Greyvitos carries Kentucky Derby 2018 dreams to Lexington Stakes

Reflecting on Greyvitos’ journey Tuesday, trainer Adam Kitchingman said, simply, “It’s been a hell of a trip.”

But despite an up-and-down sequence of events, some hope of making it into the 2018 Kentucky Derby remains for connections.

“It’s every trainer’s dream,” Kitchingman said, “and it’s a big dream right now.”

Greyvitos hasn’t raced since Dec. 17, when he won the Springboard Mile at Remington Park to pick up 10 Derby qualifying points. In the days following, Kitchingman noticed heat in the Malibu Moon colt's knees. Turns out, bone chips needed removal.

Following surgery, recovery and rehab, Greyvitos will return in Saturday’s Grade 3 Lexington Stakes at Keeneland.

The final prep pays out 20 points to the winner. Current cutoff to get into the field — with the more lucrative Arkansas Derby also running Saturday — is already 34 points.

So connections would likely have to count on defections by contenders ahead to run May 5 at Churchill Downs.

“If we do win that, and the opportunity does arise, and the horse is doing great, we’ll definitely consider going to the Derby,” Kitchingman said.

At 1 1/16 miles, the Lexington will be no walkover for the multiple stakes winner. He will vie for favoritism with My Boy Jack, who narrowly missed in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby last out. Entries will be taken Wednesday.

Campaigned by Triple B Farms, Greyvitos has worked consistently since the end of February toward this start. But the bone chips didn’t begin a career packed with adversity.

Before Greyvitos ever made it to Kitchingman’s care, he overcame a bout of colic. And then before shipping for the Springboard Mile, he was among the horses evacuated from San Luis Rey Downs, where in December fast-spreading wildfires killed 46 horses.

“Everything’s gone great, and now here we are,” Kitchingman said, dryly.

But Greyvitos “is training great,” Kitchingman added, and that’s been true since he returned to the track following surgery.

Sure, going straight into the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby would have provided a clearer path to Churchill with its points payout 100-40-20-10 to the Top 4 finishers. But, Kitchingman said, “I just felt like it was softer competition and at a shorter distance.”

Plus, “I just didn’t feel it was in the horse’s best interest after what he’s gone through.”

Greyvitos’ journey continues Wednesday when he ships in to Keeneland. Kitchingman said Joel Rosario is expected to ride in the Lexington.