This is the second installment of the Road to the Kentucky Derby. On Saturday we had two more races run on the Kentucky Derby trail. The UAE Derby was first up. It had a thrilling finish and was won by Thunder Snow. The other was the Spiral Stakes and was won easily by Fast and Accurate. With that, the standings for the top 20 horses has changed.
[MikeE]
Here’s what they look like now.
- Thunder Snow 100 Points
- Gunnevera 64 Points
- Tapwrit 54 Points
- J Boys Echo 53 Points
- Malagacy 50 Points
- Hence 50 Points
- Fast and Accurate 50 Points
- Girvin 50 Points
- Practical Joke 34 Points
- Untrapped 34 Points
- Classic Empire 32 Points
- El Areeb 30 Points
- Gormley 25 Points
- State Of Honor 22 Points
- McCraken 20 Points
- Master Plan 20 Points
- Iliad 20 Points
- Soneteer 20 Points
- Blueridge Traveler 20 Points
- Cloud Computing 20 Points
Now that the smaller Kentucky Derby prep races are over, it’s time for the bigger ones to come into play. Saturday will showcase the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby. These are each worth 100 Points for 1st, 40 for 2nd, 20 for 3rd and 10 for 4th.
The Louisiana Derby will feature nine three-year-olds. This includes Girvin, who is currently eighth in points. If you are not a fan of favorites, which Girvin will be, then you can look at Guest Suite. Guest Suite is the second choice in the field. And if you enjoy playing longshots, then Patch will probably be your best shot.
There is the possibility that a 20-1 or greater longshot could win this race too. That horse’s name is Sorry Erik. It’s a strong connections barn and he has the ability to win. Sorry Erik is considered a long shot because of his inexperience in big races.
Lastly, the Florida Derby will have a field of 11 with 1 likely scratching. It will have State of Honor, Talk Logistics, and Unbridled Holiday. Practical Joke will not run. Heavy Favorite Gunnevera will run from post 11 the most outside post available. Gunnevera’s toughest competition will be Always Dreaming, who is currently 7-2 and the horse who will go right to the front. He will dare everyone else to catch him. Three Rules is currently 6-1 as well.