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The Kentucky Derby picture gets clearer following last weekends Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby

Hey everyone this is Dana Ward with the trail to the Kentucky Derby on GamblersTelevision.com.

Monba outlasted a full field of 12 horses at Keenland Park on Saturday to win the Blue Grass Stakes and with it a trip to the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Monba, ridden by Edgar Prado was good out of the gate and 4th after the first turn. Monba made up ground in the backstretch and was second heading into the stretch and passed second place finisher Cowboy Cal in the final strides in an exciting Blue Grass Stakes. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Monba was the 4th choice on the betting board and was sent off at 8-1. Trainer Todd Pletcher sent 5 horses to the Kentucky Derby last year but on his final try was able to finally qualify a horse this year. Blue Grass favorite Pyro ran last and was a major disappointment never really kicking into gear. Pyro’s handlers are blaming the track surface but critics raised questions about the Colt’s chances at the Kentucky Derby with a last place finish. You can make excuses about the track surface running fourth or fifth but racing experts will not allow for excuses for running last. Despite his last place finish Pryo has already qualified for the Kentucky Derby based on his earnings from past races. Pyro’s handlers shrugged off the criticism by saying that if he wins the Kentucky Derby they wont care about his result in the Blue Grass Stakes.

The favorite did not disappoint in the Arkansas Derby as the 2-1 choice Gayego held off a closing bid by Z Fortune for the win. Gayego was good out of the gate and second after the first turn stalking 35-1 long shot Tres Borrachos who set a fast early pace. Gayego took the lead heading into the final turn and was challenged in the stretch by Z Fortune who made his move on the far turn. Z Fortune inched closer to Gayego but Gayego found a little extra in deep stretch to hold on for victory. Gayego was ridden by Mike Smith who handled the Colt well in the race by stalking the early leader and not engaging in a speed duel that would ruin his chances for victory in the stretch. Jockey Mike Smith was confident that his Colt would handle the extra distance in the Kentucky Derby following his victory at Oaklawn Park. Gayego has an impressive resume heading into the Kentucky Derby with 3 wins and 2 seconds in 5 lifetime starts.

With the major prep races behind us we move into the final two weeks of qualifying and the minor prep races leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Horses without enough graded earnings for qualification will be placed in the few remaining preps in hopes of qualifying for the Derby. It’s not an ideal position to be in but trainers and owners will do whatever it takes for entry into the Kentucky Derby. Next Saturday it’s the Federico Tesio Stakes from Pimlico and the Lexington Stakes from Keenland.


For the latest Kentucky Derby news, notes and future book odds check out our website at www.GamblersTelevision.com.

That will do it for this weeks Kentucky Derby Trail report here on Gamblers Television I am Dana Ward bye bye.