The mid-Atlantic region will be amply represented this weekend in Lousville.

On Derby day, you can look for…

  • Pennsylvania-bred Falling Sky, a 50-1 bomber in the big race.  The Florida-based runner was bred by Copper Penny Stables LLC and is a son of Lion Heart out of the Sea Hero mare Sea Dragoness.  Lion Heart ran second in the Derby (to Smarty Jones), while Sea Hero was a Derby champ.  (More info here).
  • A pair of Fair Hill-based runners — Vyjack (15-1 morning line for trainer Rudy Rodriguez) and late addition Giant Finish (50-1 morning line for trainer Anthony Dutrow) — are also in the fray, with the former a legit contender likely to be compromised by being post 20.  (Here you go!)
  • Speaking of New Jersey natives, the suddenly ubiquitous Rose Napravnik (here, and also every other place on the internet) will get a leg up on 15-1 Mylute in the Run for the Roses.  She’ll be trying to become only the second woman jock to win a Triple Crown race, the first since Julie Krone aboard Colonial Affair (here).  She got her start riding in Maryland, a test she aced en route to the top of the riding heap.
  • And don’t forget Marylander Stuart Janney (here), part owner of Derby favorite Orb (7-2).  The colt, winner of the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, is a son of Malibu Moon, a sire who, once upon a time, stood for just $3,000 at Country Life Farm in Bel Air, MD.

Some other mid-Atlantic connections to watch for on Derby day…

  • Maryland-bred Havelock is in with a big shot in the G3 Turf Sprint.  The son of Great Notion, bred and owned by Silverton Hill LLC, is 7-2 in the morning line…
  • Pennsylvania-bred Frontside will need to bring her running shoes to have an impact on the G2 Distaff Turf Mile.  The daughter of War Front is 30-1…
  • Delaunay, a Maryland-bred son of Smoke Glacken, is 2-1 in the G2 Churchill Downs.  Bred by Fitzhugh LLC, the erstwhile claiming horse has become a serious sprinter with five consecutive victories in stakes company and five straight 100+ Beyers…
  • Wise Dan, reigning horse of the year and a Kentucky-bred son of Pennsylvania-based sire Wiseman’s Ferry (standing at Dana Point Farm), is 6-5 to take the G1 Turf Classic…

And on Oaks day…

  • So Many Ways will try to find just one way to win the G3 Eight Belles.  The Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Sightseeing is 6-1 for new trainer Tom Amoss…
  • Patrioticandproud, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Proud Citizen, will aim for his first graded stakes triumph in the G2 Alysheba.  He’s 20-1…
  • Maryland-bred star Richard’s Kid, a multiple G1 winner, is 5-1 in the Alysheba.  The son of Lemon Drop Kid is gunning for his first win since last July…
  • Fair Hill ace Graham Motion takes Augustin Stable homebred I’ll Call, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Smart Strike into the G2 American Turf.  He’s 15-1…
  • Princess of Sylmar is 20-1 in the G1 Kentucky Oaks; she’s a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior…

Good luck to all!