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.
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