Frankel Has Possible Gem

During his long career, Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel has run only three horses in the Kentucky Derby. Pendelton Ridge, a maiden, and Burnt Hills finished 13th and 14th, respectively, in 1990 and Aptitude was second to Fusaichi Pegasus two years ago.

This year, Frankel could have two 3-year-olds in the world’s most famous race.

Medaglia d’Oro is a given, having won the San Felipe Stakes last month at Santa Anita before finishing a close second to Buddha in Saturday’s Wood Memorial.

Royal Gem, a Royal Academy colt Frankel trains for Helen Smith and the Blatz Limited Partnership, could also join the fray.

Unbeaten in two turf races at Santa Anita, Royal Gem will try to stay perfect in the $100,000 Forerunner Stakes at 11/8 miles today on the Keeneland turf course.

If he wins--and he will be favored--Royal Gem could make his main track debut in the Kentucky Derby.

Alex Solis, the colt’s regular jockey, will be in Lexington to ride. Leading the jockey standings by 10 victories over Kent Desormeaux and Laffit Pincay at Santa Anita, Solis couldn’t have ridden there anyway today because of a three-day suspension that continues through Friday.

Race of the day: Special Ring, an impressive winner in his most recent start on the Santa Anita turf, is one of seven scheduled to go in today’s seventh at a mile on the grass.

Who’s hot: Wayne Lukas. The trainer has won with seven of his first 13 starters at Keeneland and leads the standings.

Who’s not: Scott Lake and Bill Mott. The trainers have won at a 22% clip this year, but are off to slow starts at Aqueduct, having won a combined four races in 44 starts.

Exotically speaking: A pick three, using Saint Bernadette and Yet Anothernatalie in the third, singling Sandbox in the fourth and using all in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/221. Money: Previous day/meet total: $8.20/$1,277. Total money bet: $1,378.