The race to make the field for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) is heading into the stretch, with West Coast stars Citizen Bull and Journalism continuing to lead the way.
Citizen Bull, the 2-year-old champion and winner of the Robert B. Lewis (G3) in his only start this year, is No. 1 in the latest Kentucky Derby Top 10, with rival Journalism, winner of the San Felipe (G2) last out, still No. 2.
Sovereignty, the stretch-running winner of the Fountain of Youth (G2), held steady at No. 3 but a huge chance to move up with a victory in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park. Regular rider Junior Alvarez, though, was injured Sunday (March 23) and will be sidelined for several weeks.
Also, Saturday is the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1), with a field that includes No. 5 Coal Battle, winner of the Rebel Stakes (G2), and No. 7 Sandman, third in the Rebel.
Tiztastic moved into the Top 10 at No. 6 following his victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2), a race in which the favorites faded in the stretch and Tiztastic and jockey Joel Rosario cruised home for the win.
With 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points for the win, Tiztastic is now atop the 2025 Kentucky Derby prep races leaderboard with 119 points for trainer Steve Asmussen, who is 0-for-26 in the Run for the Roses.
“We thought he’d run a better race in the Louisiana Derby with the extra distance, and he took the step forwarded he needed,” Asmussen said after his horse arrived Monday at Churchill Downs. “He has a great mind to him. I think he ran a solid race, but there is more in him.”
Final Gambit, a 16-1 longshot, won the other 2025 Kentucky Derby prep race on Saturday (March 22), taking the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) and moving into second place on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 100 points.
The Florida Derby and Arkansas Derby are each worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers, all but clinching 2025 Kentucky Derby berths for the top two finishers.
The final week of 200 total-point preps is April 5 with the Santa Anita Derby (G1), the Blue Grass (G1), and the Wood Memorial (G2). Also, there’s the UAE Derby (G2) in Dubai, which also offers 200 total points on the Europe-Mid East road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby.
While Baffert has two 3-year-olds in the Top 10, he has five others still in Derby contention: Madaket Road (Florida Derby), Cornucopian (Arkansas Derby), Rodriguez, Gaming, and Getaway Car.
Worked 5 furlongs in 59.80 at Santa Anita on March 22 ... It was the front-running colt’s sixth breeze since winning the Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 1 ... Showdown with Journalism looms in Santa Anita Derby ... Only two BC Juvenile winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 60 (6th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 9-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 on March 22 at Santa Anita in second of three works before Santa Anita Derby … Impressive win over Barnes in San Felipe on March 1 upped winning streak to three ... … Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 5 … Derby points: 47.5 (11th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 5-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 50.00 on March 22 at Payson Park, his second 0work since last-to-first win in Fountain of Youth ... A new rider will replace Junior Alvarado, out a few weeks with a should injury ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini … Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 60 (7th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 7-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00 on March 22 at Santa Anita, third fastest of 89 at the distance … Still needs points to qualify for Derby; options include Blue Grass or Santa Anita Derby ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 18.75 (31st) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
Unbeaten in five career starts on dirt, including the Smarty Jones and Rebel ... Worked 3 furlongs in 37.40 at Oaklawn on March 23 ... Made third on morning line for Arkansas Derby, behind maiden winner Conucopian and Sandman ... Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 70 (4th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 14-1.
By far, this wasn’t the strongest prep race of the season, but Tiztastic won at 1 3/16 miles over a decent field ... After the race, Assmussen (0-for-26 in the Derby) said: “Maybe he’s the one to get us over the hump.’’ ... Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith ... Purchased for $335,000 at Keeneland yearling sale ... Pedigree: Tiz the Law-Keesha, by Tapit ... Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3 ... Derby points: 119 (1st) ... Derby future wager odds: 119-1.
Closing second in the Southwest, then third in the Rebel in last two starts ... Jose Ortiz, Fair Grounds’ leading rider, is reunited with colt ... Worked 5 furlongs in 1:03.20 on March 19 at Oaklawn ... Pedigree: Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor ... Next start: Arkansas Derby, Oaklawn Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 29 (20th) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 22-1.
Remains a Derby contender following strong effort in Fountain of Youth, getting nailed at the wire by Sovereignty … Worked 5 furlongs in 1:00.51 on March 21 at Palm Beach Downs ... Pedigree: Maclean's Music-Proportionality, by Discreet Cat ... Next start: Florida Derby, Gulfstream Park, March 29 ... Derby points: 25 (25th) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 65-1.
Will the long layoff be worth it to get Dutrow back to the Derby? Won Withers on Feb. 1, but needs to finish at least third (likely second) to get a spot in the Derby starting gate. Dutrow confident colt is on target for significant effort. Pedigree: Practical Joke-Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie ... Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 5 ... Derby points: 20 (29th) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 51-1.
Looks like Lukas’ Virginia Derby will be trainer’s Derby horse after his 7 ¾-length Virginia Derby win on March 15 ... This would be the Hall of Fame trainer’s 31stDerby as he seeks his fifth win ... Pedigree: Justify-Tapella, by Tapit … Next start: TBD … Derby points: 55 (8th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 10-1 (all other 3-year-olds).
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
