Daily to Derby

Trendsetter Pulls 32-1 Upset — Road to the Derby is Officially Done

The final prep race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby went to Trendsetter, a 32-1 shot trained by Ben Colebrook and ridden by Kazushi Kimura. The colt reeled in the leaders from fourth on the second turn and pulled away to score by 2¼ lengths over The Hell We Did, with pacesetter Corona de Oro holding third. Fractions were honest: :23.68, :47.92, 1:12.12.

The result has no Derby implications — none of the Lexington starters had enough points to crack the top 20 regardless of the result. But Colebrook, who upset Zany with Percy's Bar in the Ashland just eight days earlier, is now the hottest trainer at Keeneland. "Somebody pinch me," he said afterward. "You're never expecting this." Trendsetter was not nominated to the Triple Crown, so the Preakness is off the table without a late fee. Think Belmont or beyond. Brad Cox's pair — Ezum and Confessional — were both beaten.

The Jockey Picture is Coming Together

Three jockey confirmations landed Saturday, filling in the picture for some of the deeper Derby runners. Manny Franco picks up the mount on Wood Memorial winner Albus for trainer Riley Mott — a solid booking for a horse who will need a ground-saving trip in a big field. Jaime Torres stays on Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt, also for Mott. And Ryusei Sakai — who finished third aboard Forever Young in the 2024 Kentucky Derby — has been booked for UAE Derby winner Wonder Dean, making a full weekend of it at Churchill with multiple rides planned.

Meanwhile Chief Wallabee worked in blinkers Saturday morning at Payson Park for Bill Mott — a noteworthy equipment change this close to the Derby. Connections are clearly looking to unlock something extra heading into a race where he still needs one defection to get in.

The Field is Starting to Move Toward Churchill

Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy will ship from California to Churchill Downs on April 21, trainer Mark Glatt confirmed Saturday. The colt will post his final West Coast work April 18 or 19 before making the cross-country trip. The Puma is set to van from Gulfstream to Churchill on April 19 or 20 and will be stabled in Barn 42 — the same barn Mage called home before his 2023 Derby win. Danon Bourbon arrives April 21. Wonder Dean, already stateside, logged his first training session over the Churchill surface Saturday.

Sovereignty Meets Journalism — The Rivalry Resumes

While the Derby field prepares at Churchill, last year's stars square off next Saturday in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap G2. Journalism — 2025 Preakness and Haskell winner, runner-up to Sovereignty in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont — is confirmed for the race with Jose Ortiz aboard in Michael Tabor's famous blue and orange silks. Reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty, trained by Bill Mott, makes his 4-year-old debut in the same race. Both have been off since last fall. The draw is today — ATR will have it on FS2, with live coverage next Saturday.