Kentucky Derby Alumni watch for Sept 14

Sep 14, 2021 Nicolle Neulist/TwinSpires.com

With the summer meets winding down, most of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) alumni are taking a breath and regrouping for autumn, in many cases figuring out the final push for the Breeders' Cup. But, we still had a few Kentucky Derby and Oaks alumni in action last week over the green, green grass of Franklin, Kentucky. We also have an Oaks star to look forward to as soon as Churchill Downs kicks into gear for the September meet.

So, read on for this week's update on Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks alumni!

1. At Kentucky Downs on September 8, Necker Island (9th, 2020 Kentucky Derby) continued his shift to the turf. He settled toward the rear of a closely-packed TVG S. field, but didn't have the same kick as some of the others in the field. Necker Island crossed the wire eighth, beaten six lengths by Kentucky Downs maven Snapper Sinclair, who now has three wins and a second over the undulating lawn.
2. The other division of this race, the TVG2 S., was run on the same day, one race earlier than the TVG. That race featured both Sole Volante (11th, 2020 Kentucky Derby) and South Bend (15th, 2021 Kentucky Derby), two horses who have been shifting between dirt and turf for much of their careers. Sole Volante settled toward the rear and made up some ground down the long stretch at Kentucky Downs. He crossed the wire fourth, 4 1/4 lengths behind Paulo Lobo's fresh new face from Brazil, In Love. South Bend started slowly, trailed for much of the race, made up a bit of ground past the half but was only able to get up for eighth of nine, beaten eight lengths.
3. Shedaresthedevil (1st, 2020 Kentucky Oaks) was last seen winning her second Grade 1 of the year in the Clement L. Hirsch S. (G1) on Aug. 1 at Del Mar. The Brad Cox trainee has been drilling regularly at Ellis Park since that victory. She is likely to return Sept. 18 at her beloved Churchill Downs for the Locust Grove S. (G3).