Craigs to Try Another Toss of the Derby Dice

Sidney and Jenny Craig, who saw their $2.5-million colt run seventh in last year’s Kentucky Derby, spent about $2 million Saturday in an attempt to win the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks next weekend at Churchill Downs.

The Craigs have bought Tossofthecoin from Frances Jelks for an estimated $1 million and bought Lunar Spook, a 3-year-old filly, from the Sandbar Farm. Tossofthecoin will run in next Saturday’s Derby, and Lunar Spook, recent winner of the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, will run in the Oaks the day before.

Last year, Jenny Craig bought Dr Devious, a British colt, for her husband for a 60th birthday gift and he ran seventh in the Derby.

Asked about the purchase prices of Tossofthecoin and Lunar Spook, Hal King, the Craigs’ racing manager, said: “The filly was bought for the high six figures, and the colt for a little more than that.”

Tossofthecoin, second in the Wood Memorial in his last start, will continue to be trained by Ray Bell for the Derby, and he is expected to be ridden by Laffit Pincay. Bert Sonnier will continue to train Lunar Spook for the Oaks.