NEWS
Field taking shape for Kentucky Derby
Posted: Saturday, January 01, 2000
As many as six of the eight starters in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1), won by High Yield, will run in the Derby. Runner-up More Than Ready, third-place Wheelaway, Deputy Warlock (fourth), Mighty (seventh), and Hal's Hope (eighth) will probably also start in the Derby.
Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Mighty and Florida Derby (G1) winner Hal's Hope was both disappointments in the Blue Grass, but Mighty's trainer, Frank Brothers, noted that the Lord At War (Arg) colt's only poor career performances have occurred at Keeneland. He indicated that Mighty would run in the Derby if he trains well at Churchill Downs.
Hal's Hope's trainer, 88-year-old Harold Rose, told the Louisville Courier-Journal he was stunned by his colt's poor performance, saying he might have come up flat after his stellar Florida Derby effort in which he defeated High Yield. "I anticipate running (in the Derby) if he's okay," Rose said.
Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) winner Fusaichi Pegasus was expected to arrive in Louisville on Monday to prepare for the Kentucky Derby. His 3 1/4-length victory over Red Bullet in Aqueduct's premier Derby prep established the Mr. Prospector colt as the favorite for the Derby on May 6.
How many Wood competitors join him is a matter of speculation. Third-place finisher Aptitude was scheduled to arrive in Louisville Monday to train for the Derby, but runner-up Red Bullet and ninth-place finisher Exchange Rate are now on the fence.
Trainer Joe Orseno said Red Bullet would ship to Louisville on Monday to train for the Derby, but his status for the race was uncertain. Lukas indicated that Risen Star Stakes winner Exchange Rate did not get over the Aqueduct surface and may still be considered for the Derby.
The Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn strengthened trainer Todd Pletcher's Derby hand, with Graeme Hall and Impeachment finishing first and third, respectively. Those two are now in the Derby mix for Pletcher along with More Than Ready and undefeated Flamingo Stakes (G3) winner Trippi. Arkansas Derby runner-up Snuck In probably will be the only other Arkansas Derby competitor to be given a shot at the Derby.
With anywhere from 23-to-25 three-year-olds still considered contenders for the Derby, the prospect of the graded-stakes earnings rule coming into effect to determine the makeup of a 20-horse field becomes an issue. One group that may be watching that closely is Godolphin Racing, whose leading Derby candidate, China Visit, has no graded earnings.
