Down went the champ, and up went some surprises during this past weekend’s four Kentucky Derby preps. Some thoughts…
Pennsylvania-bred Uncle Heavy rallied to post an upset in the Grade 3 Withers and earn 20 points on the Kentucky Derby trail.
With the G3 Southwest Stakes delayed to Feb. 3, this Saturday becomes a huge day on the Triple Crown trail, with four major preps.
Coastal Mission brings a six-race win streak into Saturday’s Grade 2 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct and will break from the rail.
Laurel-based Doppelganger and Parx-based Repo Rocks ran one-two in Saturday’s Grade 1 Carter Handicap at the Big A.
Va-bred Repo Rocks dominated the field in Saturday’s Grade 3 Toboggan at Aqueduct, earning his and rider Andrew Wolfsont’s first graded win.
Malibu Moonshine, the undefeated Maryland-bred filly, will put her streak on the line in Saturday’s Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct.
Double Crown, fourth in the Maryland Million Classic a week ago, scored a 42-1 upset in the Grade 2 Kelso Saturday at Aqueduct.
With a modest two-race win streak, the formful Glass Ceiling, a stakes winner at Aqueduct, will hunt her first graded win in the Barbara Fritchie.
Three races offering points on the road to the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown are scheduled for this weekend, with one having a Midlantic flavor.