They’ve been 1-2 in the US Racing Kentucky Derby Contenders Top 10 for weeks, and on Saturday at Santa Anita, No. 1 Citizen Bull takes on No. 2 Journalism in a Santa Anita Derby (G1) showdown that likely will determine the favorite for the Run for the Roses.
Also on the line is whether No. 6 Barnes, 2-0 before a loss to Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 1, can earn enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby field limited to 20 starters.
Citizen Bull makes his second start as a 3-year-old after winning the Robert B. Lewis (G3) on Feb. 1. He closed out 2024 with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) to clinch the 2-year-old championship.
With just five horses in the field, the Kentucky Derby Contenders leaderboards' points are scaled down to 75% of the 100-50-25-15-10 dispersal – 75-37.5-18.75-11.25-7.5. The highly-touted Barnes has 18.75 points and likely needs to run first or second in the Santa Anita Derby.
There are two other 200 total-point preps on Saturday, the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct.
In addition, the UAE Derby (G2) winner in Dubai on Saturday could earn a Kentucky Derby slot as the Euro-Mideast points leader.
The Wood Memorial features Withers winner Captain Cook at No. 9, and the Blue Grass features No. 10 River Thames, the morning-line favorite who likely needs a top 3 finish to get trainer Todd Pletcher into the Derby.
The 20-horse field for the Derby on May 3 will be mostly set by Saturday evening. The final prep is the Lexington Stakes (G3) on April 12, which is worth 20-10-6-4-2 points to the top five finishers.
Our Kentucky Derby Contenders Top 10 underwent a slight shakeup after the Florida Derby on the Arkansas Derby on Saturday (March 29). Sandman broke through with a winning rally over Publisher in the Arkansas Derby to move up to No. 3 from No. 7.
In the Florida Derby, Tappan Street cruised to victory over Sovereignty and moved in for the first time at No. 4. Sovereignty slipped to No. 5 from No. 3.
Worked 5 furlongs in 58.40 at Santa Anita on March 29, the fastest of 42 at the distance ... It was the front-running colt’s seventh breeze since winning the Robert B. Lewis on Feb. 1 ... Showdown with Journalism looms ... Only two BC Juvenile winners have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-No Joke, by Distorted Humor … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 5 … Derby points: 60 (9th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 10-1.
Worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40 on March 29 at Santa Anita, the same time as last week’s work ... Impressive win over Barnes in San Felipe on March 1 upped winning streak to three ... 4-1 Derby favorite in opening of Derby future wager, pool 6 ... Pedigree: Curlin-Mopotism, by Uncle Mo … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita, April 5 … Derby points: 47.5 (14th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 4-1.
Took full advantage of speed duel [Cornucopian and Speed King] and closed well to win Arkansas Derby on March 29 ... Breakthrough win came after a second in the Southwest and third in the Rebel ... Pedigree: Tapit-Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor ... Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3 ... Derby points: 129 (1st) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 8-1.
Soars into Derby picture with 1 ¼-length win over Sovereignty in the Florida Derby on March 29 ... Purchaed for $1 million at Saratoga select yearling sale ... Owned by WinStar Farm, CHC, Cold Press Racing ... Brings a 3-2-1-0 resume to Louisville ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-Virginia Key, by Distorted Humor ... Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3 ... Derby points: 110 (3rd) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 10-1.
A solid second in the Florida Derby on March 29 puts him in fine shape for the first Saturday in May ... Won Fountain of Youth with dramatic closing rush ... Ridden for first time by Manny Franco, who replaced the injured Junior Alvarado ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-Crowned, by Bernardini … Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3... Derby points: 110 (4th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 10-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 48.00 on March 31 at Santa Anita, ninth fastest of 59 at the distance ... Looks to rebound from loss to Journalism in the San Felipe, and goes against stablemate Citizen Bull in the Santa Anita Derby ... Likely needs to run first or second to gain enough points to make the Kentucky Derby field ... Pedigree: Into Mischief-All American Dream, by American Pharoah … Next start: Santa Anita Derby, Santa Anita Park, April 5 ... Derby points: 18.75 (34th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
Louisiana Derby winner gives trainer a strong chance to end 0-for-26 record in the Run for the Roses ... “Maybe he’s the one to get us over the hump,’’ Asmussen said after the race ... Pedigree: Tiz the Law-Keesha, by Tapit ... Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3 ... Derby points: 119 (2nd) ... Derby future wager odds: 15-1.
Finally beaten on dirt, but ran a credible third in the Arkansas Derby ... Smarty Jones and Rebel winner still on track for the Derby ... Unbeaten in five career starts on dirt, including the Smarty Jones and Rebel ... Mystik Dan ran third in the Arkansas Derby, then won the Kentucky Derby ... Pedigree: Coal Front-Wolfblade, by Midshipman … Next start: Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, May 3 ... Derby points: 96 (6th) … Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 25-1.
Worked 4 furlongs in 48.22 at the Belmont Park training track on April 1 with Franco in the irons ... Will the long layoff be worth it to get Dutrow back to the Derby? ... Won Withers on Feb. 1 but needs a top 3 finish in the Wood to earn enough points to get into the Derby ... Pedigree: Practical Joke-Pow Wow Wow, by Indian Charlie ... Next start: Wood Memorial, Aqueduct, April 5 ... Derby points: 20 (32nd) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 25-1.
The morning-line favorite in a Blue Grass after getting beat at the wire by Sovereignty in the Fountain of Youth ... Needs a top 3 finish (maybe top 4) to earn enough points to qualify for the Derby ... Irad Ortiz, Jr. rides instead of John Velazquez ... Worked 4 furlongs in 49.14 on March 28 at Palm Beach Downs ... Pedigree: Maclean's Music-Proportionality, by Discreet Cat ... Next start: Blue Grass, Keeneland, April 5 ... Derby points: 25 (28th) ... Kentucky Derby future wager odds: 40-1.
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.
