First Look: 1st Kentucky Derby prep is 1 of 11 graded stakes
Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire – edited
In truth, the road to Kentucky Derby 2025 began with the
foaling of colts in 2022. On paper, though, it starts Saturday.
That is when the Grade 3, $300,000 Iroquois Stakes will be
run at Churchill Downs in its traditional position as the first points prep toward qualifying for
the 151st run for the roses. The dirty little, open secret about the race is
that in its 42 previous runnings, it never has produced a Derby winner.
The $300,000 Pocahontas (G3) also will be run Saturday at Churchill. It
is the first race on the road to the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Just think. There are only 236 shopping days until the
Kentucky Derby.
First things first. Including the Iroquois and Pocahontas, 11 graded stakes are scheduled Saturday for four tracks in the U.S. and
Canada.
Saturday
Iroquois (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 mile, 2-year-olds, Kentucky
Derby 10-5-3-2-1 points prep
Of the five probable entrants reported by Churchill Downs during
the weekend, Owen Almighty brings noteworthy numbers to this one-turn mile. His best
Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form, was the 84 he earned
for winning the seven-furlong Ellis Park Juvenile by 4 3/4 lengths on Aug. 11. That made him 2-for-2
for trainer Brian Lynch. The Speightstown colt already has been through the
sales ring twice and is owned by the Boersma family’s Boardshorts Stables, who bought
him as a yearling for $350,000. Entries for this race and the rest of the
Saturday card at Churchill will be taken around midday Monday.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Authentic Strike Authentic |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Giocoso Not This Time |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Jack’s Time Not This Time |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Owen Almighty Speightstown |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Politicallycorrect Violence |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Pocahontas (G3), Churchill Downs, 1 mile, 2-year-old
fillies, Kentucky Oaks (G1) 10-5-3-2-1 points prep
After finishing a distant second in her debut, Kimchi Cat won
each of her next two starts with progressively improving performances for owner
Joel Politi and trainer Tom Amoss. Her 3 1/2-length victory Aug. 18 in the off-the-turf
Bolton Landing sprint at Saratoga was worthy of an 84 Beyer. Kimchi has not
raced longer than 5 1/2 furlongs, but her sire Twirling Candy won four graded
stakes going a route of distance.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Atomic City Twirling Candy |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Continuity Speightster |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Good Cheer Medaglia d’Oro |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Kimchi Cat Twirling Candy |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Liam In The Dust Liam’s Map |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Stilettos Upstart |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Locust Grove (G2), Churchill Downs, 1 1/16 miles, fillies
and mares, 3-year-olds and up
On either side of a nine-month break, Godolphin homebred
Loved was in deep water finishing fourth in the 2023 Molly Pitcher (G3) and this
spring’s Doubledogdare (G3). The 5-year-old Medaglia d’Oro mare trained by
Brendan Walsh got a confidence boost two months ago when she won the Mari
Hulman George Memorial Handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Jockey Club Oaks Invitational (G3), 1 3/8 miles, turf,
Belmont at Aqueduct, 3-year-old fillies
The key word here is invitational, which means the New York
Racing Association racing office will continue replacing RSVP’d regrets with offers
to more horses until entries are taken Tuesday. Lady Madonna, a War Front
filly, won for trainer Todd Pletcher last out in a 1 1/16-mile Monmouth Park
allowance. Beautiful Love, a Godolphin homebred by Siyouni, has been a winner
in England and Dubai, but she finished sixth in the Lake Placid (G2) last month
for Charlie Appleby.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | HRN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Beautiful Love Siyouni |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Egyptian Candy Twirling Candy |
0.00 |
3rd, ELP ALW (08/24/2024-R6) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
3rd, ELP ALW (08/24/2024-R6) |
|||||
|
|
Justdeny Justify |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Lady Madonna War Front |
0.00 |
1st, MTH ALW (08/17/2024-R7) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, MTH ALW (08/17/2024-R7) |
|||||
|
|
Lady Mary Lawman |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Macanga American Pharoah |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Woodbine Mile (G1), Woodbine, 1 mile, turf, 3-year-olds and up, Breeders’ Cup Mile automatic qualifier
What do you know? The folks at Woodbine put out a rare list
of probables for this feature on a card stacked with six graded stakes,
including four Grade 1s. Filo Di Arianna stands out with his 101 Beyer two
starts back in winning the six-furlong Highlander (G2). The 8-year-old gelding
came back two weeks ago to finish first in the King Edward (G2) on the
postponed King’s Plate undercard. With a 7: 6-1-0 record at Woodbine, he is one
of the three probable entrants for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Big Rock Rock of Gibraltar |
7.07 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Filo Di Arianna Drosselmeyer |
6.55 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Naval Power Teofilo |
6.32 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
My Boy Prince Cairo Prince |
5.77 |
2nd, King’s Plate S. |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, King’s Plate S. |
|||||
|
|
Win For The Money Mohaymen |
5.23 |
2nd, KY Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile S. |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, KY Downs Preview Mint Millions Turf Mile S. |
|||||
|
|
Secret Reserve Giant Gizmo |
4.45 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Cruden Bay Big Screen |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
Niagara Skyline War Dancer |
0.00 |
1st, WO AOC (07/28/2024-R9) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, WO AOC (07/28/2024-R9) |
|||||
|
|
Playmea Tune Maclean’s Music |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
E. P. Taylor (G1), Woodbine, 1 1/4 miles, turf, fillies
and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Bring on Fev Rover vs. Moira 7.0. The last two horses of the
year in Canada are all square at 3-3 in their head-to-head rivalry. Casse, who
trains Fev Rover, and Kevin Attard, who looks after Moira, said Sunday they will
meet again this weekend. Fev Rover won the E. P. Taylor last year, and Moira
finished third. Their most recent meeting will be a hard act to follow. Last
month Moira dueled Fev Rover to the finish and won by a head in the Beverly D.
(G2) at Colonial Downs.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Moira Ghostzapper |
7.20 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Fev Rover Gutaifan |
6.91 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Blue Rose Cen Churchill |
6.53 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Full Count Felicia War Front |
6.17 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Cinderella’s Dream Shamardal |
7.67 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Summer (G1), Woodbine, 1 mile, turf, 2-year-olds, Breeders’
Cup Juvenile Turf automatic qualifier
Al Qudra represents Appleby’s attempt to win this stakes for
the third time in four years for Godolphin. The Ireland-bred colt by No Nay
Never most recently defeated four rivals July 27 in the Pat Eddery Stakes at
Ascot. He might have been on a three-race winning streak if not for his fifth-place
finish in the Coventry (G2) at Royal Ascot. Al Qudra lost that 22-horse sprint by
only one length. This will be his first time racing in North America and his
first time going longer than seven furlongs.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Al Qudra No Nay Never |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Dewolf Silent Name |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Dream On Not This Time |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Forty N Five Uncle Mo |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Special Session Constitution |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Groot Collected |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
New Century Kameko |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Ready To Battle War of Will |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Thread Twirling Candy |
0.00 |
1st, WO MSW (09/06/2024-R6) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, WO MSW (09/06/2024-R6) |
|||||
|
|
Vixen Vekoma |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Will Reign War of Will |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Winterberry Frosted |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Natalma (G1), Woodbine, 1 mile, turf, 2-year-old fillies,
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf automatic qualifier
A pair of Ireland-breds making their first North America
starts may be the shiny objects for bettors. Godolphin homebred Mountain Breeze,
a daughter of Lope De Vega, won a pair of novice races at Newmarket, England,
before taking fourth in the Albany (G3) at Royal Ascot. She since ran second in
both the Duchess of Cambridge (G2) and Sweet Solera (G3) for Appleby. Latin
Fever, an Equiano filly, was an 80-1 winner in her debut July 25 at
Leopardstown, Ireland. Now she races for Casse, who has won this race a record seven
times.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
And One More Time Omaha Beach |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Latin Fever Equiano |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Mountain Breeze Lope de Vega |
0.00 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Annascaul American Pharoah |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Italian Soiree Uncle Mo |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Miss Beethoven Van Beethoven |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Ready To Battle War of Will |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Serene Spirit Speightstown |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Thread Twirling Candy |
0.00 |
1st, WO MSW (09/06/2024-R6) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, WO MSW (09/06/2024-R6) |
|||||
|
|
Vixen Vekoma |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Will Reign War of Will |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Winterberry Frosted |
0.00 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
Vigil (G3), Woodbine, 1 mile, turf, 3-year-olds and up
I’m a Gambler, a 5-year-old No Nay Never gelding, was moved this
spring by owners Tim, Mark and Linda Cohen from California trainer Mark Glatt to
Attard. The change of scenery resulted in an allowance win two starts back.
Carrying 11-1 odds into the Bold Venture (G3) on the rain-delayed King’s Plate
card, I’m a Gambler finished third, only a half-length behind Patches O’Houlihan.
The Vigil would be his 37th start and could provide him his 11th win.
Ontario Matron (G3), Woodbine, 1 1/16 miles, synthetic,
fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up
Of the long list of probables and possibles based on trainer
interviews, workout patterns and educated guessing, 4-year-old Fashionably
Fab would try to reclaim the form that brought her five consecutive wins between
October and June. They included one on turf, one on dirt and three on the very
synthetic course where Attard will race her Saturday. The daughter of Japan
stallion Silent Name is coming off a close third in the Trillium (G3) on the
Tapeta and a distant fourth last out in the Canadian (G2) on turf.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Sabatini Uncle Mo |
6.09 |
7th, Ontario Colleen S. |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
7th, Ontario Colleen S. |
|||||
|
|
Libban Laoban |
6.05 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Fashionably Fab Silent Name |
5.07 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Ro Town Mo Town |
4.79 |
5th, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
5th, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
|||||
|
|
Wickenheiser Lemon Drop Kid |
4.79 |
3rd, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
3rd, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
|||||
|
|
Elysian Field Hard Spun |
4.45 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Forever Dixie Quality Road |
3.79 | Probable | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Solo Album Curlin |
3.79 |
1st, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
Probable | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
|||||
|
|
Five Towns Lord Kanaloa |
5.87 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Batucada Union Rags |
4.79 |
6th, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, Trillium S. Presented by Don Julio |
|||||
|
|
Rosie’s Alibi Justify |
4.09 | Possible | |||
|
Last Race Next Race |
||||||
|
|
Blueberry Fields Frac Daddy |
0.00 |
1st, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
|||||
|
|
Devil’s Bit Daredevil |
0.00 |
6th, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
6th, WO AOC (08/17/2024-R5) |
|||||
British Columbia Derby (G3), Hastings, 1 1/8 miles,
3-year-old colts and geldings
The track office did not provide any likely entrants for
this last leg of the abbreviated Western Canadian Derby Series. Based on their
racing patterns and recent workouts, August Rain and J Dutton might be expected
to have a rematch of their one-two finish 16 days ago in the 1 1/4-mile Canadian
Derby at Century Mile.
| Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start / Next Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
August Rain Sungold |
0.00 |
1st, Canadian Derby |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, Canadian Derby |
|||||
|
|
J Dutton Smiling Tiger |
0.00 |
2nd, Canadian Derby |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, Canadian Derby |
|||||
|
|
Moneyshot Frosted |
0.00 |
1st, HST MOC (08/16/2024-R2) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
1st, HST MOC (08/16/2024-R2) |
|||||
|
|
Skipper’s Pride Klimt |
0.00 |
10th, Canadian Derby |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
10th, Canadian Derby |
|||||
|
|
Tougherthantherest Take Charge Indy |
0.00 |
2nd, Muckleshoot Derby Presented by the National Thoroughbred League |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, Muckleshoot Derby Presented by the National Thoroughbred League |
|||||
|
|
Westminster Bolt d’Oro |
0.00 |
2nd, HST MOC (08/16/2024-R2) |
Possible | ||
|
Last Race Next Race |
2nd, HST MOC (08/16/2024-R2) |
|||||
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