2015 Kentucky Derby Notebook: No Points, No Problem
For the first time in 2015, we have to endure an entire weekend without a single Kentucky Derby Points Series race. As for the remainder of the 2015 Kentucky Derby prep schedule, the weekend of February 28 is the only other time that this unfortunate situation will occur.
However, as I always like to say; No Points, No Problem. This weekend is so exciting because it will feature one of the most accomplished juveniles when Texas Red, and the Desormeaux brothers, return for their 3-yr-old debut in the San Vicente (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
Texas Red going Old School in the San Vicente presents a lot of proof that turning back the clock and beginning the sophomore campaign with a sprint is a legitimate road to the roses. Along with that, let's also reach back into the vault of former Kentucky Derby winners to see how many used this stakes race as a stepping stone towards greatness.
As for the races that will follow for Texas Red, Trainer Keith Desormeaux has a tentative plan on his radar. “I’m thinking about wheeling him back pretty quickly in the Risen Star on (Feb. 21) and then we’ll have a little gap between the Risen Star and the (Grade I) Santa Anita Derby (on Apr. 4).”
If Texas Red comes out of the San Vicente as strong as he looks coming in then this could be a reasonable route towards Churchill Downs. Desormeaux already has a string of local horses in the barn at the Fair Grounds so it would be an easy move for him to make. Depending on how he takes to the surface and surroundings in New Orleans, leading up to, and in the Risen Star (G2), will determine if a detour to Louisville should be considered. One week prior to the Santa Anita Derby is the Louisiana Derby, so if Texas Red is able to get to this point without interruptions, it will be an interesting decision to anticipate.
Another horse to keep an eye on this weekend, and possibly further down the road on the Kentucky Derby trail, is Lord Nelson, trained by Bob Baffert. He’s proven he can score in sprint races but he still needs to answer if he can rate as well in distances over one mile.
The son of Pulpit - African Jade by Seeking the Gold began his racing career with a 5 furlong win at Del Mar, over Calculator, before getting another one in the 6 furlong Speakeasy at Santa Anita. The race in between those two wins was a 4th place finish in the FrontRunner (G1). Last time out he again tested his abilities through two turns in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) but, much like the FrontRunner, he would finish outside of the top 3 (5th) amongst a deep field of Kentucky Derby contenders.
The San Vicente features one other Kentucky Derby hopeful that also scored a point with a 4th place finish in a Kentucky Derby series race thus far. Bench Warrant, trained by John Sadler, earned it his last time out in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1), his first career race at a distance further than 6 furlongs.
The Sam F. Davis (G3) from Tampa Bay Downs also presents a field of players that could use this non-qualifying race as a springboard into an official Kentucky Derby prep next time out. The morning-line favorite and son of Curlin, Ocean Knight, appears to have a solid chance at making it to the big stage. While there are high hopes for this lightly raced colt, he will need to start making his move very soon if his connections, Kiaran McLaughlin and Stonestreet Stables, have any hopes of racing him on the first Saturday in May.
Catalina Red has been a star at Tampa Bay Downs with back to back wins in the Inaugural and Pasco but 7 furlongs is as far as he’s gone so far. As for my sleeper in this race I have circled Royal Son, trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by John Velazquez. Owned by WinStar Farm, the son of Tiznow is fresh off his maiden win at Gulfstream Park on January 8. It was his third career race but it was also his first race at a distance of at least 1 mile.
For a few other notes surrounding the 2015 Kentucky Derby we look ahead to a big weekend that features two points series races, the Withers (G3) at Aqueduct and the Robert B. Lewis (G2) at Santa Anita.
The connections for El Kabeir are getting excited.
In the ensuing tweet, @JustinZayat, racing and stallion manager with @Zayatstables, shared this brief clip of El Kabeir's workout.
Out west, two well known contenders on the California Circuit that have been preparing for the Robert B. Lewis are also training well. Dortmund, winner of the Los Alamitos Futurity, clocked 1:23.40 over 7 furlongs on 1/21 before coming back seven days later with a 5 furlong work timed in 59.40 on 1/28. Both workouts were on the dirt at Santa Anita.
Calculator just recently got back to work for the first time since winning the Sham Stakes on 1/10 when he breezed 4 furlongs in 47.80 over the dirt at San Luis Rey Training Center.
Another highly anticipated probable starter in the Robert B. Lewis is Bolo. If you haven’t heard much about this derby hopeful you’ll be sure to hear a lot over the next seven days. For anyone that’s curious about how he’s preparing for his dirt debut then his recent workouts should answer plenty of questions. The Carla Gaines trainee by Temple City and Aspen Mountain logged three workouts over the Santa Anita dirt so far this month; 4f 48.0 1/13, 6f 1:12.60 1/19, 6f 1:13.60 1/25.
Finally, and unfortunately, injuries do occur on the road to the Kentucky Derby. It was announced on Friday that Leave the Light On has been taken off the Kentucky Derby trail due to an ankle injury. Similar to last year’s Remsen Stakes winner, Honor Code, the injury should not prevent the Chad Brown trainee from returning to racing after a full recovery.