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

Hold Me Back is one of my live longshots, and he worked a solid five panels (1:01.15). I think he is sitting on a big effort…if he handles conventional dirt as well as synthetic ground. Mott trainee remains relatively fresh and will be closing late.

Square Eddie had his final Derby work on Sunday. He went an easy four furlongs in :50.51, and reports on him have been positive all along. I thought his much needed Lexington prep was perfect, but I am not thrilled about his chances at ten furlongs versus top company. He wheels …read more

The key to making money in Saturday’s Lexington (G2) at Keeneland is trying to beat underlaid fav Square Eddie (9-5).
The Doug O’Neill trainee is coming off a layoff/injury and could be short on conditioning in first start in 91 days.

Omniscient (6-1) looked good in two straight route wins at Fair Grounds for Albarado/Asmussen, and the versatile son of Pulpit sports a local bullet for this.
Brave Victory (8-1) was compromised by race shape/track profile at the Gulf last time. Johnny V hops aboard the Nick Zito runner.
Masala (6-1) adds blinkers for Todd Pletcher. He ran into …read more

Merus Miami is expected to scratch due to foot abcess, and that will leave a field of six for Saturday’s nine furlong Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby.

Chocolate Candy (Candy Ride-Seattle Slew) continues his Kentucky Derby march, and he needs a win here to boost his graded earnings. He’s won 3 of his last 4, with his lone loss in that timeframe a fine 3rd to Pioneerof The Nile in the CashCall Futurity (G1). He nabbed the local prep for this and is training forwardly for Jerry Hollendorfer. Russell Baze got to know him last time, and seemingly the longer …read more

A field of eight is set to contest the flat mile Grade 3 San Rafael (race 7) at Santa Anita on Saturday, and Square Eddie is the one to topple.

Square Eddie made an immediate impact when sent to the US in the fall of 2008, as he rolled to a sharp win over Keeneland’s Polytrack in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity.
The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile was next on his dance card, and he ran a big race to land the place behind likely 2yo champ Midshipman.
The son of Smart Strike ran six times last year, so he …read more

ARKANSAS:
The 2009 Oaklawn Park meet kicks off on Friday (1-16-09)
CALIFORNIA:
Pioneerof the Nile (Empire Maker) scorched five furlongs in :57-3/5 on Jan 11th. Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby hopeful is expected to contest the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2) on Feb 7th.
Fleet filly Indyanne was unable to recover from a sesamoid injury which occurred in the La Brea on Dec 27th. It was hoped that she would be saved for broodmare duties, but she had to be put down on Jan 13th.
Carla Gaines trainee Point Encounter (Point Given), an impressive opening day debut winner at Santa Anita, suffered …read more

SATURDAY RECAP
A pair of Polytrack wire jobs on Saturday, with stalking types taking the bulk of the other synthetic races carded. Nothing wrong with outer lanes. Two of the three turf races were taken in wire-to-wire fashion.
Rafael Bejarano rode four winners on Saturday afternoon, including two stakes, and Robby Albarado also booted home a pair of stakes winners. Dale Romans saddled two winners on the card.
Sing Baby Sing stalked the pace and upset the apple cart in the 156th running of the Grade 3 Phoenix. 3-2 fav Talent Search saved the place by a neck over Keeneland …read more