Connections decide that Alpha will run in the Kentucky Derby on 5th May, 2012
Alpha, trained by Kiaran P. McLaughlin, will be racing in the Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled to take place on 5th May, 2012.
It’s been quite an eventful road to the Derby for the Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial runner-up. The 3-year-old colt was thought to compete in the Florida Derby or the Louisiana Derby, but instead connections leaned over a start in the Wood Memorial
for Alpha’s final prep race.
Kiaran McLaughlin is pleased with the form of the three-year-old colt as he stated to the press that: “He’s doing really well,” he told the press on 20th April, 2012. “We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re doing well. Most
likely we’re working him just once, here. We have him on the flight on the 30th, so we would probably work the 28th.”
Bred by Darley, the son of Bernardini, out of mare Munnaya, landed a victory in the Grade 3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, on 4th February, 2012.
He raced with a shot of 7 to 20, and with jockey, Ramon A. Dominguez aboard, he defeated the Gary Contessa trained, Speightscity, by a margin of 3 ¼ lengths.
Under the same rider, the bay colt triumphed over, Stephanoatsee, by 2 ½ lengths in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct in the beginning of the season on 7th January, 2012, where he raced as a favourite with odds of 4
to 5.
Ramon Dominguez, who has mounted the runner for this season may not be available to ride Alpha. He rode Hansen to the victory in the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes on 3rd March, 2012, and Alpha's connections are waiting on Ramon.
The Michael Maker trained colt defeated, My Adonis, by a margin of 3 lengths.
McLaughlin stated to the press that “Obviously we’re waiting for Ramon,” but he added that “But I’m not putting any pressure. Each day that goes by is fine with me, no problem.”
In his most recent start, the young runner who was whelped on 11th March, 2009, finished as a runner-up to Gemologist in the Wood Memorial.
He missed the victory narrowly as he fell ¼ of a length behind winner, Gemologist, in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on 7th April, 2012.
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