Code West, sixth in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 30, is a candidate for the $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 20, trainer Bob Baffert said Friday.
“It’s a possibility,” Baffert said.
Code West worked three furlongs Friday morning at Santa Anita, Baffert said, but the time was not on the workout sheet. Baffert said Code West galloped out a half-mile in 49 seconds.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – In two of the last three years, trainer Todd Pletcher sent a horse from the Wood Memorial to Churchill Downs hoping against hope that the horse would make the Kentucky Derby.
A week before the 2010 Derby, Pletcher had to withdraw Eskendereya from the Derby with a leg injury that ultimately led to his retirement. In 2011, Uncle Mo, third in that year’s Wood, was scratched with what was eventually diagnosed as a liver disorder.
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Regardless of which surface Sunday’s $75,000 Dave Stakes is run, a horse trained by Shug McGaughey stands a good chance to be in the Aqueduct winner’s circle afterward.
If the race remains at 1 1/16 miles on the turf course, McGaughey will be represented by Seal Cove, a 5-year-old gelding who is a two-time overnight stakes winner. Should the race be transferred to dirt, and run at a mile, Grade 1 winner Hymn Book would make his 7-year-old debut in this cozy spot.
Forest Mouse will be spotting his rivals a notable amount of weight on Sunday when he returns to New Mexico for the $75,000 Sunland Park Handicap. He is the 127-pound highweight in the 1 1/8-mile race and will be giving his five rivals between seven and 10 pounds. Others set to start include Red Lead, a winner of his last two starts, and Tiz Gianni, who made his most recent start at Santa Anita.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Rafael Bejarano had a perfect racing day at Santa Anita on Thursday, winning with all four of his mounts.
That success is reflective of Bejarano’s standing among jockeys at the winter-spring meeting, which he has dominated from the start. Bejarano had four wins on opening day, Dec. 26, and had a commanding lead of 26 victories through Thursday.
ARCADIA, Calif. – Egg Drop is wheeling back too soon, only 17 days.
She is moving up in class too swiftly, from first-level allowance to stakes. And the pace scenario of the $70,000 Santa Lucia Stakes might not favor her up-front style.
What does a bettor do with Egg Drop on Sunday at Santa Anita – throw her out? That might not be a good idea.
Five fillies and mares entered the 1 1/16-mile Santa Lucia, and though trainer Mike Mitchell recognizes the challenges, he is confident his filly is up to the task.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Keeneland racing officials are expecting yet another big field for one of their spring marquee races, the Coolmore Lexington Stakes, a Polytrack race that will help close the prep season for the May 4 Kentucky Derby by offering last-gasp “wild card” points toward eligibility.
Pure Fun, a Grade 1-winning filly seeking a spot in the Kentucky Oaks, is foremost among the possible starters for the Grade 3, $200,000 Lexington, a 1 1/16-mile race set for next Saturday, April 20.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – It seems inconceivable that Troy Taylor won’t be the leading trainer at Hastings this year. After all, the 81-year-old Taylor has been the leading trainer here for the past six years, and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Taylor, however, thinks he might not have the bullets this year.
“I have a solid group of stakes horses, but I might not have enough cheap horses to get enough wins,” Taylor said.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – With plenty of speed lined up, Prohibiting might be able to pick up the pieces in a first-level allowance race that will serve as Sunday’s feature at Hastings. The six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds drew six horses and goes as the seventh race.
Prohibiting ran four times as a 2-year-old, and he rallied to win a key race in his third start in a $40,000 optional maiden claiming race. Proud Victor, who finished third, went on to win the $50,000 B.C. Nursery and the $100,00 Jack Diamond Futurity.
