PREPARING FOR THE DERBY : Contenders Hit Major Prep Races

HALLANDALE, Fla. —  In a survey of Florida Derby trainers last weekend at Gulfstream Park, Scotty Schulhofer was asked about the stakes schedule of Slavic, who ran second to Saturday’s winner, Unbridled.

Schulhofer said Slavic, who lost by four lengths, probably will run in the $250,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 14. Then came the question: What about Cordoba, who won a seven-furlong race by 1 1/2 lengths Saturday?

“Wait a minute,” Schulhofer said, laughing. “Let’s don’t get Derby fever.”

But with the first Saturday in May and the Kentucky Derby less than two months away, the fever has arrived for those at the Florida Derby and at various other racing centers.

Schulhofer may not have Derby fever, but he quickly responded that Cordoba will run in the seven-furlong $75,000-added Lafayette at Keeneland on April 11. It’s considered a good prep for horses reaching the big race at Churchill Downs with little time remaining to run in longer races.

“Let’s just wait and see,” Schulhofer said when pressed for a post-Lafayette plan.

Most of the major preps are 1 1/8 miles. The Derby is 1 1/4 miles.

Carl Nafzger, trainer of Unbridled, is sending the colt to Kentucky, where he will run in either the Blue Grass or the Arkansas Derby on April 21.

Nafzger admitted to dreaming about winning the Kentucky Derby but said no when asked about considering the possibility of running 1-2 with his top 3-year-olds. He also trains Top Snob, who ran fourth in the Florida Derby.

“Top Snob has to do the same thing Unbridled did,” Nafzger said. “He has to come back and run that race again,” meaning a close-up finish.

Nafzger is sending Top Snob to Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., for the $500,000 Jim Beam Stakes on March 31.

The Jim Beam is to be the next start for Summer Squall, who ran second to Housebuster in the Swale Stakes on the Florida Derby card. It was Summer Squall’s first start since winning the Hopeful Stakes in August.

Trainer Neil Howard was enthusiastic about Summer Squall’s close-up finish, particularly because he had bled through the nostrils in a workout two weeks ago.

Howard said Summer Squall was tested shortly after the Swale but showed no signs of bleeding again through the nostrils. He raced with the bleeder medication Lasix.

Howard said he feels 100% better now that Summer Squall has that first race of the year behind him.

“Emotionally, it’s unbelievable how much better I feel,” he said, “but I worry about this (bleeding) every day.”

Rhythm, the 2-year-old champion who underwent minor throat surgery recently, is headed for Kentucky with trainer Shug McGaughey’s best horses. Rhythm may run in the Jim Beam.

Housebuster, being touted locally as the best sprinter in the country, also is being pointed for the Lafayette, but he is not considered a Derby contender.

Roanoke, seventh in the Florida Derby, probably will be prepped for the $500,000 Wood Memorial on April 21 at Aqueduct.

“He had no excuse,” said owner Ted Sprinkle. “We’re back to the drawing board. We think he’s better than he showed. Maybe we’ll put blinkers on next time.”

Ross’ Warning, the Maryland-bred who finished last, will be prepped for turf races. He ran second here in the Golden Grass Stakes.

“He came back bleeding from the lungs, and his eyes were closed with sand,” said trainer Sonny Hine. “There was so much sand in his eyes that he just couldn’t see. Maybe that’s why he runs so well on the turf. There’s no sand to hit him in the eyes.”

Meanwhile, Federico Tesio Stakes winner Smelly may run next in a prep at Garden State Park. Trainer Craig Nicholson, based at the Bowie Training Center, is considering the $100,000 Cherry Hill Mile March 31 or the $150,000 Garden State Stakes on April 14.

Trainer Wayne Lukas has paid a $3,000 late nomination fee to get filly Hail Atlantis eligible for the Kentucky Derby. She won the Santa Anita Oaks and will try to emulate Winning Colors, the filly Lukas saddled to win the Kentucky Derby in 1988.