Points preps: 2022 Ark. Derby, Fla. Derby, Jeff Ruby odds, picks

The 2022 Kentucky Derby field will come into focus Saturday thanks to a trio of major prep races.

The Arkansas Derby (G1), Florida Derby (G1) and Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) will all pay Road to the Kentucky Derby points on a 100-40-20-10 basis. Such a scale practically assures the first- and second-place runners in each of the races a Churchill Downs starting spot May 7.

These three races follow a pair of 100-40-20-10 preps that ran last weekend, the Louisiana Derby (G2) and the UAE Derby (G2). The final three events offering those points are on the docket April 9 with the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G2).

Here is a look at each of the three 2022 Kentucky Derby preps on Saturday’s schedule. All post times are EDT and all races can be seen on TVG.

Kentucky Derby trail

6:23 p.m. – $600,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), 1 1/8 miles (all-weather), Turfway Park

Tiz the Bomb (2-1) is looking to take the synthetic road to Louisville. After finishing seventh over Gulfstream Park’s dirt two months ago in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), trainer Kenny McPeek rerouted the Hit It a Bomb colt to Turfway, where he won the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes on March 5.

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. gets the call Saturday on Tiz the Bomb, runner-up in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Stolen Base (7-2) has finished behind Tiz the Bomb three times in their careers, including when he was second in the John Battaglia. Trainer Mike Maker adds blinkers to this colt for the Jeff Ruby.

Tawny Port (6-1) won his first two starts over Turfway’s all-weather track for trainer Brad Cox and returns after finishing fifth Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds in the Risen Star Stakes (G2). Steve Asmussen trains Red Run (6-1), winner of the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile Stakes on Jan. 30 at Sam Houston. Dowagiac Chief (8-1) enters the Derby trail off a Black Gold Stakes win March 5 at Fair Grounds.

Animal Kingdom (2011) and Lil E. Tee (1992) both won the event now run as the Jeff Ruby Steaks before taking the Kentucky Derby weeks later. 2021 race winner Like the King finished 12th at Churchill Downs.

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

1. Royal Spirit (Todd Pletcher, Chris Landeros), 10-1

2. Stolen Base (Mike Maker, Gerardo Corrales), 7-2

3. Cabo Spirit (George Papaprodromou, Joe Bravo), 12-1

4. Rich Strike (Eric Reed, Sonny Leon), 20-1

5. Tawny Port (Brad Cox, Manny Franco), 6-1

6. Great Escape (Rodolphe Brisset, Adam Beschizza), 15-1

7. Tiz the Bomb (Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez Jr.), 2-1

8. Red Run (Steve Asmussen, Joe Talamo), 6-1

9. Dowagiac Chief (Tom Amoss, James Graham), 8-1

10. Optigogo (Eoin Harty, Rafael Bejarano), 30-1

11. Constitutionlawyer (Raymond Handal, Jalon Samuel), 50-1

12. Blackadder, SCR

13. Swing Shift (Todd Pletcher, Gerardo Corrales), 15-1

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Dowagiac Chief and Constitutionlawyer under jockeys James Graham and Jalon Samuel, respectively, dueling for the early lead and setting a fast pace. Favorite Tiz the Bomb is expected to settle mid-pack.

6:38 p.m. – $1 million Florida Derby (G1), 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park

Simplification (5-2) will look to score one for the home team Saturday as morning-line Florida Derby favorite for his Gulfstream Park-based trainer, Antonio Sano.

The Not This Time colt has made all six of his prior starts at Gulfstream, and his three wins include the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on March 5. Jockey Jose Ortiz stays aboard.

White Abarrio (3-1) met Simplification in the Holy Bull Stakes and prevailed over that rival – who was slow out of the gates – by 4½ lengths. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. bypassed the Fountain of Youth to point toward the Florida Derby.

Classic Causeway (7-2) earned 50 points toward the Kentucky Derby on March 12 when he won the Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Todd Pletcher trains Charge It (7-2), a flashy maiden winner at Gulfstream on Feb. 12. Pappacap (10-1), the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up, looks to bounce back from an eighth-place showing in the Risen Star.

The Florida Derby has produced six 21st-century Kentucky Derby heroes: Always Dreaming (2017), Nyquist (2016), Orb (2013), Big Brown (2008), Barbaro (2006) and Monarchos (2001). 2021 Florida Derby winner Known Agenda came home ninth in Kentucky.

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

1. Strike Hard (Matthew Williams, Junior Alvarado), 20-1

2. Classic Causeway (Brian Lynch, Irad Ortiz Jr.), 7-2

3. Simplification (Antonio Sano, Jose Ortiz), 5-2

4. King of Truth (Amado Sanchez, Jose Morelos), 50-1

5. Pappacap (Mark Casse, Edwin Gonzalez), 10-1

6. Charge It (Todd Pletcher, Luis Saez), 7-2

7. White Abarrio (Saffie Joseph Jr., Tyler Gaffalione), 3-1

8. Cajun’s Magic (Michael Yates, Jesus Rios), 30-1

9. O Captain (Gustavo Delgado, Joel Rosario), 20-1

10. Clapton (Juan Alvarado, Emisael Jaramillo), 30-1

11. Steal Sunshine (Bobby Dibona, Leonel Reyes), 30-1

TimeformUS’ pace projections show Classic Causeway showing a fast early pace under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., with Charge It close behind. Favorite Simplification is projected to attempt a rally from mid-pack.

7:35 p.m. – $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1), 1 1/8 miles, Oaklawn Park

Secret Oath (5-2) will run Saturday in an attempt to become the first filly since Devil May Care in 2010 to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas has entered the Arrogate filly against the boys after she dominated Oaklawn’s Honeybee Stakes (G3) by 7½ lengths Feb. 26. Jockey Luis Contreras pilots the morning-line favorite.

Doppelganger (3-1) was recently transferred from Bob Baffert to fellow trainer Tim Yakteen as part of fallout from Baffert’s two-year Churchill Downs suspension. He sheds blinkers and ships east off a runner-up finish March 5 in Santa Anita’s San Felipe Stakes (G2).

We the People (7-2) is 2-for-2 in his brief career for trainer Rodolphe Brisset, stepping onto the Derby trail off an Oaklawn allowance win March 12. Un Ojo (6-1) prepped for the Arkansas Derby by upsetting the local Rebel Stakes (G2) on Feb. 26 as a 75-1 long shot for trainer Ricky Courville. John Ortiz trains Barber Road (8-1), third-place runner in the Rebel.

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (2015), Smarty Jones (2004) and Sunny’s Halo (1983) are among Arkansas Derby runners to take the Kentucky Derby. 2021 race winner Super Stock managed only a 16th-place finish at Churchill.

Related: Head to Head: Handicapping the 2022 Arkansas Derby | Unbeaten We the People gets his shot in the Arkansas Derby | Yakteen leaps into Derby spotlight with former Baffert colts

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

1. Kavod (Chris Hartman, Mitchell Murrill), 15-1

2. Chasing Time (Steve Asmussen, Jose Lezcano), 12-1

3. Barber Road (John Ortiz, Reylu Gutierrez), 8-1

4. Doppelganger (Tim Yakteen, John Velazquez), 3-1

5. Un Ojo (Ricky Courville, Ramon Vazquez), 6-1

6. Secret Oath (D. Wayne Lukas, Luis Contreras), 5-2

7. Ben Diesel (Dallas Stewart, Jon Court), 15-1

8. Cyberknife (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux), 8-1

9. We the People (Rodolphe Brisset, Flavien Prat), 7-2

TimeformUS’ pace projections show long shot Kavod going out to the early lead under jockey Mitchell Murrill and setting a rapid pace. Favorite Secret Oath is expected to sit back through the early stages.

Kentucky Derby points standings

Twenty spots are available in the Kentucky Derby starting gates. Eighteen are available for the top points scorers on the North American trail – which includes the UAE Derby (G2) – while one invitation can be extended to the top Triple Crown-nominated point earners on both the European and Japanese trails.

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

1. Epicenter, 164

2. Crown Pride, 100

3. Classic Causeway, 66

4. Slow Down Andy, 60

5. Un Ojo, 54

6. Simplification, 54

7. Forbidden Kingdom, 50

8. Morello, 50

9. Summer Is Tomorrow, 40

10. Zozos, 40

11. Smile Happy, 30

12. Pioneer of Medina, 25

13. Grantham, 21

14. Rattle N Roll, 20

15. Ethereal Road, 20

16. Bye Bye Bobby, 20

17. Island Falcon, 20

18. In Due Time, 20

*19. Dean’s List, 20

Japan – Geraldo Barrows, 14

*No points-scoring runners on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby are listed by Churchill Downs as under serious Derby consideration, so a 19th spot is currently available for North American qualifiers.

Kentucky Oaks trail

Saturday’s schedule also features a trio of preps toward the 2022 Kentucky Oaks. The Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) and Fantasy Stakes (G3) award points on a 100-40-20-10 basis, while the Bourbonette Oaks features a 50-20-10-5 scale.

All three races can be seen on TVG. Here is a glance the three Kentucky Oaks preps, with EDT post times listed:

5:17 p.m. – $250,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), 1 1/16 miles, Gulfstream Park

Kathleen O. (4-5) puts a 3-for-3 career record on the line Saturday for trainer Shug McGaughey. Jockey Javier Castellano will be up on the Upstart filly, winner of Gulfstream’s Davona Dale Stakes (G2) on March 5. Todd Pletcher trains Goddess of Fire (9-5), runner-up Feb. 19 at Fair Grounds in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2). Catiche (6-1) broke her maiden locally last out on fifth asking March 6 for trainer Jonathan Thomas.

5:43 p.m. – $250,000 Bourbonette Oaks, 1 1/16 miles (all-weather), Turfway Park

Sandstone (5-2) makes her first start for trainer Kenny McPeek since Nov. 27, when she was third at Churchill Downs in the Golden Rod Stakes (G2). Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. will get a leg up on the Street Sense filly. Mark Casse trains Mrs. Barbara (5-1), fourth-place finisher March 12 at Tampa Bay in the Florida Oaks (G3). North County (5-1) was seventh in the Rachel Alexandra for trainer Brendan Walsh.

6:16 p.m. – $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3), 1 1/16 miles, Oaklawn Park

Bubble Rock (3-1) steps onto the main track and into graded flight off a Cincinnati Trophy Stakes score March 5 at Turfway Park. Brad Cox trains the More Than Ready filly, who will have jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. up. Rodolphe Brisset trains Yuugiri (4-1), who was third Feb. 26 in Oaklawn’s Honeybee Stakes (G3). Magic Circle (5-1), third March 5 at Aqueduct in the Busher Invitational Stakes, leaves New York for the first time and runs in Arkansas for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Kentucky Oaks points standings

Fourteen spots are available on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Here is a look at the current projected field, with points earned:

1. Echo Zulu, 130

2. Turnerloose, 60

3. Secret Oath, 60

4. Hidden Connection, 57

5. Venti Valentine, 54

6. Kathleen O., 50

7. Shahama, 50

8. Magic Circle, 23

9. Goddess of Fire, 22

10. Shotgun Hottie, 21

11. Nest, 20

12. Ain’t Easy, 20

13. Favor, 20

14. Classy Edition, 20

Other Saturday stakes

Here is a look at graded stakes taking place Saturday that are not part of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks trails. All post times are EDT and races can be seen on TVG.

12:28 p.m. – $150,000 Orchid Stakes (G3), 4-and-up fillies and mares, 1½ miles (turf), Gulfstream Park

Harajuku (9-5), a Group 3 winner overseas, aims to score her first graded win on North American soil Saturday for trainer Graham Motion. Jockey Junior Alvarado will be aboard the 4-year-old Deep Impact filly, third-place runner March 5 at Gulfstream in The Very One Stakes (G3). Brendan Walsh trains Family Way (2-1), a stakes winner who was runner-up in The Very One. Beautiful Lover (3-1) won the local La Prevoyante Stakes (G3) two starts back for trainer Christophe Clement, then was fourth in The Very One, and makes her career finale here.

1:57 p.m. – $100,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3), 4-and-up, 1 1/8 miles, Gulfstream Park

Fearless (4-5), runner-up March 5 while trying to repeat as winner of the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2), aims to do one better Saturday while adding an extra furlong for trainer Todd Pletcher. Jockey Luis Saez gets the call on the 6-year-old gelded son of Ghostzapper, the champion this race honors. Shug McGaughey trains Greatest Honour (3-1), a Grade 2 winner who returned March 12 off a layoff of more than 11 months to run sixth at Tampa Bay in the Challenger Stakes (G3). Commandeer (8-1) drops in class for trainer James Toner after running seventh behind Life Is Good, Knicks Go and four others Jan. 29 in the local Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G3).

3:37 p.m. – $200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2), 4-and-up, 1½ miles (turf), Gulfstream Park

Abaan (8-5), winner of the W.L. McKnight Stakes (G3) in January, aims for a second graded win of the current Gulfstream meet. Pletcher trains and Saez rides the 5-year-old Will Take Charge gelding, fourth-place runner March 5 in the Mac Diarmada Stakes (G2). Clement trains Gufo (9-5), a two-time Grade 1 winner making his first start since finishing 10th on Nov. 6 at Del Mar in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Temple (5-2) won the Mac Diarmada for trainer Mike Maker and makes his 35th career start Saturday.

5:40 p.m. – $400,000 Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3), 4-and-up, one mile, Oaklawn Park

Cezanne (5-2), a $3.65 million auction purchase in 2019, aims to build on his career earnings of $267,000 on Saturday for trainer Bob Baffert. Jockey Flavien Prat has the mount on the 5-year-old son of Curlin, who won Santa Anita’s San Carlos Stakes (G2) on March 5. Brad Cox trains Fulsome (4-1), who returns off a layoff dating to a fourth-place run Sept. 25 at Parx in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). Roadster (5-1) scored his last win a few days shy of three years ago in the 2019 Santa Anita Derby (G1) for Baffert and last competed Sept. 18 for current trainer Michael Stidham when finishing third at Laurel Park in the Polynesian Stakes.

5:55 p.m. – $100,00 Appleton Stakes (G3), 4-and-up, one mile (turf), Gulfstream Park

Phantom Currency (3-1) returns Saturday for his first start since winning the 2021 Mac Diarmada Stakes more than 13 months ago. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will be up on the 6-year-old Goldencents gelding for trainer Brian Lynch. Motion trains English Bee (7-2), third-place runner March 5 in Gulfstream’s Canadian Turf Stakes (G3). Wolfie’s Dynaghost (9-2) won a local handicap in January, then was fifth in the Challenger Stakes for trainer Thomas Albertrani.

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Points preps: 2022 Ark. Derby, Fla. Derby, Jeff Ruby odds, picks

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