Derby Trial Stakes

Notes:
The 1 st graded stakes of Churchill Downs spring meet surprisingly drew a pair of G1 Kentucky Derby hopefuls, though the G2 Derby Trial isn t expected to have any impact on the Run for the Roses. Conditioner Bob Baffert entered both G3 Sunland Derby champ Chitu, who currently ranks no 12 on the Derby leaderboard, and G1 Arkansas Derby show finisher Bayern, who sits now at no 23. But after the post position draw, Baffert told reporters that Chitu would be scratched and instead pointed to the 1 st Saturday in May. Additionally, Baffert said he ll monitor defections from the Derby and scratch Bayern if it appears he ll be able to secure a spot in the gate. Should that appear unlikely, the son of Offlee Wild will race in the Trial as a prep for the G1 Preakness at Pimlico in three weeks. G2 Swale S. hero Spot cuts back after running 7 th of eight in the G1 Florida Derby on 3/29 at Gulfstream Park. Matador, who has raced exclusively in stakes since beginning his career last August, was three lengths in front of Spot when checking in 6 th in the Florida Derby. Friendswith K Mill, a late Triple Crown nominee, exits a next-to-last finish in the G1 Santa Anita Derby as he tries to rebound and earn a spot in one of the remaining classics. Laddie Boy flopped in graded stakes on synthetic in each of his last two starts but was a good 2 nd to Derby contender Tapiture over this course in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club last November. Big Sugar Soda will be racing beyond 7f for the 1 st time and enters this off a solid 2 nd in Oaklawn Park s 6f Gazebo S. in March. Oaklawn Park maiden winner Bitters n Bourbon launched his career with a 3 rd -place finish under the Twin Spires. He was a non-threatening 6 th last out in an optional claiming contest in Hot Springs. Myositis Dan and Embellishing Bob are the two entrants who are not eligible for the Triple Crown. The former has hit the board in five of seven races and kept some pretty good company. Embellishing Bob just broke his maiden in his 3 rd attempt but has the highest last race BRIS Speed Rating - a 102 - of those expected to run here.