BloodHorse associate editor Byron King presents his latest Derby Dozen with a look at his leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 1.
Making the Grade, which will run through the 2021 Triple Crown races, focuses on the winners or top performers of the key races, usually from the previous weekend, who could make an impact on the Triple Crown. We’ll be profiling impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey), and pedigree.
Saturday’s $400,000, Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford at Fair Grounds is the first prep race on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve to move up the scale and offer a total of 85 qualifying points to the top four finishers.
While the snow on the ground and in the forecast for the following day framed the $250,000 Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack with icy thoughts of winter, the winner did a pretty nice job of igniting thoughts of a certain Saturday in May.
Young, developing 3-year-olds who can successfully navigate two turns are a precious commodity at this time of year and Klaravich Stables' Risk Taking surely fits into that coveted category.
