It’s Derby week
A first look at the contenders and story lines for the 143rd Kentucky Derby.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If at least four of his five Kentucky Derby-eligible horses make it to the starting gate Saturday, then trainer Todd Pletcher will pass D. Wayne Lukas for the most total entries in the history of the Run for the Roses.
“That only means something if I had as many winners as he’s had,” cracked Pletcher on Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.
The legendary Lukas has entered 48 horses in the Kentucky Derby with four taking the blanket of roses after hitting the finish line first.
Pletcher, a former Lukas assistant, has placed 45 in the starting gate for the Derby with one first-place finish, that coming from Super Saver back in 2010.
Still, Pletcher is always right back trying year after year. Since 2000, he missed the Derby just once, in 2003. In both 2007 and 2013 he sent out five entries for the mileand-a-quarter race. Lukas in 1996 and Nick Zito in 2005 are the only other trainers to have as many as five entries in a single Derby.
Pletcher could send another quintet again this year, including the impressive Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming; Wood Memorial runner-up Battalion Runner; Tampa Bay Derby winner Tapwrit; Louisiana Derby runner-up Patch and Rebel Stakes winner Malagacy.
If not a fabulous five, it is at the least formidable.
“We’re optimistic,” Pletcher said. A quick rundown: • Always Dreaming: His 5-length romp in the Florida Derby was arguably the most impressive of all the Kentucky Derby preps. The winning time of 1:47.47 especially turned heads.
“Any time you run a sub 1:48 for a mile and an eighth that’s pretty rare territory,” Pletcher said.
The Florida Derby has produced 23 Kentucky Derby winners, including Nyquist last year. A son of Bodemeister (second in the 2012 Kentucky Derby), Always Dreaming is three-forthree since coming to Pletcher’s barn.
• Battalion Runner: Pletcher pointed out the Wood Memorial was Battalion Runner’s first race in 64 days and first at a mile-andan-eighth. The son of Unbridled’s Song led in the stretch before being passed by winner Irish War Cry.
“We think that race could help him out,” Pletcher said.
Battalion Runner had won two of three starts before the Wood. And remember, Unbridled’s Song also sired current Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dubai World Cup champ Arrogate.
• Tapwrit: After winning the Tampa Bay Derby, Tapwrit failed to show up in the April 8 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, finishing fifth.
Pletcher has seen horses follow clunkers with standouts, however. In 2006, Bluegrass Cat ran a dull fourth in the Blue Grass only to bounce back with a strong second to Barbaro in the Kentucky Derby.
• Patch: The Calumet homebred has shown tons of talent in just three career starts despite suffering an unexplained injury last year that cost him his left eye.
He finished second in his debut, broke his maiden by 1 3/4 lengths on Feb. 18 then ran second to Girvin in the Louisiana Derby, his first stakes start.
Pletcher admits seasoning is an issue, but thinks stamina won’t be. Sire Union Rags won the Belmont and Patch is out of an A.P. Indy mare. A.P. Indy also won the Belmont.
• Malagacy: He was a perfect three-for-three after winning the Rebel on March 18 by 2 lengths, but distance may have been an issue in the Arkansas Derby where Malagacy ran fifth.
His sire, Shackleford, won the 2011 Preakness and that race’s shorter distance might be to Malagacy’s liking.
“Malagacy is here and training but no definite plans have been made,” Pletcher said Tuesday. “We want to see how he works over the track. I thought he galloped well this morning.”
“Everything’s challenging in this business,” he said Tuesday. “The main thing is your horses stay healthy.”
You have to be in it to win it.