April 11 (UPI) -- With the Kentucky Derby field all but set after Tuesday's weather-delayed Blue Grass at Keeneland, the successful contenders have started to gather on the Churchill Downs backstretch, and owners' and trainers' nerves have started to twang in anticipation of May 3.
Meanwhile, there's more than enough action around the ovals to provide distraction. And 3-year-olds are getting cranked elsewhere around the world, too, with Classics season fast approaching. Check out Japan, England and France for some good-looking ones.
But first, check this out, including some early-week results from Keeneland:
The Road to the Roses
Likely Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism remains in California, with his trainer watching the weather before deciding when to ship him to Kentucky. The forecast is reasonably favorable for the next few weeks -- a notable contrast to the torrential rains that forced racing and training disruption throughout much of the Ohio River Valley and central Kentucky.
A few of the contenders already reside at Churchill Downs including Derby hopeful Final Gambit and Kentucky Oaks favorite Good Cheer, both of whom put in workouts Wednesday under the Twin Spires for trainer Brad Cox.
Shipments from Japan and Dubai will deliver their horses to quarantine before they can start training spins.
Saturday's $400,000 Grade III Stonestreet Lexington at Keeneland technically is part of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" series, but the minor points awarded to the top five runners aren't enough to affect this year's standings. Still, watch for potential Preakness "new shooter" candidates.
Elsewhere:
Distaff
The Grade I Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park is one of the year's top races, and Saturday's $1.25 million will be no exception for one main reason -- Thorpedo Anna.
The 4-year-old Kentucky Oaks winner looks for her 10th win in her 12th start and her sixth Grade I win. She returned from victory in November's Breeders' Cup Distaff to win the Grade II Azari Stakes at Oaklawn by 3 1/2 lengths, unchallenged.
Looking to beat her? Where's My Ring won her last start, also at Oaklawn, by 12 1/4 lengths with sparkling speed numbers. But that was a highly restricted optional claimer.
Sprint
Booth is on a two-race win streak at Oaklawn Park and tabbed the odds-on morning-line favorite among seven in Saturday's $500,000 Grade III Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at the Hot Springs oval. The 4-year-old Mitole colt, from Steve Asmussen's barn, won the Grade III Whitmore on March 15 by 2 1/4 lengths.
Extra Anejo found enough extra oomph in the ...
