Millions of dollars and hundreds of points are at stake as the road to Louisville takes an important turn with three races today that will go a long way in deciding the makeup of the field for the May 3 Kentucky Derby.
Today’s Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby each offer a $1 million purse and enough points (100-40-20-10) to ensure any horse who finishes in the top two a spot in the gate if more than 20 horses are entered for the Run for the Roses.
The UAE Derby, at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, also will be held today and offers the same points as the Florida Derby and Louisiana Derby.Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who will be seeking his third consecutive victory in the 1 3/16-mile event on Tapeta surface, has Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Giovanni Boldini entered. Giovanni Boldini, a War Front colt, could head to Louisville with a big effort today.
At Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla., Cairo Prince is the 9-5 favorite for today’s Florida Derby, and while Cairo Prince is ranked as the No. 1 Derby contender in most polls and rankings, he currently ranks No. 19 in the point standings with 14, and probably needs a top-three finish to guarantee him a spot in the gate, though a victory or second-place finish would make it indisputable.
Two other Florida Derby contenders, Wildcat Red and General a Rod, face differing scenarios. Wildcat Red, the Fountain of Youth winner, has 53 points and will have plenty to make the Kentucky Derby no matter what he does today. But his performance at today’s distance, 1 1/8 miles, will show whether he has the stamina to be a serious contender in Louisville.
“It depends on the race,” trainer Joe Garoffalo said. “This race is going be like the prep for the Derby, if we run a good race and the horse finishes in good shape.”
General a Rod, runner-up to Wildcat Red in the Fountain of Youth, has 20 points, six more than Cairo Prince, but probably needs a top-four finish to lock up a Derby spot.
Cairo Prince came from just off the pace when he won the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes by 6 lengths at Gulfstream back on Jan. 25.
Another top contender is Constitution, undefeated in two starts for trainer Todd Pletcher’s powerful stable. Constitution will open from the No. 4 spot.
LOUISIANA DERBY Favorite Kentucky-bound
Morning-line favorite Intense Holiday is already a shoo-in for the Kentucky Derby field based on his victory in the Risen Star Stakes in February, but a strong performance will give the horse more momentum heading into Churchill Downs.
Intense Holiday’s victory in the Risen Star came after a third-place finish to CairoPrince in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
There are a handful of other horses who need strong performances to earn a spot in Kentucky, including Vicar’s in Trouble, third in the Risen Star, and Risen Star runner-up Albano, who will start from post 10 under Kerwin Clark. Vicar’s in Trouble will be ridden by Rosie Napravnik.
Others contenders include In Trouble, 4-1 in the morning line and 26th in the point standings, and Rise Up, 10-1 in the morning line and 24th in the standings.
DUBAI WORLD CUP Ruler of the World favored
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Ruler of the World could live up to its name in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.
Trained by Aiden O’Brien, the son of Galileo won last year’s Epsom Derby and enjoys top billing in the world’s richest horse race, which has two of the world’s three top-rated thoroughbreds in Military Attack and Akeed Mofeed, both from Hong Kong.
The main race features one horse, Ron the Greek, who raced extensively in America but is now owned by Saudis. He drew the 16 post.
American-raced horses have won eight of the previous 18 Dubai World Cups, including last year by Animal Kingdom.
Ruler of the World, co-owned by Qatar-based Al Shaqab Racing, is making his first start of the season. He was last seen finishing third in the Group 1 Champions Stakes at Ascot in October.
Sports, Pages 25 on 03/29/2014