Quality Road defected from the Derby on Monday, and it was Square Eddie’s turn on Tuesday. Doug O’Neill and company tried to bring him back from a February injury, but he re-aggravated his shin. The Canadian bred could show up in the Queen’s Plate on June 21st if healthy.

I Want Revenge fired a four furlong bullet (:47.34) on Tuesday, and he deserves to be favored based on Gotham-Wood Memorial wins and morning activity at Churchill. I will most likely have him in my Top 3…but not on top!
Take The Points has been removed from Derby consideration by Todd Pletcher, who already …read more

Probable Derby fav I Want Revenge worked 4f in :50 seconds at Churchill on April 14th. The Mullins trainee took it easy over the muddy surface. Regular rider Joe Talamo was aboard for the move. Expect a more serious five furlong drill next week.
The Dubai duo of Regal Ransom and Desert Party are supposed to work over the Churchill surface on April 18th.
Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem arrived in Louisville on Tuesday. Pioneerof The Nile and Chocolate Candy are expected to arrive at Churchill on April 16th.

Over at Keeneland, Friesan Fire drilled five panels …read more

Good looking Florida Derby hero Quality Road has developed a quarter crack. Big Brown had a similar problem prior to the ‘08 Belmont Stakes, and we all know how that turned out…stay tuned!
I Want Revenge had an adventurous journey in the Wood. Kudos to young pilot Joe Talamo for keeping a cool head. He was clearly much the best and heads to Louisville as the probable fav.
All is not well in the Revenge camp as trainer Jeff Mullins has taken quite a bit of heat for detention barn antics that caused the scratch of Gato Go Win in the Bay …read more

A field of 8 has been assembled for the $750k Wood Memorial (G1), to be run at nine furlongs on April 4th at the Big A in New York.
Handy Gotham (G3) winner I Want Revenge will break from the rail and has been installed as the morning line choice. The David Lanzman/IEAH colt will be ridden once again by Joe Talamo, and a repeat of his last would be more than enough.
Gotham runner-up Imperial Council is on the improve for Shug McGaughey, and he desperately needs graded earnings. Prado has booted him home twice, …read more

Aqueduct’s $250k Gotham Stakes is an important two turn graded test for Derby hopefuls, and the final local prep for the $750k Wood Memorial (G1) at nine furlongs on April 4th.

Masala was clearly 2nd best behind stablemate Take the Points at the Gulf last time, and that one came back to finish a fine 2nd behind The Pamplemousse in the Sham Stakes (G3) last weekend. Todd Pletcher is 23% 2nd off a layoff, and his strong late pace fig last time bodes well for his route chances.
Imperial Council is a $130k Keeneland sales grad with the best pedigree …read more

Wednesday (2-25-09) recap
Edge to early/pressing types (2 wire jobs) on Pro-Ride. Stalkers nabbed the two downhill sprints, and Sunny Peace (Solis-Gallagher) pulled off a wire job at the speed friendly flat mile (turf) distance.
Chantal Sutherland booted home a pair of filly maiden claiming sprinters, and Jeff Mullins saddled two maiden claiming winners on the card.

Thursday (2-26-09) preview
Today’s card features a Pick 6 carryover of $704,945.
Weather: Partly cloudy. High 70.
Race 3: Pick 6 starts here. Vague Notion (5-2) just missed the place in her productive race bow, then came back to rally for 2nd last time. …read more