Trainer Linda Rice reported that she will likely enter Chester and Mary Broman's New York homebred Arctic Arrogance in the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino on April 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack. The nine-furlong test is the final local Kentucky Derby qualifier, awarding a total of 100-40-30-20-10 points to the top five finishers.
Arctic Arrogance, by Frosted, was also under consideration for the seven-furlong Grade 3, $200,000 Bay Shore on the same day, but Rice said the Wood is the most likely landing spot in order to keep any Kentucky Derby aspirations alive. Arctic Arrogance is currently 33rd on the leaderboard with 16 points, which were accrued with a string of three local second-place finishes in the Grade 2 Remsen on December 3, the Jerome on January 7 and the Grade 3 Withers on February 11.
“We're leaning towards the Wood, actually,” Rice said. “If you don't run in the Wood, you can't keep the door open for the Derby. Mr. Broman and I spoke about it [Thursday] and we would like to keep the door open. He's trained well going into this race, so we'll give it a shot in the Wood.”
Never worse than second in six lifetime starts, Arctic Arrogance was a 4 1/2-length winner of the Sleepy Hollow on October 30 at Belmont at the Big A. He is out of the unraced Uncle Mo mare Modest Maven, who also produced stakes-placed Overstep. His third dam, multiple stakes-winner Big Dreams, produced dual Champion Sprinter and Hall of Famer Housebuster.
In Sunday's $100,000 Top Flight, Rice will saddle Ronald P. Stewart's Mommasgottarun, who enters off a 3 1/4-length victory going a one-turn mile in a local optional claimer on March 17. The daughter of Maclean's Music raced with blinkers on in her last effort.
Claimed by Rice for $50,000 out of a December 31 claiming event going seven furlongs from trainer Robert Falcone, Jr., Mommasgottarun has won 2-of-3 starts under her current conditioner's care. She crossed the wire second in her debut for Rice – a nine-furlong optional claiming test on January 12 – but was elevated to first.
“With the blinkers she was pretty aggressive into a fast half,” Rice said. “She got a little tired late, but hopefully she'll settle down again. We know she can get the mile and an eighth, she's done that pretty nicely.”
Bred in Ontario by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Mommasgotta run is out of the Tiznow mare Love in Tokyo, whose dam Lisa T. is a half-sister to 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. She hails from the prominent bloodlines of influential matriarch La Troienne.
Eric Cancel will ride from post 5.
Rice still has her sights set on the $200,000 Bouwerie on May 29 at Belmont Park with undefeated stakes-winner Downtown Mischief, but said she will consider shipping the bay daughter of Into Mischief to Keeneland for the Grade 2, $400,000 Beaumont on April 16.
A Lady Sheila Stable New York homebred, Downtown Mischief is out of the Speightstown mare Downtown Mama, a three-time winner campaigned by the same connections and a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Alpha Kitten.
Southern California-based Reincarnate is the 5-2 program favorite for the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles Saturday at Oaklawn.
Probable post time for the Arkansas Derby, the 12th of 13 races, is 6:24 p.m. (Central). Racing begins at 12:15 p.m. The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 points to the top five finishers (100-40-30-20-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. It is Oaklawn's fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race.
The projected 11-horse Arkansas Derby field from the rail out: Bourbon Bash, Reylu Gutierrez to ride, 119 pounds, 15-1 on the morning line; Interlock Empire, David Cabrera, 119, 20-1; Harlocap, Ricardo Santana Jr., 119, 15-1; Two Eagles River, Nik Juarez, 119, 10-1; Airtime, Cristian Torres, 119, 15-1; Angel of Empire, Flavien Prat, 122, 9-2; Rocket Can, Junior Alvarado, 122, 4-1; Reincarnate, John Velazquez, 122, 5-2; King Russell, Rafael Bejarano, 119, 30-1; Red Route One, Tyler Gaffalione, 119, 3-1; and Kolomio, James Graham, 119, 30-1.
“How should I put it?” said Tim Yakteen, who trains Reincarnate. “Nothing against the morning line oddsmaker, but it's nice to be made a favorite because that means that you do have a legitimate shot. You always like that.”
Reincarnate returns to Oaklawn after finishing a troubled third in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 25. The Rebel, Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby points race, marked Reincarnate's first start for Yakteen.
Reincarnate, a son of champion Good Magic, had made his first five career starts for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The colt was transferred to Yakteen shortly before the Rebel, owing to Baffert trainees being ineligible for Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Churchill Downs suspended Baffert for two years after his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, was disqualified because of a medication violation.
Reincarnate endured an eventful trip in the Rebel and was beaten 2 ½ lengths by Confidence Game after losing valuable position when shuffled back shortly after the start and having to check approaching the eighth pole under Velazquez. Reincarnate trailed by 11 lengths after the opening quarter – he had been on the early lead throughout most of his career – and was shut off moving toward the leaders in midstretch.
“We didn't have the best of luck last time,” said Yakteen, a former Baffert assistant. “Hopefully, we'll get a clean break away from there and Johnny will play the break and put himself where he feels the horse is going to be most comfortable. And that's where I would like to see the horse, is where Johnny feels the horse is most comfortable. I'd like to have us make the decision and not have that decision be made for us. I think that is sort of what took place the last time. I think the horse has shown versatility in his form, so, hopefully, we'll be able to play it how the break comes up. Obviously, we'd like to be closer to the pace than necessarily be completely out of it like we were the last time.”
Reincarnate, then with Baffert, was a front-running neck winner of the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at 1 mile Jan. 8 at Santa Anita,
Late-running Red Route One opened his 3-year-old campaign with a runner-up finish behind unbeaten Arabian Knight in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 28 before finishing second in the Rebel for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Asmussen considered Red Route One for $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) at 1 3/16 miles last Saturday at Fair Grounds, but opted to send Disarm and Shopper's Revenge. Red Route One adds blinkers after falling far behind early in the Southwest and Rebel.
“We want him to stay a little closer early,” Asmussen said. “He has given himself too much to do by dropping out the back. With keeping him closer, will it jeopardize some of his late run? We're about to find out.”
Asmussen will also start Harlocap, who exits a sixth in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds. Harlocap, who previously had been with Baffert on the West Coast, also passed the Louisiana Derby in favor of the Arkansas Derby.
“He ran for quite a ways here in the Risen Star,” Asmussen said. “I just feel he's a forwardly placed horse, and Oaklawn has proven in the past to be more conducive to that style.”
Two-time Eclipse Award winning trainer Brad Cox won the 2022 Arkansas Derby with Cyberknife and is represented by Angel of Empire, who returns to Oaklawn after winning the Risen Star in his last start.
Angel of Empire, a son of 2017 Arkansas Derby winner Classic Empire, finished second behind stablemate Victory Formation in the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at 1 mile Jan. 1 at Oaklawn. The Smarty Jones was Oaklawn's first Kentucky Derby points race.
“Doing great,” said Cox, who turned 43 Thursday. “Been down at the Fair Grounds working steady. Physically, he's moving great. I think he loves a mile and an eighth. He showed that the last time in the Risen Star. The plan since the Smarty Jones was to give him an opportunity at a mile and an eighth in February. Here we are go. So, I think he fits very well here. It's a solid group of horses.”
Rocket Can won the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 4 and finished second behind champion Forte in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 4. Both 1 1/16-mile races were at Gulfstream Park.
Rocket Can is owned by prominent North Little Rock, Ark., businessman Frank Fletcher, who is seeking his first victory in the Arkansas Derby, a race he covets the most. Rocket Can's trainer, Hall of Famer Bill Mott, is also seeking his first Arkansas Derby victory.
“He's done well,” Mott said. “I think we've got some competition in the race that we need to respect and we're coming off a couple of pretty good races. He'll have to move forward again in order to win this.”
The speedy Two Eagles Rivers exits a sharp entry-level allowance victory at 1 mile Feb. 19 at Oaklawn for 2015 Oaklawn training champion Chris Hartman. The runner-up in that Feb. 19 race, Disarm, returned to finish second in the Louisiana Derby. Two Eagles River has logged four workouts since his victory, including a 5-furlong bullet (:59) March 14.
“He's been working up a storm,” Hartman said.
Airtime will also be coming off a layoff for 2022-2023 Oaklawn training champion Robertino Diodoro, who claimed the son of American Freedom for $50,000 out of a 10 ¼-length victory Jan. 29 at Oaklawn. In his only start for Diodoro, Airtime was a 1 ¼-length entry-level allowance winner at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 18. The runner-up in that race, Shopper's Revenge, returned to finish fourth in the Louisiana Derby.
“There doesn't appear to be a ton of speed in the race,” Diodoro said. “Again, Cristian knows the horse and I think he'll probably be laying a little bit closer. Definitely not on the lead because that's not the plan, but laying a little bit closer.”
Bourbon Bash finished a troubled fifth in the Rebel for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who has given the mount to Gutierrez, the 2022-2023 Fair Grounds riding champion.
Interlock Empire and King Russell are exiting two-turn maiden special weight victories earlier in the Oaklawn meeting for trainers Kenny McPeek and Ron Moquett, respectively.
The Kentucky Derby prep schedule is in full swing, which means it's time for detailed looks at the horses that could fill the starting gate with Andrew Champagne of Catena Media and The Saratogian's Pink Sheet.
Check back with the Paulick Report regularly for updated rankings that include news, notes, and opinions on the 3-year-olds that figure to take center stage.
Spring is upon us, and with it comes some of the final Kentucky Derby prep races of the season. Those include, of course, this weekend's Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream and G1 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn. The winners of those races receive 100 Kentucky Derby points and ensure spots in that race's starting gate.
With the schedule in mind, this list is going to represent a bit of a hybrid moving forward. There are some horses that I think can do damage on the first Saturday in May that are on the outside looking in because several horses have enough points to make the Derby field. In order to get back on the list, they'll have to earn more points.
The top of this list, though, hasn't been in question for quite some time. With that in mind, let's get to it.
Kentucky-bred contenders will be highlighted in red, and will receive additional analysis into their breeders, broodmares, and auction histories. Pedigree notes are written by Joe Nevills.
Despite drawing post #11 in a 12-horse field, Forte will be a heavy favorite in the Florida Derby. Todd Pletcher wasn't crazy about the post, but any sort of improvement second off the layoff will make last year's champion 2-year-old male very, very difficult to beat. Consider this, though: If you think Forte is the Derby winner, you may very well be rooting against him Saturday. While a loss would drive his price up a bit, a win likely makes him the shortest-priced favorite in a May Kentucky Derby since Point Given went off at 9/5 in 2001.
Forte was bred in Kentucky by South Gate Farm, out of the multiple stakes-winning Blame mare Queen Caroline. He sold for $110,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Amy Moore of South Gate Farm bought Queen Caroline as a yearling for $170,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September sale.
#2: Tapit Trice
Tapit Trice, with Luis Saez in the irons, takes the G3 Tampa Bay Derby
Pedigree: Tapit – Danzatrice (by Dunkirk)
Owner: Whisper Hill Farm, Gainesway Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Breeder: Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 50
Tapit Trice was visually impressive in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby. He broke slowly and was pumped on throughout by Luis Saez, but ran by them all and looked like a horse that will have no problems with even more distance. There are some red flags here, though. He's broken slowly a few times now, and it's not like he was rallying past world-beaters. It might be far tougher to run like that against tougher competition, but the plan is for him to get that test in next month's G2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.
Tapit Trice was bred in Kentucky by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd., out of the Grade 3-placed multiple stakes-winning Dunkirk mare Danzatrice. Tapit Trice sold to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for $1.3 million at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. A half-sister to champion Jaywalk, Danzatrice was a $105,000 purchase by Gainesway at the 2014 OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale.
#3: Hit Show
Candy Ride colt Hit Show, ridden by Manny Franco, captures the Withers
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Actress (by Tapit)
Owner: Gary and Mary West
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 20
A winner of three of four starts to date, Hit Show cruised home to win the G3 Withers at Aqueduct. It didn't seem like a great field, but he won the right way, overcoming some traffic and having plenty left when the field turned for home. Last year's Withers produced an eventual Preakness winner in Early Voting, and this year's renewal might age well, too.
Hit Show was bred in Kentucky by Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., out of the Tapit mare Actress, who was herself a Grade 2 winner as a homebred for the Wests.
#4: Practical Move
Practical Move returns to work tab at Santa Anita Saturday for trainer Tim Yakteen
Breeder: Chad Brown & Head of Plains Partners (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 60
Practical Move's win in the G2 San Felipe assures him of enough points to make the Kentucky Derby field, and it was his second straight graded stakes win on the SoCal circuit. If there's anything to nitpick, it's that he had a perfect trip that day, but on the other hand, it was his tactical speed that got him into striking position in the first place.
Practical Move was bred in Kentucky by Chad Brown and Head of Plains Partners, out of the stakes-placed Afleet Alex mare Ack Naughty. He sold to his current ownership for $230,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring sale. Ack Naughty was recently sold, pregnant to Upstart, to Chester and Mary Broman for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale.
#5: Geaux Rocket Ride
Candy Ride colt Geaux Rocket Ride is a stylish debut winner January 29 at Santa Anita
Pedigree: Candy Ride – Beyond Grace (by Uncle Mo)
Owner: Pin Oak Stud
Trainer: Richard Mandella
Breeder: OXO Equine LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 20
It spoke volumes that Richard Mandella opted to run Geaux Rocket Ride in the San Felipe off of a single prior outing. The colt rewarded his Hall of Fame conditioner with a strong second, one where he re-rallied after being shuffled back on the far turn. In doing so, he showed plenty of grit, and that, combined with a pedigree that hints more distance will be right up his alley, inspires some confidence moving forward.
Geaux Rocket Ride was bred in Kentucky by Larry Best's OXO Equine, out of the the unplaced Uncle Mo mare Beyond Grace. He sold for $350,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale. Best purchased Beyond Grace for $1.5 million at the 2017 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
#6: Kingsbarns
Flavien Prat guides Kingsbarns to a front-running Louisiana Derby triumph
Kingsbarns never looked like a loser in Saturday's G2 Louisiana Derby. He was part of a very slow pace and had plenty left turning for home. It wasn't the fastest Louisiana Derby on record, and a number of closers didn't fire (possibly due to the race shape more than anything else), but Kingsbarns passed his first significant test. In addition, his win going 1 3/16 miles indicates that, if he doesn't run well in Kentucky, it won't be because of that race's 1 1/4-mile distance.
Kingsbarns was bred in Kentucky by Parks Investment Group, out of the Grade 3-placed Tapit mare Lady Tapit, who is herself a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Gozzip Girl. After bringing $250,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, the colt sold to Spendthrift Farm for $800,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Select 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale.
#7: Angel of Empire
Pedigree: Classic Empire – Armony's Angel (by To Honor and Serve)
Owner: Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Forgotten Land Investment Inc & Black Diamond Equine Corp. (PA)
Kentucky Derby points: 54
Angel of Empire all but assured a spot in the Derby starting gate with his win in the G2 Risen Star. He was a big price that day, but outside of a turf try at Kentucky Downs last fall, he hasn't run a bad race to date. His lone other defeat was a second to Victory Formation in the Smarty Jones when that one got loose on the lead, and a win going 1 1/8 miles isn't something most of these horses have on their resumes yet. We'll learn more about him Saturday, when he'll run in the Arkansas Derby.
#8: Confidence Game
Confidence Game, with James Graham at the reins, en route to victory in the G2 Rebel
Confidence Game rallied from fifth to win the Rebel at a price, and there are reasons to be enthusiastic. He won that race the right way and defeated what seemed like a pretty solid group. The big question: Was it early-season development that moved him forward, or was it the sloppy track he's bred up and down to absolutely love? Hopefully, we'll get an answer sooner rather than later.
Confidence Game was bred in Kentucky by Summer Wind Equine, out of the winning Bernardini mare Eblouissante. Desormeaux signed the ticket on Confidence Game for $25,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale. Eblouissante, a half-sister to Hall of Famer Zenyatta, was purchased by Summer Wind Farm for $1,434,279, pregnant to Dansili, at the 2016 Tattersalls December Mares Sale.
#9: Rocket Can
Into Mischief colt Rocket Can, guided by Junior Alvarado, wins the G3 Holy Bull from stablemate Shadow Dragon
Pedigree: Into Mischief – Tension (by Tapit)
Owner: Frank Fletcher Racing
Trainer: Bill Mott
Breeder: Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 40
Much was made about the quality (or lack thereof) in the G3 Holy Bull, which Rocket Can won. However, he came back to run second behind Forte in the Fountain of Youth, and there's no shame in chasing last year's champion 2-year-old male home. Bill Mott knows how to develop a horse with experience and seasoning, so this one can't be counted out. We'll see if he takes another step forward Saturday at Oaklawn.
Rocket Can was bred in Kentucky by Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC, out of the placed Tapit mare Tension. Woodford Thoroughbreds bought Tension pregnant to Curlin for $750,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale, and sold her at this year's Keeneland January sale.
#10: Disarm
Disarm at Churchill Downs
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Easy Tap (by Tapit)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 40
Disarm is new to this list, and there was a lot to like about his run in the Louisiana Derby. He had significant traffic trouble and rated in a race with a pretty slow pace. However, he was the closer moving best of all late in just the fourth start of his young career. He's bred to go long, and the 10-furlong distance of the Run for the Roses shouldn't be a problem.
Disarm was bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds, out of the winning Tapit mare Easy Tap, who is also the dam of Venezuelan champion Tap Daddy. The Winchell operation purchased Easy Tap for $300,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale.
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Two Phil's (far outside right, Hard Spun) wins the Jeff Ruby Stakes at Turfway Park on 3-25-23. Jareth Loveberry up, Larry Rivelli trainer, Patricia's Hope owner.
Pedigree: Hard Spun – Mia Torri (by General Quarters)
Owner: Patricia's Hope, Phillip Sagan
Trainer: Larry Rivelli
Breeder: Phillip Sagan (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 123
When Jareth Loveberry rode for Rivelli Saturday, he KNEW he was live (yes, we're still referencing the greatest commercial in horse racing history). Two Phil's dominated in the G3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park and earned some pretty big speed figures (especially compared to the rest of his crop). If they were running the Kentucky Derby over that synthetic track, I'd have him much, much higher on this list. The question is, can he replicate that race on dirt? To run with the likes of Forte, he may have to do just that.
Two Phil's was bred in Kentucky by Phillip Sagan, out of the Grade 3-placed stakes-winning General Quarters mare Mia Torri, who Sagan acquired privately during her on-track career.
#12: Instant Coffee
Bolt d'Oro colt Instant Coffee, outside, en route to victory in the G3 Lecomte
Pedigree: Bolt d'Oro – Follow No One (by Uncle Mo)
Owner: Gold Square LLC
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Sagamore Farm (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 32
I can't drop Instant Coffee off this list quite yet. Yes, his run at Fair Grounds was incredibly disappointing. With that said, though, that may have just been a function of the race shape. Disarm, who ran very well, was the only closer who made up any ground late. Instant Coffee may need some help to make the Derby field, but if he does, there's every chance he moves forward going back to a Churchill Downs track he loves for a race that should have more speed signed on.
Instant Coffee was bred in Kentucky by Sagamore Farm, out of the stakes-placed Uncle Mo mare Follow No One. He hammered for $200,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Sagamore Farm purchased Follow No One for $100,000 at the 2016 OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
#13: Raise Cain
Jose Lezcano guides Raise Cain to victory in the G3 Gotham
I'd wager I have Raise Cain higher than many who author similar lists. It's true there are things to nitpick about his win in the G3 Gotham. However, I really liked that he overcame some adversity. He was stopped going around the far turn and had an excuse to spit the bit, but he resumed his rally and wound up romping by more than seven lengths. Raise Cain's record looks far better if you toss the clunker he ran over Turfway Park's synthetic surface, and I think there's plenty to intrigue those looking for bigger prices on the Derby trail.
Raise Cain was bred in Kentucky by Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds, out of the winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Lemon Belle. He sold for $180,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds acquired Lemon Belle, pregnant to Violence, for $285,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November sale.
#14: Derma Sotogake
Derma Sotogake, ridden by Christphe Lemaire, captures the G2 UAE Derby
Pedigree: Mind Your Biscuits – Amour Poesie (by Neo Universe)
Owner: Hiroyuki Asanuma
Trainer: Hidetaka Otonashi
Breeder: Shadai Farm (JPN)
Kentucky Derby points: 100
Here comes Japan, as horses from the land of the rising sun swept the top four positions in the G2 UAE Derby Saturday at Meydan. Derma Sotogake did it easily, too, leading every step of the way and having plenty left when called upon turning for home. That's all great, but the record of UAE Derby alumni in the Kentucky Derby is absolutely abysmal. At some point, a horse will buck that trend, and at some point a Japan-based horse will almost certainly win the Kentucky Derby, but is this the year?
#15: Red Route One
Pedigree: Gun Runner – Red House (by Tapit)
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Breeder: Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 33
Red Route One picked up another significant check when he rallied to finish second behind Confidence Game in the Rebel. He's still eligible for a first-level allowance race, but he's run enough big races in big spots to be fourth on the Derby leaderboard as of this writing. He doesn't appear to be quite as talented as Epicenter, who ran second for these connections one year ago, and he may have been surpassed by Disarm, who also carried these colors. However, one more solid run in a Derby prep would get Red Route One in the gate.
Red Route One was bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, out of the unraced Tapit mare Red House, and he is a full-brother to stakes-winner Red Run. Red House is herself a Winchell homebred, out of 2014 Broodmare of the Year Fun House, making her a full-sister to champion Untapable and a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Paddy O'Prado.
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#16: Mage
Mage breaks his maiden at first asking at Gulfstream Park
Pedigree: Good Magic – Puca (by Big Brown)
Owner: OGMA Investments, Restropo, Sterling Racing, and CMNWLTH
Trainer: Gustavo Delgado
Breeder: Grandview Equine (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 10
Unlike many of the big names in Saturday's Florida Derby, Mage lucked out at the post position draw. He'll break from post #4, and there are plenty of reasons to believe he's sitting on an improved effort. He had a very unlucky trip when fourth behind Forte in the Fountain of Youth, a race that was also his first start against winners and his first try going two turns. That's a lot to throw at a young horse, but one can argue he was second-best that day, and a step forward with an advantageous setup Saturday certainly seems possible.
Mage was bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, out of the Grade 1-placed stakes-winning Big Brown mare Puca. He brought $235,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale, then he sold for $290,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Puca sold to Grandview Equine, pregnant to Gun Runner, for $475,000 at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.
#17: Skinner
Curlin colt Skinner kicks clear to break his maiden going a mile Feb. 12 at Santa Anita
Skinner made a big middle move in the San Felipe before flattening out a bit to be third. It's possible he was asked for too much too early, and he didn't save much ground while making his move. A luckier trip next time out may very well get him the points he needs to make the Derby field, and he's got a pedigree that indicates more distance won't be an issue.
Skinner was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, out of the Grade 3-winning Malibu Moon mare Winding Way. He sold for $40,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, then he was pinhooked for $510,000 at the 2022 OBS Spring Sale. Stonestreet bought Winding Way for $660,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale.
#18: Jace's Road
Jace's Road, ridden by Florent Geroux, takes the Gun Runner at Fair Grounds
Pedigree: Quality Road – Out Post (by Silver Deputy)
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, Albaugh Family Stables
Trainer: Brad Cox
Breeder: Colts Neck Stables LLC (KY)
Kentucky Derby points: 45
Jace's Road ran third in the Louisiana Derby, and in doing so pretty much clinched a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. He pressed the very slow pace set by Kingsbarns, and while he couldn't stick with the top two, he had enough in reserve to finish a clear third. There are speed figure questions surrounding that race, and he did have what seemed like a perfect trip, but this is a barn that simply cannot be ignored.
Jace's Road was bred in Kentucky by Richard Santulli's Colts Neck Stables, out of the stakes-placed Silver Deputy mare Out Post. The colt sold to his current ownership for $510,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September sale. After being purchased as a yearling for $250,000, Out Post raced for Jayeff B Stables, of which Santulli is a partner, then she raced for Santulli alone before entering his broodmare band.
#19: Dubyuhnell
Good Magic colt Dubyuhnell, ridden by Jose Ortiz, takes the G2 Remsen
Pedigree: Good Magic – Wild Gams (by Forest Wildcat)
The only horse to get shafted worse than Forte at the Florida Derby post position draw was Dubyuhnell. Last year's G2 Remsen winner will break from post #12 in a field of 12, on a track that is far from kind to horses out that far going 1 1/8 miles. Dubyuhnell almost certainly needs a top-three finish to make the Kentucky Derby field, and while I believe he has the ability to do that, he certainly has his work cut out for him on Saturday afternoon.
Dubyuhnell was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, out of the multiple Grade 3-winning Forest Wildcat mare Wild Gams, whose runners also include Grade 2 winner Cazadero, stakes winner Mt. Brave, and Grade 3-placed Almost Famous. Dubyuhnell brought $400,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale, while Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings secured Wild Gams as a broodmare prospect for $1 million at the 2008 Keeneland November sale.
#20: Dura Erede
Dura Erede was the nose winner of the G1 Hopeful Stakes
Pedigree: Duramente – Marchesa (by Orfevre)
Owner: Three H Racing
Trainer: Manabu Ikezoe
Breeder: Northern Racing (JPN)
Kentucky Derby points: 40
The runner-up in the UAE Derby appeared to have every chance to run down Derma Sotogake when the field turned for home. However, that one found another gear and won as much the best. Dura Erede, though, earned enough Derby points to make the field. He won Japan's G1 Hopeful Stakes as a 2-year-old, and the UAE Derby was his first start of 2023.
Roughly 20 minutes after Reincarnate finished a troubled third in the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 25 at Oaklawn, trainer Tim Yakteen was asked if he would return with something for the Arkansas Derby.
“We'll come back,” Yakteen said.
True to his word, the Southern California-based Yakteen has returned to Oaklawn for Saturday's $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles. And he's back with a familiar face in birthday boy Reincarnate, the 5-2 program favorite for Oaklawn's fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race. Reincarnate actually turns 3 Saturday.
“This has been the horse that we planned on coming back with,” Yakteen said Wednesday afternoon. “Obviously, you need things to work out for you. Things fell into place and we're giving him another opportunity.”
The 1 1/16-mile Rebel, Oaklawn's third Kentucky Derby points race, marked Reincarnate's first start for Yakteen. Reincarnate, a son of champion Good Magic, had made his first five career starts for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. The colt was transferred to Yakteen shortly before the Rebel, owing to Baffert trainees being ineligible for Kentucky Derby qualifying points. Churchill Downs suspended Baffert for two years after his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, was disqualified because of a medication violation.
Reincarnate endured an eventful trip in the Rebel and was beaten 2 ½ lengths by Confidence Game after losing valuable position when shuffled back shortly after the start and having to check approaching the eighth pole under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Reincarnate trailed by 11 lengths after the opening quarter – he had been on the early lead throughout most of his career – and was shut off when making his move in midstretch.
“I think it was a combination of everything,” said Yakteen, a former Baffert assistant who has given the return call to Velazquez. “What I liked the most is that he never gave up. Johnny never lost confidence in the horse and the horse never lost confidence in himself and he kept trying to the wire.”
Reincarnate has worked three times at Santa Anita in advance of the Arkansas Derby, which will offer 200 points (100-40-30-20-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the Kentucky Derby. Reincarnate (15 points) is in a precarious position, ranking 34th on the latest Kentucky Derby leaderboard released by Churchill Downs. Reincarnate was a front-running neck winner of the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) at 1 mile Jan. 8 at Santa Anita, but was ineligible for its 10 qualifying points because he was still with Baffert. Reincarnate will likely need a top two finish in the Arkansas Derby to secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby, which is limited to 20 starters.
“I focus on my own horses,” Yakteen said. “But in all fairness, there's no doubt that we're going to have to run a big race to guarantee ourselves a berth in the Kentucky Derby. Fingers crossed that we're given that opportunity because I definitely feel he's validated himself in some of his past starts, that he belongs there, and so now we just need some racing luck.”
A $775,000 Keeneland September Yearling purchase, Reincarnate races for a high-profile ownership conglomerate that includes SF Racing (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf), Madaket Stables (Sol Kumin), Robert Masterson and Stonestreet Stables (Barbara Banke). Overall, Reincarnate has a 2-3-1 record from six starts and earnings of $231,900.
Yakteen finished fourth in last year's Arkansas Derby with Doppelganger, who moved to the trainer's barn shortly before the race to try and collect Kentucky Derby qualifying points after previously being with Baffert. Yakteen trains one the country's leading Kentucky Derby prospects this year in Practical Move and has another former Baffert trainee, Fort Bragg, entered in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) Saturday at Gulfstream Park.
Yakteen said he will be in Hot Springs Saturday to saddle Reincarnate.
