Update
– New York Hero earned a shot at the April 12 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct by winning the $500,000 Lane’s End at Turfway Park. Champali and Lion Tamer, the headliners, were a disappointing third and fourth.
Upcoming
Saturday: UAE Derby, $2 million, 1 1/4 miles, Nad al Sheba racetrack, Dubai. Godolphin Racing’s Inamorato, unbeaten in two starts, takes on 14 challengers. This is the only Kentucky Derby prep race run at the Derby distance.
Sunday: Winstar Derby, 1 1/16 miles, Sunland Park. The New Mexico track isn’t thought of as a stop on the Derby road, but this race offers a $500,000 guaranteed purse. Mr. Derby, Bob Baffert, sends Spensive and Apalachian Thunder, but Sum Trick may be the post-time favorite.
April 5: Illinois Derby, Grade II, 1 1/8 miles, Hawthorne.
April 6: Santa Anita Derby, Grade I, 1 1/8 miles, Santa Anita.
News and notes
If Victor Espinoza rides his second straight Kentucky Derby winner, it won’t be for Baffert. Espinoza, War Emblem’s jockey, was taken off Baffert’s first-stringer, Kafwain. The trainer wasn’t happy with Espinoza’s second-place ride in the Louisiana Derby. Possibilities for Kafwain’s new rider include Patrick Valenzuela, who rode him this week in a workout.
– With Senor Swinger heading east, this year’s Illinois Derby headliner could be a horse heading west, Alysweep, the front-running, 4 1/2-length winner of the March 16 Gotham at Aqueduct in his latest start. Trainer Pat Reynolds told the Thoroughbred Times he may skip the Wood Memorial on April 12 in favor of the April 5 Illinois Derby, which last year was won by front-running War Emblem. Alysweep, who has won three of four this year, was claimed for $75,000 last December by Michael Dubb and Mark Doneson.
– The lack of quarantine facilities at Churchill Downs makes it unlikely that any of Aidan O’Brien’s 3-year-olds will make the trip to Louisville, the Irish-based trainer told Blood Horse magazine.
Last year, O’Brien ran Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and 2-year-old champion Johannesburg, along with Castle Gandolfo, in the Derby, and was angry he had to quarantine at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., and van 70 miles to Churchill the morning of the race.
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O’Brien’s best Derby hope this year is Hold That Tiger, who ran third in last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Arlington and has yet to race this year.
Mark Shapiro.
Future book odds
HORSE ODDS
Empire Maker 3-1
Atswhatimtalknabout 6-1
Kafwain 8-1
Peace Rules 12-1
Badge of Silver 15-1
Ocean Terrace 20-1
Buddy Gil 20-1
Brancusi 25-1
Inamorato 25-1
Man Among Men 25-1
Trust N Luck 30-1
Domestic Dispute 30-1
New York Hero 35-1
Region of Merit 35-1
Offlee Wild 35-1
Alysweep 40-1
Aristocat 40-1
Funny Cide 40-1
Ministers Wild Cat 40-1
Champali 50-1
Crowned King 50-1
Great Notion 50-1
Indy Dancer 50-1
Lion Tamer 50-1
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Lone Star Sky 50-1
Midas Eyes 50-1
Senor Swinger 50-1
Ten Most Wanted 50-1
Source: Glantz-Culver.
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