TDN senior racing editor Steve Sherack on Friday laid out his handicapping and selections for three crucial Kentucky Derby preps running Saturday — the GI Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland, the GI Santa Anita Derby and the GII Wood Memorial at Aqueduct — each worth 100-50-25-15-10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Sherack pointed to Further Ado (Gun Runner) as his pick in the Blue Grass after GII Rebel winner Class President (Uncle Mo) was scratched from the field. Further Ado returns to Keeneland, where he opened his career with a 20-length maiden romp that earned him TDN Rising Star status. He rebounded to finish a game runner-up off the bench in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, a performance Sherack says looks stronger after The Puma’s (Essential Quality) runner-up effort in last weekend’s GI Florida Derby. Sherack expects Irad Ortiz Jr. to press the pace, particularly if front-running Reagan’s Honor (Honor A. P.) is left alone up front, and installed Further Ado as his Blue Grass selection at 8-5 on the card.
At Santa Anita, Sherack favored Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), who won last year’s GI American Pharoah and returned this season with a solid, hard-fought effort in the GIII Robert B. Lewis. After that comeback start, Sherack views Intrepido as a forwardly placed contender in a seven-horse renewal that projects to lack early zip, and he preferred the veteran’s tactical speed and experience over rivals including Bob Baffert’s unbeaten Potente (Into Mischief), the GII San Felipe winner. Sherack tabbed Intrepido as his top choice at an expected 7-2.
In the Wood Memorial, Sherack made Iron Honor (Nyquist) his selection despite an outside post draw. The 5-2 morning-line favorite captured a six-furlong debut at Aqueduct, rallying past sharp sprinter Crossingthechannel, and followed with a decisive, pulling-away victory in the one-turn mile GIII Gotham. Sherack noted the son of Nyquist — out of a Blame mare — should strengthen when stretched out to 1 1/8 miles and possesses the early speed to secure a good tactical spot beneath Manny Franco. He also singled out Courting (Curlin), the $5-million KEESEP yearling and full brother to MGISW Clairiere, as a horse capable of making amends after a disappointing sophomore debut when blinkers were added and then quickly removed by trainer Todd Pletcher; Albus (Yaupon), a Tampa maiden winner, was mentioned as an intriguing longshot for bettors looking at exotics.
Sherack’s column also reflected on last weekend’s GI Curlin Florida Derby, where Commandment (Into Mischief) vaulted into the 3-year-old picture with a last-to-first victory, and Blackout Time (Not This Time) disappointed with a fifth-place effort after serving the trip Sherack had anticipated. Those results, Sherack wrote, re-shuffled the Derby pecking order and further spotlighted the importance of Saturday’s point-rich preps as the series approaches the Kentucky Derby.
With the major preps increasingly decisive for Derby positioning, Saturday’s action at Keeneland, Santa Anita and Aqueduct will provide the latest clues on which 3-year-olds are ready to take the next step toward Churchill Downs. Sherack’s analysis and selections capture both form and tactical considerations as connections aim for the April 2026 classic.