In other 3-year-old news, Bob Baffert tightened the screws on several of his 3-year-olds Wednesday morning, sending out Danthebluegrassman and Mountain Rage out for 5-furlong drills in :58 4/5. Also working was Sham Stakes runner-up Puerto Banus, who worked 5 furlongs in 1:01 2/5.
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Wednesday that Repent will not be going to Dubai for the UAE Derby on Mar. 23. McPeek had been giving the race serious consideration, but now has decided to point for either the Louisiana Derby, Spiral Stakes, or Illinois Derby."I needed time to get back home and get on the horn to people who have been there, and they said it's tough." McPeek said. "Elliott Walden said he was able to run Ecton Park back in eight weeks. We would have only six weeks to the Derby. From what everyone said, I believe I could have gone over there and won, but the trip coming back would have compromised his chances in the Derby. He's best with four to five weeks between races. What good came of all this is that John Ferguson of Godolphin invited me there whether we ran or not. He said to just come over and look at the place, and they'd pay our expenses." McPeek also said he will run Take Charge Lady in the Fair Grounds Oaks, and if she should run big, there's a chance she could face the boys in the Arkansas Derby. The other option would be the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland.