Quality Road was just getting over a quarter crack when a second one popped up at the worst possible time, and James Jerkens wisely decided to remove him from Derby consideration. The final two legs of the Triple Crown are still possible if he recovers in time. Either way, he is one to keep an eye on later this year, and here’s hoping for a speedy recovery!

Chocolate Candy was on the verge of being removed from my Derby longshot list due to his uninspiring morning activity since arriving in Louisville, but he rebounded with a …read more

Arkansas Derby show finisher Summer Bird did not have an impressive work on Friday. Like General Quarters on Thursday, he failed to finish in strong fashion and could be in trouble on the first Saturday in May.
I Want Revenge and Pioneerof The Nile both had strong gallops and appear to be in top form for the big dance.

Florida Derby winner Quality Road has developed a second quarter crack, and the timing could not be worse.
“I saw Quality Road (Thursday) morning and that’s when we noticed the crack,” McKinlay said.
Trainer James Jerkens remains optimistic that his charge can …read more

Quality Road passed his first route test with flying colors in Saturday’s Florida Derby .
The Elusive Quality colt was always traveling well tracking the pace under Johnny V , and when Dunkirk made a bold move turning for home, Quality Road found another gear and pulled clear for a 1-3/4 length tally.
The James Jerkens trainee joins I Want Revenge and Friesan Fire as versatile graded Derby prep route winners, and this crop is much faster and deeper than the ‘08 crew.
Early/pressing speed is frequently dangerous at the Gulf, especially at nine furlongs, and the track …read more