Weekly Update Friday, Feb. 24, 2017
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‘ROAD TO KENTUCKY DERBY’ Remsen Stakes (GII) in his last start, Mo Town makes his 3 year old debut for trainer Tony Dutrow and will be ridden by Hall of Fame CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEGINS WITH jockey John Velazquez . Mo Town’s main rivals come from FAIR GROUNDS’ RISEN STAR impressive maiden winner Local Hero , Keith Gee Memorial Stakes runner up Girvin and Lecomte Stakes (GIII) winner Guest Suite . LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Friday, Feb. 24, 2017) – Over the next 10 weeks, compelling drama will be plentiful as the 2017 “Kentucky RISEN STAR (GII) Derby Championship Series ” begins in earnest as horses attempt to Saturday, Feb. 25, $400,000, 3yo, 1 1/16 M, Fair Grounds (R11), 6:00 p.m. earn their way into the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! EDT. TV: TVG/TVG2. Radio: HRRN on Sirius 93 Brands beginning with Saturday’s Risen Star (GII) at Fair Grounds. # Horse Jockey Trainer ML 1. Girvin Brian Hernandez Jr. Joe Sharp 6 1 To have a horse draped in the garland of roses while raising the solid 2. Untrapped Ricardo Santana Jr. Steve Asmussen 10 1 gold trophy high atop the Kentucky Derby winner’s stand is the Holy 3. Local Hero Florent Geroux Steve Asmussen 4 1 Grail for horsemen around the world. 4. Arklow Shaun Bridgmohan Brad Cox 15 1 5. Shareholder Value Mitchell Murrill Tom Amoss 15 1 Restricted to 3 year old Thoroughbreds, horses only have one chance 6. Guest Suite Robby Albarado Neil Howard 6 1 to win the Kentucky Derby, and it’s quite an accomplishment just to 7. U S Officer Jose Valdivia Jr. Danny Pish 20 1 earn a berth in the starting gate. 8. Cool Arrow Gabriel Saez Joe Sharp 15 1 9. Mo Town John Velazquez Tony Dutrow 7 2 10. Takeoff Julien Leparoux Mark Casse 10 1 Once a horse earns its coveted spot in Kentucky Derby starting gate, 11. Sorry Erik Kent Desormeaux Keith Desormeaux 30 1 it, in most cases, will race the extended 1 ¼ mile distance for the first 12. Horse Fly Miguel Mena D. Wayne Lukas 30 1 time. The combination of speed and the stamina required to complete 13. It’s Your Nickel James Graham Kenny McPeek 30 1 the final eighth of a mile in the Derby often determines a win or loss. 14. So Conflated Mario Gutierrez Doug O’Neill 10 1
The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Twinspires.com – a 35 TO FOLLOW tiered point system that awards a sliding scale of points to the top 4 finishers in 37 designated races throughout the world – determines Horse Trainer Next Start the 20 horses that will have preference to compete in America’s Always Dreaming Todd Pletcher March 11 Tampa Bay Derby greatest race, the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! American Anthem Bob Baffert March 18 Rebel Brands (Grade I) at 1 ¼ miles on the first Saturday in May. Battalion Runner Todd Pletcher April 1 Florida Derby Classic Empire Mark Casse March 11 Tampa Bay Derby A similar series is in place for the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks,” the El Areeb Cal Lynch March 4 Gotham Derby’s companion event for 3 year old fillies on May 5. En Hanse Mike Maker March 4 John Battaglia Memorial Epicharis Kiyoshi Hagiwara March 25 UAE Derby
Excitations Al Stall Jr. NX1 Allowance Race The “Prep Season” that began in late September concluded Monday Girvin Joe Sharp Feb. 25 Risen Star with 48 early Triple Crown nominees grossing points. Gormley John Shirreffs March 11 San Felipe or March 18 Rebel Guest Suite Neil Howard Feb. 25 Risen Star Now, it’s on to the “Championship Series” in which the point values Gunnevera Antonio Sano March 4 Fountain of Youth of races within the 10 week run up to the first Saturday in May will Iliad Doug O’Neill March 11 San Felipe escalate by 5X or 10X, making these 16 races the most meaningful Irish War Cry Graham Motion March 4 Fountain of Youth springboard events in advance of the Derby. Local Hero Steve Asmussen Feb. 25 Risen Star Lookin At Lee Steve Asmussen March 18 Rebel Lookin For Eight Mark Casse TBA At series’ end, the top 19 point earners in the “Road to the Kentucky Malagacy Todd Pletcher March 18 Rebel Derby” and “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby” eligible leader will Mastery Bob Baffert March 11 San Felipe earn spots in the maximum field of 20 horses in the Run for the McCraken Ian Wilkes March 11 Tampa Bay Derby Roses. Mo Town Tony Dutrow Feb. 25 Risen Star One Liner Todd Pletcher race on April 1 or April 8 The 20 th and final spot, a.k.a. the “bubble,” has ranged from 10 to 32 Petrov Ron Moquett March 18 Rebel points in the first four years of the point system, which debuted in Practical Joke Chad Brown March 4 Fountain of Youth 2013. When two or more horses have the same number of points, the Reach the World Bob Baffert TBA Royal Mo John Shirreffs March 11 San Felipe or March 18 Rebel tiebreaker is earnings in non restricted stakes races then lifetime Silver Dust Randy Morse TBA earnings. State of Honor Mark Casse TBA Tapwrit Todd Pletcher March 11 Tampa Bay Derby Each race in the first leg of the Championship Series that starts Third Day Todd Pletcher March 4 Fountain of Youth Saturday and continues through March 24 is worth 50 points to the Three Rules Jose Pinchin March 4 Fountain of Youth winner, 20 to the runner up, 10 to third and 5 to fourth. True Timber Kiaran McLaughlin March 4 Gotham Uncontested Wayne Catalano April 15 Arkansas Derby This Saturday’s Championship Series kickoff, the Risen Star (GII) at Untrapped Steve Asmussen Feb. 25 Risen Star Wild Shot Rusty Arnold II March 11 Tampa Bay Derby Fair Grounds, features likely favorite Mo Town . Winner of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Weekly Update TAKING SHAPE Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 Page 2 of 4 The possible fields for Kentucky Derby Championship Series races are fluid as horsemen vie for points on the “Road to the Kentucky #TRENDING Derby Presented by TwinSpires.com.” Below are known horses mentioned to be under consideration for each race based on 1. Withers (GIII) winner El Areeb is expected to headline the field published news reports and other sources (with Road to the Kentucky for the Gotham (GII) at Aqueduct next weekend. Entries for the race Derby point totals). Again, the shape of these fields is fluid and some will be drawn on Wednesday, March 1. horses are considered “possible” for multiple races:
2. Los Alamitos Futurity (GI) winner Mastery was back on the work FEB. 25 RISEN STAR – $400,000 Risen Star (GII) to be run over 1 tab Tuesday for trainer Bob Baffert . Mastery is likely to make his 1/16 miles at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.: Mo Town (10), next start in the March 11 San Felipe (GII) at Santa Anita. Guest Suite (10), Untrapped (4), Takeoff (2), Arklow (1), Cool Arrow (0), Girvin (0), Horse Fly (0), It’s Your Nickel (0), Local Hero (0), 3. Cool Arrow , runner up in the Spendthrift Stallion Stakes at Shareholder Value (0) and So Conflated (0). Not Triple Crown Churchill Downs, is scheduled to make his 3 year old debut in Nominated : Sorry Erik (0) and U S Officer (0). Points to Top 4 : 50 20 Saturday’s Risen Star after he was scratched from Monday’s 10 5. Southwest (GIII) at Oaklawn Park. MARCH 4 FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH – $400,000 Fountain of 4. Robert B. Lewis (GIII) runner up Irap headlines this weekend’s Youth (GII) to be run over 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream Park in Mine That Bird Derby, a prep for the Sunland Derby at Sunland Park. Hallandale, Fla.: Gunnevera (14), Practical Joke (14), Irish War Cry (10), State of Honor (2), Third Day (0), Three Rules (0). Points to 5. Extricate , a well bred $1.1 million purchase and Triple Crown Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. nominee makes his debut in a maiden special weight at Fair Grounds on Saturday for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen . MARCH 4 GOTHAM – $300,000 Gotham (GIII) to be run over 1 1/16 miles on the inner track at Aqueduct in Ozone Park, N.Y.: El 6. Excitations , coming off of an impressive maiden victory at Fair Areeb (20), True Timber (6), J Boys Echo (3), Haul Anchor (0). Grounds, is entered in a first level allowance race going 1 1/16 miles Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. on March 4. MARCH 11 TAMPA BAY DERBY – $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby 7. Lookin for Eight , an impressive maiden victor at Gulfstream Park (GII) to be run over 1 1/16 miles at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, and newly acquired by trainer Mark Casse , and Sam F. Davis (GIII) Fla.: Classic Empire (32), McCraken (20), Wild Shot (7), Tapwrit (4), third place finisher State of Honor were expected to breeze Friday at Always Dreaming (0). Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. Florida’s Palm Meadows. MARCH 11 SAN FELIPE – $400,000 San Felipe (GII) to be run 8. Untapped , full sister to Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable , tries over 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.: Gormley (20), to add her name onto the Road to the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard in Mastery (10), Royal Mo (10), Iliad (0). Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. this Saturday’s Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GII). MARCH 18 REBEL – $900,000 Rebel (GII) to be run over 1 1/16 9. Highly regarded juvenile filly Sweet Loretta recently returned to miles at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.: Gormley (20), Lookin At the track for her first published workout since the Breeders’ Cup Lee (12), Royal Mo (10), Petrov (8), American Anthem (4), Malagacy Juvenile Fillies (GI) in November. A winner of the Schuylerville (0). Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. (GIII) and Spinaway (GI) at Saratoga, Sweet Loretta is based at Palm Beach Downs with trainer Todd Pletcher . MARCH 25 UAE DERBY – $2 million UAE Derby (GII) to be run over 1 3/16 miles at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai: Epicharis JPN. 10. Multiple graded stakes placed filly Ever So Clever was back on Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10. the work tab Monday for trainer Steve Asmussen . She finished fifth in the recent Martha Washington at Oaklawn Park. March 25 SPIRAL – $500,000 Spiral Stakes (GIII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles (S) at Turfway Park in Florence, KY: En Hanse. Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. RISEN STAR WINNERS LAST 10 YEARS March 26 SUNLAND DERBY – $800,000 Sunland Derby (GIII) Year Horse Derby Trainer to be run over 1/18 miles at Sunland Park in Hobbs, New Mexico: 2016 Gun Runner 3 Steve Asmussen TBA. Points to Top 4 : 50 20 10 5. 2015 International Star Mike Maker 2014 Intense Holiday 12 Larry Jones 2013 Ive Struck a Nerve Keith Desormeaux April 1 LOUISIANA DERBY – $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby 2012 El Padrino 13 Todd Pletcher (GII)to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds in New Orleans, La.: 2011 Mucho Macho Man 3 Kathy Ritvo Saint’s Fan (0). Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10. 2010 Discreetly Mine 13 Todd Pletcher 2009 Friesan Fire 18 Larry Jones April 1 FLORIDA DERBY – $1,000,000 Florida Derby (GI) to be 2008 Pyro 8 Steve Asmussen run over 1 1/8 miles at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.: One 2007 Notional Doug O’Neill Liner (10), Battalion Runner (0). Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10.
April 8 WOOD MEMORIAL – $750,000 Wood Memorial (GII) to be run over 1 1/8 miles on the inner track at Aqueduct in Ozone Park, N.Y.: One Liner (10). Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10.
more Road to the Kentucky Derby Weekly Update The field of seven 3 year old fillies for the Rachel Alexandra Stakes Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 (GII) is headed by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) runner up Page 3 of 4 Valadorna . The Stonestreet Stables homebred daughter of Curlin won her 3 year old debut, a first level allowance race in late January at April 8 BLUE GRASS – $1,000,000 Bluegrass Stakes (GII) to be run Fair Grounds. over 1 1/8 miles at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.: One Liner (10). Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10. Other contenders for the Rachel Alexandra are the 1 2 finishers in the Jan. 21 Silverbulletday: Farrell and Wicked Lick. April 8 SANTA ANITA DERBY – $1,000,000 Santa Anita Derby (GI) to be run over 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.: Rachel Alexandra (GII) TBA. Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10. Saturday, Feb. 25, $200,000, 3yo F, 1 1/16M, Fair Grounds (R9), 5:06 p.m. ET. TV: TVG/TVG2. Radio: HRRN on Sirius 93 April 15 ARKANSAS DERBY –$1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (GI) to # Horse Jockey Trainer ML be run over 1 1/8 miles at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.: 1. Untapped Florent Geroux Steve Asmussen 9 2 2. Farrell Channing Hill Wayne Catalano 5 2 Uncontested (11). Points to Top 4 : 100 40 20 10. 3. Shane’s Girlfriend Mario Gutierrez Doug O’Neill 3 1 4. Majestic Quality Kent Desormeaux Keith Desormeaux 20 1 April 15 LEXINGTON – $200,000 Lexington Stakes (GIII) to be 5. Valadorna Julien Leparoux Mark Casse 2 1 run 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, KY.: TBA. 6. Wicked Lick Brian Hernandez Jr. Brendan Walsh 10 1 Points to Top 4 : 10 4 2 1. 7. Gris Gris James Graham Bernie Flint 12 1
KENTUCKY OAKS AT A GLANCE Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GII) Winners Last 10 Years Year Horse Oaks Trainer 2016 Venus Valentine 12 Tom Amoss The First Leg of the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” Championship 2015 I'm a Chatterbox 1 Larry Jones Series took place on Thursday with the UAE Oaks (GI) at Meydan 2014 Untapable 1 Steve Asmussen Racecourse. Nomorerichblondes avenged her second place finish in 2013 Unlimited Budget 3 Todd Pletcher the UAE 1000 Guineas to capture the UAE Oaks, in turn vaulting her 2012 Summer Applause 4 Bret Calhoun to the top of the leaderboard with 50 points. Midnight Chica 2011 Kathmanblu 6 Kenny McPeek finished second and added 20 points to her standings while 2010 Jody Slew 13 Bret Calhoun Complimenti Melesina 2009 War Echo Steve Asmussen and added 10 and 5 points respectively. 2008 Indian Blessing Bob Baffert 2007 Appealing Zophie Steve Asmussen The Championship Series continues Saturday with the $150,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct, which is scheduled as Race 8 at 4:50 p.m. FUTURE WAGERS OPEN FRIDAY-SUNDAY (ET), and the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (GII) at Fair Grounds, which is scheduled as Race 9 at 5:06 p.m. (ET) Betting in the third of four 2017 KDFW pools is scheduled to open Headlining the field for the Busher is impressive maiden winner Full at noon (all times EST) on Friday, Feb. 24 and continue until 6 p.m. House. The Jimmy Jerkens trained daughter of Discreetly Mine on Sunday, Feb. 26. The wager will be available at racetracks and will break from post position 5 with jockey Rajiv Maragh aboard. satellite wagering facilities throughout North America and online at TwinSpires.com and other online internet wagering platforms. The Busher Stakes lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager of 2017 also opens at noon on Saturday, Feb. 25, $150,000, 3yo F, 1 1/16M, Aqueduct (R8), 4:50 p.m. ET. Friday and is set to close on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. TV: TVG/TVG2 # Horse Jockey Trainer ML KDFW FIELD KOFW FIELD 1. Tiz Rae Anna Rosario Montanez John Toscano 15 1 # Horse ML # Horse ML 2. Tiz Rude Frankie Pennington John Servis 8 1 1 Always Dreaming 50 1 1 Abel Tasman 10 1 3. Yorkiepoo Princess Irad Ortiz Jr. Edward Baker 3 1 2 American Anthem 15 1 2 Champagne Room 20 1 4. Heavenly Score Angel Arroyo John Terranova 6 1 3 Battalion Runner 20 1 3 Chanel’s Legacy 50 1 5. Full House Rajiv Maragh Jimmy Jerkens 7 2 4 Classic Empire 8 1 4 Daddys Lil Darling 50 1 6. Banty’s Girl Antonio Gallardo Tom Albertrani 15 1 5 El Areeb 20 1 5 Delphinia 30 1 7. Thirstforthecup Manny Franco Todd Pletcher 8 1 6 Epicharis (JPN) 30 1 6 Elate 30 1 8. Spanish Harlem Kendrick Carmouche Danny Gargan 6 1 7 Gormley 15 1 7 Farrell 15 1 9. Bride Street Eric Cancel Kiaran McLaughlin 8 1 8 Guest Suite (g) 50 1 8 Ghalia 30 1 10. No Sweat Cornelio Velasquez Todd Pletcher 12 1 9 Gunnevera 20 1 9 It Tiz Well 12 1 10 Iliad (r) 15 1 10 Jenda’s Agenda 30 1 Busher Stakes Winners Last 10 Years 11 Irish War Cry 12 1 11 Lockdown 30 1 Year Horse Oaks Trainer 12 Local Hero 50 1 12 Miss Sky Warrior 30 1 2016 Mo d’Amour 5 Todd Pletcher 13 Malagacy 30 1 13 Mopotism 20 1 2015 Condo Commando 9 Rudy Rodriguez 14 Mastery 10 1 14 My Sweet Stella 50 1 2014 Joint Return John Servis 15 McCraken 8 1 15 Nonna Bella 50 1 2013 Princess of Sylmar 1 Todd Pletcher 16 Mo Town 15 1 16 Noted and Quoted 50 1 2012 Sweet Seventeen Graham Motion 17 One Liner 15 1 17 Pretty City Dancer 20 1 2011 It’s Tricky Kiaran McLaughlin 18 Petrov 30 1 18 Selcourt 30 1 2010 Roman Chestnut Leah Gyarmati 19 Practical Joke 20 1 19 Shane’s Girlfriend 15 1 2009 What a Pear Joe Parker 20 Royal Mo 15 1 20 Tapa Tapa Tapa 30 1 2008 Little Belle 2 Kiaran McLaughlin 21 State of Honor 50 1 21 Tequilita 50 1 2007 Olivine David Donk 22 Tapwrit 20 1 22 Unique Bella 8 5 23 Wild Shot 50 1 23 Valadorna 12 1 24 Mutuel Field 4 1 24 Mutuel Field 8 1
more Road to the Kentucky Derby Weekly Update ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS TOP 20 Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 # Horse Points Trainer NRSE Page 4 of 4 1. Nomorerichblondes 50 Ahmad Bin Harmash $200,000 2. Champagne Room 23 Peter Eurton $1,298,000 3. Daddys Lil Darling 20 Kenny McPeek $477,889 LEADERBOARDS 4. Unique Bella 20 Jerry Hollendorfer $270,000 5. Farrell 20 Wayne Catalano $150,000 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 30 6. Midnight Chica 20 Dhruba Selvaratnam $50,000 # Horse Points Trainer NRSE 7. Shane’s Girlfriend 12 Doug O’Neill $120,000 1. Classic Empire 32 Mark Casse $1,493,820 8. Chanel’s Legacy 11 Lynn Chleborad $105,000 2. El Areeb 20 Cal Lynch $300,000 9. Miss Sky Warrior 10 Kelly Breen $57,660 3. McCraken 20 Ian Wilkes $285,048 10. Dancing Rags 10 Graham Motion $539,000 4. Gormley 20 John Sherriffs $260,000 11. Yellow Agate 10 Christophe Clement $110,250 5. Gunnevera 14 Antonio Sano $807,200 12. Noted and Quoted 10 Bob Baffert $269,800 6. Practical Joke 14 Chad Brown $690,000 13. Abel Tasman 10 Simon Callaghan $149,050 7. Lookin At Lee 12 Steve Asmussen $325,600 14. Tequilita 10 Michael Matz $83,500 8. Uncontested 11 Wayne Catalano $100,729 15. Lockdown 10 Bill Mott $30,000 9. One Liner 10 Todd Pletcher $300,000 16. Complimenti 10 Doug Watson $37,500 10. Irish War Cry 10 Graham Motion $272,660 17. Libby’s Tail 9 Rudy Rodriguez $20,000 11. Mastery 10 Bob Baffert $240,000 18. Valadorna 8 Mark Casse $180,100 12. Mo town 10 Tony Dutrow $180,000 19. American Gal 8 Doug O’Neill $183,000 13. Guest Suite 10 Neil Howard $128,040 20. Mopotism 6 Doug O’Neill $143,621 14. Royal Mo 10 John Sherriffs $90,000
15. Petrov 8 Ron Moquett $150,000 Churchill Downs Communications 16. Irap 8 Doug O'Neill $90,000 17. Wild Shot 7 Rusty Arnold II $97,200 John Asher 18. True Timber 6 Kiaran McLaughlin $65,000 Vice President, Racing Communications 19. No Dozing 5 Arnaud Delacour $89,000 (502) 636 4586 (Office) * (502) 494 3626 (Mobile) 20. Bonus Points 5 Todd Pletcher $52,500 [email protected] @johnasher 21. Kimt 4 Art Sherman $380,000 22. Hot sean 4 Bob Baffert $180,000 Darren Rogers 23. Dangerfield 4 Doug O'Neill $171,500 Senior Director, Communications & Media Services 24. Syndergaard 4 Todd Pletcher $160,000 (502) 636 4461 (Office) * (502) 345 1030 (Mobile) 25. Tapwrit 4 Todd Pletcher $85,570 [email protected] 26. Untrapped 4 Steve Asmussen $40,000 @DerbyMedia
27. American Anthem 4 Bob Baffert $20,000 Kevin Kerstein 28. J Boys Echo 3 Dale Romans $75,000 Publicity Manager 29. Warrior's Club 3 D. Wayne Lukas $27,528 (502) 635 4712 (Office) * (610) 420 6971 (Mobile) 30. Recruiting Ready 2 Horacio Depaz $52,025 [email protected] @HorseRacingKK JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY Note: One spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate is an invitation to the Churchill Downs Racetrack “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby” point leader. The invitation order of 700 Central Ave., Louisville, KY 40208 ■ (502) 636 4400 ChurchillDowns.com ■ KentuckyDerby.com preference is Epicharis JPN (50 points), Mont Saint Legame JPN (40 points) @ChurchillDowns ■ Facebook.com/ChurchillDowns and Adirato JPN (20 points) @KentuckyDerby ■ Facebook.com/KentuckyDerby
# Horse Points Trainer NRSE 1. Epicharis JPN 50 Kiroshi Hagiwara $451,195 2. Mont Saint Legame JPN 40 Koji Maki $90,154 3. Adirato JPN 20 Naosuke Sugai $155,278 4. Caucus JPN 16 Hideaki Fujiwara $35,850 5. Foggy Night JPN 5 Noriyuki Hori $23,922