Isle Blue Update

Isle Blue transitioned to galloping this week at Two Springs. Admittedly, it’s been quite the journey to get to this point, but we are very pleased to see her back in training. Nellie Breeden reported, “She’s moving well and looks great.” Our fingers are crossed our Speightstown daughter only moves forward from here on out.

Secret Crush Back with a Work

Secret Crush had his first breeze back this morning, working a quarter-mile in :25.02 at Highlander Training Center. Most importantly, his rider reported that he felt good when breezing. 

Of course, we are going to keep close eyes on him as the intensity of his training continues to increase, but it was great to see him back in action today.

Blue Devil has been Entered in the Sunland Park Handicap

Blue Devil is officially in for next Sunday’s $200K Sunland Park Handicap, on April 6t, 2025. 

He’ll be the #5 among a field of 9 carded as the day’s 11th race. Post time is 4:35 p.m. MT.

Catalyst Update and Non-Entry

Catalyst was not entered in that previously mentioned Sam Houston allowance race that drew today. Trainer Steve Asmussen reports that he has not been happy with her appetite in recent days, and would like to make sure she's 100% before taking on winners. This definitely doesn't sound like anything major, but we'll have to just let Team Asmussen get her sorted out before proceeding.

Misstrial's Half-Sibling Wins the Rushaway Stakes

Misstrial got a nice pedigree update Saturday when her previously mentioned 3YO half-brother, Banks, scored a convincing victory in Turfway's $240K Rushaway Stakes on Jeff Ruby day. 

That adds a nice up-close and current stakes horse to Misstrial's pedigree page and ups her breeding value. It'll be interesting to see where they head with Banks next--he's only raced on conventional dirt once, but will likely need to return to the dirt or try turf next out and for the balance of the year. The main track at Turfway Park is synthetic.

The dam to both horses is Blip Says Bye. 

Misstrial's sire is Constitution. 

Banks' sire is Outwork.

Coexist's Half-Brother Competes, Runs 2ND in the Louisiana Derby

Coexist's half-brother, Chunk of Gold, both being out of Play For Gold by Cairo Prince, ran 2nd yesterday in the Louisiana Derby G2 prep race. This awards him 50 points, and he will most likely be a starter in this year's Kentucky Derby. Keeping our fingers crossed for Coexist that he is and runs well. It would certainly help her broodmare page! 

Coexist is one of our former horses. We lost her in a claiming race at Churchill Downs some time ago. 

Caldera: Louisiana Derby and After Race Update

Caldera ran 8th in the Louisiana Derby yesterday, after a bad stumble at the start.

The Lukas barn reports that Caldera appears thus far to have exited yesterday’s race in pretty good order. He did grab a quarter (when a horse’s back foot clips the heel area of their front foot)—most likely coming out of the gate—but scoped clean and jogged sound. He is on his way back to Oaklawn now.

Consensus among both Team Lukas and our racing team is that Caldera is still a somewhat immature horse mentally and the rough start was just more than he could overcome. He also didn’t seem to handle the track particularly well.

We’ll let him get back to Arkansas and see how he returns to training. We wouldn’t necessarily be in a rush to bring him back in another Derby prep, but will let The Coach make that determination after observing him for a bit.