3 minute read
There were a number of "last chances" to make the Kentucky Derby and Oaks fields.
And we think we saw the Kentucky Derby winner however more of that anon.
The Keeneland Festival got into full swing on Friday with the Gr 1 Ashland over 1700m for the 3yo fillies and a chance to get into the Oaks. Percy's Bar needed the win to get into the Oaks as she had been off since the Breeders but she was well conditioned by Ben Colebrokk and defeated the odds-on favourite Zany. Star Actress ran third 12/1.
Saturday saw the running of the Gr 1 Madison for f&m over 1400m and Eclatant who lived up to her name (= Brilliant) in winning from Grand Job and R Disaster. Then it was the turn of the sprinters in the Shakertown over 1100m with a full field of 12 and it was the Canadian bred son of Cairo Prince My Boy Prince who won on 6/1 and unlucky Yellow Card who got a very bad bump in the running and did well to finish where he did with Mondogetsbuckets third.
And then we came to the 102nd Blue Grass – Gr 1 over 1800m for the 3yo boys and here we saw an amazing finish when Further Ado, a son of Gun Runner, charged to the front and won by 11 ½ lengths, a record distance for stakes wins, for Cox and Irad Ortiz. Yes he likes the track but he's not got anything against Churchill Downs as he has won there in the past. With that turn of foot we think he's got the roses just waiting for him.
Up at Aqueduct we had no luck with our tips in the 101st Wood Memorial which went to Mott- J Torres and Albus 4/1 who defeated Right to Party 38/1 and Ocelli 28/1.
Out west at Santa Anita Meaning, another Gun Runner, had no problem in winning the Santa Anita Oaks pver 1700m from Brookly Blonde 9/1 and Bank Shot 12/1.
The Derby saw So Happy, a son of Run Happy, defeat the favourite Potente with Vitruvian Man 40/1 third.