Recent defections from Owen Almighty and Heart of Honor from the prospective Kentucky Derby (G1) lineup have cleared the way for Flying Mohawk and Grande to secure starting berths in the May 3 first leg of the Triple Crown at Churchill Downs.
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner Owen Almighty, who faltered to finish in a dead heat for last in the April 8 Blue Grass Stakes (G1), is now aimed at the shorter Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard, according to trainer Brian Lynch. And UAE Derby (G2) runner-up Heart of Honor, trained by the England-based Jamie Osborne, will not be considered for the Kentucky Derby, the track announced in a social media post April 11. He is still under consideration for the two other legs of the Triple Crown, Osborne told TDN Europe.
The Derby field is limited to 20 3-year-olds, with preference given to horses with the highest qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Flying Mohawk and Grande each have 50 qualifying points following respective runner-up finishes in the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) and Wood Memorial Stakes (G2).
Flying Mohawk, a son of Karakontie trained by Whit Beckman for Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing, is unraced on dirt, the surface on which the Kentucky Derby will be staged at 1 1/4 miles. Beckman's trainee has made all six of his starts on turf or synthetic surfaces.
Grande, a son of Curlin owned by Repole Stable and trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Todd Pletcher, won his initial two starts at Gulfstream Park before finishing 3 1/2 lengths behind Rodriguez in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack with a wide trip. All three of his races have been on dirt.
Based on what has occurred with prior leadups to the Derby, further defections are probable in the coming weeks before entries are taken April 26.
Should the race attract more than 20 entrants, horses can also draw into the race as an also-eligible with a scratch the day before the Derby. Rich Strike drew into the Derby in that manner in 2022 before scoring an upset at odds of 80-1.
Madaket Road, second in the 1 1/16-mile Rebel Stakes (G2) before weakening to fourth in the 1 1/8-mile Florida Derby (G1), is currently listed as the 21st-ranked horse on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard based on points and Churchill's understanding of intent to compete.
Built, Neoequos, Render Judgment, and Baeza are 22nd through 25th, respectively—though not all the current alternates are assured of being placed in the race even if a Derby slot opens up.
Built, who faltered late to run fifth in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby (G2), is currently listed on the website of owner Eclipse Thoroughbreds Partners as having an upcoming start in Pat Day Mile. Several other alternates have also shown apparent distance limitations.
Baeza, second to Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), has generated the most pre-Derby excitement among handicappers of the horses currently on the list of alternates.
