Kentucky Derby Contender News & Notes: April 20, 2017
Kentucky Derby Contender News & Notes: April 20, 2017
- Owners Tom and Sandy McKenna announced that they will not pay the $200,000 supplementary fee to run Grade 1 Arkansas Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 6 and will instead await the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico two weeks later.
- The McKennas will have to pay a $150,000 supplementary fee to run their colt in the Preakness since he was not nominated to the Triple Crown by the early or late deadlines.
- Trainer Mark Casse named Jose Lezcano to ride Grade 1 Florida Derby runner-up State of Honor in the Run for the Roses.
- The exclusive training period for Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks contenders at Churchill Downs begins on April 22 from 8:30-8:45 a.m., and will be streamed live on KentuckyDerby.com.
- Kentucky Derby prospects expected to breeze in the initial dedicated training period are Girvin for trainer Joe Sharp, and State of Honor.
- Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Always Dreaming and Grade 2 Louisiana Derby runner-up Patch are slated to breeze at conditioner Todd Pletcher’s base at Palm Beach Downs in Florida on April 21 and ship to Churchill Downs on April 25.
