Noted: April 4
– The Apple Blossom rematch between Round Pond and Happy Ticket, the pair who slugged it out in the Azeri Breeders’ Cup last month in the most exciting race at Oaklawn this year, may not happen. Trainer John Servis is unhappy with the weight assignments for the race and contemplating not running Round Pond. “I told Mr. Porter I’m not happy at all with the weights,” he said. “We’re discussing it and we’re going to have to decide.” Round Pond and Happy Ticket are the co-highweights at 119, while Star Parade, the next-highest weight, was given 117. Katrina at Athlone indulges in a little cynicism and wonders if Servis is not so much worried about weights, “but rather … unhappy with the way Round Pond is approaching the race. Her workout Sunday was below par …”
– With three weeks remaining in the Gulfstream meet, Todd Pletcher leads the trainer standings with 56 winners, 30 more than runner-up Bill Mott. Pletcher extended his lead considerably on Saturday, when he won five on the Florida Derby undercard, including the Skip Away Handicap with the magnificent Bandini.
– In Derby Watch: Why the five-week layoff won’t hurt Barbaro’s chances in the Derby.
