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.
US Racing Team
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
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