International flavor
The other interesting development on the road to the Triple Crown this week came in the form of a reminder that Churchill Downs is actively courting European contenders this year in an effort to season  America’s most famous race with some international flavor.

Numerous British newspapers reported that there is keen interest among trainers on that side of the pond in participating in the inaugural Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes on Wednesday, March 18, at the Kempton racecourse. Victory in the 9-furlong race, to be run over the track’s all-weather racing surface, will be worth the winner’s share of the $150,000 purse and a $100,000 bonus if the winner competes in the Kentucky Derby.

John Gosden has nominated four  3-year-olds to the race – Nawaadi, Close Alliance, Maffaz and Red Spider and Aidan O’Brien named a trio – Born to be King, Chief Lone Eagle and Great Wisdom.

Also apparently revving up for another try at the Derby is Dubai’s powerful Godolphin operation.

The stable’s racing manager, Simon Crisford, told HRTV last week that three Godolphin runners are under consideration for a Derby run: U.A.E. 2000 Guineas (Gr. 3) winner Desert Party, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner and Eclipse Award winner Midshipman and the highly regarded Vineyard Haven, who apparently didn’t handle the artificial surface at Dubai’s Naad al Sheba race course in the U.A.E. 2000 Guineas.

Midshipman has yet to start in 2009 and, if he runs in the Derby, apparently will do so off a single prep.

Coming attractions
Triple Crown prep action heats up again this weekend with the 1-mile Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. 2) at Gulfstream Park, the 1 1/8-mile Sham Stakes (Gr. 3) at Santa Anita and the 1 1/16 mile Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park.

On paper the Fountain of Youth looks like the best of the trio, with Hutchison winner Capt. Candyman Can, Sunshine Millions Sprint winner This Ones for Phil, Spectacular Bid victor Notonthesamepage, the undefeated Taqarub and the wise-guy horse Beethoven.

The field for the Fountain of Youth is also expected to include Break Water Edison, Jack Spratt, Salo Jak and Quality Road.

The Sham will feature San Rafael Stakes winner The Pamplemousse, the Baffert-trained Ventana, the Pletcher shipper Take the Points, winner of an allowance race at Gulfstream in his most recent start, and three or four other 3-year-olds who will be hoping to make a statement.

I haven’t seen anything on the probables for the Battaglia Stakes yet.

More news

NBC Sports

First Triple Crown in 34 years?

  HRTV's Laffit Pincay and Joel Siegel talk about the chances for "I'll Have Another" to in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

Mike Stewart / AP

Chasing the Crown

  Slideshow: I'll Have Another one win away from becoming the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

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