kentucky Derby (GI).
Hidden Scroll drew post No. 1 in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby and was installed the 5-2 morning-line choice against 10 rivals. Favored in the Fountain of Youth off a 14-length debut win in the slop in late January, Hidden Scroll will have a new rider, Javier Castellano, for Saturday’s race.
“I think this horse is fine behind horses; he’s fine on the lead if the pace is such that he needs to be on the lead. That’s the rider’s decision. They have to make that choice when they leave the starting gate,” said trainer Bill Mott, who is seeking his first win in both the Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby.
The other pace elements in the field are Maximum Security, who has won all three starts by a combined margin of more than 34 lengths, albeit in maiden claiming and starter allowance company, and the rank outsider Hard Belle.
Benefiting from the hot pace of the Fountain of Youth was Code of Honor, who scored the first stakes win of his career after throwing in a clunker in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man in his season opener. He’s trained by Shug McGaughey, who saddled Orb to a Fountain of Youth-Florida Derby-Kentucky Derby sweep in 2013.
“I think I have a little bit more confidence (going into the Florida Derby) because I was a little bit shook after the Mucho Macho Man,” McGaughey said. “I kind of changed my strategy and that worked, so I’ve kept on with it and I think he’s progressing the right way.”
A hard-charging second in the Fountain of Youth was Bourbon War, who should appreciate the additional ground on Saturday. The margin between him and Code of Honor was just three-quarters of a length, and two starts back the son of Tapit defeated subsequent Sunland Park Derby (GIII) winner Cutting Humor in an allowance.
“I thought his gallop-out was much stronger than the rest of the field,” trainer Mark Hennig said of Bourbon War’s effort past the Fountain of Youth finish line. “It really gave us some confidence.
“His daily gallops, he’s putting a lot into them, which is great to see. He’s matured a lot. He’s eating tremendously right now. He’s a horse that’s needed to fill out and grown up as the spring comes on, and he’s doing that.”
Harvey Wallbanger took a pass on the Fountain of Youth after registering a 29-1 upset of the Holy Bull (GII) in early February, but needs a strong showing Saturday to qualify for the Churchill Downs classic with only 10 Derby qualifying points accrued so far.
Todd Pletcher has won the Florida Derby a record five times, including the last two editions, and will rely on longshot Current. A Grade III winner on turf last year and third in the Dania Beach (GIII) in his lone start this year, he finished seventh of 14 in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) in his only previous try on the dirt, which was contested in the slop.
Completing the field of 11 are the stakes-placed Everfast, Union’s Destiny, and Garter and Tie, as well as the maiden Bodexpress.
The Florida Derby will award Kentucky Derby qualifying points of 100-40-20-10 to the top four finishers. – Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com
GODOLPHIN FILLY DIVINE IMAGE DRAWS POST 6 IN UAE DERBY – The only filly to win the UAE Derby (GII) so far, Khawlah (2011), sported the Godolphin colors, and Divine Image will be well backed to emulate her in Saturday’s $2.5 million renewal on the Dubai World Cup card.
Much has changed in the interim – Meydan’s transition from Tapeta to dirt, the advent of Charlie Appleby as a Godolphin trainer, and the Kentucky Derby (GI) points system that awards 100 points to the UAE Derby winner – but Divine Image does have elements in common with Khawlah. Both are UAE Oaks (GIII) winners who came along during Carnivals that lacked a standout among the locally-based three-year-old males.
Unlike Khawlah, Divine Image ran only once at two, romping in a Chelmsford novice in December, and needed the Carnival to hone her racing wits. The Appleby pupil did well to recover from a disastrous start to finish second in the UAE 1000 Guineas. She absorbed the lesson to break better in the UAE Oaks, but still looked a little green before getting up in time.
Hence instead of training up to the Derby as Khawlah did after her more emphatic Oaks display, Divine Image wheeled back to face the boys in the Al Bastakiya over this same about 1 3/16-mile trip. The proverbial light bulb had switched on, for she dusted a big field including Superior and Al Bastakiya Trial winner Manguzi.
Divine Image’s 7 ¼-length smasher on Super Saturday does prompt the question of whether she can duplicate that on three weeks’ rest, and in her fourth start of the Carnival. Appleby had indicated that the Kentucky Oaks (GI) could be in play as well before committing her to World Cup night. At least one variable is removed from the equation: the daughter of Scat Daddy landed a fine post No. 6 in the 14-horse field. She also gets a five-pound weight break from the boys.
Khawlah won her UAE Derby by denying Aidan O’Brien’s Master of Hounds in a photo. O’Brien has since won three runnings of the UAE Derby, most recently with last year’s track record-breaker Mendelssohn, and returns with Van Beethoven. By Scat Daddy like both Mendelssohn and Divine Image, Van Beethoven doesn’t bring the same sort of résumé. Winless since last summer’s Railway (GII), he’s gone unplaced in four straight. Yet there’s a suspicion that the Triple Crown nominee is a fair bit better than we’ve seen. His even fourth in the March 6 Patton under top weight, the same European Road race that launched Mendelssohn, should bring him on a lot. Less encouraging is his post 11.
Another hopping over from the European Road is Sheikh Hamdan’s Jahbath, who extended his winning streak to four in the Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions race at Kempton. The William Haggas trainee steps out from the confines of the British all-weather circuit for a bigger test on the international stage. His immediate pedigree suggests he’ll handle the stretch-out from a mile, but it doesn’t scream dirt. Not an early Triple Crown nominee, Jahbath is engaged in the Derby (GI) at Epsom, and it would be no surprise if turf classics have more appeal. Still, he’s well drawn in post 2, and sire Mukhadram led a long way in the 2014 World Cup (on Tapeta) before settling for second.
Arriving via the Japan Road is Derma Louvre, a Triple Crown nominee coming off back-to-back placings in points races at home. After a near-miss in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki in December, the Pyro colt was an underwhelming third in the Feb. 17 Hyacinth S. at Tokyo. Perhaps Derma Louvre needed the prep since he had looked potentially smart during a three-race winning spree last fall. And Lani (2016), the only Japan-based winner of this race, stepped up from a modest effort in the Hyacinth. Post 5 is also a plus for Derma Louvre with regular pilot Christophe Lemaire.
No U.S. shipper has captured the UAE Derby, with the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls remaining stateside, but the trio of Plus Que Parfait, Gray Magician, and Stubbins aim to buck that stat. The form of Plus Que Parfait’s neck second in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) has taken its lumps in the interim. While his fifth in the Lecomte (GIII) could be excused on account of a troubled passage, his 13th in the Risen Star (GII) called for going back to the drawing board. Trainer Brendan Walsh prescribes the dramatic change in venue, as well as the addition of blinkers and Jose Ortiz, and he’s gotten a plum post 4.
Gray Magician, the lone router in trainer Peter Miller’s sprint-oriented party, takes the blinkers off after chasing home Maryland kingpin Alwaysmining in the Miracle Wood. Previously fourth to Gunmetal Gray in the Sham (GIII), Gray Magician is joined by fellow California-based Stubbins, who aired in the off-the-turf Pasadena. Both have stamina questions, and the speedy Stubbins has a tough task from post 12.
Despite the lack of clarity among the Dubai-based colts, trainer Ahmad bin Harmash has a real shot with his entrants for the Phoenix Ladies Syndicate. Walking Thunder shaped as the next big thing earlier in the Carnival when hacking up in three straight, only to lose his luster with a second to Estihdaaf in the UAE 2000 Guineas (GIII). The Triple Crown nominee didn’t have the best of trips that day, but drawing the rail here, and picking up Frankie Dettori, signal rebound candidate.
Stablemate Golden Jaguar turned heads in a terrific debut at Jebel Ali, and again on the switch to turf at Meydan, but lost his perfect mark narrowly in the Meydan Classic Trial. The son of Animal Kingdom has massive upside, and a great post 3 with Oisin Murphy, if he doesn’t cost himself by repeating rookie mistakes. He’s the only of the Phoenix Ladies trio not nominated to the Triple Crown, but he was given an entry in the 2000 Guineas (GI) at Newmarket. The aforementioned Superior, best of the rest behind Divine Image in the Al Bastakiya, adds cheekpieces and keeps stable rider Connor Beasley.
Manguzi, no match for Walking Thunder in their lone clash, has been hampered by wide draws in every Carnival start except his trial score. The French-bred has found a way to place regardless, but his consistency will be tested from the far outside post 14 Saturday.
The remaining contenders are all fillies trying to turn the tables on Divine Image. Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor, who trained Khawlah, sends out UAE Oaks runner-up Swift Rose. Post 13 implies she has her work cut out to get that close again. Of greater interest is the UAE Oaks third, Razeena, who was positively heroic throughout a wide trip. Trained by dirt maestro Doug Watson, Razeena could engineer a better passage this time, albeit from post 9. Al Hayette has the biggest mountain to climb after a well-beaten fifth in the Oaks and fourth in the Al Bastakiya.
Note that Razeena and Al Hayette were not on the list of probables released last week. There were also two defections from the projected field, Estihdaaf and Grecko.
In addition to the 100-point windfall to the winner, the UAE Derby offers 40 Derby points to the runner-up, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth. – Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com
JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY CLOSES SUNDAY WITH FUKURYU STAKES – The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby will conclude Sunday with the running of the Fukuryu Stakes at Nakayama – a 1,800 meter (about 1 1/8 miles) event that will award the Top 4 finishers 40-16-8-4 points.
The field of eight 3-year-olds is led by Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun winner Nova Lenda. Trained by Takashi Saito and ridden by Shu Ishibashi, Nova Lenda has 20 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and should his ownership choose to late nominate for the Triple Crown, he would be the current points leader.
Also entered in the Fukuryu Stakes is Triple Crown nominee Master Fencer who finished fourth in the Hyacinth Stakes on Feb. 17.
The Fukuryu Stakes is carded as Race 10 with a scheduled post time of 1:50 a.m. EDT. – Kevin Kerstein
PAST PERFORMANCES & HISTORY
Brinset.com Triple Crown Past Performances
UAE Derby Stakes History
Florida Derby Stakes History
Florida Derby Past Performances
ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 25
# Horse Trainer Points
1. By My Standards Bret Calhoun 100
2. War of Will Mark Casse 60
3. Code of Honor Shug McGaughey III 54
4. Long Range Toddy Steve Asmussen 53.5
5. Cutting Humor Todd Pletcher 50
6. Haikal Kiaran McLaughlin 50
7. Tacitus Bill Mott 50
8. Game Winner Bob Baffert 45
9. Spinoff Todd Pletcher 40
10. Omaha Beach Richard Mandella 37.5
11. Mind Control Gregg Sacco 30
12. Anothertwistafate Blaine Wright 30
13. Country House Bill Mott 30
14. Sueno Keith Desormeaux 28
15. Improbable Bob Baffert 25
16. Mucho Gusto Bob Baffert 24
17. Bourbon War Mark Hennig 21
18. Somelikeithotbrown Mike Maker 20
19. Outshine Todd Pletcher 20
20. Knicks Go Ben Colebrook 18
21. Signalman Kenny McPeek 18
22. Tax Danny Gargan 12
23. Gray Attempt Jinks Fires 10
24. Harvey Wallbanger Kenny McPeek 10
25. Well Defined Kathleen O’Connell 10
DERBY DETAIL
NBCSN TO BROADCAST FLORIDA DERBY, NEW EPISODE OF ‘ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY’ – As the May 4 running of the 145th Kentucky Derby approaches, NBCSN presents exclusive live coverage of the $1 million Florida Derby on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET from Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Earlier in the day at 11 a.m. ET, NBC Sports will present exclusive live coverage of the $12 million Group I Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest horse race, on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app from Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Grade I Florida Derby is a key Kentucky Derby prep race, awarding qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale for the top four finishers. Fifteen Florida Derby winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, more than any other prep race. Hidden Scroll is the likely betting favorite, but he’ll face stiff competition from Code of Honor, Bourbon War, and Maximum Security in one of the strongest prep race fields this year.
Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s Florida Derby coverage on NBCSN, alongside analysts Jerry Bailey, the Hall of Fame jockey who won the Florida Derby three times, and Randy Moss. Coverage will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.
The $12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup is expected to feature 2018 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Gunnevera, 2018 Florida Derby winner Audible, and 2018 Belmont Stakes second-place finisher Gronkowski.
Also streaming live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app from Meydan Racecourse will be the $6 million Group 1 Dubai Turf and the $6 million Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
Following Saturday’s coverage of the Florida Derby, NBC Sports, in partnership with Churchill Downs, presents a new episode of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series. Beginning at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, the second of four 30-minute episodes highlights the story of Chuck Zacney, owner of 2005 favorite Afleet Alex, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby before winning the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The episode also features a behind-the-scenes visit with veteran jockey Mike Smith, who won the Triple Crown last year on Justify. Produced by Churchill Downs, the episodes provide viewers with an inside look at the extensive preparations for the first leg of the Triple Crown. – NBC SPORTS
BY MY STANDARDS ARRIVES AT CHURCHILL DOWNS – TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) winner By My Standards arrived at Churchill Downs early Wednesday morning via van from his winter base at Fair Grounds and became the first Kentucky Derby contender to reach the grounds of the historic Louisville racetrack.
Owned by Madisonville, Ky.-native Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing Stable and trained by Bret Calhoun, By My Standards pulled off a 22-1 upset in the Louisiana Derby to earn 100 points and ultimately guaranteed his spot in the starting gate for the Grade I, $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve on Saturday, May 4.
“We’re very excited to have him back in Louisville,” said assistant trainer Dennis “Peaches” Geier, who is overseeing the shedrow at Churchill Downs for Calhoun. “It should be fun
By My Standards is stabled in Barn 23 at Churchill Downs and is expected to begin training for the Derby starting Thursday morning, according to Calhoun.
Meanwhile, Fair Grounds Oaks (GII) hero Street Band arrived at Churchill Downs by van on Wednesday from Fair Grounds. Trained by multiple Kentucky Oaks winning conditioner Larry Jones, Street Band is stabled in Barn 28.
Also arriving on Wednesday was Louisiana Derby third-place finisher Sueno. He joined trainer Keith Desormeaux’s Barn 24 at Churchill Downs to begin training for a possible start in the Lexington Stakes (GIII).
As of Thursday, there were approximately 500 horses on the backstretch of Churchill Downs, according to senior director of the stable area Steve Hargrave. – Kevin Kerstein
LATE TRIPLE CROWN NOMINATIONS DUE MONDAY – A late nomination payment of $6,000 is due Monday to compete in the races of the 2019 Triple Crown.
For information on late nomination forms and contact information, visit www.thetriplecrown.com.
ADDITIONAL TRIPLE CROWN NEWS – Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert reported Rebel Stakes runner-up Improbable will now be ridden by Jose Ortiz in the April 13 Arkansas Derby (GI). … Owner Samantha Siegel reported via Twitter that Rebel Stakes fourth-place finisher Extra Hope would be ridden by Drayden Van Dyke in the Santa Anita Derby.
THE RUNDOWN
UAE DERBY (GII)
Saturday, March 30, $2.5 million, 3yo, 1 3/16 M, Meydan Racecourse (R5), Post time: 10:05 a.m. EDT, Dubai, UAE, Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10. TV: TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ODDS
1. Walking Thunder (0) Frankie Dettori Ahmad bin Harmash 5-1
2. +Jahbath (0) Jim Crowley William Haggas 6-1
3. +Golden Jaguar (0) Osin Murphy Ahmad bin Harmash 15-1
4. Plus Que Parfait (4) Jose Ortiz Brendan Walsh 15-1
5. Derma Louvre (0) Christophe Lemaire Hirofumi Toda 12-1
6. +Divine Image (0) William Buick Charlie Appleby 2-1
7. Superior (0) Connor Beasley Ahmad bin Harmash 12-1
8. Gray Magician (1) Joel Rosario Peter Miller 15-1
9. +Razeena (0) Pat Dobbs Doug Watson 50-1
10. +Al Hayette (0) Fabrice Veron Ismail Mohammed 50-1
11. Van Beethoven (0) Ryan Moore Aidan O’Brien 10-1
12. +Stubbins (0) Flavien Prat Doug O’Neill 10-1
13. +Swift Rose (0) Pat Cosgrave Saeed bin Suroor 30-1
14. +Manguzi (0) Fernando Jara Ali Rashid Al-Rayhi 15-1
FLORIDA DERBY (GI)
Saturday, March 30, $1 million, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Gulfstream Park (R14), Post time: 6:36 p.m. EDT. Hallandale Beach, Fla.., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10. TV: NBCSN, TVG.
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. Hidden Scroll (5) Javier Castellano Bill Mott 5-2
2. Current (0) Manny Franco Todd Pletcher 15-1
3. Harvey Wallbanger (10) Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenny McPeek 15-1
4. Bourbon War (21) Irad Ortiz Jr. Mark Hennig 7-2
5. Everfast (4) Chris Landeros Dale Romans 20-1
6. +Hard Belle (0) Jose Bautista Jaime Mejia 50-1
7. Maximum Security (0) Luis Saez Jason Servis 9-2
8. Bodexpress (0) Nik Juarez Gustavo Delgado 30-1
9. Code of Honor (54) John Velazquez Shug McGaughey 3-1
10. Union’s Destiny (0) Leonel Reyes Juan Carlos Avila 30-1
11. Garter and Tie (0) Jeffrey Sanchez Ralph Nicks 15-1
FUKURYO STAKES
Sunday, March 31, $126.400, 3yo, 1800 meters, Nakyama Racecourse (R10), Post time: 1:50 a.m. EDT. Japan RTKD Top 4 Points: 40-16-8-4.
# Horse Jockey Trainer
1. +Cameron Takuya Ono Teiichi Konno
2. +Gold Lagoon Yoshihiro Furukawa Takashi Saito
3. +Der Flug Akihide Tsumura Nobuhiro Suzuki
4. +Nanyo Izayoi Yoshitomi Shibata Mikio Matsunaga
5. +Nova Lenda Shu Ishibashi Takashi Saito
6. +Black Warrior Kosei Miura Masayuki Nishimura
7. Master Fencer Hiroyuki Uchida Koichi Tsunoda
8. +Rhein Carina Miyabi Muto Yoshinori Muto
+Not Triple Crown Nominated
GULFSTREAM PARK OAKS (GII)
Saturday, March 30, $250,000, 3yo fillies, 1 1/16 M, Gulfstream Park (R8), Post time: 3 p.m. EDT. Hallandale Beach, Fla.., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10. TV: TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. ++Safta (0) Manny Franco Dermot Magner 20-1
2. ++Shacklette (0) Nik Juarez Dale Romans 20-1
3. Point of Honor (10) Javier Castellano George Weaver 9-5
4. ++Bella Ciao (0) Luis Saez Antonio Sano 15-1
5. Champagne Anyone (13) Chris Landeros Ian Wilkes 6-1
6. ++Dunbar Road (0) Irad Ortiz Jr. Chad Brown 8-5
7. $-Cookie Dough (20) Jeffrey Sanchez Stan Gold 7-2
++Not Kentucky Oaks Nominated
$ Notified Churchill Downs officials that they will late nominate to the Kentucky Oaks
UPCOMING ROAD TO THE DERBY RACES
Date Race Track Top 4 Points
March 30 UAE Derby Meydan 100-40-20-10
March 30 Florida Derby GP 100-40-20-10
March 31 Fukuryu# Nakyama 40-16-8-4
April 6 Wood Memorial Aqu 100-40-20-10
April 6 Blue Grass Kee 100-40-20-10
April 6 Santa Anita Derby SA 100-40-20-10
April 11 Cardinal Condition* Chelmsford 30-12-6-3
April 13 Arkansas Derby OP 100-40-20-10
April 13 Lexington Kee 20-8-4-2
# Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby
* European Road to the Kentucky Derby
ROAD TO DERBY VIDEO SERIES
· Episode 7: A Big Race for an Intimate Track
· Episode 6: A Potential Super Star
· Episode 5: Follow Trainer Kelly Breen as he Trains Son of Orb
· Episode 4 :Kenny McPeek – The Underdog Trainer
· Episode 3: Breeders’ Cup Battle Produces Early Derby Favorite
· Episode 2: A Twist in the Road at Keeneland
· Episode 1: Neuroscience to the Iroquois Stakes
SPOTLIGHT HORSE: BY MY STANDARDS
· Louisiana Derby (Grade II) winner By My Standards pulled off a 22-1 upset to earn 100 points and stamp himself a likely starting positon in the Kentucky Derby. Owned by Chester Thomas’ Allied Racing Stable and trained by Bret Calhoun, By My Standards was one of the first Derby contenders to arrive on the backstretch of Churchill Downs.
· Owner information: Thomas is a native of Madisonville, Ky., located in the western part of the state. Thomas, who is an entrepreneur, started Allied Racing Stable in 2012 and earned his 100th victory in the Louisiana Derby with By My Standards. Thomas runs many horses at Ellis Park and considers the Henderson, Ky. track his “home base.”
· Trainer information: Calhoun, 54, was born in Dallas, Texas and began training in 1993. Calhoun’s father, Buddy, was a longtime owner and trainer based in Louisiana. One of the mainstays at Churchill Downs, Calhoun has campaigned Breeders’ Cup winners Chamberlin Bridge (Turf Sprint) and Dubai Majesty (Filly and Mare Sprint) along with Grade I winner Finley’sluckycharm. Calhoun is married to Sara Escudero, the mother of fellow trainer Joe Sharp. Calhoun’s staff at Churchill Downs includes longtime assistant trainer Dennis “Peaches” Geier and Louisivlle-native Tom Morgan, who was a graduate of St. Xavier High School in 2004. – Kevin Kerstein
SCULLY’S KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
MAJOR QUALIFIERS BEGIN WITH AN UPSET
By My Standards jumped from a maiden special win to graded stakes company and sprung a 22-1 upset in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade II) at Fair Grounds, stamping his Kentucky Derby ticket with a 100-point prize in the first of seven major qualifiers.
The $800,000 Sunland Derby (GIII) was worth half the points (50 to winner) a day later and continued a common theme on this year’s Road to the Kentucky Derby series, with Cutting Humor recording his initial stakes tally.
There’s been only one repeat winner from 19 qualifiers since Jan. 1 and nine of the last 15 have been captured by first-time stakes winners.
It’s crunch time, with the first Saturday in May only five weeks from this Saturday, and Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (GI) at Gulfstream Park will be an important test for expected post-time favorite Hidden Scroll. The spectacular maiden winner appears to have the goods in terms of talent but it takes more than raw ability to win the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby.
After needlessly dueling with a 132-1 longshot through blistering fractions and weakening to fourth in the Fountain of Youth (GII), Hidden Scroll must show more from a mental standpoint while breaking from a tricky rail post in an 11-horse field. He faces a solid Florida Derby cast that includes Code of Honor and Bourbon War.
Another major final prep, the $2.5 million UAE Derby (GII), will be offered Saturday and a filly tops the about 1 3/16-mile test. Divine Image, who exits a romping win over males in the March 9 Al Bastakiya at Meydan, heads a group of 14 that includes American invaders Plus Que Parfait and Stubbins.
Louisiana Derby
By My Standards made his career debut in late November and placed in his first three starts before graduating by a 4 ¼-length margin on the Feb. 16 Risen Star undercard at Fair Grounds. Owned by Allied Racing Stable LLC and trained by Bret Calhoun, the Goldencents colt broke from post 5 with regular rider Gabe Saez and established a good stalking position behind the first flight of Lemniscate and Sueno.
Spinoff showed speed to establish positioning from post 10 and settled to the outside of By My Standards through the first turn.
Risen Star (GII) and Lecomte (GIII) winner War of Will, the 4-5 favorite, appeared to lose his footing when taking a couple of awkward strides after the start. He never was a factor afterward and wound up ninth of 11. Trainer Mark Casse said the colt appeared to sustain a muscle strain but should recover quickly, and the Kentucky Derby remains in play.
He’s got the points (60) to make the field and War of Will looks like a pace player if he does enter. The Louisiana Derby marked the second time he wasn’t prominent from the start and he’s experienced troubled trips in both.
By My Standards and Spinoff moved in tandem along the backstretch and into the far turn. Spinoff traveled wider into the lane and got first jump on his rival, surging to a one-length lead in upper stretch. By My Standards held his position while advancing a couple of paths off the rail but ran into traffic after straightening for home, altering course to the inside for clear sailing.
The top two separated themselves from the rest and By My Standards overhauled Spinoff in the final sixteenth of a mile, edging away under the wire to win by nearly a length. The winner received a 102 BRIS Speed rating, 12 points better than his previous best, and posted a commendable 102 BRIS Late Pace number. The last eight Kentucky Derby winners showed at least one triple-digit BRIS Late Pace rating from their three-year-old prep races.
By My Standards is from the first crop of two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (GI) winner Goldencents and hails from the Gone West mare Muqtarib, a multiple turf stakes winner. Stamina influences can be found in the extended female family.
Calhoun said they’ve always thought highly of By My Standards but the bay colt needed time to develop.
“The maiden (win) came later than we expected,” Calhoun said. “The light really came on after that race. The mornings he’d been phenomenal from that race moving forward and he really gave us a lot of confidence coming in here.”
Spinoff recorded a fine second, five lengths better than third-placer Sueno, and should be safely in the Kentucky Derby field with 40 points. Third in the Saratoga Special (GII) in mid-August, Spinoff returned from a five-month layoff with an 11 ¾-length allowance score at Tampa Bay Downs in his previous outing.
The son of Hard Spun is trained by two-time winner Todd Pletcher, who leads all trainers with 52 starts in the first leg of the American Triple Crown. Pletcher is poised to saddle a Kentucky Derby starter for the 16th consecutive year.
Sunland Derby
Cutting Humor enjoyed a favorable trip just off a contested pace and pounced leaving the far turn, slingshotting to a clear lead in midstretch. He dug in gamely to withstand the late charge of Anothertwistafate by a neck and established a new track record, completing 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.94.
Pletcher conditions the son of First Samurai for Starlight Racing and John Velazquez, who was up a day earlier on Spinoff, traveled to New Mexico for the mount. A maiden winner the third time out in his juvenile finale, Cutting Humor opened 2019 with a second-place finish to subsequent Fountain of Youth runner-up Bourbon War in a Gulfstream allowance and was exiting a troubled seventh as the favorite in the Feb.18 Southwest (GIII) at Oaklawn Park.
The well-traveled sophomore (raced at Belmont, Gulfstream Park West and Keeneland last year) earned a career-best 99 BRIS Speed rating and a 101 Late Pace figure. Out of an unraced Pulpit mare, Cutting Humor comes from a classy female family but his dam counts multiple GI-winning sprinter Zensational as a half-brother. They’re both out of the Phone Trick mare Joke, Cutting Humor’s second maternal dam, and that’s a lot of speed on the female side.
Cutting Humor rates as an improving type with upside but must outrun his pedigree while stretching out an extra furlong next time. And considering he appeared to be tiring late, it’s easy to question whether he’ll be effective at 1 ¼ miles at this stage of his career.
Anothertwistafate proved his effectiveness on dirt and confirmed himself as a viable Kentucky Derby contender. Unplaced the first time out at Santa Anita, the Blaine Wright-trained colt dominated his next outings over the Tapeta track at Golden Gate Fields and had already earned 10 qualifying points for a seven-length triumph in the Feb. 16 El Camino Real Derby. He’s by the late Scat Daddy, sire of 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify, and his female family features numerous turf stakes winners.
After dueling briefly with pacesetter Mucho Gusto, Anothertwistafate eased back to sit a comfortable trip behind a pair of early runners but found himself stuck in upper stretch as Cutting Humor rolled by him on the outside. Once jockey Juan Hernandez guided him out, Anothertwistafate finished fast to just miss and netted his second consecutive triple-digit Late Pace rating (101).
Mucho Gusto, who bet down as the 4-5 favorite off a convincing win in the Feb. 2 Robert B. Lewis (GIII) at Santa Anita, weakened in the final furlong to be six lengths back of the winner.
Scully’s Kentucky Derby Top 10
1. OMAHA BEACH: Held off Game Winner to win stakes debut
2. GAME WINNER: Came up a little short but solid return in Rebel
3. LONG RANGE TODDY: Making big strides for Asmussen
4. HIDDEN SCROLL: Florida Derby will prove whether he belongs on list
5. IMPROBABLE: Juvenile GI winner couldn’t hold lead in his return
6. TACITUS: Tampa Bay Derby winner has upside for Mott
7. CODE OF HONOR: Fountain of Youth winner could be third choice in Florida Derby
8. BOURBON WAR: Fan base swelled following a fast-closing second
9. BY MY STANDARDS: Late-developing colt surprised in Louisiana Derby
10. ANOTHERTWISTAFATE: Carried synthetic form to dirt in Sunland Derby
LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS UPDATE
Davona Dale (GII) runner-up Cookie Dough and Suncoast winner Point of Honor highlight a field of seven 3-year-old fillies in Saturday’s $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (GII). A final major qualifier in the Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, the 1 1/16-mile race awards points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers.
After recording multiple Florida-bred stakes wins as a two-year-old, Cookie Dough returned from a five-month layoff against open rivals in the March 2 Davona Dale and just missed leading wire to wire, coming up a head short in second. Stanley Gold trains the daughter of Brethren and Jeffrey Sanchez retains the mount on the dark bay.
Point of Honor enters with a two-for-two record and captured her career debut at Gulfstream in mid-December, rolling to a six-length decision in an off-the-turf maiden special weight. The George Weaver-trained Curlin filly shipped to Tampa Bay Downs and continued to dominate with a 2 ¾-length score as the favorite, posting a field-beat 94 BRIS Speed rating. Javier Castellano guides the chestnut.
Dunbar Road will receive a class check following an 8 ¾-length tally in her lone start, taking a March 3 maiden special weight at Gulfstream, and Jose Ortiz will be up for Chad Brown. Champagne Anyone, who exits a pair of thirds in the Davona Dale and Forward Gal (GIII), is also part of the mix. Trainer Ian Wilkes adds blinkers and Chris Landeros rides.
Completing the field are stakes-placed Bella Ciao; Shacklette, who exits a victory in a starter optional claiming event; and the maiden Safta. – James Scully/TwinSpires.com
ROAD TO THE LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS TOP 20
# Horse Trainer Points
1. Street Band Larry Jones 100
2. Liora Wayne Catalano 71
3. Chasing Yesterday Bob Baffert 60
4. Serengeti Empress Tom Amoss 60
5. Chocolate Kisses Mark Casse 51
6. Jeltrin Alexis Delgado 51
7. Espresso Shot Jorge Abreu 50
8. Jaywalk John Servis 35
9. Bellafina Simon Callaghan 32
10. Eres Tu Steve Asmussen 24
11. Restless Rider Kenny McPeek 22
12. Sweet Diane Mike Stidham 22
13. Oxy Lady Jack Sisterson 21
14. Naughty Joker Wesley Ward 20
15. Motion Emotion Tom Van Berg 20
16. $-Cookie Dough Stan Gold 20
17. Champagne Anyone Ian Wilkes 13
18. Positive Spirit Rodolphe Brisset 10
19. Needs Supervision Jerry O’Dwyer 10
20. Feedback Chad Brown 10
$ Notified Churchill Downs officials that they will late nominate to the Kentucky Oaks
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 mentioned to be under consideration for each race based on published news reports and other sources:
WOOD MEMORIAL (GII)
Saturday, April 6, $750,000, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Aqueduct, Ozone, N.Y., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10.
Brisnet.com Run
Horse (Points) Trainer Prime Power Style
Known Likely Starters:
Haikal (50) Kiaran McLaughlin 140.8 S 3
Mind Control (30) Gregg Sacco 140.0 E/P 3
Tax (12) Danny Gargan 137.8 E/P 7
Tacitus (50) Bill Mott 132.1 E/P 4
Known Possible Starters:
Galilean (7.5) Jerry Hollendorfer 141.1 E 8
Outshine (20) Todd Pletcher 134.6 P 6
BLUE GRASS (GII)
Saturday, April 6, $1 million, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Keeneland, Lexington, Ky., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10.
Brisnet.com Run
Horse (Points) Trainer Prime Power Style
Known Likely Starters:
Somelikeithotbrown (20) Mike Maker 144.4 E/P 7
Vekoma (10) George Weaver 141.1 P 5
Signalman (18) Kenny McPeek 135.9 P 1
Dream Maker (0) Mark Casse 131.7 P 3
Admire (0) Dale Romans 129.9 E/P 4
Market King (10) D. Wayne Lukas 127.9 E 8
Chess Chief (0) Dallas Stewart 115.8 S 4
Known Possible Starters:
Galilean (7.5) Jerry Hollendorfer 141.1 E 8
Anothertwistafate (30) Blaine Wright 139.6 E/P 7
Country House (30) Bill Mott 139.2 S 0
Outshine (20) Todd Pletcher 134.6 P 6
Knicks Go (18) Ben Colebrook 134.3 E 7
SANTA ANITA DERBY (GI)
Saturday, April 6, $1 million, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Santa Anita, Arcadia, Calif., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10.
Brisnet.com Run
Horse (Points) Trainer Prime Power Style
Known Likely Starters:
Game Winner (30) Bob Baffert 153.4 P 3
Instagrand (10) Jerry Hollendorfer 145.7 E/P 6
Extra Hope (5.75) Richard Mandella 135.1 E/P 6
Roadster (0) Bob Baffert 135.0 E/P 7
Nolo Contesto (0) John Sadler 130.2 E/P 5
Known Possible Starters:
Galilean (7.5) Jerry Hollendorfer 141.1 E 8
ARKANSAS DERBY (GI)
Saturday, April 13, $1 million, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Oaklawn Park, Hot Springs, Ark., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10.
Brisnet.com Run
Horse (Points) Trainer Prime Power Style
Known Likely Starters:
Improbable (25) Bob Baffert 146.3 E/P 6
Omaha Beach (37.5) Richard Mandella 139.4 E/P 8
Long Range Toddy (57.5) Steve Asmussen 137.8 E/P 6
Gray Attempt (10) Jinks Fires 132.9 E 8
Known Possible Starters:
Galilean (7.5) Jerry Hollendorfer 141.1 E 8
Country House (30) Bill Mott 139.2 S 0
Outshine (20) Todd Pletcher 134.6 P 6
Last Judgment (0) Todd Pletcher 132.1 E/P 6
LEXINGTON (GIII)
Saturday, April 13, $200,000, 3yo, 1 1/16 M, Keeneland, Lexington, Ky., Top 4 Points: 20-8-4-2.
Brisnet.com Run
Horse (Points) Trainer Prime Power Style
Known Possible Starters:
Sueno (28) Keith Desormeaux 139.8 E/P 6
Knicks Go (18) Ben Colebrook 134.3 E 7
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