Kentucky Derby | Horse Racing Free Tips

Hidden Stash Works for Derby

BBN Racing's Hidden Stash (Constitution) began preparations for a likely start in the GI Kentucky Derby by working a bullet half-mile in :47.80 Wednesday morning at Keeneland shortly after the track opened for training at 5:30 a.m. The work was the fastest of 23 at the distance for the morning.

A well-beaten fourth in Keeneland's GII Toyota Blue Grass S., the GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby runner-up currently ranks 21st on the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. A few horses ahead of Hidden Stash are considered not likely to enter.

“I thought he worked really well and we beat the rain,” trainer Vicki Oliver said. “I was going to work Thursday, Friday or Saturday. I was watching the weather and I wanted to get a decent work in, so we went this morning.”

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‘Money Mike’ Smith Picks Up Kentucky Derby Mount On Midnight Bourbon

As reported by the Daily Racing Form's Marty McGee on Twitter Tuesday, two-time Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Mike Smith has picked up a mount for the race's 2021 edition. He'll partner the Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), winner of the G3 Lecomte Stakes in January, and subsequently third and second in the G2 Risen Star and G2 Louisiana Derby, respectively.

Midnight Bourbon races for Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC.

Smith's two Derby wins came in 2005 with longshot Giacomo and in 2018 with the favorite and eventual Triple Crown winner, Justify.

Originally, the Hall of Fame rider was booked on early roses favorite Life is Good for trainer Bob Baffert, but that colt was injured, underwent surgery for an ankle chip, and is expected to miss the 2021 Triple Crown races.

The post ‘Money Mike’ Smith Picks Up Kentucky Derby Mount On Midnight Bourbon appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Derby: Chad Brown Will Start Either Highly Motivated Or Crowded Trade, But Not Both

Trainer Chad Brown has a pair of 3-year-olds in the top 20 points-earners on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby, Highly Motivated (13) and Crowded Trade (18), but told Blood-Horse he plans to start just one of those on the first Saturday in May.

“I'm leaning toward running Crowded Trade in the Preakness,” Brown told BH, “but I want to be represented in the Kentucky Derby by either him or Highly Motivated. I won't run both of them in the Derby, but I want to work both of them this weekend and see how their health status is before making a final decision.”

Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) ran a bang-up race in the Blue Grass Stakes last out, altering his running style to set the pace and racing game through the stretch to be beaten just a neck by likely Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality.

Meanwhile, Crowded Trade (More Than Ready) was third last out behind Bourbonic and Dynamic One in the Wood Memorial, beaten 1 1/4 lengths after closing from nearly the rear of the field.

The defection of Crowded Trade would mean Hidden Stash, 21st on the points list, would earn a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. The Constitution colt ran third in the G3 Sam F. Davis, second in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby, and fourth in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes on the prep trail this season for trainer Victoria Oliver.

Trainer Steve Asmussen, Son Keith To Feature On Thursday’s ‘Cocktails & Conversation’ Live Stream

“Cocktails & Conversation,” the weekly virtual happy hour series, returns for the third episode of the season on Thursday (April 15) with special guests Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and his son, jockey Keith Asmussen; hosted by Britney Eurton and Nick Luck of NBC Sports; and joined by renowned mixologist and creator of Breeders' Cup's official cocktails Mark Tubridy.

This week's cocktails focus on the slightly sweet flavors of the Maraschino cherry. The first cocktail is the Bourbon Bushwick, a sweet, bourbon-based sipper made with Maker's Mark®, sweet vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur and Amaro. The second is the Last Word, a prohibition-era drink made with London Dry Gin, green chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur and lime juice.

In addition to the cocktail mixing segment, fans will be able to submit questions via social media for the hosts and the Asmussens to answer during the live stream. Throughout the cocktail hour, viewers will be encouraged to donate to industry workers and communities in need through the official Breeders' Cup website.

All donations generated from Cocktails & Conversation are wholly donated to organizations benefitting the horse racing and hospitality industries, including the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, USBG National Charity Foundation and Restaurant Workers Relief Program.

The two-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer and Hall of Famer, Steve Asmussen, joins us this week, fresh off a huge Arkansas Derby win to earn a spot in the 2021 Kentucky Derby for his family-owned horse Super Stock. With over $352 million in earnings and nearly 9,300 lifetime wins, Asmussen has achieved many coveted racing milestones including winning famous races around the world such as the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Longines Kentucky Oaks and the Dubai World Cup.

Keith Asmussen started his jockey career in June 2020 and has $272,000 in earnings. He achieved his first stakes victory in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star park on Aug. 11, 2020, on Kentucky Derby contender, Super Stock.

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