Weekend Watch: Derby, Oaks winners feature on undercard
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Kentucky Derby weekend is finally here! And as we have all come to expect, the undercards for both Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs will be loaded with talent and star power. Because of the enormity of the weekend, Horse Racing Nation is bringing you a special, two-part edition of the Weekend Watch.
Friday’s main focus will be the Run for the Lilies, but before the Oaks goes to post, there are plenty of other things to watch for, including last year’s Kentucky Oaks
Get all the highlights below, with all given times in Eastern Standard.
Half-sister to two millionaires debuts on Oaks undercard
Devine Actress has thus far had a short but productive career as a broodmare. She has already produced millionaire runners Oscar Nominated and Oscar Performance, both by Kitten’s Joy. On Friday in Churchill Downs’s second race, the mare will be represented by first-time starter
Full brother to Collected seeks first career win
Trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned by Zayat Stables, Industrialist is a full brother to millionaire and Grade 1 winner Collected. Now 4, the colt debuted in February of last year but was off for nearly a full year before popping up at Oaklawn Park in care of The Coach. His races and speed figures have steadily improved in each of the three starts he has had so far this year. He drew the rail in Churchill Downs’s
Gas Station Sushi puts streak on the line in Eight Belles
Despite a significant layoff and being bothered at the start of the Beaumont (G3), Gas Station Sushi made her second career start a winning one, just like she did in her debut back in August. She will try to run her record to 3-for-3 when she faces six rivals in the Grade 2
Abel Tasman returns to scene of her biggest triumph
When Unique Bella was unable to make last year’s Kentucky Oaks, Abel Tasman was finally able to shine. The filly closed from nearly dead last to upset the 2017 edition as a bit of an overlay. She reeled off two more Grade 1 victories before finishing her year as the runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Off since then, the Bob Baffert-trainee finally gets back to work as the even-money favorite in the Grade 1 La Troienne. While Abel Tasman is the class of the field, it will be no walk in the park for the filly. Multiple graded stakes winners Martini Glass, Streamline, Tiger Moth, and Farrell all have talent and will surely test the favorite. Salty and Ivy Bell have both been cross-entered in Saturday’s Humana Distaff with at least Ivy Bell more likely to run Saturday than Friday. Post time is 1:17 p.m.
Always Dreaming looks for first victory since Derby
In what's believed to be a Churchill first, the previous year's Oaks and Derby winners are back to run the following year the first weekend in May. Although Always Dreaming has not won since, he gave a good accounting of himself in his 2018 debut on March 31 in the Gulfstream Park Hardacre Mile (G2) when he ran second. He will attempt to remain perfect at Churchill Downs when he lines up to face a salty field in the Grade 2 Alysheba. Good Samaritan has been made the favorite, however, based on his runner-up effort in the Clark (G1) in the fall and his win in the New Orleans Handicap (G2) to begin 2018. Hoppertunity ships in from California but has a solid record at the Kentucky track. Backyard Heaven is an interesting new shooter to the division for the Ramseys and trainer Chad Brown. The 4-year old colt has run exclusively in New York prior to this start but has posted some impressive numbers in his two wins. Post time for the Alysheba is 2:53 p.m.
Mott to unveil half-sister to a Kentucky Derby winner
While Churchill Downs will obviously hold the spotlight Friday, there is a special unveiling happening at Belmont Park. Trainer Bill Mott sends out first-timer Golden Award, a Medaglia d’Oro half-sister to 2012 Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, in the New York track’s sixth race. Mott’s charges do not win at a high percentage upon debut, so I am not expecting Golden Award to end up getting her picture taken, but she has been working nicely. Since this is a spot for 3-year olds and upward, there are several in this spot that already have plenty of race day experience. The filly will break from post six in the field of eight. Post time is 4:14 p.m.
Rushing Fall draws outside post in Edgewood
Thanks to her prowess on turf rather than dirt, undefeated Rushing Fall was denied a well-deserved Eclipse Award as Champion Two-Year Old Filly. Lack of recognition made no difference to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1) winner, however, as she came back just as strong in her 2018 debut in the Appalachian (G2). Now 4-for-4, the More Than Ready filly will try to make it 5-for-5 with a victory in the Grade 3 Edgewood Stakes. She will face familiar foe Daddy Is a Legend, but Rushing Fall should have no problem in dispatching of her 10 rivals. Due to drawing post 11 and the chance of rain on Friday, trainer Chad Brown did cross-enter the filly in Saturday’s American Turf; however, he is leaning toward staying in the Edgewood. Post time is 5:04 p.m.
Midnight Bisou wins draw in the Kentucky Oaks
Monomoy Girl, who has lost just once in six starts, may have been installed as the morning line favorite for the 144th running of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, but top rival Midnight Bisou, who has reeled off three straight victories, won the draw. While Monomoy Girl was unlucky enough to draw post 14, Midnight Bisou will be comfortably installed in gate 10. Those two fillies are the only ones in the field with single-digit morning line odds. Wonder Gadot has not won since December but is always solidly in the picture. At odds of 20-1, she is certainly worth a look. Rayya will certainly take some money off running second to Mendelssohn in his UAE Derby (G2) romp, and Heavenhasmynikki will likely be a sentimental choice. The odds makers do appear to have it right, however, as this certainly does look like a two filly race. Post time for the Kentucky Oaks is 6:12 p.m.
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