By Emily Shields
Possibly the biggest day of the year regarding Kentucky Derby and Oaks preps happened April 6, with three trial runs for each taking place across the country at Aqueduct in New York, Keeneland in Kentucky, and Santa Anita in California.
Kentucky Derby
Blue Grass Stakes (Keeneland) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
Wood Memorial (Aqueduct) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
The $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) Stakes drew a field of 14, but in the end favored Vekoma ($4.80) ran away with the victory, striding out 3 ½ lengths in front. He has awkward action when running, but under jockey Javier Castellano that didn’t seem to matter whatsoever as he stopped the clock in 1:50.93. Win Win Win under Irad Ortiz, Jr. did serious running late, closing from fifth to second in the final strides, and will become many people’s Derby horse for his late style, especially after he was bumped at the start. Signalman, the third wagering choice, was a nose behind third, and then came popular Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Somelikeithotbrown.
Vekoma, by Candy Ride, is out of graded stakes winning mare Mona de Momma, and races for trainer George Weaver.
The $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) had an eventful beginning, with eventual winner Tacitus being bumped early thanks to Joevia, then Overdeliver clipped his heels with Tacitus while Math Wizard darted inward away from Joevia and Outshine. There were horses going every which way early, before settling down and Tacitus ($7.20) prevailing emphatically by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:51.23. Tax ran well throughout to be second, while the late running Haikal motored up for third. Jose Ortiz was up on the winner, who is the lone horse to win two Kentucky Derby prep races this season.
Bill Mott trains the winner, a son of Tapit and the great mare Close Hatches.
The $1 million Santa Anita Derby (G1) had a strong field of six with four top class horses in it, who ultimately ran first through fourth. Second choice Roadster ($8.20) ultimately ran down his stablemate, Eclipse Champion Two Year Old and Breeders’ Cup winner Game Winner, in the lane while defeating him by just a half-length. Instagrand, who took pressure on the lead throughout, ran another tough one to be right there third. Roadster, a son of Quality Road, was piloted by Mike Smith for Bob Baffert, and finished the 1 1/8 mile race in 1:51.28, the slowest of the three prep races.
Kentucky Oaks
Ashland (Keeneland) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
Gazelle Stakes (Aqueduct) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
Santa Anita Oaks (Santa Anita) 100 – 40 – 20 – 10
The Santa Anita Oaks (G1) was won in scintillating fashion by Kentucky Oaks favorite Bellafina, who was never in doubt and scored by 5 ¼ lengths. She ran the 1 1/16 mile race in 1:45.47, defeating stablemates Flor de La Mar and Chasing Yesterday, better known as American Pharoah’s sister and already in the Kentucky Oaks on points. Bellafina ($2.60), trained by Simon Callaghan and ridden by Flavien Prat, has now won three major stakes races this year, and is also a daughter of Quality Road.
The Gazelle (G2) went to Always Shopping ($9.90), who had not broken her maiden before winning the Busanda Stakes last out. The Awesome Again filly from the nice mare Stopshoppingmaria is trained by Todd Pletcher and was ridden by Manuel Franco. The Gazelle is 1 1/8 miles where the other two races are 1 1/16; Always Shopping ran it in 1:52.91. Positive Spirit was second, while favored Espresso Shot ran off the board fifth.
The $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1) was the lone massive upset of the day, with 52-1 Out for a Spin holding off Restless Rider by a neck with Eclipse Champion Jaywalk finishing third. Out for a Spin, by Hard Spun, is trained by Dallas Stewart and was ridden by Paco Lopez. Stewart has won the Kentucky Oaks before, and may have another chance here with this improving filly, who paid $106.20 to win in 1:44.95.
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