Over the weekend there were three Kentucky Derby preps and one Kentucky Oaks prep, with the Fair Grounds putting on one of their biggest days of the year, Golden Gate showcasing their top sophomore race, and the Hyacinth Stakes in Japan throwing a new name into the Derby mix.
War of Will ($4.00) shrugged off post 14 and rolled home to win the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) over Country House. The son of War Front had already won the LeComte Stakes (G3) last month, and is now #1 on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 60 points. Mark Casse trains, Tyler Gaffalione was aboard. It has been a long time since the Fair Grounds produced a legitimate Kentucky Derby threat, but War of Will has vaulted to the top of many lists by becoming one of the few sophomores able to duplicate his form from January to February this year.
Sharp maiden winner Country House finished second, with 69-1 shot Roiland running third. The final time for the 1 1/16 mile race was 1:44.59.
Over at Golden Gate Fields, the $101,800 El Camino Real Derby featured local hope Anothertwistafate, who made every step a winning one and scored by seven lengths over the Baffert-trained Kingly. Blaine Wright trains Anothertwistafate, a son of Scat Daddy, who has three wins in four starts. The El Camino Real only offers a total of 17 points towards the Kentucky Derby, but carries a guaranteed berth to the Preakness Stakes (G1) two weeks later.
Tokyo’s Hyacinth Stakes awarded 30 Derby points to winner Oval Ace, who circled the field into the stretch and briefly battled for the lead before drawing away in the last jumps. Weitblick ran second, favored Derma Louvre finished third. The Hyacinth was run over about a mile on the Tokyo dirt track.
A contentious edition of the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) proved to be a standout performance from Serengeti Empress, but left a lot of questions unanswered from the rest of the field. Serengeti Empress, by Alternation, was six lengths clear at the top of the lane and scored geared down by 4 ½. Already a grade 2 winner at Churchill Downs last year, she finished seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). This was the Tom Amoss-trainee’s sophomore debut. Liora (23-1) finished second, with Eres Tu (25-1) third. Second choice Positive Spirit finished last of eight, with Silverbulletday Stakes winner Needs Supervision home fifth.
The Southwest Stakes (G3) runs at Oaklawn Park on Monday, February 18. Next weekend is the Mine That Bird Derby at Sunland Park.
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