Recent maiden winner Local Hero was all alone on the lead but could not keep it going and Girvin stalked inside, moved out in the lane, and won by a comfortable 2-lengths.
Untrapped was always in contention and easily went by Local Hero for the place. The latter just held the show over Guest Suite with 3-2 favorite another 5+ lengths back in 4th. The winning BSF was a respectable 93 but the feeling here is that the New Orleans Derby contenders are a notch or two below the best.
El Areeb rolled home in the Jerome and Withers and figures to be a very short price in the Gotham. He has looked great all winter for trainer Cal Lynch but he keeps beating the same horses on the inner dirt at Aqueduct so his true Derby standing is unknown at this point.
In the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park, Irish War Cry tries to remain unbeaten. He defeated Gunnevera in the Holy Bull and that rival is back again, along with new shooters Three Rules and Practical Joke.
Jarrod Horak’s “Exceptional Eleven" Kentucky Derby 2017 Contenders (Updated 3-4-17)
#1 - MASTERY
#2 - El Areeb
#3 - Gormley
#4 - Irish War Cry
#5 - Three Rules
#7 - McCraken
#7 - Practical Joke
#8 - Royal Mo
#9 - Battalion Runner
#10 - Classic Empire
#11 - Theroy
You can read my entire Kentucky Derby 2017 contenders update blog at The Runaway Horse.
* Churchill Downs photo by Stacy Edwards
