Kentucky Derby 2019 Daily: Run down the final prep probables
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.
The final day for 2019 Kentucky Derby points qualifiers, April 13, offers different opportunities.
First, Keeneland hosts its Lexington Stakes (G3), which will take on a last chance theme given the final appearance by a number of well-known 3-year-olds and a points payout of 20-8-4-2 to the Top 4 finishers. It could mean just enough for one more contender to turn around three weeks later at Churchill Downs.
Later Saturday, Oaklawn Park’s Arkansas Derbyas Derby (G1) goes as the final major prep with points on a 100-40-20-10 basis to its first four. Two or even more horses in the field could gain the points necessary to make the Kentucky Derby.
Here’s a look at the prospective fields:
The El Camino Real Derby (G3) winner and Sunland Derby (G3) runner-up Anothertwistafate arrived Friday at Keeneland for an anticipated start here. Along with the probable Sueno and possible Mucho Gusto, he’s among the colts looking for those last chance points.
That could be it as far as the 1 1/6-mile race’s influence in the Derby unless victories by Knicks Go or Our Braintrust change connections’ minds.
Sueno is already in Kentucky as well with a work Saturday at Churchill Downs. Trainer Keith Desormeaux took a similar route to the Derby last season with My Boy Jack, who went from the Louisiana Derby (G2) to the Lexington as a final prep.
Trainer Bob Baffert mentioned Mucho Gusto could run back from his third in the Sunland Derby, but he doesn’t yet show a work between races.
Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Omaha Beach made his final work toward a return to Oaklawn a good one Saturday morning as he drilled five furlongs in a bullet 1:00.60 at Santa Anita, blazing past a workmate.
Long Range Toddy, who won the other split of the Rebel last month, is confirmed to go as well, while the close runner-up, Improbable, appears a work in progress toward this final qualifier, adding blinkers for his morning works and acquiring jockey Jose Ortiz for the Arkansas Derby.
Multiple Oaklawn stakes winner Gray Attempt will stretch back out here after winning the one-turn Gazebo; Galilean, third in the Rebel, also ships from Santa Anita; and the Bill Mott-trained Country House gets a final opportunity after finishing fourth in the Louisiana Derby.
Derby links
• For all you need to know about Saturday’s trio of qualifiers — the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Blue Grass Stakes (G2) and Wood Memorial (G2) — read down our Derby prep guide.
• Gray Magician, second in the UAE Derby (G2) remains under consideration to run in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Peter Miller says.
• And one final note on Hidden Scroll, no longer in the Derby picture: Connections plan to practice patience with him moving forward.