Kentucky Derby 2020 rankings: Three (plus one) prep races on tap

With three races on the official “Road to the 2020 Kentucky Derby” prep schedule on tap this weekend and a few runners in Gulfstream Park’s Swale Stakes (G3) looking to make a case for themselves, the Horse Racing Nation 2020 Kentucky Derby contender rankings are in full swing heading into February.

Aqueduct’s Withers (G3), the Holy Bull (G3) at Gulfstream Park and the Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita all award points towards the 2020 Kentucky Derby, and quite a few horses high in the HRN rankings will be participating.

Shotski (No. 11) and Vanzzy (No. 45) are expected in the Withers on Saturday in New York.

The Holy Bull should find Tiz the Law (No. 8) and Toledo (No. 41) entered for the mile and sixteenth route at Gulfstream, while Green Light Go (No. 26), Necker Island (No. 40) and Shivaree (No. 48) should contest the seven furlong Swale.

The Robert B. Lewis field should feature Tizamagician (No. 18), Thousand Words (No. 19) and Encoder (No. 39)

News near the top of the rankings involves Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Structor (No. 3) returning to the work tab for trainer Chad Brown. Firmly entrenched in the top-3 for many weeks, Structor will switch from turf to dirt in early Spring, though a target race has yet to be identified for the son of Palace Malice. He is in full training for Brown at Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida.

Dennis’ Moment (No. 1) and Storm the Court (No. 2) have held the top two positions for many weeks. Dennis’ Moment is slated for the Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 29.