Kentucky Derby Avila Works Pair in Advance of Oaklawn Park Stakes Action April 22, 2020 King Guillermo winning the Tampa Bay Derby (Credit: SV Photography) Kentucky Derby Avila Works Pair in Advance of Oaklawn Park Stakes Action April 22, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Trainer Juan Avila worked a pair of graded stakes winners, King Guillermo and Trophy Chaser, at Gulfstream Park on Tuesday morning in advance of Oaklawn Park’s stakes action this coming weekend. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) King Guillermo covered 4 furlongs in :48.18 in his final local timed effort before shipping to Oaklawn Park for the $750,000 Arkansas Derby (G1). The race will be held on May 2 and awards the top four finishers with a total of 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) Trail, with 100 points to the winner, 40 to second, 20 to third, and 10 to fourth. King Guillermo currently sits tied for seventh on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard with 50, courtesy of his 49/1 upset victory in the Tampa Bay Derby (G2) when making his dirt debut. The 3-year-old son of Uncle Mo has an overall record of 4-2-0-1 with $240,350 earned for former Major League Baseball All-Star Victor Martinez, who races under the name Victoria’s Ranch. King Guillermo is expected to face several top 3-year-olds in the Arkansas Derby, including Nadal, who is one of the three tied with King Guillermo on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard. Nadal is expected to be made the Arkansas Derby morning line favorite, thanks in part to having won the Rebel Stakes (G2) over the local course. Trophy Chaser winning the Challenger (Credit: SV Photography) March 7 was a momentous Saturday for Avila, and not just because of King Guillermo’s toteboard-bombing victory. Avila also won the Challenger Stakes (G3) that day with Trophy Chaser, who posted a 4-furlong bullet work in :47.77, best of 17 to cover the distance on Wednesday. Avila owns Trophy Chaser under his JCA Racing Stable banner. According to DRF.com’s Mike Welsch, both colts will ship to Hot Springs, Arkansas, once they finish their post-workout cooldowns. Trophy Chaser is scheduled to draw into the $600,000 Oaklawn Handicap (G2), which will join the Arkansas Derby on the May 2 card. Avila is expected to work each horse once over the local strip next week. Following his Challenger victory, Avila indicated that he would entertain adding blinkers in hopes that Trophy Chaser would settle behind early speed. Other probables for the Oaklawn Handicap include fellow graded stakes winners Improbable, Combatant, Warrior’s Charge, and By My Standards.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More