Big Truck, Visionaire on the bubble for Derby 134

Trainer Barclay Tagg confirmed Wednesday that Tampa Bay Derby (G3) winner BIG TRUCK (Hook and Ladder), who finished 11th in Saturday's Blue Grass S. (G1), is being pointed toward the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Barclay Tagg trainee currently ranks 20th on the graded stakes earning list for Derby 134.
"I won't deny him the chance if he continues to train forwardly and is okay that day," Tagg said.

Tagg said he was perplexed by the bay colt's performance in the nine-furlong Blue Grass on Keeneland's Polytrack.

"We thought he loved the track in the morning, but he didn't like it in the afternoon," Tagg said. "I'm just guessing though, I really don't know. I was pretty dismayed; he didn't fire at all. We just have to throw that race out."

Tagg said his other Derby hopeful, Wood Memorial (G1) winner TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat), is on target for the Run for the Roses. Tale of Ekati has $738,000 in graded earnings and ranka third on the graded stakes earnings list.

Trainer Michael Matz also is watching the graded stakes earnings list and hoping Gotham S. (G3) winner VISIONAIRE (Grand Slam), who finished fifth in the Blue Grass, secures a place in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. The chestnut colt currently ranks 19th on the list with $202,500 in graded earnings.

"We'll just wait and see," Matz said.

Tagg and Matz are anxiously awaiting the results of Saturday's $325,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland. Depending of what happens, both of their horses could be bumped out of the top 20. The Kentucky Derby is limited to a maximum field of 20 horses based on earnings in graded stakes races.