Kentucky Derby: Will the World's Most Famous Race Be Postponed?

Following the impressive win by CHARLATAN (Speightstown – Authenticity by Quiet American) in a Santa Anita allowance race (co-owned by Toronto’s John Fielding), trainer Bob Baffert was not sure where the colt would race next.

And not just because the colt has seemingly unbelievable talent or that he is one of numerous Kentucky Derby hopefuls for the continent’s top trainer, but because the Kentucky Derby (G1) may have to be postponed due to the continued spread of COVID-19.

“We don’t know if we’ll run here in the Santa Anita Derby, because nobody’s really sure when anything is going to happen. Churchill is saying they’re not going to run the Derby without the people there, so I’m hearing maybe June or in September.

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“…Whenever they cancel the Masters (in April at Augusta National), that’s like the Derby…I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s kinda scary. Hopefully they can get everything under control.”

CHARLATAN is 2 for 2 and the next possible star trained by Bob Baffert – Santa Anita web/media photo

Already, with racetracks holding races without spectators and at least one track, Turf Paradise, stopping racing altogether, these are unprecedented times in the modern era.

Racing has already had a crazy week with the stunning indictments of a doping scandal made last Monday, now races are being held without anyone in the grandstand, inside or out.

A postponed Derby to June would be okay. A month later or so would certainly help horses not fully ready to go 1 1/4 miles early in their 3-year-old season and it probably wouldn’t take anything away from the race. But what would happen to the Triple Crown? The Preakness and Belmont would be moved too?

In Canada, the Queen’s Plate, our big race for 3-year-olds, is scheduled for June 27

Kentucky Derby Prep Races

In addition to the exciting win by Charlatan, two Kentucky Derby springboard races took place March 14.

The Bob Baffert trained NADAL (Blame – Ascending Angel by Pulpit) remained undefeated with his win in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes in the slop at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. Winner of two sprints including the Grade 2 San Vicente, Nadal was stretching out to 1 1/16 miles for the first time and he he was 4 to 5 and did get the job done.

It was not overly pretty, however, as he was locked in a wild pace battle with fellow California shipper American Theorem through early fractions of :22 4/5 and 46 for the first half mile. As his rival faded, Nadal held a comfortable advantage entering the stretch and had just enough left to hold off longshot Excession for the victory in a slowing 1:44 4/5 for 1 1/16 miles over a sloppy track. Basin finished third.

Nadal secured 50 points towards Kentucky Derby eligibility and is now ranked third on the top 20 leaderboard. Excession is ranked 13th with 20 points and Basin is 25th with 10 points.

The Rebel is the last local prep before the $1 million Arkansas Derby April 11. Co-owner George Bolton indicated his colt would likely return for that race. Baffert wanted to get the horse back to California before making a firm decision.

At Turfway Park in Kentucky over Polytrack, the 250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) came down to a battle between the bettors’ top two choices trained by the meet’s top two trainers, with 7-2 FIELD PASS getting up in the final jump to defeat 6-5 favorite Invader by a neck and give trainer Mike Maker his sixth victory in the race. Invader is trained by Wesley Ward, who currently leads the trainer standings with 17 wins to Maker’s 16.

FIELD PASS, however, is not Triple Crown nominated and reportedly is NOT going to be heading to the Derby, instead headed back to the grass.

Fancy Liquor, who was entered off his debut maiden special weight win at Gulfstream and is also trained by Maker, was another two lengths back in third.

Fancy Liquor led the way, setting the first quarter-mile in :23.76, the half-mile in :47.78 and the six-furlong mark in 1:11.72. Invader raced just behind in second, while Field Pass was third to Invader’s outside. Invader was keen to go, with jockey Albin Jimenez taking hold while feeling pressure from Field Pass and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Invader challenged Fancy Liquor approaching the final turn and edged ahead at the top of the stretch, but he couldn’t hold off a determined final surge from Field Pass. Final time for the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds was 1:49.34.

Top Queen’s Plate hopeful HALO AGAIN stayed on for fourth after a lovely trip under Woodbine jockey Rafael Hernandez.

By Lemon Drop Kid out of Only Me, by Runaway Groom, Field Pass was bred by Mark Brown Grier in Maryland and as such is ineligible for the $50,000 portion of the Jeff Ruby Steaks purse provided by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund. The Jeff Ruby Steaks win pushed Field Pass’s earnings to $291,210 and his record to 3-2-0 in eight starts.

UPDATED KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS from Churchill Downs

Rank – Horse Points – Owner(s) – Trainer – Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings

1. Authentic – 60 – SF Racing LLC (Gavin Murphy), Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf), Madaket Stables LLC (Sol Kumin & Jason Monteleone), Frederick Hertrich III, John D. Fielding and Golconda Stables (Ben Goldberg & Elliot Friman) – Bob Baffert – $300,000
2. Ete Indien – 54 – Linda Shanahan, Sanford Bacon, Dream With Me Stable Inc., Horse France America, D P Racing LLC (Deron Pearson) & Patrick L. Biancone Racing LLC – Patrick Biancone -$285,156
3. Nadal – 50 – George Bolton, Arthur Hoyeau, Barry Lipman & Mark Mathiesen Bob Baffert $720,000
4. Mischevious Alex 50 Cash is King LLC (Chuck Zacney et al) & LC Racing LLC (Glenn Bennett) – John Servis – $308,410
5. Modernist – 50 – Pam & Martin Wygod – Bill Mott – $240,000

6. King Guillermo – 50 – Victoria’s Ranch – Juan Carlos Avila – $217,050
7. Enforceable – 33 – John C. Oxley – Mark Casse – $264,550
8. Storm the Court – 32 – David A. Bernsen LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC (Ryan Exline and family & Justin Border), Dan Hudock & Susanna Wilso – Peter Eurton – $1,196,351
9. Sole Volante – 30 – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Andie Biancone & Limelight Stables Corp. – Patrick Biancone – $243,510
10. Thousand Words – 25 – Albaugh Family Stables (LLC Dennis Albaugh & Jason Loustch) & Spendthrift Farm LLC (B. Wayne Hughes) – Bob Baffert – $205,000

11. Tiz the Law – 22 – Sackatoga Stable (Jack Knowlton et al) – Barclay Tagg – $456,000
12. Silver Prospector – 21 – Ed and Susie Orr – Steve Asmussen – $661,518
13. Excession – 20 – Calumet Farm (Brad Kelley) – Steve Asmussen – $206,000
14. Honor A. P. – 20 – C R K Stable LLC (Lee & Susan Searing) – John Shirreffs – $80,000
15. Major Fed – 20 – Lloyd Madison Farms IV LLC – Greg Foley – $80,000

16. Candy Tycoon – 20 – Mathis Stable LLC – Todd Pletcher – $76,000
17. Untitled – 20 – Gary Barber & Michael B. Sebastian – Mark Casse – $67,275
18. Shotski – 19 – Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Pantofel Stable (Len Schleifer) & Howling Pigeon Farms LLC (Michael Karty) – Jeremiah O’Dwyer – $212,466
19. Independence Hall – 14 – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (Aron Wellman), Twin Creeks Racing Stables LLC (Steve Davison & Randy Gullatt), Kathleen Verratti & Robert N. Verratti – Mike Trombetta – $205,000
20. Silver State – 14 – Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (Ron Winchell) & Willis Horton Racing LLC – Steve Asmussen – $80,000