Nearly Takes Lead Among Kentucky Derby Hopefuls After Big Weekend Win

Nearly takes lead among Kentucky Derby hopefuls after big weekend win

Nearly has replaced sidelined Ted Noffey as the favorite among Kentucky Derby contenders as the colt swept to a third straight win Saturday.

"Feeling Frisky": Nearly Feeling Good After Holy Bull Win, Likely to Train Up to Florida Derby

Centennial Farms' Nearly (Not This Time) was no worse for wear at Palm Beach Downs Sunday morning after an impressive victory in Saturday's GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream. “He came back well,” Todd Pletcher said. “He was feeling frisky [Sunday] morning.” Making his two-turn and stakes debuts in the 1 1/16-mile stakes for 3-year-olds, Nearly stamped himself as a leading prospect for this year's GI Kentucky Derby. It was his third straight vi…

Nearly targets Florida Derby after Holy Bull victory

Nearly will target the $1 million Curlin Florida Derby (G1) on March 28 after romping by 5 1/2 lengths in Saturday's Grade 3, $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park. "Since he's 3-for-3 at Gulfstream, I think the Florida Derby would be a logical target, but we'll see how he does and how he bounces back, which will kind of dictate what we do. I would say once we have that discussion, that's probably the most likely scenario," Hall of Fame t…