Gray Magician under 2019 Kentucky Derby consideration

This time last week, in the minutes following the UAE Derby (G2) and a runner-up finish for Gray Magician, a trip to the 2019 Kentucky Derby was termed "highly unlikely."

Derby fever, however, is tough to cure.

Trainer Peter Miller told Keeneland's publicity staff the son of Graydar will train toward the May 4 race.

“He’s got 41 points toward the Derby so he should get in,” Miller said of the colt, who is owned by the partnership of Wachtel Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber.

Miller added that Gray Magician will train at his San Luis Rey base in Southern California until shipping in the week of the race. The trainer has saddled one previous Derby starter, Comma to the Top, the 19th-place finisher in 2011.

A private purchase for his current connections, Gray Magician broke his maiden by 9 1/2 lengths in his fourth overall start, but first in Miller's care, back on Nov. 24 at Santa Anita Park. From there, the colt ran fourth in the Sham Stakes (G3), fifth in an allowance over to the slop and second to Maryland-bred star Alwaysmining in Laurel Park's Miracle Wood.

In the UAE Derby, Gray Magician finished a narrow second to Plus Que Parfait, another U.S.-based runner expected to enter the Derby. That the overseas prep is set to produce two starters only complicates the situation for a number of horses on the points bubble.

A record number of points -- possibly as many as 40 -- could be necessary to qualify given a recent run of beaten favorites in points preps. Additionally, the Japanese colt Master Fencer is expected to travel, and Europe's final points prep runs next week. With Master Fencer in, American horses will be shooting for the 19th spot on the domestic leaderboard.