Where To Next?
Don’t look now but there are only 8 weeks before the best sophomores in the land have a shootout in the Kentucky Derby and now is a good time to update them as to what is on their collective agendas next.
Unbeaten Uncle Mo will be in action this weekend but the question is at what venue. He could enter the Tampa Bay Derby or the Timely Writer but the feeling is one of those races will not fill. He has of course not been seen since running his record to 3 straight when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in a romp with a 108 Beyer.
Several valid contenders will make their final prep for the Derby in the Florida Derby, April 3 at Gulfstream. Those runner include Soldat, who took the Fountain of Youth in late February with a 96 Beyer and To Honor and Serve, who didn’t run his race in the FOY when a dull third.
The Holy Bull second, Sweet Ducky, a son of Pulpit, will also be in the gate for the Florida Derby if all goes according to plan.
The Factor is fast, but his stamina is the question. He is aiming for the 9-furlong Sunland Derby on March 27 but he has some things to prove. He lost his first start, graduated with a 108 Beyer, and then validated the win taking the 7-furlong San Vicente.
The best thing about The Factor is that he is the right hands of Bob Baffert and if the trainer doesn’t think his charge can get the classic trip; don’t expect him to make the journey.
Gourmet Dinner will be looking to feast on Western foes next out in the Santa Anita Derby. He has been consistent, ran well in defeat to Soldat and the way the SA Derby is shaping up, it could be a good spot to swoop in and steal some needed Graded earnings cash.
Mucho Macho Man is battle tested and if he makes it to his next intended target, the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 26, he will be making his 8th start of his career. That kind of experience can pay dividends when the real racing begins.
Both of Da Man’s wins were routes and like the way he was coming away late at the end of his last victory.
Santiva is an interesting player. He won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club but maybe more intriguing is the class on the bottom side.
His dam was unraced but she is kin to the over $500,000 earner and Grade 2 winner Partner’s Hero and to multiple Graded winner and near $450,000 earner Safely Kept.
By Giant’s Causeway, Santiva’s connections are keeping their options open and are looking at both the Louisiana Derby and the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
This on the fence move is one thing that bettors must pay attention go as we get closer to the first Saturday in May. Over the years, the outfits that had a strong map and strong concept of a plan, excelled at Churchill when it counted.
