 |
|
| Rowan Anderson |
 |
The Run For The Roses. The Fastest or Most Exciting Two Minutes of Sport. No matter what you call it the Kentucky Derby is one of the pinnacle international horse races that every jockey, trainer and horse wants a shot at.
In his final year in the saddle could there possibly be another ride in the US $3 million dollar race for legendary hoop Frankie Dettori.
First run in 1875 the race is highly competitive and with only 20 spots from the gates the shot at the purse is lucrative and sees the world’s best competing for points in The Road to the Kentucky Derby fiercely in the lead up.
A points system allowing runners to qualify featuring a list of stakes races with 18 of the starting spots up for grabs, with two spots offered to the top performing Japanese and European horses also.
Overnight Dettori rode home the Bob Baffert trained Newgate to win one of these races in the USD $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes.
In a four horse field, all trained by Baffert, the 3YO Into Mischief x Majestic Prescence colt ran 1/16 miles in 1:43:11 paying $4.
“So much improvement in all these horses,” Baffert told media postrace.
"I was actually nervous before the race, worried that something weird might happen, but I can relax now.”
"Frankie Dettori has been teaching him how to just sit back, relax and come with a punch and that’s what he did today,” Baffert said.
The victory, worth $120,000, increased Newgate's career earnings to $241,975, with two wins in six starts.
In his final year in the saddle after what has been a prestigious career the Italian hoop has only had one ride in the Derby in 2000 partnering China Visit, finishing sixth.
Although another great performance from Dettori he will have to go another route for a second ride in the Derby as no points were awarded for the win as Baffert has been banned for two years by Churchill Downs.
This year the Road to The Kentucky Derby features 37 races, 21 races for the Kentucky Derby Prep Season and 16 races for the Kentucky Derby Championship Season. The changes to the point system now means that points will be awarded to the top five finishers.
The Todd Pletcher trained Forte currently leads the points ladder with a chance at the Kentucky Derby after winning the Breeder’s Futurity, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Pletcher has two victories in the Derby already in his highlight glittered CV.
The UAE Derby in March also serves as a race carrying points for the system.