The AR Derby (Grade 1) (KYD) – $1,000.000 Purse
OP- For Three Year Olds
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
April 13, 2019
The time is now! The AR Derby represents the last chance for trainers to get valuable KYD points to get their horses in the field on the first Saturday of May. As expected, there were a lot of nominations for this race, as the last time I had looked, there were 23 that were nominated in hopes of finding their way in. The field has been narrowed to fourteen now for the big race. Past winners of this race have proven to be very successful, but it was not always in the KYD where it happened. Last year’s winner, Indistinguishable, bypassed the KYD and it will never be known if that would have happened or not because of the three horse restriction on Mb Stables. This made him fresh for the PRK, and able to prevent Pretty Ferro from taking the second jewel of the TC. This will be the obstacle for the KYD winner; taking on a fresh horse in the PRK that may just come out of the AR Derby. It also makes Mb Stables continue to be in the position, for as long as people think it’s a good idea to limit his entries to three in the KYD to always be the spoiler for the PRK with fresh horses. Time now to take a look at this field!
#1- More Sport (Aml Racing, ridden by Mar Garcia)- Stop the presses, Aml Racing is on the rail. Even more unusual is that this is a filly going up against the boys. This gives her a five pound weight advantage, but otherwise I am just not seeing it. If she was stronger against her own gender at the graded level, I’d be more excited. Back to back fifths in KYO preps doesn’t usually mean a KYD prep after it. But hey, this is HRP.
#2- Final Verse (Mb Stables, ridden by E J Wilson)- Comes into the race in 19th on the leaderboard, so if he was in anyone else’s stable, he would be considered on the bubble. However, being 7th on the Mb leaderboard likely doesn’t have the trainer pick him for the KYD. If he wins here, he probably takes the road Indistinguishable took, which is to be fresh for the PRK.
#3- Commanding Bee (John Henry, ridden by L Saez)- After a great two year old season saw him finish 2nd in the DMR Futurity and 3rd in the Grade 1 Champagne, he seemed destined to be successful this time of year, but as of yet that has not happened. After being purchased for $500.000 from Serenity Stables, Commanding Bee has failed to get it done, and that cost him his ability to breed. Now, he runs here as a first time gelding, which is always noteworthy. Does have three points to his name.
#4- Opus Force (Mb Stables, ridden by A Beschizza)- He was very impressive in his first three races, but the excitement has worn off now after a couple of seventh place duds where he was never a factor. While he continues to work very well, that has never been issue, as the main story seems to be that he has stalled in his progress. Still capable of bouncing back and recovering, but it would be a surprise if he never made it into the KYD, based on early hype.
#5- Ardetha (Aer Stables, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Looks to be a horse on the rise with three wins in his five starts thus far, including the El Camino at GG. We saw him here last month for the Grade 2 Rebel, and he provided a good run, placing third behind Fear The Dragon and Matsue Castle. That places him 25th on the leaderboard, which may be the cut line for the KYD, considering Mb’s stable limitation. Picking up more points here though will be necessary, but third or better gets him in, and fourth may as well.
#6- Be One (Gdp Inc, ridden by C J Lanerie)- The trainer takes a shot with this one, that does not presently have any KYD points. Surprisingly, Gdp Inc looks like he may be shut out of the derby all together unless this final shot gets it done. His signature win to this point dates back to October of last year, winning the $250.000 Sleepy Hollow for NY-breds.
#7- Mr Cat Summers (First Street Stables, ridden by P Husbands)- The colt by Happy Cat sits 59th on the leaderboard with four points, so he will have to come through here to get First Street Stables into the KYD. He has been a regular participant in the prep races, but his best finish to date was placing third in the Sham Stakes. Could be an interesting runner in the derby if he made it there since he seems to be at his best when at or near the lead early.
#8- Gun Down (LionKing Stables, ridden by M Franco)- Sold to LionKing Stables as a “Thank you Fear The Dragon” present, as one can only assume that was the case due to the low sale price coming a few days after Fear The Dragon won the Rebel. I do like this horse, as he has shown a nice ability to make up ground in the stretch, something that will be very valuable as these races get longer. Needs to get points here, as he is 53rd on the leaderboard with just five, but I think he will get something here, if not the full 100.
#9- Sport Guide (Estero Farms, ridden by A A Gallardo)- The trainer looks to get his third runner in the KYD as both Phooeys Queen Blue (who by the way, may be the least talked about major contender right now) and Lionking Invader are both in as long as the trainer wants them there. Sport Guide has been run regularly in graded races, but other then a win in the Grade 2 Remsen last year, there is not a lot of success to really discuss.
#10- Burning Approval (Mb Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- You get this feeling that this is a PRK prep for Mb’s runners, and I can’t see Burning Approval running the KYD even with a win here as it would be his third race in six weeks. Burning Approval was third in the LA Derby three weeks ago, getting him 20 points, though below many stablemates. One of many impressive contenders the trainer has.
#11- Liberty Valance (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- He was lined up to start last week in the SA Derby, but scratched out of the race, even with getting post #5. This time, he will have to do it from an outside post, but he has had success at OP already this year, winning the Southwest, from post #11 by the way, then running fourth in Rebel. Fourth of D J C’s two year olds, so another that could be more of a PRK threat then a KYD. We’ll have to see.
#12- False Command (Estero Farms, ridden by D Van Dyke)- Just two days ago, Estero picked him up from Fractious for just $10.000. That is after running second in the SUN Derby in his previous start, so there is likely more to that agreement then just that sale price. With 20 points, he is 27th on the leaderboard, which is near the bubble when considering that Mb must make a choice. Getting any form of points here should get him in.
#13- Weak Sheik (John Henry, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- After a strong two year old season saw him win the Grade 1 DMR Futurity, it was a little surprising to see him end up in a $50.000 claimer, but there he was, after running dead last in the Sham. Only John Henry was intrigued by him there, though, as he was the only claim. He was fourth in the claimer, so the trainer will have to have figured something out to get him back on form.
#14- Shake It Up And Go (John Henry, ridden by J Talamo)- The post draw was unkind to John Henry, drawing these two outside posts for two of his three runners. It looks like the better one got the better post, though, so at least he had that going for him. Shake It Up And Go had a memorable third place run in the Springboard Mile, beaten by only Beach Dandy and Fear The Dragon, and did win the Smarty Jones here in January. He has 22 points, putting him 20th on the leaderboard, and depending on what happens with Mb horses, he is probably in regardless, but a little boost here would be beneficial.
Prediction: 2-8-11-5
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
