Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, Wood odds, picks and more

By Saturday night, the 2022 Kentucky Derby field will be largely in place.

Three prep races Saturday will award Road to the Kentucky Derby points on a 100-40-20-10 scale: Aqueduct’s $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2), Keeneland’s $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1). All three races run at 1 1/8 miles and can be seen on NBC, which will broadcast the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

After Saturday, the only Derby trail race remaining will be Keeneland’s $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 16, a prep that pays points on a 20-8-4-2 scale.

Here is a look at Saturday’s trio of Kentucky Derby preps:

Kentucky Derby trail

4:45 p.m. – $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2), Aqueduct

Morello (8-5) puts a 3-for-3 record on the line Saturday for trainer Steve Asmussen. In his last start, he earned 50 points toward the Kentucky Derby starting gates March 5 at Aqueduct with a Gotham Stakes (G3) score.

The Classic Empire colt Morello is one of two Asmussen runners primed to make the Kentucky Derby field, along with Louisiana Derby (G2) hero Epicenter. Jockey Jose Lezcano will be up on the morning-line favorite.

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Mo Donegal (5-2) won his only prior start at Aqueduct, coming in December’s Remsen Stakes (G2). The Todd Pletcher trainee enters off a third-place run Feb. 5 at Gulfstream Park in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3).

Early Voting (5-2) has won his only two career starts for trainer Chad Brown, the last of which came locally Feb. 5 in the Withers Stakes (G3). Mike Maker trains Barese (8-1), whose 3-for-3 ledger includes a Gander Stakes win Feb. 12 at Aqueduct. Skippylongstocking (15-1) ships north for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. off a March 2 allowance victory at Gulfstream.

Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000 was the last Wood Memorial hero to win the Kentucky Derby. 2021 race winner Bourbonic settled for 13th on the first Saturday in May.

Here is a look at the field for the 2022 Wood Memorial (trainer and jockey in parentheses) with morning-line odds:

1. Mo Donegal (Todd Pletcher, Joel Rosario), 5-2

2. Golden Code (Todd Pletcher, Kendrick Carmouche), 15-1

3. Early Voting (Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz), 5-2

4. Long Term (Todd Pletcher, Javier Castellano), 20-1

5. Morello (Steve Asmussen, Jose Lezcano), 8-5

6. Skippylongstocking (Saffie Joseph Jr., Junior Alvarado), 15-1

7. A. P.’s Secret (Saffie Joseph Jr., Manny Franco), 20-1

8. Barese (Mike Maker, Dylan Davis), 8-1

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Early Voting making the early lead under jockey Jose Ortiz and setting a fast pace, while favorite Morello sits close to the front.

5:10 p.m. – $1 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Keeneland

Smile Happy (9-5) returns to the track where he debuted a winner last October and looks to punch his ticket to the 2022 Kentucky Derby for trainer Kenny McPeek.

The Runhappy colt won Churchill Downs’ Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) in November, then was second Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds behind Epicenter in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). Jockey Corey Lanerie will be up for Smile Happy’s fourth career start.

Zandon (5-2) finished third, one spot behind Smile Happy, last out in the Risen Star. The Chad Brown trainee was a close second last December to Mo Donegal in the Remsen.

Emmanuel (9-2) looks to punch a Kentucky Derby ticket after finishing fourth March 5 at Gulfstream in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) for Pletcher. Trainer McPeek adds blinkers for Rattle N Roll (8-1), a Grade 1 winner who was fourth March 26 in the Louisiana Derby. Commandperformance (12-1), fourth-place runner in November’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, has no wins in four starts and enters off a runner-up effort in a March 12 maiden race at Tampa Bay for Pletcher.

Strike the Gold in 1991 was the last Blue Grass Stakes winner to then score in the Kentucky Derby. 2021 race winner Essential Quality went on to notch Grade 1 wins in the Belmont Stakes and Travers Stakes but crossed fourth – before being later elevated to third – at Churchill.

Here is a look at the field for the 2022 Blue Grass Stakes (trainer and jockey in parentheses) with morning-line odds:

1. Commandperformance (Todd Pletcher, Irad Ortiz Jr.), 12-1

2. Fenwick (Kevin McKathan, Paco Lopez), 20-1

3. Trademark (Vicki Oliver, Rafael Bejarano), 30-1

4. Zandon (Chad Brown, Flavien Prat), 5-2

5. Volcanic (Mark Casse, Adam Beschizza), 20-1

6. Emmanuel (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez), 9-2

7. Golden Glider (Mark Casse, Ricardo Santana Jr.), 20-1

8. Ethereal Road (D. Wayne Lukas, Luis Contreras), 20-1

9. Rattle N Roll (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.), 8-1

10. Smile Happy (Kenny McPeek, Corey Lanerie), 9-5

11. Blackadder (Rodolphe Brisset, Florent Geroux), 20-1

12. Grantham (Mike Maker, Tyler Gaffalione), SCR

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Trademark and Grantham fighting for the early lead under jockeys Rafael Bejarano and Tyler Gaffalione, respectively, and setting a fast pace. Favorite Smile Happy is expected to settle in the back half of the field.

5:45 p.m. – $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), Santa Anita

Messier (1-1), twice a Grade 3 winner for trainer Bob Baffert, makes his first start Saturday as a runner in trainer Tim Yakteen’s stable. He was previously ineligible for Road to the Kentucky Derby points due to Baffert’s two-year suspension from Churchill Downs properties.

In his last start, Messier dusted his rivals Feb. 6 in Santa Anita’s Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) by 15 lengths. Jockey John Velazquez retains the mount on the Empire Maker colt.

Forbidden Kingdom (6-5) is another dominant winner on Santa Anita’s Derby trail. The Richard Mandella trainee took the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 5 by 5¾ lengths.

Taiba (4-1) was a debut winner for Yakteen on the San Felipe card and steps up to Grade 1 flight in his second career start. Yakteen also now trains Armagnac (20-1), who finished sixth in the San Felipe for former trainer Baffert. Happy Jack (20-1) crossed third in the San Felipe for trainer Doug O’Neill and adds blinkers Saturday.

Justify (2018), California Chrome (2014) and I’ll Have Another (2012) all achieved the Santa Anita Derby-Kentucky Derby double in the last decade. 2021 race winner Rock Your World suffered gate issues in Kentucky and settled for 17th place, while runner-up Medina Spirit scored a dogged upset at 12-1 odds only to be posthumously disqualified in February for a drug violation.

Here is a look at the field for the 2022 Santa Anita Derby (trainer and jockey in parentheses) with morning-line odds:

1. Happy Jack (Doug O’Neill, Abel Cedillo), 20-1

2. Armagnac (Tim Yakteen, Drayden Van Dyke), 20-1

3. Forbidden Kingdom (Richard Mandella, Juan Hernandez), 6-5

4. Messier (Tim Yakteen, John Velazquez), 1-1

5. Win the Day (Doug O’Neill, Umberto Rispoli), 20-1

6. Taiba (Tim Yakteen, Mike Smith), 4-1

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Taiba going out to the early lead under jockey Mike Smith, with favorite Messier sitting off Forbidden Kingdom.

Kentucky Derby points standings

Twenty spots are available in the Kentucky Derby starting gates. Eighteen are reserved for the top points scorers on the North American trail, which includes the UAE Derby (G2).

There are no runners from the European and Japanese trails under serious Derby consideration, per Churchill Downs, so two more spots are available to North American candidates.

Here is a look at the current projected field, with points earned:

1. Epicenter, 164

2. White Abarrio, 112

3. Tiz the Bomb, 110

4. Cyberknife, 100

5. Crown Pride, 100

6. Simplification, 74

7. Classic Causeway, 66

8. Slow Down Andy, 60

9. Barber Road, 58

10. Un Ojo, 54

11. Forbidden Kingdom, 50

12. Morello, 50

13. Zozos, 40

14. Summer Is Tomorrow, 40

15. Charge It, 40

16. Tawny Port, 40

17. Smile Happy, 30

18. Pioneer of Medina, 25

19. Grantham, 21

20. Rich Strike, 21

Kentucky Oaks trail

The Road to the 2022 Kentucky Oaks also finishes this weekend. Two prep races awarding points on a 100-40-20-10 scale are on Saturday’s docket: Aqueduct’s $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3) and the $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

Here is a look at both events for 3-year-old fillies:

4:35 p.m. – $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G2), 1 1/16 miles, Santa Anita, TVG

Adare Minor (3-5) is now eligible for Road to the Kentucky Oaks points after moving from Bob Baffert’s stable to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen. Jockey John Velazquez will pilot the Uncle Mo filly, winner of Santa Anita’s Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) on Feb. 6. Yakteen also now trains Under the Stars (5-2), who was second for Baffert on March 6 in the local Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3). Ain’t Easy (4-1) crossed third in the Santa Ysabel for trainer Phil D’Amato.

5:55 p.m. – $250,000 Gazelle Stakes (G3), 1 1/8 miles, Aqueduct, FS2

Venti Valentine (7-5) looks for back-to-back Kentucky Oaks trail wins at Aqueduct after taking the Busher Invitational Stakes on March 5. Jockey Manny Franco will get a leg up on the Firing Line filly for trainer Jorge Abreu. Todd Pletcher trains Classy Edition (5-2), who was second March 5 at Gulfstream Park in the Davona Dale Stakes (G2). Nostalgic (9-2) looks for a Kentucky Oaks berth after scoring at the allowance level March 3 at Gulfstream for trainer Bill Mott.

Kentucky Oaks points standings

1. Kathleen O., 150

2. Echo Zulu, 130

3. Nest, 120

4. Yuugiri, 114

5. Secret Oath, 80

6. Goddess of Fire, 62

7. Turnerloose, 60

8. Hidden Connection, 57

9. Venti Valentine, 54

10. Cocktail Moments, 52

11. Candy Raid, 51

12. Shahama, 50

13. Bubble Rock, 30

14. Awake At Midnyte, 24

Other Saturday stakes

Here is a look at other stakes races away from the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails taking place Saturday. All post times are EDT.

2:45 p.m. – $300,000 Commonwealth Stakes (G3), 4-and-up, seven furlongs, Keeneland, TVG

Nashville (1-1), unbeaten in two prior starts at Keeneland, aims to make the grade Saturday over the same oval for trainer Steve Asmussen. Jockey Luis Saez will pilot the 5-year-old son of Speightstown, who enters off a March 18 allowance win at Fair Grounds. Brendan Walsh trains Prevalence (5-1), a last out allowance winner March 5 at Gulfstream Park. O Besos (5-1), who crossed fifth in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, ran fourth for trainer Greg Foley on Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds in the Mineshaft Stakes (G3).

3 p.m. – $200,000 Monrovia Stakes (G2), 4-and-up fillies and mares, About 6½ furlongs (turf), Santa Anita, TVG

Alice Marble (2-1) takes on graded company for the first time Saturday after winning Santa Anita’s Wishing Well Stakes on Feb. 26. Jockey Edwin Maldonado gets the call on the 5-year-old Grazen mare for trainer Phil D’Amato. Brian Lynch trains Tobys Heart (5-2), a three-time stakes winner who was eighth Dec. 26 at Gulfstream Park in the Tropical Park Oaks. Tapwater (3-1) finished fifth in the Wishing Well for trainer Richard Mandella.

3:05 p.m. – $150,000 Distaff Handicap (G3), 4-and-up fillies and mares, seven furlongs, Aqueduct, FS2

Search Results (1-1) makes her first start for trainer Chad Brown since finishing third Aug. 7 at Saratoga in the Test Stakes (G1). Jockey Jose Ortiz will be up on the Flatter filly, winner of last June’s Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park. Charlton Baker trains Glass Ceiling (8-5), who made the grade Feb. 19 at Laurel Park in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3). Zaajel (6-1), a Grade 2 heroine for trainer Todd Pletcher, returns off a layoff dating to a fifth-place run Oct. 10 at Belmont in the Beldame Stakes (G2).

3:20 p.m. – $400,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2), 3-year-old fillies, one mile (turf), Keeneland, TVG

Spendarella (7-5) brings a 2-for-2 record into Saturday for trainer Graham Motion, with her last win coming March 5 at Gulfstream in the Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3). Jockey Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard the Karakontie filly. Brown trains Dolce Zel (5-2), who made her North American debut a winning one March 12 at Tampa Bay in the Florida Oaks (G3). An Agent Mistake (5-1) ships east for trainer Doug O’Neill off a runner-up effort March 6 at Santa Anita in the China Doll Stakes.

3:55 p.m. – $500,000 Madison Stakes (G1), 4-and-up fillies and mares, seven furlongs, Keeneland, TVG

Kimari (2-1) aims to win the Madison for the second straight year after holding off 51-1 long shot Estilo Talentoso last April by ¾ of a length. Gaffalione rides and Wesley Ward trains the 5-year-old Munnings mare, who prepped with a Gulfstream allowance victory March 3. Lady Rocket (5-2) finished her 2021 season with back-to-back wins for trainer Brad Cox, including Dec. 4 at Aqueduct in the Go for Wand Handicap (G3). Neil Pessin trains Bell’s the One (7-2), a Grade 1 winner who starts for the first time since winning Churchill Downs’ Dream Supreme Stakes on Nov. 13.

4:30 p.m. – $350,000 Shakertown Stakes (G2), 3-and-up, 5½ furlongs (turf), Keeneland, TVG

Golden Pal (4-5) returns to the Keeneland lawn where he won the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and last October’s Woodford Stakes (G2). Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will be up on the Ward-trained, 4-year-old Uncle Mo colt, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 6 at Del Mar. Michelle Lovell trains Just Might (4-1), runner-up Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds in the Colonel Power Stakes. Barraza (6-1) has won four straight starts for trainer Vladimir Cerin, including the San Simeon Stakes (G3) on Feb. 20 at Santa Anita.

5:05 p.m. – $100,000 Providencia Stakes (G3), 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/8 miles (turf), Santa Anita, TVG

Lucky Girl (5-2) has scored two straight stakes wins at Santa Anita, including in the China Doll Stakes on March 6. Trainer Richard Baltas has tabbed jockey Joe Bravo to climb aboard the Exceed And Excel filly. Baltas also trains Sterling Crest (3-1), who finished third in the China Doll. Sixteen Arches (3-1) debuted a winner Jan. 7 at Dundalk and makes her North American debut for D’Amato.

5:21 p.m. – $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1), 4-and-up, seven furlongs, Aqueduct, FS2

Speaker’s Corner (8-5) enters off back-to-back graded stakes wins at Gulfstream Park, including in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) on March 5. The Bill Mott-trained Street Sense colt now looks for a first Grade 1 score Saturday under jockey Junior Alvarado. Pletcher trains Mind Control (7-2), a two-time Grade 1 hero making his first start since winning the Parx Dirt Mile Stakes on Sept. 25. Reinvestment Risk (4-1) won a Gulfstream allowance race Feb. 26 for Brown and carries 117 pounds, seven less than favorite Speaker’s Corner’s 124.

6:17 p.m. – $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (G2), 4-and-up fillies and mares, one mile (turf), Santa Anita, TVG

Going Global (4-5) makes the first start of her 4-year-old season after a 2021 campaign that included six stakes wins, highlighted by a Del Mar Oaks (G1) score in August. Jockey Umberto Rispoli gets the call on the D’Amato-trained Mehmas filly, who finished sixth Dec. 26 at Santa Anita in the American Oaks (G1). D’Amato also trains Excelerina (5-2), who makes her stakes debut off a local allowance victory March 11. Park Avenue (4-1) also enters off a Santa Anita allowance win, coming March 20 for trainer John Sadler.

6:29 p.m. – $200,000 Bay Shore Stakes (G3), 3-year-olds, seven furlongs, Aqueduct, FS2

Wit (2-1) returns to the races for Pletcher for the first time since finishing third Oct. 10 at Belmont in the Champagne Stakes (G1). Jose Ortiz will be up on the Grade 3-winning Practical Joke colt. Pletcher also trains Dean’s List (5-2), who steps off the Kentucky Derby trail after finishing second March 5 in the local Gotham Stakes (G3). Highly Respected (4-1) debuted a winner Feb. 26 at Aqueduct for Brown and climbs into graded flight for his second race.

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Blue Grass, Santa Anita Derby, Wood odds, picks and more

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