Kentucky Derby 2018 Daily: An intriguing Florida Derby addition

Welcome to Horse Racing Nation’s Kentucky Derby Daily, which will each day leading up to the May 5 race at Churchill Downs detail all the news and notes related to contenders in one convenient space.

A first-level allowance race run Jan. 11 at Gulfstream Park could prove key on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail.

In the wake of Saturday’s Grade 2 Louisiana Derby, won with a re-rallying effort by Noble Indy, trainer Mark Casse said Sunday that Mississippi is probable for next weekend’s Grade 1 Florida Derby.

While Mississippi hasn’t beaten winners yet, his first try against such company came against Noble Indy. In that January race, Mississippi finished second to Noble Indy by 3/4 lengths. Their next-closest rival was 6 1/4 lengths farther back, often an indicator of a quality duel up front.

“I think he’s a horse that just keeps getting better and better,” Casse said of Mississippi, who also ran second to Florida Derby contender Storm Runner on Feb. 4. “Of course, [Noble Indy] winning the Louisiana Derby didn’t hurt his feelings any. He ran a nice second to him.

“He’s by Pioneerof the Nile so he’s going to get better and better. Now, we just need a good post position.”

Campaigned by the ownership group of MV Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, John Oxley and Markus Jooste, Mississippi, a $700,000 purchase, worked a snappy half mile in 49.45 seconds (4/36) Sunday at the Palm Meadows training center.

That breeze stamped the colt Florida Derby-worthy in his trainer’s eyes. Now, he’s set to take on a trio of Grade 2 winners in Promises Fulfilled, Audible and Catholic Boys on the Kentucky Derby trail.

“One of the reasons we haven’t run him, we gave him some time because I thought I ran him back maybe a little too quick in his last allowance race,” Casse said. “Then I thought he went through a little bit of a lull. He wasn’t training as well, but his last two works have been extremely good, so that’s why we’re going to take a shot.”

The Florida Derby draw is set for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday. The race awards qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the Top 4 finishers.

Here's a look at the field:

As for the UAE Derby…

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who saddled 2008 Dubai World Cup winner Curlin, will vie for another of the notable Meydan race card’s features next weekend with Reride representing American entries in the Group 2 UAE Derby.

The Winchell Thoroughbreds colt exits back-to-back wins in black type wins at Delta Downs (Big Drama Stakes) and Sunland Park (Mine That Bird Derby). His only defeat in five starts came in Churchill Downs’ Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes that has produced a number of top Kentucky Derby hopefuls. Notably, Reride hit the wire just a neck behind Lone Sailor, the narrow Louisiana Derby runner-up.

“We just thought that there was an undiscovered road to the Derby that runs Delta-Sunland-Meydan,” joked David Fiske, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ racing manager. “Reride, to this point, has shown himself to be reliable, undeterred by distance and able to ship. We thought his running style would suit the UAE Derby and the purse is very attractive. Mr. Asmussen has demonstrated he can successfully take a horse to Dubai.”

It won’t be easy.

Impressive 2,000 Guineas winner Gold Town will represent the local contingent, while among other shippers in is an Aidan O’Brien trio led by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Mendelssohn. Horses that have performed well on Japan’s Road to the Derby, Taiki Ferveur and Ruggero, are also likely to run.

Fields for the Dubai World Cup card should be made official Monday. Here's a look at the contenders:

Derby links

• So, it’s on to the Kentucky Derby for Noble Indy and Lone Sailor coming out of the Louisiana Derby. But what’s next for third-place finisher My Boy Jack? He could squeeze in one more prep if connections deem points are needed.

• Jockey Gary Stevens has ridden in nearly 30,000 races during his Hall of Fame career. Not even he knew what went wrong with Bravazo in the Louisiana Derby. Stevens’ comments explained what happened on their way to an eighth-place finish.

• Looking at the bigger picture, we’ve got the latest Kentucky Derby odds from the Wynn Las Vegas that show Noble Indy now as one of the top choices. You’ll find the favorites all on the West Coast.

In case you missed it…

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