Kentucky Derby prep races: Kingsbarns looks like a top contender after win at Fair Grounds

Kingsbarns remained undefeated and stamped himself a top contender for the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Kingsbarns broke from the gate first and led the rest of the way in capturing Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Kingsbarns earned 100 qualifying points toward the May 6 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

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Kingsbarns set soft early fractions — 24.71 seconds for the quarter-mile, 49.60 seconds for the half-mile and 1:14.69 for three-quarters — and finished the 1 3/16 miles in 1:57.33. He won by four lengths and paid $11 on a $2 win bet.

“He broke well and got us in a great spot,” Prat said. “From there, it felt like I was in control. He really kicked home well. … When I asked him to make a run, he really extended himself well. He seems like the (Kentucky Derby) distance won’t be a problem.”

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Disarm, trained by Steve Asmussen, finished second and was followed by Jace’s Road and Shopper’s Revenge.

A son of Uncle Mo, Kingsbarns did not race as a 2-year-old. He won his maiden race Jan. 14 at Gulfstream Park and followed with a 7 ¾-length romp in an allowance optional claiming race Feb. 12 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Two Phil's rolls in Jeff Ruby Steaks

Two Phil’s made a four-wide move off the final turn and rallied for a 5 1/4-length victory in the $700,000, Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky.

Two Phil’s earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Larry Rivelli and ridden by Jareth Loveberry, Two Phil’s covered the 1 1/8 miles on the Tapeta surface in 1:49.03 and paid $7.64 on a $2 win bet.

“The original plan probably wasn’t to run in this spot,” Rivelli said. “I was just looking for the best route to get Two Phil’s to the Kentucky Derby. With this race on the calendar I thought it was the perfect timing and perfect spot. We’re on our way to the Derby.”

Major Dude, the 8-5 favorite trained by Todd Pletcher, was second and earned 40 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby. Funtastic Again was the early pace-setter before fading to third, and Wadsworth finished fourth.

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A son of Hard Spun, Two Phil’s improved to 4-1-1 in eight career starts. He won the Grade 3 Street Sense on Oct. 30 at Churchill Downs and entered the Jeff Ruby Steaks off a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Risen Star on Feb. 18 at Fair Grounds.

Derma Sotogake wins UAE Derby

Derma Sotogake broke first from the rail and never looked back in winning Saturday’s $1 million, Group 2 UAE Derby at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

Derma Sotogake earned 100 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby, and trainer Hidetaka Otonashi confirmed the connections’ plans to make the trip to Louisville.

“He will go straight to Kentucky from Dubai,” Otonashi said.

With Christophe Lemaire riding, Derma Sotogake covered the approximately 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.81 and won by 5 1/2 lengths.

“He can break a little slowly, so it was important he began well to use his gate on the rail and he did just that,” Lemaire said. “He travelled nicely on the lead, and he relaxed for me down the backstretch. He was still moving smoothly for me as we came into the homestretch, and once I pressed the button he was very impressive and I could enjoy the finish on him.

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“I hope he goes to America, and I would love to ride him there. How could anyone refuse that?”

Japanese horses filled the top four spots, with Dura Erede second, Continuar third and Perriere fourth.

A son of Mind Your Biscuits, Derma Sotogake improved to 4-0-2 in eight career starts. He previously had finished third in the Group 3 Saudi Derby on Feb. 25.

35-1 shot Wild On Ice captures Sunland Park Derby

Long shot Wild On Ice rallied down the stretch to win Sunday’s $600,000, Grade 3 Sunland Park Derby.

The longest shot in the race at 35-1 odds, Wild On Ice and jockey Ken Tohill covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.39 and paid $72.80 on a $2 win bet.

Wild On Ice, trained by Joel Marr, earned 50 qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby. The gelding has not been nominated for the Triple Crown but can be added for $6,000 if paid by Monday.

Low Expectations finished second, and Henry Q was third.

Hard to Figure, the 1-2 favorite trained by Bob Baffert, finished last in the six-horse field.

Wild On Ice, a Texas-bred son of Tapizar, improved to 3-0-1 in five career starts. He entered off a third-place finish in the Mine That Bird Derby on Feb. 28 at Sunland Park.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Derby 2023 prep races: Kingsbarns, Two Phil's, Derma Sotogake