American Promise secured a Kentucky Derby (G1) berth in winning the March 15 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, but his Derby preparations are not over. The Justify colt, who collected 50 points for his track-record performance at Colonial of 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.41, has 55 overall points, historically sufficient to gain entry to the Derby when it oversubscribes beyond its 20-horse maximum field size.
But Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas does not want BC Stables' American Promise to have too much rest ahead of the first leg of the Triple Crown. So, the April 12 Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland is on American Promise's upcoming race schedule.
"I don't want a seven-week break, trying to win the Kentucky Derby," Lukas told Oaklawn Park publicity. "The whole idea is trying to win the Derby and I think in order to win the Derby, I would feel better if I had another out in him."
American Promise breezed March 25 at Oaklawn, covering five furlongs in :59 4/5 in preparation for the 1 1/16-mile Lexington. The Lexington is the final Derby prep, coming three weeks before the May 3 Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs.
Another Lukas trainee, MyRacehorse's Caldera, is also scheduled to make his next start at Keeneland, though in a different race. Lukas has that Liam's Map colt, the Sunland Park Derby runner-up, pointed toward a quick return in the April 5 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) after an eighth-place finish in the March 22 Louisiana Derby (G2) when he stumbled at the start.
