Kentucky Derby Roundup: Feb. 10, 2020

Stay up to speed on the Road to the Kentucky Derby with a weekly roundup of all the latest news and developments:

Changes on the Leaderboard

Sole Volante joined the Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with his surprise victory in the Sam F. Davis (G3) on Saturday at Tampa Bay Downs, which garnered the son of Karakontie 10 Kentucky Derby qualification points. He debuts in 12th place on the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Independence Hall secured four points for his runner-up effort in the Sam F. Davis. Previously victorious in the Jerome S., Independence Hall now has 14 points to his name, advancing him to fourth on the leaderboard.

The exciting Nadal also made headlines with his gutsy victory in the 7-furlong San Vicente (G2) on Sunday at Santa Anita, though he did not receive any qualification points for his effort. Storm the Court, the champion 2-year-old male of 2019, finished fourth in the San Vicente.

News and Notes

Nominations for the Triple Crown were released on Wednesday. Led by early Derby favorites Nadal and Tiz the Law, 347 horses (including seven fillies) were made eligible for the series, down from 362 in 2019.

Todd Pletcher, two-time winner of the Kentucky Derby, led all trainers with 26 nominees, followed closely by Steve Amusssen (21) and Bob Baffert (19). No other conditioner nominated more than nine horses.

The list of nominees includes 20 horses based in Japan, up from four in 2019. Among the best are Vacation and Dieu du Vin, who currently sit 1-2 on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.

On Sunday, Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 closed with the “all other 3-year-olds” option reigning as the 2-1 overall betting choice. Nadal and Tiz the Law were favored among individual betting interests, settling at 8-1.

On the Work Tab

Anneau d’Or: Prepping for a run in the second division of the Risen Star (G2), Anneau d’Or worked 6 furlongs in a bullet 1:12.80 at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday.

Answer In: On Sunday at Oaklawn, the Remington Springboard Mile runner-up clocked 5 furlongs in 1:01.40.

As Seen On Tv: The Mucho Macho Man S. runner-up clocked 5 furlongs in 1:01 on Thursday at Palm Meadows.

Authentic: Tentatively aiming for the San Felipe (G2), Authentic worked 5 furlongs in 1:01.20 on Wednesday at Santa Anita.

Azul Coast: The Sham (G3) runner-up cruised a half-mile in :49.40 on Sunday at Santa Anita.

Basin: A 39-1 shot in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2, Basin worked 5 furlongs on Friday at Fair Grounds, getting the distance in 1:01.

Blackberry Wine: Exciting allowance winner wrapped up his preparations for the first division of the Risen Star by breezing 5 furlongs in 1:00.40 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Chance It: The Mucho Macho Man winner threw down 5 furlongs in a quick :59.74 on Sunday at Gulfstream.

Dennis’ Moment: Closed at 10-1 in Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 and clocked 5 furlongs in 1:00.22 on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Enforceable: The Lecomte (G3) winner prepped for a run in the first division of the Risen Star by breezing a half-mile in :49.60 on Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Finnick the Fierce: Entered in the second division of the Risen Star, Finnick the Fierce cruised 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on Friday at Fair Grounds.

Gold Street: Over a muddy track at Oaklawn, the Smarty Jones S. winner breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 on Wednesday.

Gouverneur Morris: Continued along the comeback trail by breezing 5 furlongs in 1:01.23 on Saturday at Palm Beach Downs.

Honor A. P.: Targeting the San Felipe, this exciting maiden winner clocked 5 furlongs in 1:00.80 on Saturday at Santa Anita.

Liam’s Lucky Charm: Winner of the Pasco S. and entered in the second division of the Risen Star, Liam’s Lucky Charm fired off 5 furlongs in a bullet :59.97 on Thursday at Gulfstream.

Mr. Monomoy: Preparing for a run in the first division of the Risen Star, Mr. Monomoy worked 5 furlongs in a snappy :48.20 at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Shoplifted: Joined Gold Street on the muddy Wednesday work tab at Oaklawn, working 5 furlongs in 1:01.60.

Silver Prospector: The Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) winner also breezed 5 furlongs on Wednesday at Oaklawn, splashing his way to the bullet time of 1:00.60.

Silver State: Entered in the first division of the Risen Star, the Lecomte runner-up turned in a maintenance half-mile breeze on Sunday at Fair Grounds, getting the distance in :50.20.

Structor: Aiming for a showdown with Dennis’ Moment in the Fountain of Youth (G2), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) champion worked 4 furlongs in :48.85 on Sunday at Palm Meadows.

Tiz the Law: The Holy Bull (G3) winner got right back on the work tab with a half-mile in :50 on Monday at Palm Meadows. The Florida Derby (G1) will be his next target.

Looking Ahead

The Road to the Kentucky Derby gets serious next week! The Kentucky Derby Championship Series kicks off on Saturday with two divisions of the Risen Star at Fair Grounds, both of which will offer 50 qualification points to the winner.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Derby Prep season will conclude with the El Camino Real Derby on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields and the Southwest (G3) on Monday at Oaklawn, with each awarding 10 qualification points to their respective winners.

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