The mid-Atlantic region will be amply represented this weekend in Lousville.
On Derby day, you can look for…
- Pennsylvania-bred Falling Sky, a 50-1 bomber in the big race. The Florida-based runner was bred by Copper Penny Stables LLC and is a son of Lion Heart out of the Sea Hero mare Sea Dragoness. Lion Heart ran second in the Derby (to Smarty Jones), while Sea Hero was a Derby champ. (More info here).
- A pair of Fair Hill-based runners — Vyjack (15-1 morning line for trainer Rudy Rodriguez) and late addition Giant Finish (50-1 morning line for trainer Anthony Dutrow) — are also in the fray, with the former a legit contender likely to be compromised by being post 20. (Here you go!)
- Speaking of New Jersey natives, the suddenly ubiquitous Rose Napravnik (here, and also every other place on the internet) will get a leg up on 15-1 Mylute in the Run for the Roses. She’ll be trying to become only the second woman jock to win a Triple Crown race, the first since Julie Krone aboard Colonial Affair (here). She got her start riding in Maryland, a test she aced en route to the top of the riding heap.
- And don’t forget Marylander Stuart Janney (here), part owner of Derby favorite Orb (7-2). The colt, winner of the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream, is a son of Malibu Moon, a sire who, once upon a time, stood for just $3,000 at Country Life Farm in Bel Air, MD.
Some other mid-Atlantic connections to watch for on Derby day…
- Maryland-bred Havelock is in with a big shot in the G3 Turf Sprint. The son of Great Notion, bred and owned by Silverton Hill LLC, is 7-2 in the morning line…
- Pennsylvania-bred Frontside will need to bring her running shoes to have an impact on the G2 Distaff Turf Mile. The daughter of War Front is 30-1…
- Delaunay, a Maryland-bred son of Smoke Glacken, is 2-1 in the G2 Churchill Downs. Bred by Fitzhugh LLC, the erstwhile claiming horse has become a serious sprinter with five consecutive victories in stakes company and five straight 100+ Beyers…
- Wise Dan, reigning horse of the year and a Kentucky-bred son of Pennsylvania-based sire Wiseman’s Ferry (standing at Dana Point Farm), is 6-5 to take the G1 Turf Classic…
And on Oaks day…
- So Many Ways will try to find just one way to win the G3 Eight Belles. The Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Sightseeing is 6-1 for new trainer Tom Amoss…
- Patrioticandproud, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Proud Citizen, will aim for his first graded stakes triumph in the G2 Alysheba. He’s 20-1…
- Maryland-bred star Richard’s Kid, a multiple G1 winner, is 5-1 in the Alysheba. The son of Lemon Drop Kid is gunning for his first win since last July…
- Fair Hill ace Graham Motion takes Augustin Stable homebred I’ll Call, a Pennsylvania-bred son of Smart Strike into the G2 American Turf. He’s 15-1…
- Princess of Sylmar is 20-1 in the G1 Kentucky Oaks; she’s a Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Majestic Warrior…
Good luck to all!
