Mike Curry offers takeaways from a frenetic weekend of Longines Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve qualifying races from coast to coast.

A ‘WOW’ WIN: Spendthrift Farm’s Further Ado entered 2026 among the most highly regarded Kentucky Derby contenders after a 20-length romp last October at Keeneland preceded a win in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs. The Gun Runner colt lost a little luster in a runner-up finish in the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby, but a breathtaking 11-length runaway victory that earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure in the $1.25 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 4 at Keeneland surely will rekindle the fire. It also has his connections feeling the Derby fever. “We’re just excited that he did it and he did it the way he did it,” Spendthrift’s Eric Gustavson said. “All things being equal and God willing, we’ll go to Churchill in a month and see what happens. Obviously, you’re taking all the best of the best a month from now, going up against them, but we’re among them now.”

So Happy and a happy Mike Smith. (BENOIT photo)

GUARDIAN ANGELS: So Happy seemed to sprout wings in the stretch of a heart-warming surprise victory at 7.30-1 odds in the $500,000 Santa Anita Derby. The Runhappy colt owned by the partnership of Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners bounced back from a third-place finish in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes Presented by DK Horse with a decisive 2 ¾-length triumph April 4 at Santa Anita Park. He punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby with the win and delivered a victory that extended far beyond the racetrack. Breeder Leverett S. Miller and his wife, Linda, cultivated four generations of So Happy’s family before Linda passed away from cancer five years ago in March 2021 , while winning trainer Mark Glatt, 53, lost his wife of 25 years, Dena, to heart failure less than two months ago. “It’s pretty hard to describe,” Glatt said. “We have had an overwhelming amount of support that’s helped us get through this very tough time. [Dena] got that horse there today.”

Riley Mott speaks to New York turf writers. (Eclipse Sportswire)

ADIEU TO AQUEDUCT: The final edition of the Wood Memorial Stakes Presented by Resorts World Casino held at Aqueduct did not disappoint as 11.89-1 longshot Albus rallied from eighth to win by 1 ¼ lengths on a fittingly overcast day at “the Big A.” With 38.72-1 outsider Right to Party running second and 28.21-1 longshot Ocelli third, the Big A went out with a bang to the tune of a $9,238.20 trifecta for a $2 wager. Albus entered the Wood Memorial off a 6 ¾-length maiden win Feb. 27 at Tampa Bay Downs and was making his stakes debut. Winning trainer Riley Mott, son of Hall of Famer and two-time Kentucky Derby winner Bill Mott, also conditions Virginia Derby Presented by New Kent County winner Incredibolt. “Never would I have thought going into this year that would be happening, but we still have a long ways to go and I just hope both colts stay happy and healthy and that we can put them in the gate that day,” Riley Mott said.

Percy's Bar impresses in the Ashland. (Coady Media)

PERCY’S PARTY: Make no mistake, Percy’s Bar will have a robust cheering section May 1 at Churchill Downs, just as the filly did on April 3 at Keeneland when she powered to a popular 2 ¼-length victory in the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland Stakes under Luan Machado. The bay Upstart filly was named in honor of bartender Percy Pool, an institution at both Keeneland and Churchill Downs. When Percy Pool was serving drinks, make no mistake, wherever he plied his craft was “Percy’s bar” until his retirement in 2015 after 47 years. The beloved bartender passed away in February 2024 at age 86. Following her Ashland victory, Percy’s Bar will be among the favorites for the Kentucky Oaks. She was an elite, if unlucky, 2-year-old filly in 2025, finishing second in the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes, first in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes before a controversial disqualification for interference in the stretch, and a troubled third in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Percy’s Bar surely deserved better than two wins in five starts at age 2, but she left nothing to chance in her 3-year-old bow and imposed her will on five overmatched opponents. If she can duplicate that effort in four weeks, many mint juleps will be toasted in Percy Pool’s honor.

Santa Anita Oaks winner Meaning. (BENOIT photo)

GUNS BLAZING: Saturday, April 4, was a monster day across the country for Three Chimneys Farm stallion Gun Runner in terms of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Meaning proved much the best in the Santa Anita Oaks Presented by Surfside and Always a Runner stepped up from a debut victory to win the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes by 1 ¼ lengths at Aqueduct. The two Gun Runner fillies earned their way into the Kentucky Oaks May 1 via California and New York, respectively. Later in the day, the aforementioned Further Ado, also by Gun Runner, romped in the Blue Grass Stakes in Central Kentucky to punch his Kentucky Derby ticket.