A one-eyed gelding, Bob Baffert’s latest move, and more of the top Kentucky Derby links
Un Ojo, a one-eyed, New York-bred gelding, was the star of the Kentucky Derby trail this past weekend, rallying in the stretch to win the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday at odds of 75-1 for trainer Ricky Courville, who notched the first graded stakes victory of his career.
The Bob Baffert-trained Newgrange finished sixth as the 4-5 favorite. Un Ojo, who lost an eye in an accident as a yearling, earned 50 qualifying points for the upset victory, basically clinching a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The D. Wayne Lukas-trained Ethereal Road got 20 points for second place, with Barber Road earning 10 points for third and Kavod getting five points for fourth.
The Rebel was the only points-paying prep race on the weekend schedule, but things will pick up later this week. The Fountain of Youth Stakes, Gotham Stakes and San Felipe Stakes will hand out 50 points each to their respective winners, and the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park will give 10 points to its winner. All of those races are Saturday.
Top Kentucky Derby links
Kentucky Derby Watch: Our top 10 contenders for the May 7 race
Bob Baffert sues: The trainer sued Churchill Downs on Tuesday
Fountain of Youth Stakes will be In Due Time’s moment of truth
Mo Donegal favored in Fountain of Youth Stakes, but will he run?
Emmanuel will definitely be one to watch in the Fountain of Youth
The European Road to the Kentucky Derby picks up this week
Forbidden Kingdom and Doppelganger top San Felipe Stakes entries
Daily Racing Form analysis of Un Ojo and rest of the Rebel runners
Un Ojo eyeing the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland after Rebel upset
Kentucky Derby pedigree report: Un Ojo is living up to his breeding
Derby contender Slow Down Andy will run in the Blue Grass Stakes
Rattle N Roll had a great workout for Kenny McPeek over weekend
D. Wayne Lukas may speak soon about running filly in Arkansas Derby
Lukas’ potential Derby filly is the daughter of champion Arrogate
Holy Bull winner White Abarrio returned to worktab Sunday morning
Straight Up G, owned by Jim Rome, wires Mine That Bird Derby field
Doug O’Neill will have two starters in this week’s San Felipe Stakes
Derby points standings: Epicenter leads the way; Un Ojo now 2nd
Expert picks: The latest Top 10 lists from KentuckyDerby.com experts
This story was originally published February 28, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
