3 minute read

And Lord Miles. Horses need more than 45 points to get into the field at present.

Lots of activity with Kentucky in mind over the weekend starting off on Friday with the Ashland Stakes and the winner, the Kenny McPeek trained Defining Purpose on 20/1 getting the better of Punchbowl and Julia Shining, with the wheels appearing to have come off Wonder Wheel.

At Aqueduct also on Friday Doppleganger at 18/1 took out the Gr 1 Carter ahead of the more-favoured Repo Rocks with Expressman third.  White Aborrio was a non-runner.

And the Wood Memorial, these days a Gr 2, saw the Curlin product Lord Miles win for Saffie Joseph and Paco Lopez, having started at 59/1!  It was a tight finish with Hit Show a nose away in second and Dreamlike third, Arctic Arrogance fourth.  Lord Miles will get the 100 points here.

This time points are awarded to the first 5 finishers so that the second horse only gets 40.

So Saturday more excitement at Keeneland where Papilio, by Star Spangled Banner, won the Appalachian by a neck from Cairo Consort by Cairo Prince.  Heavenly Sunday was third and she's by Candy Ride.

The Madison saw Goodnight Olive win like an odds-on should with Maryquitecontrary second and Society third.

The Shakertown Gr 2 on the turf went to Caraval with roughie Bad Beat Brian 41/1 second and Arrest Me Red third.

Then the Bluegrass, where Tapit Trice (we may have short-changed him earlier and called him Tapit Twice) showed considerable improvement since his run in the Tampa Bay Derby and just outlasted Verifying and Blazing Sevens.  Raise Cain finished 5th so not sure if that gives him enough points for the Derby.  Tapit Trice will have to go up against his stablemate Forte!

Over to Santa Anita, where there was quite an upset in the Whittingham.  The winner, Offlee Naughty was obviously on his best behaviour and won after starting at 12/1 from Dicey Mo Chana 9/2 and Opry 6/1.  They were followed in by the more-fancied runners Gold Phoenix and Masteroffoxhounds.

Then the Santa Anita Derby which was a real thriller with a head-bobber finish between Practical Move and the Japanese raider Mandarin Hero with the official verdict a nose.  Skinner got third and Geaux Rocket Ride was scratched as he had a fever.  The 40 points which Mandarin Hero got may not get him into the Derby field – it will require a few horses with more points coming out. However the strength of Japanese racing was underlined here and although Mandarin Hero comes from the NAR circuit which is thought of as the second level it does have mostly dirt races which levels the playing field somewhat.

The Santa Anita Oaks was a romp in the park for Faiza who won by 6 ½ lengths from one of the three 4/1 starters Window Shopping with the other two close behind – And Tell Me Nolies third and the horse with our favouite name Clearly Unhinged fourth.  Not sure what she did to earn this name as she was beautifully behaved here.