Baffert names Kentucky Derby 2018 preps for Solomini, Restoring Hope

McKinzie's hind leg issue, and his inability to run in the Bob Baffert barn's top 2018 Kentucky Derby prep this weekend, the Santa Anita Derby, resulted in a significant shift of race spots for prospects this month.

Justify was originally pointed to the April 14 Arkansas Derby. He will now run Saturday in the Santa Anita Derby.

Solomini was originally pointed to Saturday's Wood Memorial. He will now run in the Arkansas Derby.

And Restoring Hope, a Feb. 2 maiden winner, didn't make the Grade 3 Sunland Derby field last month. He now will go to the Wood instead, Baffert told the Daily Racing Form.

Last out, Solomini was second to Magnum Moon in Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes (G2). The race marked his 3-year-old debut, with the colt returning to the work tab Monday to drill five furlongs in 59.80 seconds.

Of course, owner Zayat Stables has a rich history of Arkansas Derby runners with Bodemesiter (2012) and American Pharoah (2015) both winning it.

As for the Wood, it's a lesser-used path for Baffert, at least recently. But he's won New York's top Kentucky Derby prep twice, with Congaree in 2001 and Bob and John in 2006.