Following his maiden-breaking victory in Saturday's GII Toyota Blue Grass S., Reddam Racing's Irap (Tiznow) will remain at Keeneland for the immediate future as he continues preparation for the May 6 GI Kentucky Derby, trainer Doug O'Neill's team confirmed Sunday. O'Neill and assistant Jack Sisterson trained Nyquist (Uncle Mo) up to his 2016 Derby score at the Lexington oval.
“[Irap] will stay at Keeneland and probably do the Nyquist thing and go to Churchill Downs the week of the Kentucky Derby,” said Sisterson, who was on hand at Keeneland Saturday. “It seems like every time Doug has brought a horse here from California, they have thrived.”
O'Neill said via text that he was not sure when he would come to Keeneland. Last year, he made several trips back and forth from his Santa Anita base to Keeneland before spending the final couple of weeks in Kentucky. Irap will be cared for by exercise rider Antonio Romero and groom Fernel Serrano.
Blue Grass runner-up Practical Joke (Into Mischief) came out of his effort in good order, according to trainer Chad Brown. Practical Joke ranged up menacingly in the stretch but could not get past the winner, coming up three-quarters of a length short.
“Practical Joke ran terrific,” Brown said. “He had a little bit of a wide trip but really ran well. I was encouraged to see him in a two-turn race with a sustained run, making up ground in the lane, not losing ground. He gives me some optimism to keep going forward towards the Derby.”
Brown said Practical Joke would remain at Keeneland for the time being until he determines when to send the colt to Churchill.
Meanwhile, Janis Whitham's 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken (Ghostzapper)–third as the favorite in the Blue Grass–jogged once around the main track at 6 a.m. on Sunday with exercise Yoni Orantes aboard. Trainer Ian Wilkes said he plans to van McCraken to Churchill Downs Monday. The colt finished third, beaten 3 3/4 lengths, in the first defeat of his career.
“I thought he was too fresh and too much on the bit, and that is where missing [the GII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 11 with an ankle strain] showed up,” Wilkes said. “He was a little too keen.”
Tapwrit (Tapit), a disappointing fifth in the Blue Grass following his win in the Tampa Bay Derby, emerged from the race no worse for the wear and will remain at Keeneland for the time being, Todd Pletcher's assistant Ginny DePasquale said Sunday. With 54 points accumulated towards a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate, Tapwrit is one of five Pletcher trainees in the top 20. Calumet Farm's Wild Shot (Trappe Shot), who set the pace and faded to finish last of seven in the Blue Grass, could cut back to a one-turn mile in the GIII Pat Day Mile S. on the Kentucky Derby undercard, according to trainer Rusty Arnold.
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