Siphonic Leads the Pack

The Kentucky Derby future wager opens again today and will continue through Sunday afternoon.

The 5-1 favorite on the morning line put out by the Daily Racing Form is Siphonic. The field and Repent, who won his second in a row with a narrow victory in Sunday’s Louisiana Derby, are 6-1.

Some new horses are on the list, including Mayakovsky, who will make his first start as a 3-year-old in Sunday’s Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct; Sunday Break, a son of Forty Niner whose next start has not been announced after trainer Neil Drysdale said he won’t run against Siphonic in Sunday’s eSan Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita; Yougottawanna, who won the El Camino Real Derby last weekend at Golden Gate Fields; and San Rafael Stakes runner-up Easy Grades.

None of the horses in today’s split $75,000-added Academy Road Stakes are listed individually in pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby future wager, but the two races are interesting.

Mountain Rage, who has found a home on the grass for trainer Bob Baffert, leads the first division, which drew a field of eight, while recent maiden winners Royal Gem and Prairie Predator lead the second division, which has a field of nine.

Owned by a partnership, Mountain Rage, a 3-year-old son of Mecke, has won two of three on the grass. He took the Grade III Generous at Hollywood Park last fall, then won the Hill Rise at Santa Anita.

A son of Royal Academy trained by Bobby Frankel, Royal Gem won cleverly in his debut coming down the hill and figures to improve at today’s distance, which is a flat mile. Prairie Predator, a Geri colt, won at the distance against maidens on Jan. 13 for trainer Simon Bray.

Race of the day: Fit For A King, who has won five in a row, will be seeking his 13th victory in 26 starts when he goes against 10 others in today’s fifth, a sprint on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.

Who’s hot: Jason Lumpkins. Although he has ridden only a portion of the meet at Golden Gate Fields, the rider has won at a 19% clip, second only to leading jockey Russell Baze.

Who’s not: Donna Elordi. Going into today, the trainer is winless in 37 at Golden Gate Fields.

Exotically speaking: Exactas in the fifth keying Golden Dragon with Fit For A King, Islander and Silvertongue Fox.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 0/157. Money: Previous day/meet total: $0/$926.80. Total money bet: $960.