A pair of road to Kentucky Derby were run on Jan. 3. My World ran down race favorite Balboa in the Jerome at Aqueduct, and Strategic Risk took advantage of soft splits and captured the Smarty Jones by 4 1/2 lengths. A baker’s dozen Derby points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the points races, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.
I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my video channel, and through 13 points races, my top choices have 5 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and a show finish. The next Derby points race is the Grade 3 Lecomte at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17.
Commandment looked good winning the Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 3. He sat behind the speed from the inside post, found running room at the top of the stretch, and kicked away by 6 3/4 lengths under Irad Ortiz Jr. as the 1-2 favorite. He galloped out with plenty of energy and should handle added ground, but there was not much behind him and he needs to run faster against better company in future starts. He is a perfect 3-for-3 and a Derby points race start is just around the corner.
The Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 10 was not a Derby points race but could have Derby implications. Acknowledgemeplz was pressed early and he got clear around the turn and heading form home. It briefly looked like he would go all the way but So Happy ($7.80) stalked and pounced under Mike Smith and he moved away late to win by 2 lengths over race favorite Buetane. The latter was clearly second best in his first start since finishing second in the G1 Hopeful on Sept. 1. Acknowledgemeplz got early late and was best of the rest in third. Thirsty Rebel and Greenwich Village also ran. Mark Glatt saddled the winner and he figures to stretch out and jump on the Derby trail. He earned a BSF of 96 on Saturday.
No comments:
Post a Comment