First Look: 2 big Kentucky Derby preps highlight weekend

After a week without any points races, Kentucky Derby 2024 preps resume Saturday with the first of the eight 100-pointers that mean automatic invitations to the winners and virtually certain berths for the second-place finishers.

Those are the rewards for the top two in both the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby on the dirt at Fair Grounds and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. The early line from the National Weather Service says sunshine is forecast for New Orleans and for suburban Cincinnati.

There are seven graded races scheduled for Saturday plus one listed stakes that is one of the two preps for Kentucky Oaks (G1) points.

Saturday

Louisiana Derby (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 3/16 miles, 3-year-olds, 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby points

Can Track Phantom be hustled to his customary early lead when Joel Rosario rides him from the outside post? That may be the first question to be answered when the bell rings Saturday. His trainer Steve Asmussen has won this race four times since 2001. If 3-1 morning-line favorite Track Phantom or his stablemate Hall of Fame were to win, it would move Asmussen into a tie with Todd Pletcher for the most victories in this $1 million race that will be run for the 111th time. Pletcher could extend his record with Agate Road, Antiquarian or Triple Espresso, although Agate Road and Triple Espresso are cross-entered for the Jeff Ruby.

2024 Louisiana Derby G2

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Triple Espresso Omaha Beach	0.00	Todd A. Pletcher Luis Saez	4th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS	20-1
Last Race	4th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS
2	Hall of Fame Gun Runner	6.03	Steven M. Asmussen Ricardo Santana, Jr.	7th, 2024 Risen Star G2	8-1
Last Race	7th, 2024 Risen Star G2
3	Antiquarian Preservationist	5.87	Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez	1st, FG MSW (2/17/24-R9)	12-1
Last Race	1st, FG MSW (2/17/24-R9)
4	Agate Road Quality Road	6.14	Todd A. Pletcher Irad Ortiz, Jr.	2nd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3	8-1
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3
5	Catching Freedom Constitution	6.53	Brad H. Cox Flavien Prat	3rd, 2024 Risen Star G2	4-1
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Risen Star G2
6	Awesome Ruta Mendelssohn	0.00	Joseph M. Foster Mitchell Murrill	6th, 2024 Risen Star G2	30-1
Last Race	6th, 2024 Risen Star G2
7	Honor Marie Honor Code	6.20	D. Whitworth Beckman Ben Curtis	5th, 2024 Risen Star G2	8-1
Last Race	5th, 2024 Risen Star G2
8	Next Level Vino Rosso	5.54	J. Keith Desormeaux Jose Riquelme	8th, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2	30-1
Last Race	8th, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2
9	Real Men Violin Mendelssohn	5.95	Kenneth G. McPeek Corey J. Lanerie	8th, 2024 Risen Star G2	20-1
Last Race	8th, 2024 Risen Star G2
10	Common Defense Karakontie	6.19	Kenneth G. McPeek Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	2nd, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2	6-1
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2
11	Tuscan Gold Medaglia d'Oro	0.00	Chad C. Brown Tyler Gaffalione	1st, GP MSW (1/31/24-R7)	8-1
Last Race	1st, GP MSW (1/31/24-R7)
12	Track Phantom Quality Road	6.96	Steven M. Asmussen Joel Rosario	2nd, 2024 Risen Star G2	3-1
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Risen Star G2

Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3), Turfway Park, 1 1/8 miles (synthetic), 3-year-olds, 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points

Endlessly brings all-weather bona fides to this race that used to be known as the Spiral Stakes. The 5-2 morning-line favorite won Feb. 10 in what figured to be the final running at Golden Gate Fields of the El Camino Real Derby, which came with an automatic invitation to the Preakness, a race that his trainer Michael McCarthy won taking the same path in 2021 with Rombauer. Umberto Rispoli, a top-five jockey this winter at Santa Anita, is making the trip east to ride Endlessly. Agate Road will be the 4-1 second choice in the program if he does not go in the Louisiana Derby. Triple Espresso, also cross-entered for Fair Grounds, and Circle P are the two also-eligibles for the Jeff Ruby.

2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks G3

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Freedom Principle Flameaway	0.00	Jose Garoffalo Adam Beschizza	9th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS	30-1
Last Race	9th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS
2	Dancing Groom Vino Rosso	5.77	Antonio Sano Frankie Dettori	5th, 2024 Fountain of Youth G2	15-1
Last Race	5th, 2024 Fountain of Youth G2
4	Noted Cairo Prince	5.87	Todd A. Pletcher Luis Saez	7th, 2024 Kitten's Joy G3	15-1
Last Race	7th, 2024 Kitten's Joy G3
5	Agate Road Quality Road	6.14	Todd A. Pletcher Jose L. Ortiz	2nd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3	4-1
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3
6	Northern Flame Flameaway	5.93	Kenneth G. McPeek Julien R. Leparoux	3rd, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2	5-1
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2
7	Woodcourt Ransom the Moon	6.05	Cipriano Contreras Luan Machado	4th, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2	6-1
Last Race	4th, 2024 Rebel Stakes G2
8	Otello Curlin	5.96	Christophe Clement Javier J. Castellano	6th, 2024 Holy Bull G3	10-1
Last Race	6th, 2024 Holy Bull G3
9	Seize The Grey Arrogate	5.94	D. Wayne Lukas Nik Juarez	1st, OP AlwOC (2/24/24-R1)	6-1
Last Race	1st, OP AlwOC (2/24/24-R1)
10	Endlessly Oscar Performance	5.80	Michael W. McCarthy Umberto Rispoli	1st, 2024 El Camino Real Derby LS	5-2
Last Race	1st, 2024 El Camino Real Derby LS
11	Baytown Chatterbox Street Sense	4.07	Paul McEntee Albin Jiminez	2nd, CT Allow (2/28/24-R4)	30-1
Last Race	2nd, CT Allow (2/28/24-R4)
12	West Saratoga Exaggerator	6.03	Larry W. Demeritte Jesus L. Castanon	3rd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3	20-1
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Sam F. Davis G3
13	Circle P Speightster	0.00	Flint W. Stites Tyler Conner	3rd, 2024 Miracle Wood LS	30-1
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Miracle Wood LS
14	Triple Espresso Omaha Beach	0.00	Todd A. Pletcher Jose L. Ortiz	4th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS	20-1
Last Race	4th, 2024 Colonel Liam Stakes LS

Fair Grounds Oaks (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies, 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Oaks points

Led by Tarifa, four of the top five finishers Feb. 17 in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) are back to go the same 8 1/2 furlongs in this major qualifier for the Kentucky Oaks. The difference this time is that the track is not expected to be sloppy, which it was last month. Tarifa, who was stalking, outran post-time favorite Intricate, who was coming from off the pace, and they finished first and second. Alpine Princess was fourth and V V’s Dream fifth. Another big difference between then and now is Perfect Shot will not be around to be the pacesetter, a role that might fall to Alpine Princess, who is cross-entered for the Bourbonette Oaks.

2024 Fair Grounds Oaks G2

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	V V's Dream Mitole	6.56	Kenneth G. McPeek Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	5th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last Race	5th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2
2	Midsummer March Mendelssohn	4.79	Kenneth G. McPeek Reylu Gutierrez	1st, OP MSW (2/24/24-R5)	Entered
Last Race	1st, OP MSW (2/24/24-R5)
3	Alpine Princess Classic Empire	4.47	Brad H. Cox Florent Geroux	4th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2
4	Lucy Got Game Vino Rosso	0.00	Thomas M. Amoss Edgar Morales	1st, DeD MSW (2/24/24-R6)	Entered
Last Race	1st, DeD MSW (2/24/24-R6)
5	Tarifa Bernardini	5.89	Brad H. Cox Flavien Prat	1st, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2
6	Intricate Gun Runner	5.07	Brendan P. Walsh Tyler Gaffalione	2nd, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2
7	Our Pretty Woman Medaglia d'Oro	4.79	Steven M. Asmussen Joel Rosario	1st, FG Allow (2/17/24-R5)	Entered
Last Race	1st, FG Allow (2/17/24-R5)
8	Accommodate Eva Munnings	4.12	Dallas Stewart Corey J. Lanerie	1st, 2024 LA Broodmare of the Year Lipstick Junky RS	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 LA Broodmare of the Year Lipstick Junky RS

Bourbonette Oaks (listed), Turfway Park, 1 1/16 miles (synthetic), 3-year-old fillies, 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points

Maxisuperfly added to her maiden-breaking win in January by capturing the March 1 running of the Cincinnati Trophy, the traditional prep for this race that is not quite a top-level prep for the Kentucky Oaks. The Eric Foster-trained filly who is 4: 2-1-1 at Turfway also might not be the top competitor this weekend, what with Pink Polkadots bringing in her 2-for-2 record for trainer Joe Sharp. The question there is whether her speed translates in her move from turf to Tapeta.

2024 Bourbonette Oaks LS

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Alpine Princess Classic Empire	4.47	Brad H. Cox Luis Saez	4th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Rachel Alexandra G2
2	Winnable Justify	0.00	Kenneth G. McPeek Colby J. Hernandez	1st, TP MSW (2/21/24-R5)	Entered
Last Race	1st, TP MSW (2/21/24-R5)
3	Saratoga Secret Arrogate	4.34	D. Wayne Lukas Nik Juarez	7th, 2024 Martha Washington LS	Entered
Last Race	7th, 2024 Martha Washington LS
4	Maxisuperfly Optimizer	4.79	Eric N. Foster Walter Rodriguez	1st, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy LS	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy LS
5	Movin' On Up Accelerate	0.00	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Adam Beschizza	1st, GP Str (3/3/24-R5)	Entered
Last Race	1st, GP Str (3/3/24-R5)
6	Band Of Gold Preservationist	4.67	Kenneth G. McPeek Julien R. Leparoux	6th, 2024 Honeybee G3	Entered
Last Race	6th, 2024 Honeybee G3
7	Trial Runhappy	4.79	Thomas Drury Jr. Luan Machado	1st, TP AlwOC (2/21/24-R3)	Entered
Last Race	1st, TP AlwOC (2/21/24-R3)
8	Pink Polkadots Candy Ride	4.67	Joe Sharp Jaime Torres	1st, FG AlwOC (2/1/24-R9)	Entered
Last Race	1st, FG AlwOC (2/1/24-R9)
9	Youknownothing Candy Ride	0.00	Christophe Clement Javier J. Castellano	2nd, Tam AlwOC (1/3/24-R3)	Entered
Last Race	2nd, Tam AlwOC (1/3/24-R3)
10	Everland Arrogate	0.00	Eric N. Foster Abel Cedillo	4th, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy LS	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy LS

Muniz Memorial Classic presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 4-year-olds and up

Strong Quality, the pacesetter, vs. Beatbox, the closer. The rivalry will be renewed for the third time this winter over the same course and distance where Beatbox turned the tables on Strong Quality to win the Fair Grounds Stakes (G3) over soft going Feb. 17. In the race before that, Strong Quality led from gate to wire and narrowly beat Beatbox in the Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes going 110 fewer yards on the same track that was rated firm that day.

2024 Muniz Memorial Classic G2

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Adhamo Intello	5.82	Chad C. Brown Tyler Gaffalione	10th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1	Entered
Last Race	10th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1
2	Strong Quality Quality Road	4.91	Mark E. Casse John R. Velazquez	2nd, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
3	Webslinger Constitution	5.56	Mark E. Casse Flavien Prat	6th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1	Entered
Last Race	6th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1
4	Beatbox Pioneerof the Nile	7.26	Cherie DeVaux Joel Rosario	1st, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
5	Irish Aces Mshawish	5.59	Brendan P. Walsh Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	5th, 2024 Tampa Bay Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	5th, 2024 Tampa Bay Stakes G3
6	Palazzi Pioneerof the Nile	4.34	Mark E. Casse Jareth Loveberry	11th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	11th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
7	Gigante Not This Time	6.17	Steven M. Asmussen Edgar Morales	4th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
8	Point Proven Gun Runner	5.94	Alice G. Cohn Corey J. Lanerie	1st, FG AOC (02/17/2024-R2)	Entered
Last Race	1st, FG AOC (02/17/2024-R2)
9	Johny's Fireball Tonalist	5.47	Norm W. Casse Ricardo Santana, Jr.	3rd, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
10	Rising Empire Empire Maker	4.12	Brendan P. Walsh James Graham	7th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	7th, 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes G3
11	Risk Manager Lookin At Lucky	5.56	Michael J. Maker Reylu Gutierrez	7th, GP AOC (03/02/2024-R5)	Entered
Last Race	7th, GP AOC (03/02/2024-R5)
12	Woods N Water Palace	0.00	Lee Thomas Aubrie Green		Entered

13	I'm Very Busy Cloud Computing	5.56	Chad C. Brown Irad Ortiz, Jr.	2nd, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational G1

New Orleans Classic (G2), Fair Grounds, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Money Supply and Touchuponastar come into this race on serious rolls. Since he was picked up on a claim by Seth Klarman last summer at Saratoga, 5-year-old Money Supply had a narrow loss followed by five consecutive wins for trainer Chad Brown. He most recently won the Mineshaft (G3), defeating Best Actor and Gasoline in the process and in the Fair Grounds slop. Touchuponastar has a lifetime record of 14: 11-2-1, including a four-race winning streak for trainer Jeff Delhomme. Most of those wins, though, came against state-bred company. This would be a significant step forward for the 5-year-old gelding.

2024 New Orleans Classic G2

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Red Route One Gun Runner	6.61	Steven M. Asmussen Joel Rosario	4th, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3
2	Gasoline Curlin	5.07	Todd A. Pletcher John R. Velazquez	3rd, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	3rd, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3
3	Touchuponastar Star Guitar	0.00	Jeff Delhomme Timothy Thornton	1st, 2024 LA Bred Premier Championship RS	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 LA Bred Premier Championship RS
4	Black Belt Not This Time	0.00	Peter R. Walder Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	1st, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)	Entered
Last Race	1st, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)
5	Money Supply Practical Joke	5.59	Joe Sharp Tyler Gaffalione	1st, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3
6	Happy American Runhappy	4.47	Neil L. Pessin Corey J. Lanerie	7th, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	7th, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3
7	Super Corinto Super Saver	5.12	Ignacio Correas IV Irad Ortiz, Jr.	14th, 2023 Dubai World Cup G1	Entered
Last Race	14th, 2023 Dubai World Cup G1
8	Velocitor Mor Spirit	5.73	Gary M. Scherer David Cohen	1st, FG AOC (02/12/2024-R6)	Entered
Last Race	1st, FG AOC (02/12/2024-R6)
9	Best Actor Flatter	5.23	Brad H. Cox Flavien Prat	2nd, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Mineshaft Stakes G3
10	Lure Him In Khozan	5.09	Herman Wilensky Edwin Gonzalez	2nd, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)	Entered
Last Race	2nd, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)

Essex Handicap (G3), Oaklawn, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up

Which version of First Mission might we see Saturday? This was the highly regarded winner of the Lexington (G3) last year and a buzz horse going into the Preakness before he was scratched with a tender hind ankle. After a six-month break he won his allowance comeback and finished second in the Clark (G2) last fall at Churchill Downs. Then in his 2024 debut, he had nothing in the tank when he finished ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1). Magic Tap stretches another 110 yards after closing to finish second on the same course Feb. 24 in the Razorback Handicap (G3). War Campaign comes back three months after he won the Tinsel at Oaklawn.

2024 Essex Handicap G3

Post	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
1	Ain't Life Grand Not This Time	5.07	Kelly R. Von Hemel Martin Garcia	4th, OP AOC (02/25/2024-R9)	Entered
Last Race	4th, OP AOC (02/25/2024-R9)
2	Lure Him In Khozan	5.09	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Edwin Gonzalez	2nd, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)	Entered
Last Race	2nd, GP AOC (02/17/2024-R10)
3	Wizard Of Westwood Tu Brutus	4.67	Michael W. McCarthy Ramon A. Vazquez	4th, 2024 Dust Commander LS	Entered
Last Race	4th, 2024 Dust Commander LS
4	Great Escape Midnight Storm	5.94	Robertino Diodoro Harry Hernandez	2nd, OP AOC (02/25/2024-R9)	Entered
Last Race	2nd, OP AOC (02/25/2024-R9)
5	Magic Tap Tapit	4.84	Steven M. Asmussen Keith Asmussen	2nd, 2024 Razorback Handicap G3	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Razorback Handicap G3
6	War Campaign Declaration of War	0.00	Philip A. Sims Emmanuel Esquivel	1st, 2023 Tinsel LS	Entered
Last Race	1st, 2023 Tinsel LS
7	Time for Trouble English Channel	4.12	Jeff Hiles Rafael Bejarano	1st, OP SOC (01/12/2024-R8)	Entered
Last Race	1st, OP SOC (01/12/2024-R8)
8	Seize The Night Carpe Diem	0.00	Eddie Milligan Jr. Cristian A. Torres	2nd, 2024 Fifth Season LS	Entered
Last Race	2nd, 2024 Fifth Season LS
9	First Mission Street Sense	6.97	Brad H. Cox Florent Geroux	9th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup G1	Entered
Last Race	9th, 2024 Pegasus World Cup G1

San Luis Rey (G3), Santa Anita, 1 1/2 miles (turf), 4-year-olds and up

It looks like Missed the Cut, Planetario and Balladeer are running it back after they finished in that order Feb. 10 in the San Marcos (G3), where they went first, second and fourth after Planetario was demoted. This time they will be asked to go another quarter-mile. Missed the Cut did just that in winning Oct. 1 in the Tokyo City (G3) over the same Santa Anita grass, and he would be the expected favorite to get to 2-for-2 in his 5-year-old season. Last year’s winner Offlee Naughty is expected back, but he has finished more than four lengths behind in each of his last three starts.

2024 San Luis Rey G3

	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	HRN
	Offlee Naughty Flashback	6.23	Michael W. McCarthy	7th, 2023 John Henry Turf Championship G2	Probable
Last Race	7th, 2023 John Henry Turf Championship G2
	Missed The Cut Quality Road	6.12	John W. Sadler	1st, 2024 San Marcos G3	Probable
Last Race	1st, 2024 San Marcos G3
	Planetario Il Doge	6.05	Richard E. Mandella	2nd, 2024 San Marcos G3	Probable
Last Race	2nd, 2024 San Marcos G3
	Balladeer Distorted Humor	4.59	George Papaprodromou	4th, 2024 San Marcos G3	Probable
Last Race	4th, 2024 San Marcos G3
	Cathkin Peak Alhebayeb	5.91	George Papaprodromou	2nd, SA AOC (02/24/2024-R5)	Possible
Last Race	2nd, SA AOC (02/24/2024-R5)
	Resultant Frosted	0.00	Ryan Hanson	7th, SA AOC (02/16/2024-R7)	Possible
Last Race	7th, SA AOC (02/16/2024-R7)
	Truly Quality Quality Road	0.00	Jonathan Thomas	3rd, SA AOC (03/03/2024-R5)	Possible
Last Race	3rd, SA AOC (03/03/2024-R5)


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First Look: 2 big Kentucky Derby preps highlight weekend

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