It's Kentucky Derby Day!

Seven competitive-looking races at Hastings will surround the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby which, scheduled for 4pm, will be shown live on the infield screen

May 06, 2023

**BILLS SMOKN BULLET (Scott Williams), seen here getting the better of a three-way tussle with Khaiky’s Command and Laugh With Me in June, makes his seasonal debut in the first rac**e — *photo Michael Bye*

Trainer Dino Condilenios made a cracking start to the season with two wins, two seconds and a third from six runners on opening day and he may have the answer to this opener with FINDING WAYS. The 5yo gelding dropped to this level on his final start of last season but has winning form higher up the ladder. BILLS SMOKN BULLET is the model of consistency and he’s been going the right way over the early spring, while GORKY PARK and GOOD BYE PUTIN make their Hastings’ debuts after both being claimed out of Turf Paradise.

BAK TO LIBERTY finally takes on Maiden company following a juvenile campaign that saw him run only at Stakes level. He ran with great credit each time and chased home some of the very best youngsters at Hastings, so should appreciate this opportunity to get off the mark. He won’t have it all his own way, however, with BAKKEN OVERDRIVE a disqualified ‘winner’ last season. Now a 5yo, he must surely break his maiden legitimately before too long. MAGIC ROAD was also highly-tried in three starts last season, while BRIAN’S DE LEIGHT caught the eye on his debut before an injury second-time out brought a premature end to his 2yo campaign.

This may be stiff company for the two Hastings’ imports SHOTGUN RIDER and TIZ VICIOUS, who are both running in a higher class than they are used to of late; although both will be fit after winter campaigns in Arizona and California, respectively. VALUABLE COWBOY has been worrying the geese in the mornings with some bullet workouts, while the consistent war horse DRILLER caught work watchers’ eyes recently and is capable of handling these if he’s close to match fit.

Twice a winner in more exalted company than she faces here, KANDY KATIE has little to fear if she is anywhere near her best. However, the mare lost her way a little late last season and may not be the most straightforward sort. JERSEY LILLIE has no such consistency issues, having hit the board in all bar two of her eight runs in 2022. LASTING LIGHT, meanwhile, finished last term with a victory over today’s rival HARLAN’S ANGEL and has been working well. Steve Henson was among the first trainers to get going again in the new year and he saddles BAKFIRE BABY who, like Lasting Light, exited her 2022 campaign with a win.

Not easy to sort this one out. There should be plenty of speed on the front end, with several of these fillies and mares keen to get on with things. That may benefit WALKINTHEWALK, who tends to do her best work at the business end and represents the in-form Condilenios barn. ROSE OF TEXAS, meanwhile, has some form at a higher level than this, while SKY FACTOR enjoyed a nice long winter holiday for the first time in a while and has been working well enough to suggest she can make her presence felt. The same applies to VALERIE VALESKI, who has been off since last August and, like a few of these, has winning form at the six furlongs.

FOREIGN PROTOCOL, MAJESTIC STREET and FAMILY BIZ all have solid form from elsewhere this winter and connections will no doubt be hoping their fitness can make the difference. However, all three are also swimming in deeper waters than the level at which they were claimed. QUINTO SOL, meanwhile, is another name new to Hastings, but he has had a winter off after performing well in Stakes company last season in Edmonton and he may have the class to deal with his opponents at the first time of asking. SIR BREGOVIC has plenty of speed and the handy inside gate, but he’s never won over the six furlongs. STAY FANTASTIC appeals most of the others.

A mouth-watering maiden, featuring nine classy 3yo fillies; any number of whom could go on to bigger and better things this year. BUNNY impressed many on her one and only foray last season, re-rallying to finish third behind Stopshoppingshelley and Time Ticker. She’s a daughter of the great local heroine Snuggles and will have plenty of support. Stablemate LICORICE also did little wrong in her two starts last year, while HIGHER IMAGE’s ½-length third to Air Force and Above Average in the Sadie Diamond Futurity make her an obvious contender. Keep an eye, too, on FREESTYLE who was second to the subsequent Ascot Graduation winner Sunbird on her debut. Finally, if last season is any guide, ARUNDEL CASTLE will be finishing fast and late.