BloodHorse news editor Byron King presents his latest Derby Dozen for 2022, with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 7.
After a spectacular slate of racing to close out January highlighted by Life Is Good’s win in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes last Saturday, the first weekend of February promises no letup with three qualifying points preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on the schedule.
Starting last year and picking up momentum in January, a handful of prospects pointing to the 2022 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and other Triple Crown races have gained attention by earning qualifying points in stakes around the country or by winning maiden and allowance races.
Under a suspension issued by Churchill Downs Inc. from its tracks, trainer Bob Baffert is currently prohibited from participating this year and next in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. But that isn't stopping the Hall of Famer from winning races on the Derby trail, just as he long has.
The Grade 3 Southwest Stakes has come a long way since the turn of the century.
As recently as 2005, the Southwest was an ungraded stakes with a $100,000 purse. Now the 1 1/16-mile event is a Grade 3 worth $750,000, and it’s also a Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve prep race awarding qualification points to the top four finishers on a 10-4-2-1 split.
