Ky Derby update: Taking a look at the Louisiana, Sunland Derbys
Churchill Downs’ weekly Kentucky Derby and Oaks update:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Thursday, March 21, 2019) – No rival has yet made a dent in War of Will‘s leadership of the 3-year-old division in New Orleans this winter, but 10 will make a belated attempt to do so Saturday in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (Grade I) at Fair Grounds.
The 1 1/8-mile Louisiana Derby is the finale on a 13-race program and is the first Road to the Kentucky Derby series race that will award qualifying points of 100-50-20-10 to the top four finishers.
War of Will is already safely in the Churchill Downs classic having accumulated 60 points by winning the Lecomte (GIII) and Risen Star (GII) in comfortable fashion, but a third decisive win Saturday could put him in the discussion as a potential favorite on the first Saturday in May, which has not been a bad position to be in of late with every public choice having won the past six years.
Despite being far back early in the field of 14 in the Risen Star, Country House advanced to second by mid-stretch and held that position at the wire, a positive stakes debut all around. Trainer Bill Mott has been an infrequent Kentucky Derby participant during his long career, but Country House could be one of potentially three runners for him come May 4.
Todd Pletcher has won this race more times (four) than any other trainer, and will rely on Spinoff to provide a fifth victory. The lightly-raced colt has won two of three, most recently an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs by nearly a dozen lengths. In his lone prior stakes try, he finished third to Call Paul in the Saratoga Special (GII) last August.
Sueno earned his lone stakes win on Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields, but has run well in two dirt tries since, finishing second in both the Sham (GIII) and Southwest (GIII). In the latter, he out-finished Long Range Toddy, who came back to defeat Improbable in the first division of last Saturday’s Rebel (GII).
The deep-closing Roiland and Hog Creek Hustle finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Risen Star, and will be dependent on a strong pace from the likes of Spinoff and possibly Lemniscate. Limonite, third in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) in his stakes debut, had a less-than-ideal trip when fifth in the Risen Star and could take a step forward in his second start of the season. – Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com
MUCHO GUSTO SQUARES OFF AGAINST ANOTHERTWISTAFATE IN SUNLAND DERBY – Robert B. Lewis (Grade III) winnerMucho Gusto will faceoff against runaway El Camino Real Derby hero Anothertwistafate in Sunday’s $800,000 Sunland Derby (Grade III) – the premiere race at the Hobbs, N.M. track’s Thoroughbred meeting.
Mucho Gusto, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert defeated four rivals by 4 ¾ lengths in the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita. The son of Mucho Macho Man only has one blemish on his four-race resume – a runner-up effort behind top Kentucky Derby contender Improbable in the Los Alamitos Futurity (GI).
The chief competitor to Mucho Gusto is synthetic-track specialist Anothertwistafate who will make only his second-career try on the dirt following three runaway scores at Golden Gate Fields in northern California.
Trained by Blaine Wright, the speedy Anothertwistafate only try on the dirt was his career debut at Santa Anita where he finished ninth.
The Sunland Derby, which is carded as Race 11 on Sunland Park’s 12-race program, has a scheduled post time of 7:30 p.m. EDT. The Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series race will award the Top 4 finishers points on a 50-20-10-5 scale. – Kevin Kerstein/Churchill Downs
ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY TOP 25
# Horse
1. War of Will Mark Casse
2. Code of Honor Shug McGaughey III 54
3. Long Range Toddy Steve Asmussen
4. Haikal
5. Tacitus
6. Game Winner Bob Baffert
7. Omaha Beach Richard Mandella 37.5
8. Mind Control Gregg Sacco
9. Improbable
10. Gunmetal Gray Jerry Hollendorfer
11. Bourbon War Mark Hennig
12. Somelikeithotbrown Mike Maker
13. Country House Bill Mott
14. Outshine
15. Knicks Go Ben Colebrook
16. Signalman
17. Mucho Gusto Bob Baffert
18. Tax
19. Harvey Wallbanger Kenny McPeek 10
20. Well Defined Kathy O’Connell 10
21. Instagrand
22. Veokoma
23. Gray Attempt Jinks Fires
24. Win Win Win Mike Trombetta
25. Anothertwistafate Blaine Wright
DERBY DETAIL
NBCSN TO BROADCAST LOUISIANA DERBY – With the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) less than 50 days away, NBCSN will present exclusive live coverage of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. EDT from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.
Exactly six weeks ahead of the May 4 running of the 145th Kentucky Derby, the Grade II Louisiana Derby marks the first prep race awarding Kentucky Derby qualifying points on a 100-40-20-10 scale for the top four finishers. War of Will is expected to be the favorite in the 11-horse field.
Ahmed Fareed hosts Saturday’s coverage, alongside analysts Jerry Bailey, a Hall of Fame jockey who has twice won the Louisiana Derby, and Randy Moss.
NEW ‘ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SERIES DEBUTS – NBC Sports, in partnership with Churchill Downs, will debut a new “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series Saturday after the Louisiana Derby coverage concludes, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.
The first of four 30-minute episodes features country music star Toby Keith, a lifelong racing fan who is now a Thoroughbred breeder and owner, and an interview with Sol Kumin, co-owner of Triple Crown winner Justify.
Produced by Churchill Downs, the episodes will provide viewers with an inside look at the extensive preparations for the first leg of the Triple Crown. Keith Wetzler, Executive Producer of Broadcast at Churchill Downs, produces the series.
Coverage will be streamed live on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app – NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs.
WAR OF WILL HOPES TO BECOME FOURTH HORSE IN FIVE YEARS TO SWEEP RISEN STAR, LOUISIANA DERBY DOUBLE – With a victory in Saturday’s Louisiana Derby (Grade II), Gary Barber’s War of Will could become the fourth horse in the last five years to sweep the Risen Star-Louisiana Derby double.
War of Will, who is the heavy 6-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile race, won both the Risen Star (GII) and Lecomte Stakes (GIII) at Fair Grounds. The last horse to sweep the three Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races at Fair Grounds was International Star in 2015.
International Star (2015), Gun Runner (2016) and Girvin (2017) won the Risen Star prior to their Louisiana Derby victory.
BETTER WITH AGE – Long Range Toddy won the first division of the Rebel Stakes (GII) on Saturday with 58-year-old jockey Jon Courtaboard. Should Court ride Long Range Toddy in the Kentucky Derby, he’d be the oldest jockey to ever ride in the race.
Court, who is represented by 67-year-old agent Steve Krajcir, has ridden in the Kentucky Derby three times and his best finish was eighth aboard Will Take Charge in 2013.
Jockey Bobby Baird rode in the 1978 Derby at age 57. The oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby was Bill Shoemaker at age 54 when he rode Ferdinand to victory in 1986.
ADDITIONAL TRIPLE CROWN NEWS – Training is set to begin Friday at Churchill Downs. The backstretch opened Tuesday and trainersGreg Foley and Dallas Stewart were the first to arrive.
THE RUNDOWN
TWINSPIRES.COM LOUISIANA DERBY (GII)
Saturday, March 23, $1 million, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Fair Grounds (R13), Post time: 6:13 p.m. EDT. New Orleans, La., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10. TV: NBCSN, TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. Roiland (10) James Graham Tom Amoss 12-1
2. Lemniscate (0) Brian Hernandez Jr. Kenny McPeek 15-1
3. Limonite (2) Jose Ortiz Steve Asmussen 20-1
4. Sueno (8) Corey Lanerie Keith Desormeaux 8-1
5. By My Standards (0) Gabriel Saez Bret Calhoun 12-1
6. War of Will (60) Tyler Gaffalione Mark Casse 6-5
7. Mr. Money (2) Adam Beschizza Bret Calhoun 20-1
8. Country House (20) Luis Saez Bill Mott 9-2
9. Bankit (4) Irad Ortiz Jr. Steve Asmussen 20-1
10. Spinoff (0) John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 8-1
11. Hog Creek Hustle (9) Miguel Mena Vickie Foley 12-1
SUNLAND DERBY (GII)
Sunday, March 24, $800,000, 3yo, 1 1/8 M, Sunland Park (R11), Post time: 7:30 p.m. EDT, Hobbs, N.M., Top 4 Points: 50-20-10-5. TV: TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. Mucho Gusto (14) Joe Talamo Bob Baffert 8-5
2. Anothertwistafate (10) Juan Hernandez Blaine Wright 3-1
3. +Hustle Up (0) Shane Laviolette Todd Fincher 5-1
4. Wicked Indeed (1) Luis Contreras Steve Asmussen 6-1
5. Cutting Humor (0) John Velazquez Todd Pletcher 8-1
6. Walker Stalker (0) Alejandro Medellin Jose Gonzalez Jr. 15-1
7. +Pasamonte Man (0) Ken Tohill Joel Marr 20-1
8. +Collusionist (0) Alfredo Juarez Jr. O.A. Martinez Jr. 25-1
9. Diamond Blitz (0) Kent Desormeaux Keith Desormeaux 15-1
10. Eye Cloud (0) Isaias Enriquez Tracy Norris 30-1
+Not Triple Crown Nominated
TWINSPIRES.COM FAIR GROUNDS OAKS (GII)
Saturday, March 23, $400,000, 3yo fillies, 1 1/16 M, Fair Grounds (R12), Post time: 5:44 p.m. EDT. New Orleans, La., Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10. TV: NBCSN, TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. Speedette (0) Corey Lanerie Keith Desormeaux 10-1
2. Serengeti Empress (60) James Graham Tom Amoss 6-5
3. Street Band (5) Sophie Doyle Larry Jones 8-1
4. Sweet Diane (2) Joe Bravo Mike Stidham 8-1
5. ++Crescentcitypretty (0) Miguel Mena Tyron Benoit 15-1
6. Eres Tu (14) Jose Ortiz Steve Asmussen 6-1
7. Slewgoodtobetrue (0) Florent Geroux Peter Eurton 8-1
8. Liora (31) Channing Hill Wayne Catalano 5-1
SUNLAND PARK OAKS
Sunday, March 24, $200,000, 3yo fillies, 1 1/16 M, Sunland Park (R9), Post time: 6:27 p.m. EDT. Hobbs, N.M.., Top 4 Points: 50-20-10-5. TV: TVG
# Horse (Points) Jockey Trainer ML
1. ++Victim of Love (0) Ry Eikleberry Henry Dominguez 4-1
2. Parade of Roses (0) Joe Talamo Nate Williams 10-1
3. ++Figure (0) Ken Tohill Joel Marr 12-1
4. ++Peaceoutyourhonor (0) Alfredo Juarez Jr. Tony Sedillo 30-1
5. ++Backflash (0) Luis Contreras Steve Asmussen 6-1
6. ++K P Slickem (0) Tyler Baze Weston Martin 8-1
7. Chasing Yesterday (10)
8. Enlisting (0) Kent Desormeaux Bob Hess Jr. 5-1
9. Bellafina (32) Flavien Prat Simon Callahan 7-5
++Not Kentucky Oaks Nominated
UPCOMING ROAD TO THE DERBY RACES
Date Race
March 23 Louisiana Derby FG 100-40-20-10
March 24 Sunland Derby Sun 50-20-10-5
March 30 UAE Derby
March 30 Florida Derby GP 100-40-20-10
March 31 Fukuryu#
April 6 Wood Memorial Aqu 100-40-20-10
April 6 Blue Grass
April 6 Santa Anita Derby SA 100-40-20-10
April 11 Cardinal Condition* Chelmsford 30-12-6-3
April 13 Arkansas Derby OP 100-40-20-10
April 13 Lexington
# Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby
* European Road to the Kentucky Derby
ROAD TO DERBY VIDEO SERIES
· Episode 7: A Big Race for an Intimate Track
· Episode 6: A Potential Super Star
· Episode 5: Follow Trainer Kelly Breen as he Trains Son of Orb
· Episode 4 :Kenny McPeek – The Underdog Trainer
· Episode 3: Breeders’ Cup Battle Produces Early Derby Favorite
· Episode 2: A Twist in the Road at Keeneland
· Episode 1: Neuroscience to the Iroquois Stakes
PAST PERFORMANCES & HISTORY
Brinset.com Triple Crown Past Performances
Louisiana Derby Stakes History
Sunland Derby Stakes History
Louisiana Derby Past Performances
SPOTLIGHT HORSE: LONG RANGE TODDY
· One word to describe Rebel Stakes (Grade II) winner Long Range Toddy’s career is “consistent.” Owned by Arkansas-native Willis Horton, Long Range Toddy sports four victories through seven races with his only off-the-board finish coming in his career debut where he finished fourth. Trained by Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen, Long Range Toddy has amassed 53.5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and likely stamped himself a spot in the starting gate for the first Saturday in May.
· Owner information: Willis Horton, a 78-year-old native of Marshall, Ark., developed D.R. Horton Custom Homes, which became the nation’s largest builder of single-family homes. Horton retired in the early 1990s and began focusing on owning horses with his brother Leon, son Cam and his nephew Terry. Most notably, Horton campaigned Longines Kentucky Oaks winner Lemons Forever and champion 3-year-old Will Take Charge. Horton had two horses run in the Kentucky Derby – Will Take Charge (2013, 9th) and Combatant (2018, 18th).
· Trainer information: Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen is a perennial leading conditioner in the U.S. with more than 8,300 career victories including 44 Grade I scores. Asmussen, 53, was born in South Dakota but moved to Laredo, Texas at a young age. Asmussen’s family is heavily involved in the horse racing industry. His father, Keith, is a retired jockey and mother, Marilyn, is a retired trainer. The family operates the El Primero Training Center – a breeding and sales operation in south Texas. Asmussen’s older brother, Cash, is a trainer and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey. Some of Asmussen’s top horses include Curlin, Gun Runner, Rachel Alexandra and Untapable. – Kevin Kerstein
SCULLY’S KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
REBEL YIELDS CLOSE FINISHES
Game Winner and Improbable returned to the races in separate divisions of Saturday’s Rebel (GII) at Oaklawn Park and while both came up a little short for Bob Baffert, supporters still had reason to be encouraged by their runner-up finishes.
Those seeking clarity regarding favoritism for the 2019 Kentucky Derby came away disappointed.
Long Range Toddy and Omaha Beach denied the odds-on favorites, each picking up 37.5 points, and now appear well-situated to make a projected 20-horse Kentucky Derby field. Since the advent of the Road to the Kentucky Derby series in 2013, 32 points has been the highest cut-off point (Mo Tom in 2016).
Seventeen qualifiers have been offered this year and the only two-time winner, War of Will, will seek a third this Saturday in the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) at Fair Grounds. The Mark Casse-trained colt heads a field of 11 and the 1 1/8-mile race serves as the first of seven major final preps awarding points on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers.
The Kentucky Derby is six weeks from Saturday.
Rebel First Division
Long Range Toddy broke on top from his inside post and showed the way into the first turn of the 1 1/16-mile Rebel before relinquishing the advantage to Classy John. The Steve Asmussen-trained sophomore settled nicely for new rider Jon Court, easing back to race a couple of lengths off the pace along the backstretch, and patiently saved ground behind a quartet of horses on the far turn.
A Willis Horton homebred son of Take Charge Indy, Long Range Toddy angled out for clear sailing while straightening for home but remained fourth with a sixteenth of a mile remaining. The dark bay colt found his best stride in deep stretch, rallying determinedly to overhaul Improbable by a neck, and netted a 104 BRIS Late Pace number for the commendable finish. He went off as the 8-1 third choice among eight runners.
The winner took a big step forward from a BRIS Speed perspective, earning a 97 figure, and is improving at the right time. Out of anUnbridled’s Song mare, Long Range Toddy possesses the pedigree and appears built for longer distances.
Long Range Toddy received only an 89 Speed rating posting an upset win in the Remington Springboard Mile in mid-December. He did a little better when opening the year in the Smarty Jones, garnering a 92 for a neck second, and recorded a 91 for a troubled third in the Feb. 18 Southwest (GIII) at Oaklawn. It was easy to appreciate the push-button acceleration he displayed in the Rebel stretch and Long Range Toddy’s tractability is an asset.
Improbable broke from the far outside and had ample opportunity to drop behind rivals a few jumps out of the starting gate. Drayden Van Dyke held his outside positioning and that became an issue when Galilean, who missed the break, rushed forward and pushed Improbable even wider into the first turn.
The 2-5 favorite continued to take the overland path along the backstretch and launched his move while entering the far turn. The crowd roared as Improbable advanced to take a short lead into upper stretch and it momentarily appeared as if a romping win was materializing. But instead of storming into a commanding advantage, Improbable lacked an extra gear and led
