Report: John Hancock is pointed to Louisiana Derby, not Virginia

HRN staff
Photo: Tampa Bay Downs

Trainer Brad Cox will scratch John Hancock from Saturday's Virginia Derby and point him instead to the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby next weekend, according to a report by Marcus Hersh of Daily Racing Form.

Cox has one other Virginia Derby entrant, Rapture, who broke his maiden in January in his second start. He is at 5-1 on the morning line.

John Hancock is 2-for-2 after his win over Owen Almighty in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 8, earning 20 qualifying points for Kentucky Derby 2025. At 3-1, he was the second choice on the Virginia Derby morning line, behind Getaway Car at 9-5.

The Louisiana Derby offers 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points for Kentucky Derby 2025, and the Virginia Derby offers 50-25-15-10-5.

Cox also told DRF that Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Flood Zone will start in the UAE Derby (G2) on April 5. The 1 3/16-mile race at Meydan offers 100 points on the Euro-Mideast road to the Kentucky Derby.

And he said Hit Show, third last out in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), is pointed to the Dubai World Cup (G1).

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