What’s On Track: Kentucky Derby and Oaks Points Up for Grabs Across Packed Stakes Weekend

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

Battle on the Bluegrass

Don’t get this Saturday’s $1 million Bluegrass (G1) confused with the Boise State Broncos’ iconic home field, otherwise you’d be missing out on a doozy between two premier 3-year-olds.

The last time Dornoch (3-1) and Sierra Leone (2-1) met head-to-head, the former stole the Remsen (G2) from the latter in the final stages of the 1 1/8-mile contest.

Both young heavyweights have raced once since then, and to nobody’s surprise, they each scored. Dornoch breezed to a 1 ¾-length front-leading win in the Fountain of Youth (G2), while Sierra Leone’s Risen Star (G2) triumph required a late-game comeback.

Now, the uber-talented duo will reconvene at the same distance, this time at Keeneland, with Sierra Leone seeking to avenge last December’s nose-length defeat.

His to Lose

With 25 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to his name already, 3-year-old colt Stronghold appears poised for an appearance in next month’s illustrious event. A strong showing in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday would all but clinch a spot in the starting gate for the Phil D’Amato trainee.

After securing his current bounty with a win in February’s Sunland Park Derby (G3), Stronghold (5-2) heads further west for his first test at the Grade 1 level. Previously, the Antonio Fresu mount had only competed at the Grade 2 and 3 ranks, going 1-2-0 in three attempts.

At 2-3-0 through five starts overall, Stronghold is yet to miss the podium. Should that streak continue, the Kentucky-bred can start looking for accommodations back home.

Just Gonna Squeeze by, Thanks

Pennsylvania-bred Uncle Heavy makes (8-1) his return to Aqueduct for the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) in what will be his stiffest challenge to date.

The 3-year-old colt found immediate success at the New York raceway after moving north from his hometown track, Parx, back on Feb. 3. Leaving the gate at 9-1, Uncle Heavy shocked the crowd with a thrilling late push to nab the Withers (G3) by a nose.

Eyeing a repeat performance this Saturday, the Robert Reid Jr. charge will need to fend off a familiar foe in El Grande O (8-1), whom he swiped the Withers from last time out.

The scorned Linda Rice protégé is 0-for-3 at the Graded tier, but only needed to wait 35 days for a shot at revenge.

Smile for the Camera

Red Carpet Ready (7-2) has her sights on a second straight graded title come Saturday at Keeneland. The 4-year-old filly enters the $600,000 Madison (G1) in strong form after beating out 2-1 closing line favorite to take home last month’s Hurricane Bertie (G3) at Gulfstream.

Graded stakes victories are nothing new to the Luis Saez pilot, who’s claimed three in five tries coming in, including the Forward Gal (G3) and Eight Belles (G2). Sitting at 5-0-1 through seven starts altogether, Red Carpet Ready has landed in the money all but once (seventh in the Grade 3 victory Ride last July).

Should the filly with a penchant for the winner’s circle be successful again on Saturday, she would eclipse $1 million in career earnings.

Straighten it Out

Through eight lifetime starts, the career of 3-year-old Florida-bred Chi Chi mimics that of the Mako, Orlando’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. While theme park rides may be great fun for thrill seekers, race horses, and athletes in general, would prefer to avoid such a volatile trajectory.

The Herman Wilensky trainee has an opportunity to steady the course on Sunday afternoon at Keeneland in the $400,000 Beaumont (G2).

After starting out 0-for-2, Chi Chi rebounded to win back-to-back stakes (E.L. Gaylord Memorial and Juvenile Fillies Sprint). She has since been kept out of the winner’s circle in four starts following the juvenile sprint, which ran on Nov. 11, 2023. The draught hasn’t been all bad, as the filly earned a second and two thirds during that stretch.

Heading into the weekend with low expectations could be just what Chi Chi (20-1) needs to get back on track.