Forte, last year’s champion two-year-old, looks to take control of his generation in a definitive way with a win in today’s Florida Derby.
Reincarnate is the favorite for today’s Grade 1 Arkansas Derby, and he will need a strong effort to get enough points to land a spot in the Kentucky Derby.
Maryland-bred Coffeewithchris and Pennsylvania-bred Ninetyprcentmaddie are among a dozen late Triple Crown nominees.
Kingsbarns posted a front-running score in the Louisiana Derby to give trainer Todd Pletcher four horses with sufficient points to reach the Kentucky Derby.
Pennsylvania-bred Ninetyprcentmaddie, a sharp last out stakes winner at Parx, could try the G2 Wood Memorial next, said trainer Butch Reid.
Tapit Trice, the 1-2 favorite, rallied from the rear to win the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Derby and earn 50 points on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard.
Two-year-old champion Forte made his return to action an impressive one as he cruised in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
Undefeated runners based in the Mid-Atlantic, Recruiter and Howgreatisnate, are among 14 slated to run in Saturday’s Gotham, offering Derby points.
Confidence Game scored an 18-1 upset in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park to zoom to the top of the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard.
Eclipse Award 2yo winner Forte is nearing a return to action, and trainer Todd Pletcher says he’s “on schedule” to run in the March 4 Fountain of Youth.