We’re now four weeks away from the Kentucky Derby, and with the final three major prep races occurring Saturday, we now have a fairly clear picture of who will be running for the roses on May 6.
Tapit Trice, left, runs past Verifying down the stretch of Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, KY on Saturday. The win gave Tapit Trice 100 points toward qualifying for next month’s Kentucky Derby.
Despite exciting wins by a pair of favorites, Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass Stakes and Practical Move in the Santa Anita Derby, neither of them looked as impressive enough to bump Forte from the mantle of presumptive Kentucky Derby favorite. (The other Derby prep, the Wood Memorial, featured 59-1 shot Lord Miles edging favorite Hit King for the upset win.)
Honestly, it was going to take a lot for that even to be considered. Assuming he stays healthy, Forte will likely be a strong betting choice as the horses head to the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
All the Todd Pletcher-trained colt has done to earn that is win five straight races. Not only have they been graded stakes wins, but that streak includes four Grade 1 wins. The last came last weekend in the Florida Derby in stirring fashion as Forte rallied from fifth place and well outside in stretch to score the victory.
Tapit Trice, left, runs past Verifying down the stretch of Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Lexington, KY on Saturday. The win gave Tapit Trice 100 points toward qualifying for next month’s Kentucky Derby.
Despite exciting wins by a pair of favorites, Tapit Trice in the Blue Grass Stakes and Practical Move in the Santa Anita Derby, neither of them looked as impressive enough to bump Forte from the mantle of presumptive Kentucky Derby favorite. (The other Derby prep, the Wood Memorial, featured 59-1 shot Lord Miles edging favorite Hit King for the upset win.)
Honestly, it was going to take a lot for that even to be considered. Assuming he stays healthy, Forte will likely be a strong betting choice as the horses head to the starting gate at Churchill Downs.
All the Todd Pletcher-trained colt has done to earn that is win five straight races. Not only have they been graded stakes wins, but that streak includes four Grade 1 wins. The last came last weekend in the Florida Derby in stirring fashion as Forte rallied from fifth place and well outside in stretch to score the victory.
