Kentucky Derby 2019 Daily: ‘Let the games begin,' Baffert says

Welcome to Horse Racing Nation’s Kentucky Derby Daily, which will each day leading up to the May 4 race at Churchill Downs detail all the news and notes related to contenders in one convenient space.

With Mucho Gusto a winner of Saturday’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3), the work could very well be done for leading Bob Baffert 3-year-olds not named Game Winner at the barn’s Santa Anita Park base.

Next, it’s up to those outside of California to take on some of the crop’s most talented runners on the 2019 Kentucky Derby trail.

“Right now I’m going to nominate my horses everywhere, and whoever’s doing great that week runs in that race,” Baffert said Saturday, adding, “Let the games begin.”

Game Winner, the reigning 2-year-old champion, is pointing toward the San Felipe (G2) on March 9 at Santa Anita. From there, the Santa Anita Derby (G1) will likely serve as his final stop before heading to Churchill Downs.

That means horses like unbeaten Grade 1 winner Improbable and Mucho Gusto, now a multiple Grade 3 stakes winner, could head out of town. Baffert often ships to Oaklawn Park, New Mexico’s Sunland Park isn’t far away, and the Hall of Fame trainer made mention in recent years of trying a prep race at Gulfstream Park.

Where and who he chooses to ship in the coming weeks will continue to be a source of conversation, as dropping any of his capable runners into a field tilts the odds away from the locals’ favor.

“This is the time of year when you start getting excited about the big 3-year-old races," Baffert said. "We’re still dreaming in Technicolor, but the horses have to start performing and moving forward from this point, and it’s fun to be in this position.”

Here’s more coming out of Saturday’s preps…

According to Gulfstream Park publicity, Holy Bull (G2) winner Harvey Wallbanger could come back in the March 2 Fountain of Youth (G2), though trainer Kenny McPeek has his first-tier Derby trail runner, Signalman, working toward that spot as well.

Trainer Butch Reid said he could also wheel back beaten Holy Bull favorite Maximus Mischief in the Fountain of Youth, adding, “I’m counting that race as a race that he needed…I’d like to come back on a little shorter notice, maybe he wouldn’t be so ultra-sharp.”

• Read more on the potential Holy Bull rematch 

According to the Daily Racing Form’s David Grening, Withers Stakes (G3) winner Tax may skip straight to the Wood Memorial (G2). Just after Saturday’s race, trainer Danny Gargan mentioned the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) as options in the interim.

“He ran such a big number.” Gargan said told Grening, with Tax’s 96 Beyer Speed Figure best of the three prep winners Saturday. “He’s responded well to time off between races.”

• See Grening’s full Withers follow-up report 

Gunmetal Gray, who rallied for second in the Robert B. Lewis, looks as if he’ll be able to continue on the trail despite grabbing a quarter — well evidenced below by photographer Emily Shields. He was squeezed out of the gate and may have run the entire 1 1/16 miles with the injury.

The grinding type didn’t stand much of a win chance over speed-favoring slop. Connections who considered leaving town before the Robert B. Lewis may do so again with Game Winner’s return looming. 

The works

Bankit — Sixth as the Smarty Jones Stakes favorite last month at Oaklawn Park, this New York-bred returned to the work tab Sunday with an easy half mile in 52 seconds. His next race plans are undecided.

Long Range Toddy — As with Bankit, he’s trained by Steve Asmussen and drilled for the first time since second in the Smarty Jones, getting the four furlongs in 51.80 as he targets the Southwest Stakes (G3).

Mind Control — The Jerome Stakes winner will go around one turn again in the Gotham Stakes (G3) next time, with Sunday’s half mile over the Belmont training track in 48.68 seconds his third drill back from the New Year’s Day win.

So Alive — The Todd Pletcher trainee and half-brother of Vino Rosso beat winners last time at Tampa Bay Downs to earn his try at next weekend’s Sam F. Davis (G3). His final tuneup registered four furlongs in 48.46 seconds Sunday morning at Palm Beach Downs.

In case you missed it…

Saturday’s Derby Daily report focused on the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Signlaman’s return to the work tab.