Five down, 15 to go - who will qualify for the Kentucky Derby next?
While the field for the Kentucky Derby is far from being set, there are at least five horses with enough qualifying points to gain invitations.
Several more are knocking on the door, but their chances for accumulating more points are beginning to dwindle.
Rematch in Louisiana
10 days until the @kentuckyderby Championship Series part 2 begins w/ the @TwinSpires Louisiana Derby @fairgroundsnola! Can't wait to see what @JoeyDaKRacing, @Brian_J_Nadeau, @JohnGDooley, & @wowhorse have in store for us content wise! pic.twitter.com/TQasLq332Q
— Ed DeRosa (@EJXD2) March 10, 2021
In the Lecomte and the Risen Star, the same three horses occupied the top spots but in different orders. After winning the 10-4-2-1 Lecomte Stakes over Proxy and Mandaloun, Midnight Bourbon wasn't able to follow it up in the 50-20-10-5 Risen Star Stakes.
The same three horses will run in the Louisiana Derby and will be joined by Rombauer and Hot Rod Charlie. For Midnight Bourbon, who has 26 points, and Proxy at 24, any finish better than fourth will most likely earn them an invitation to run at Churchill Downs on May 1.
Where we'll find the rest
Life Is Good is tied for the qualifying point lead with 60 and is assured of being in the Kentucky Derby field. The Bob Baffert Triple Crown favorite will be joined in the 100-40-20-10 Santa Anita Derby field at the track of the same name on April 3 by Medina Spirit (34) and Dream Shake, among others yet to be announced.
Electric! Life Is Good is another impressive San Felipe Stakes winner at @santaanitapark for Mike Smith and Bob Baffert!
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 6, 2021
The @KentuckyDerby dream is alive for this one 🚀 pic.twitter.com/cC9qfzGwTj