The 2013 Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday was the first of two stakes race this weekend to offer 1st to 4th place finishers of the stakes, the 2013 Kentucky Derby points (50-20-10-5). After ceremonies in the winners circle, Sam Herzberg, the owner of Black Onyx was immediately ready to put up the $6000.00 fee for a late nomination to the Triple Crown. He had until 11:59 PM Saturday night to “pont up” the $6000.00.

“That was the plan,” said trainer Kelly Breen, reached by phone a few minutes after the race. “If he won the Spiral, his next start would be the Derby. He’s not nominated now, but he will be, in about 15 minutes.”

Uncaptured, who was second in the race, added 20 points and is now #8 on the point standings with 30 points. His trainer, Mark Casse said “I was extremely happy. Yes, (the Kentucky Derby is still in mind). If all goes well, we’ll go from here to the Blue Grass Stakes, and then into the Derby. You never know (about getting the distance). But we do know one thing: he’s two-for-two at Churchill Downs.”

The Sunland Park Derby was held today at Sunland Park, New Mexico. Govenor Charlie seized the opportunity to garner 50 points and put himself in 6 way tie in the 2013 Derby point system. In addition to this weekend’s winners Govenor Charilie and Black Onyx, we have Vyjack, Orb, Verrazano, and Hear The Ghost rounding out the “50 pointers”.

Govenor Charlie is owned by Mike Pegram and trained by Bob Baffert who brought us the 1998 Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet. Unlike Saturday’s Spiral winner, Govenor Charlie is nominated to the 2013 Derby.

Next weekend, the 2013 Derby points start the second Series of the point system which awards 100-40-20- points for 1st-4th place finishes.

Kentucky Derby Tours participants keep asking us who will be in the Derby this year. It is exciting to watch the picture change each weekend until all the prep races with points are done.