Global Weekly Preview: Enticed can win from ‘excellent’ draw in Holy Bull

Excitement levels are raised this weekend as Godolphin’s two G1 Kentucky Derby aspirants set off on the long road to Churchill Downs in May.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has made the journey before, but there is no disguising the sense of anticipation and tension associated with having a serious contender for the ‘Run For The Roses’ — never mind two.

Wisely, McLaughlin has split this pair of talented three-year-olds.

Enticed takes his place in Saturday’s G2 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Florida, while Avery Island goes for the less competitive G3 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, New York, the same day.

The training has progressed without a hiccup, suitable prep races and jockeys have been selected. Everything is in place for lift off.

“Both horses are doing great,” McLaughlin reported.

“I am pleased with Enticed getting gate one in the Holy Bull. That’s an excellent draw from the mile and one-sixteenth start at Gulfstream,” the trainer explained.

“It’s a short run to the first turn, and you don’t want to be wide. You want to save ground.

“I expect him to be up on the pace, though not leading,” he pointed out.

A final field of 11 runners features four contenders trained by Dale Romans, and McLaughlin expects the field to be whittled down. “We’re likely to see one or two scratches,” he said.

McLaughlin explained he had secured Joel Rosario for Enticed because he was a Kentucky Derby-winning jockey. “He came down to ride Enticed some work,” the trainer said, hinting that Rosario had been impressed with what he experienced.

McLaughlin expects Tiz Mischief, the colt Enticed beat a head in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs on 25 November, to be the big danger.

“We have to give him 6lb in weight this time, which is a lot,” he said.

Avery Island , with Joe Bravo aboard, has drawn gate four for the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, and McLaughlin expects this colt to have an easier task than stablemate Enticed in Florida.

“There are only six runners, and Firenze Fire is one to watch, though he’s back after a short rest of only two and a half weeks,” he pointed out. “I think Avery Island will run very well. He’s improving all the time,” he added.