Pablo del Monte draws into Derby field but participation is
not definite
Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and trainer Wesley Ward’s Pablo
del Monte, who was placed on the also-eligible list for Saturday’s Kentucky
Derby after entries were taken Wednesday, became eligible to run in the first
leg of the Triple Crown Thursday morning because of the scratch of Hoppertunity.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to run,” Ward said. “I own 25 percent
of the horse. With my 25 percent there is nothing I’d love better, with a horse
that I bred, than to run. But I have to go with what my partners want to do, and
respect it.”
Not expecting to draw into the 20-horse Derby field, Ward and his partners
were looking ahead to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes
on May 17.
“The original plan, when we weren’t in the race, was to go to the Preakness
because we didn’t think we’d have this decision to make. We felt the spacing of
five weeks between races was ideal and that everything looked good,” said Ward,
whose homebred finished third in the April 12 Blue Grass over Keeneland’s
synthetic Polytrack. “But I’m hopeful they’ll want to run in the Derby.”
Ward expected to learn of his partners’ decision later on Thursday.
“They’re all in Europe and six hours ahead of us. I know they’re going to
talk later on this afternoon,” he said. “We should have a decision later this
evening or tomorrow morning.”
Horses with assigned post positions outside of the 11 post drawn for
Hoppertunity will all move inside one stall in the starting gate, leaving the
No. 20 post open for Pablo del Monte, should his owners opt to run.
“I think it sort of helps me a little bit. Obviously, in a mile-and-a-quarter
race, it’s a factor, but when you’re speed and you’re on the outside, it’s not
like you’re in the 2-hole or the 5-hole,” Ward said. “He can have a nice relaxed
break on the outside where he can either go to the lead or tuck in in the
forefront of the race.”
The son of Giant’s Causeway galloped 1 3/8 miles at Churchill Downs Thursday
morning with jockey Jeffrey Sanchez aboard.
Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com