Wood May Shake Dots Race for Kentucky Derby Spots

The looks of the 20-man area for the Kentucky Derby (G1) might be practically full on April 8, after three eliminations of 200 factors throughout the nation.

Nonetheless out of the Massive 3 of the Wooden Memorial Stakes (G2) Aqueduct RacetrackBlue Grass Stakes (G1) in Keenelandand the Santa Anita Derby (G1) Santa Anita ParkIt’s the Forest that may create essentially the most dramatic impact within the Run of Roses.

Whereas the Blue Grass and Santa Anita Derby have favorites which have already secured a spot on the beginning gate for the Could 6 basic Churchill DownsNot one of the 13 3-year-olds in Wooden are at the moment within the prime 20. So, if 5 of them have 13 or extra factors, there’s a chance of 100-40-30-20-10 factors to prime it. Listed below are 5 finishers from New York’s definitive Derby prep that three horses can bounce from the beginning gate for the coveted first gem within the Triple Crown.

“There’s loads to do with Derby scores right here,” mentioned coach Brad Cox. “The jungle actually has the potential to shake issues up.”

Cox thinks he has a giant say in what’s going to occur to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard as he’ll ship two of the highest contenders within the 1 1/8-mile Wooden.

Join blood horse Each day

Purebred of each Gary and Mary West Hit Present and Al Gold Slip Mahoney They’ve competed within the earlier legs of the New York Racing Affiliation’s 4 2023 Kentucky Derby prep and every have 20 qualifying factors, making them twenty seventh (Hit Present) and thirtieth (Slip Mahoney) on the leaderboard. Nonetheless, each of them will doubtless burst onto the Derby area on Saturday, breaking into the highest three.

Hit Present, a son sugar voyage He scored a pointy 5 1/2-length victory within the Massive A on the February 11 Withers Stakes (G3); identical 1 1/8 mile guess captured by the winner of the Preakness Stakes (G1) final yr Early Voting . After the Hit Present’s third win in 4 profession begins, Cox despatched him to Louisiana after which Keeneland to organize for Wooden. Since then, the two-time Eclipse Award winner has loved the pet’s coaching.

“We introduced him south to coach as a result of we wished to think about all our choices,” Cox mentioned. “He is had loads of time to eliminate Withers and loves the mile and eighth. He is doing rather well and offers us regular work. He is heading in the right direction proper now.”

Nonetheless, the put up draw did not go proper for Hit Present and jockey Manny Franco as a result of they are going to get away far exterior the thirteenth put up.

Gold Sq.’s Slip Mahoney made his bets for the primary time final month, transferring as much as end second from thirteenth by 7 1/2. Improve Cain The one-turn mile within the Aqueduct is within the Gotham Stakes (G3). Lack of floor performed a serious function within the lengths he was overwhelmed as his son. boastful he raced eight and 9 observe widths on the ultimate flip, which apparently obtained him nearer to the outer observe and the Aqueduct on line casino than the within observe.

“I am excited to have two laps on Slip Mahoney for the primary time,” Cox mentioned. “I assume that is what he wished to do. He ought to get out the door higher, however at the very least he’ll have extra room right here.”

Delivered to you by Hill ‘n’ Dale Equine Holdings and Philip Steinberg, Slip Mahoney was bought by Gold’s consultant and race supervisor Joe Hardoon for $150,000 from Hill ‘n’ Dale consignment within the Keeneland September Annual Sale.

The derby is a practical dream from a factors perspective for the Seacoast Thoroughbreds in New England. Normal Banker and Chester and Mary Broman Arctic Conceitedness having 24 and 16 factors respectively.

New York-born son of Normal Banker Central Banker Skilled by Jimmy Ferraro, he completed third within the Jerome Stakes, Withers and Gotham, and one other third place would give Ferraro, 66, and proprietor John Forma, 81, their first Kentucky Derby starters.

“He is doing effectively proper now. He is grown and stronger, that is what you are on the lookout for this time of yr. He builds extra muscle and relaxes extra. He was nervous within the paddock,” Ferraro mentioned. “I like watching his proprietor. He is 81 years previous and has had horses for years, however he is by no means had a horse of this degree.”

Arctic Conceitedness, son of a hybrid Iced , completed second to each Jerome and Withers, however the Linda Rice-trained New York-born missed Gotham resulting from a quick sickness. He could make up for misplaced time and declare a Derby level by operating out of cash.

Peachtree Stables shadow dragon He can enter the highest 20 with nothing however a win. New York-born son military mule He completed second within the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) 34-1, adopted by fifth within the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). Skilled by Invoice Mott, he has 13 factors and can doubtless want a primary or second to be ok with being prepared on the primary Saturday of Could.

The sector additionally contains Repole Secure and St. Accommodates a pair of virgins belonging to Elias Secure. dreamy a son Gun Runner Crupi and runner-up within the first race held on March 11 at Gulfstream Park.

crupi a son folded Named after the late bloodstock agent JJ Crupi, it’s slowly breaking down, together with when he completed seventh within the Risen Star Stakes (G2) for the final time. Nonetheless, he completed second to Slip Mahoney by one head within the first race on January 21 at Aqueduct.

Wooden would be the eleventh and remaining race on a four-ranked guess card.