Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (G1) Winner Rattle N Roll Friday, March 5, Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park in his first start at age 3, will likely start his next in the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 26, coach Kenny McPeek told TVG today. March 12.
McPeek told TVG’s Andie Biacone that Connection colt needs to race at the Fountain of Youth, his first race in almost 5 months. He placed eighth early in the 1/16-mile race, moved upward with his backhand, and weakened to finish 7 1/4 of the length after the win. Simplify.
Thank you coach @kennymcpeek for taking the time to talk to @andie_biancone before the 3rd today at Gulfstream!
Catch all the details here about his participating Holiday Princess #7 and get updates on the Rattle N Roll & the race he’s pointing to next on the Derby Trail! pic.twitter.com/pplQkahmXm
– TVG (@TVG) March 12, 2022
“Let’s just say I could have coached him, coached him and coached him and maybe have a slightly better performance, but he needs to run,” McPeek said. “There’s no substitute for a race. I always feel like it takes them forward — better than two or three breezes.”
McPeek said the Rattle N Roll came out of the race in good condition, and the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds & Slots attractive because ponies will cover more distances. The 1 3/16 mile race is also a top division race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
The Louisiana Derby distributes qualifying scores on a 100-40-20-10 scale to the top four finishers. Rattle N Roll now has 10 points.
Other graded winning ponies shown for the Louisiana Derby include Epicenter (64 points) and Call me at midnight (10 points).
