By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman
After a two-week break, the Road to Kentucky Derby will resume this weekend. An important trio of qualifiers will take place across the globe, featuring two races — the UAE Derby (G2) and Louisiana Derby (G2) —100-40-20-10 scores for the top four finishers.
Let’s take a quick look at each race and plan our picks:
UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan . Racecourse
At first glance, #11 Pinehurst (3-1) seems to be a solid play in this 1,900 meter event. Intern Bob Baffert dominated the seven-lane Del Mar Futurity (G1) last summer and recently sped past 1,600 meters to win the Saudi Arabia Derby (G3) on the big court.
But Pinehurst went to great lengths to win the Saudi Arabia Derby, half the length of the effort. # 13 Sekifu. Extending the extra 300 meters in distance is a question mark for Pinehurst, who has done his best in sprints and singles.
I believe Sekifu can turn the tide in the UAE Derby. The Japanese tennis player was coming back from his sacking in the Saudi Arabia Derby, but nevertheless, created a large protest down the house to miss the capture of Pinehurst.
With this honing, Sekifu should be prepared for an even stronger attempt in the UAE Derby. He’s already been nominated for the Triple Crown and is campaigning as if the Kentucky Derby is the goal, so all indications are that Sekifu could move forward in his second game of the season.
Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds
# 6 The epicenter take the lead to stay unbeaten in three games that start at the Fair Grounds. Intern Steve Asmussen improved throughout the winter, and his only setback came when setting up a brisk pace in Lecomte S. (G3). In the second race, Epicenter turned down a rail challenge from race favorite and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up, Pappacap, only to be caught in the final steps by running tense. #3 Call me at midnight.
Epicenter bounced back from that setback with a strong performance in the 1/8-mile Risen Star S. (G2) last month. Racing forward through more controlled fractions than he placed in Lecomte, Epicenter beat the gym to a 2 3/4 length win over Kentucky Jockey Club S winner (G2) Smile Happy and Remsen S. (G2) runner-up Zandon.
This effort marked Epicenter as a formidable opponent in the Louisiana Derby. The race doesn’t have too much speed on paper, so Epicenter should enjoy another comfortable ride ahead. He finished quickly in the Resurrection Star, suggesting a 1/3/16 mile distance of the Louisiana Derby won’t be an issue. And he is training a storm for his biggest race to date, hitting a pair of five-round training sessions at the Fair Grounds this month.
When the dust settles, I expect to see Epicenter in the winner’s circle. The title of runner-up can go to # 9 Rattle N Roll, who finished sixth in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) three weeks ago. Intern Kenny McPeek is back after five months of being fired and may not have been at his peak. He won the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland 4 1/4 lengths ago last fall and can certainly return to that form in his second game of the season. A five-round training session on: 58 4/5 last Saturday further supports this view.
Sunland Derby (G3) at Sunland Park
Returning for the first time since 2019, the 1/8 mile Sunland (G3) Derby drew a large number of unclassified bet winners, but only one graded bet winner. The class’s standout is #4 Slow down Andyand a typical performance would put Nyquist’s son in the winner’s circle.
Slow Down Andy showed a lot of promise as a teenager. After finishing second in the Golden State Juvenile S. seven events behind Finneus in No. 1, Slow Down Andy reached over 1 1/16 miles and posted a nasty win in Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), beating it out. next Robert B. Lewis S. (G3) Messier winner by one length.
Slow Down Andy failed to come back after two months of being fired in Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds, coming in sixth behind Epicenter, Smile Happy, Zandon and others. But Slow Down Andy is back to post three sharp workouts (including a six-hook bullet from the Santa Anita starting gate in 1:12 2/5), and he’ll face an easy field. easier while adding lightning players in the Sunland Derby. I would be surprised if Slow Down Andy was brief.
Now it’s your turn! Who’s your favorite on this action-packed weekend of worldwide curated stakes?
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J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, cinematographer, voice actor, amputee, and horse racing enthusiast. A huge fan of racing history, he considers Dr Fager the greatest racehorse ever made in America, but considers Zenyatta his all-time favorite.
