What we learned this week on the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail

By Bryan Brinkmeyer
Photo: Zoe Metz/Santa Anita Park

As the 2018 Kentucky Derby trail took pause last weekend, the focus turned from previous prep race results toward two major upcoming races, the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth with Good Magic on Saturday and the Grade 2 San Felipe featuring Bolt d'Oro on March 10.

Here are my top takeaways.

Castellano has choices

One of the biggest perks that come with being a four-time Eclipse Award winner are the contenders from which you get to choose in the world's biggest races. That has led Javier Castellano to taking the reins on Bolt d'Oro, at least for one race.

With Castellano in the saddle for the first time Monday, the Mick Ruis trainee worked six furlongs in 1:12.00 from the gate. It was the penultimate breeze for the multiple Grade 1 winner ahead of his 3-year-old debut in the San Felipe. After that, Castellano has a decision to make.

One of North America's top active jockeys is still searching for his first Kentucky Derby win. His choices are among some of this crop's best, as he could stay on Bolt d'Oro, but also rides Grade 2 Holy Bull winner Audible. There's also Instilled Regard, who shot to the top of January Derby lists with his Grade 3 Lecomte win; the horse was fourth in the Louisiana Derby but should stay on the trail.

Musical chairs between riders and Kentucky Derby contenders isn't anything new, but to have Castellano on Bolt d'Oro is nothing less than exciting, pairing one of the 2018 trail's biggest names with a top jockey. 

Competition picking up for Bolt d'Oro

Bolt d'Oro's return test is setting up as more than a one-horse race, what makes the San Felipe even more exciting is the slew of Kentucky Derby contenders that could be starting alongside him.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert appears to be ready for the challenge with McKinzie and Solomini. On Saturday, McKinzie, worked 7 furlongs in 1:25.40. Earlier in the morning, also at Santa Anita, Solomini recorded 7 furlongs in 1:24.80. Both horses are familiar with track and raced well at Santa Anita in the past. The San Felipe could be the spot for both of them as opposed to the Rebel Stakes one week later at Oaklawn. 

"I'll know more next week," Baffert said of the next race decisions.

In the mix as well and not to be overlooked are the 1-2 finishers in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The winner, Lombo, and runner-up, Ayacara, have more to prove before they can earn their way into the Kentucky Derby field. But the journey is scheduled to continue after an encouraging performance last time out.

Good Magic has rivals, too
Catching all of the attention on Saturday were the probable starters in this week's Fountain of Youth Stakes as they took to the track for their final workouts.

Good Magic, the expected favorite, worked a half mile in 48.30 at Palm Meadows Training Center. It was the sixth consecutive week with an official workout for the reigning Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion and Chad Brown trainee.

Those from the barns of Todd Pletcher and Dale Romans stack up as the top threats.

After finishing third in the Withers Stakes, Marconi, trained by Pletcher, headed south to prep for the Fountain of Youth. Since arriving at Palm Beach Downs, Marconi has registered two workouts. The most recent was on Saturday over distance of four furlongs clocked in 48.59.
 
Trainer Dale Romans is in position to start as many three horses in Saturday's contest. His leading contender is Free Drop Billy, a Grade 1 winner at 2 and runner-up in the Holy Bull last time out. After breezing over four furlongs in 48.13 at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 18 he returned on Saturday to cover five furlongs in 1:01.55. Slightly better over that same distance was Promises Fulfilled who clocked in at 1:00.42. The best workout of the three probable Romans starters, 5/8 in 59.01, belonged to recent allowance-level winner Storm Runner.

Also out on the track for their final workout this past Saturday was Strike Power, trained by Mark Hennig. The son of Speightstown worked a half mile in 48.14 at Gulfstream Park. Earlier in the week, Gotta Go, runner-up in the Swale, logged a 5-furlong workout at Palm Meadows Training Center in 1:01.20.

No weeks off until April
The good news after a slow weekend on the Derby trail: There won't be another without a points-paying Derby prep until April 21, when we're just two weeks out from the Derby and official training opens at Churchill Downs.

This also means that the heart of the Kentucky Derby prep season is still waiting to arrive. For now, consider this crop of 3-year-olds a little bit of a mystery. But with races worth 50 points to the winner essentially from here on out, horses will regularly be punching their tickets to Louisville. 

Full steam ahead from here until May. 

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