Update on the Derby field
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from the Louisville Courier-Journal:
Even with several horses recently declared out of the Kentucky Derby -- the latest being Illinois Derby runner-up Giant Oak yesterday -- the maximum of 20 horses is expected to be entered in eight days.
The Courier-Journal is counting 22 horses considered definite or probable for the Derby if they can get in the field. That doesn't include any others who might join the fray if owners see their horse qualifies for the field based on graded-stakes earnings, the criteria by which preference is given if more than 20 want in the race.
Trainer Chris Block said the No. 1 reason Giant Oak was taken out of Derby consideration is "for the horse's sake."
"Physically he's probably worthy of the Derby," he said. "Mentally, we don't think he's quite there yet. A race like the Derby, if things didn't work out well, would probably set him back."
Advice, winner of Saturday's Grade II Coolmore Lexington at Keeneland, was the latest to join the list of Derby hopefuls.
In the past week, Derby possibles Charitable Man and Mafaaz also dropped out. Win Willy and Mine That Bird went from possible to definite, Square Eddie solidified his status as an entrant by running well in the Lexington, and Join in the Dance and Advice jumped into the picture.
Advice will be trained as if he'll run in the Derby, giving owner WinStar Farm three entries. WinStar also has Lane's End winner Hold Me Back and Mr. Hot Stuff, third in the Santa Anita Derby.
"We're still evaluating it, but we're preparing to run three in the Derby, including Advice," WinStar vice president Elliott Walden said. "He came out of the race great. We don't know how he's going to run over there, but he's certainly coming off a big win and we want to take as many chances as we can."
Todd Pletcher, who trains Advice, could have three horses. In addition to Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk, he said Join in the Dance's owners want to join in. He is ranked No. 21 in The C-J's list of earnings.
Join in the Dance was fifth in the Blue Grass after finishing a close second in the Tampa Bay Derby.
Even with several horses recently declared out of the Kentucky Derby -- the latest being Illinois Derby runner-up Giant Oak yesterday -- the maximum of 20 horses is expected to be entered in eight days.
The Courier-Journal is counting 22 horses considered definite or probable for the Derby if they can get in the field. That doesn't include any others who might join the fray if owners see their horse qualifies for the field based on graded-stakes earnings, the criteria by which preference is given if more than 20 want in the race.
Trainer Chris Block said the No. 1 reason Giant Oak was taken out of Derby consideration is "for the horse's sake."
"Physically he's probably worthy of the Derby," he said. "Mentally, we don't think he's quite there yet. A race like the Derby, if things didn't work out well, would probably set him back."
Advice, winner of Saturday's Grade II Coolmore Lexington at Keeneland, was the latest to join the list of Derby hopefuls.
In the past week, Derby possibles Charitable Man and Mafaaz also dropped out. Win Willy and Mine That Bird went from possible to definite, Square Eddie solidified his status as an entrant by running well in the Lexington, and Join in the Dance and Advice jumped into the picture.
Advice will be trained as if he'll run in the Derby, giving owner WinStar Farm three entries. WinStar also has Lane's End winner Hold Me Back and Mr. Hot Stuff, third in the Santa Anita Derby.
"We're still evaluating it, but we're preparing to run three in the Derby, including Advice," WinStar vice president Elliott Walden said. "He came out of the race great. We don't know how he's going to run over there, but he's certainly coming off a big win and we want to take as many chances as we can."
Todd Pletcher, who trains Advice, could have three horses. In addition to Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk, he said Join in the Dance's owners want to join in. He is ranked No. 21 in The C-J's list of earnings.
Join in the Dance was fifth in the Blue Grass after finishing a close second in the Tampa Bay Derby.
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