Derby Gates Almost Full After "WoW" Races in the Arkansas Derby & Blue Grass Stakes

Another weekend, another exciting day at the races. The last two major prep races on the 2012 Derby Trail, definitely did not disappoint on Saturday. The Gates for the Kentucky Derby are all but filled as there is one last "hail mary"(as I like to call it) race, know as the Lexington Stakes(G3) at Keeneland next weekend. There are plenty of horses on the outside of that Top 20, that are looking for that last ditch effort to sneak into the Derby. To date, there have only been 2 horses to have ever won the Derby after running in the Lexington Stakes(Charismatic 1999 & Swale 1984), so don't look for next weeks winner to have too much of an impact here in three weeks.

At Oaklawn Park, all eyes were on the M/L favorite, Bodemeister in the Arkansas Derby. The talented, but lightly raced horse(no starts as a two-year-old) had one shot to make it to the Derby and secure enough cash to claim a gate. Wow, did he step up to the challenge by pulling away from the rest of the field to win by 9 lengths and vaulting himself into the conversation as one of the favorites for the Derby. A horse has not won the Derby without races on his resume as a two-year-old, since Apollo some 130 years ago. After that performance, many will be on the Bodemeister bandwagon come Derby Day, regardless of what history says.

In Lexington, KY the two-year-old champ was returning to run in the Blue Grass Stakes for the first time in 15 years. Whether it was Hansen, the first 12 race card in track history, the beautiful Spring weather or all of the above, the people came out. Keeneland absolutely demolished the single-day attendance record this past Saturday by almost 7,000 people. 40,617 showed up to the track to watch a card loaded with four graded stakes races, including the Blue Grass. Hansen and Dullhan certainly did not disappoint as they put on a show for the record crowd. Hansen tried to outrun the field and go wire to wire, but Dullahan picked off each horse one by one and ran down Hansen in the final furlong to pull off the upset in the Blue Grass. Both horses already had enough cash to go to the Derby before this race but, Dullahan has now made a case for himself as a legitimate contender, while if you still like Hansen you probably will get a pretty good price on him at the window.

Mystified Tickets Derby Super High 5(as of 4/15)
1) Union Rags
2) Creative Cause
3) Gemologist
4) Bodemeister
5) Dullahan

*Hit the exacta in the Arkansas Derby with Bodemeister and Secret Circle (that's why you always box as we had SC pegged to run forth). Bodemeister only new horse to jump into the top 20 this weekend. 


*Had the exacta in the Blue Grass dead on as we picked Dullahan to upset Hansen. 

Blue Grass Stakes(G1)/Arkansas Derby(G1)

It's hard to believe that we are already coming down to the last two, grade one stakes races on the 2012 Derby Trail. Many horses already have a gate waiting for them in Louisville, while others are on the bubble of the top 20 anticipating this coming Saturday to see how the rest of the field will play out. All eyes are going to be on Oaklawn Park and Keeneland this weekend.

The $1,000,000, 1 1/8 mile, Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park has a field of 11 set for this Saturday. Secret Circle and Sabercat already have enough graded earnings for a trip to Louisville, so those on the bubble would love to see these two finish 1-2. The nine others have other plans with an opportunity to jump into the Derby picture. Bodemeister, trained by Bob Baffert is the M/L favorite and needs to cash in here for a shot at the Derby.

Keeneland is heading into it's second weekend of racing in April and the $750,000, 1 1/8 mile, Blue Grass Stakes is set with a field of 13. Hansen, the M/L favorite will be making his last prep race before the Derby and will head into the Derby as one of the favorites if he is able to show he can go the distance. This is the first time in 15 years since the two-year-old champion has run in this race so the folks at Keeneland have something extra to be excited about this coming Saturday. It is supposed to be sunny and in the 70's in Lexington this weekend, which will make for a perfect day at the track.

Arkansas Derby(G1)
4/14 Oaklawn Park @ 5:45 CST

Bodemeister 6-5
Just beat out by Creative Cause in last months San Felipe(G2). Has the talent, but with no races as a two-year old under his belt, this is his one shot at the Derby.

Najjaar 15-1
Finished sixth here in the Rebel(G2) last month. Closer who has gained ground in each race, distance may be what this horse needs to show his talent.

Optimizer 30-1
Had a nice run in the Rebel and was closing fast on Secret Circle.

Secret Circle 5-2
Winner of the Rebel. Has the talent but does he have the distance.

Ex/Tri Bx: 11,3,7,5

Blue Grass Stakes(G1)
4/14 Keeneland @ 6:18 EST

Dullahan 6-1
Coming off a second place showing in the 1 1/8 mile Palm Beach(G3) last month on turf, so he can get the distance. Won the Breeders Futurity over this track back in the Fall. Finished fourth to Hansen in the BC Juvenile in only race run against each other, but was closing late.

Hansen 6-5
Two-year-old champion looks to show why he is the champ. Already has raced over the synthetic surface when he dominated the field at Turfway. A win here would make him one of the favorites for the Derby.

Ever So Lucky 12-1
Lightly raced, but has finished in the money all 3 starts. Had bullet 5f workout. The question with many of these three-year-olds this time of year is can he make the distance.

Prospective 15-1
Coming off a win in the Tampa Bay Derby(G2).

Ex/Tri Bx: 6,4,11,3

*Hit the exacta in the Santa Anita Derby as I'll Have Another barely beat Creative Cause. 


*Hit the exacta in the Wood Memorial as Gemologist held off Alpha down the stretch.

Opening Day @ Keeneland/Wood Memorial(G1)/Santa Anita Derby(G1)

This past weekend in New Orleans, I had the pleasure of experiencing history and watching the University of Kentucky Wildcats bring their 8th National Championship back to Lexington. In between games, on Sunday I hopped on I-10 and made the short trip over to the Fair Grounds Race Course to witness a different type of history. Hero of Order at 99/1 + odds decided to play spoiler on April Fools of all days, to take down the $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby. It was a surreal weekend to say the least and was well worth the trip. 

Back in Lexington, still riding high from the Cats first title in 14 years, what better to keep that high going than opening day of Keeneland. That's right it's Easter Weekend and the most prestigious track in the country opens tomorrow for racing. If you have never been to Keeneland, then you have no idea the aura this track has. It is one of those things in life that you just have to experience for yourself. Keeneland has many graded stakes races lined up, but the most anticipated race this Spring meet has to be the Blue Grass Stakes(G1). Hansen is making his next race on the synthetic surface and this will mark the first time since 1997 and Street Sense that the two-year-old champ ran in this race.

We are now less than one month away from that first Saturday in May and the three-year-olds are preparing for their final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. This weekend is locked and loaded with prep races all over the country. 

Out on the West Coast at Santa Anita Park is the 1 1/8 mile, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. Creative Cause looks to continue his West Coast dominance in his last prep before making the trip to Louisville. This is a big race for I'll have Another, who is coming off a win in the Robert B. Lewis(G2). Currently sitting on the outside looking in on the 2012 Graded Earnings List, he needs to hit the board to guarantee a spot in the Derby. 

The East Coast's big prep race is the 1 1/8 mile, $1,000,000 Wood Memorial(G1) held at Aqueduct. Surprisingly, not one of the horses in this field of eight is currently in the top 20 in graded earnings. Although, Alpha, My Adonis and Gemologist are just outside, a finish in the money certainly would help their chances.

Also running is the 1 1/8 mile, $500,000 Illinois Derby(G3). This race is wide open as another horse looks to make the needed earnings. 

Santa Anita Derby(G1)

4/7 Santa Anita Park @  2:30 PST

Creative Cause 6-5

Considered the best out on the West Coast and could be one of the top three-year-olds in 2012. Just has to go out and prove it at 1 1/8 mile. 

Liaison 8-1

Cashball Futurity winner looks to regain last years form. Although he has yet to hit the board as a three-year-old, the distance may be what he needs. 

Midnight Transfer 10-1

Finished a competitive third to Creative Cause here at Santa Anita in the San Felipe(G2) last month. Looks like he might have more in the tank to go the distance.

I'll Have Another 5-2

Won the Robert B. Lewis(G2) on this track back in February.

EX/TRI BX: 1,2,8,4

Wood Memorial(G1)

4/7 Aqueduct @ 5:15 EST

Gemologist 8-5 

Undefeated in 4 life time starts. 

Alpha 5-2

2 for 2 as a three-year-old, not to mention both races were at Aqueduct. 

Street Life 4-1

Coming off back to back allowance wins over this track. 

My Adonis 8-1

Finished second to Hansen over this track in the Gotham(G3) last month. 

EX/TRI BX: 6,1,5,3

*Secret Circle padded his graded earnings by taking the Rebel Stakes(G2). Najjaar and Sabercat did not finish in the money. 

Rebel(G2)

The Derby Trail stops in Arkansas for the 1 1/16 mile, $500,000, Rebel Stakes(G2) this Saturday at Oaklawn Park. The prep for the Arkansas Derby next month, took a hit when Gemologist and Currency Swap decided to opt out of the Rebel. They instead ran 1-2 in an allowance race earlier this afternoon at Gulfstream Park. A full field of 13 was still drawn for the next stop on the Derby Trail. With a $500,000 purse, the winner will most likely lock up one of the 20 gates at the Kentucky Derby.

Rebel Stakes(G2)

3/17 Oaklawn Park @ 5:48 CST

Najjaar 6-1

Won allowance race last time out at 1 1/16 mile. Should be closing down the stretch. Only question is that he has not produced great speed ratings in any of his races. 

Secret Circle 9-5

Coming off a win in the Southwest(G3). Impressed in every race run so far with triple digit speed ratings. Only question is can he get the distance as he has never run past a mile. 

Sabercat 5-1

Three-year-old debut, coming off a win in the Delta Jackpot(G3) back in November. Speed ratings are questionable, but should find a way to finish in the money. 

EX/TRI BX: 11, 8, 7

*Hit the exacta with Creative Cause and Bodemeister in the San Felipe. Liaison finished fourth while Empire Way looks like he will not be making the Derby unless he comes up with something soon. 

*Came up empty in the Tampa Bay Derby. Spring Hill Farm was injured and is off the Derby Trail.