Parade of Kentucky Derby prep races begins this weekend

It’s 13 weeks until the Kentucky Derby, so we will be seeing many more days like Saturday, when three Derby preps will be run from coast to coast. They are the Withers at Aqueduct, the Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park and the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita Park.

While any horse race is worth winning, remember that the goal for the connections of these animals is to be among the 20 Derby starters on May 6. Some horses will prep twice, others three times.

Also keep in mind that improvement and growth can mean more than a prep win. For example, trainer John Ward, after his Monarchos ran second in the 2001 Wood Memorial, called it “a perfect prep.” In his next start, Monarchos easily won the Kentucky Derby as the fourth betting choice.

The Withers will have a strong favorite in El Areeb (6-5), who has won his past three starts by a combined 25 lengths. His trainer, Cathal Lynch, is a newcomer to the Derby trail.

Lynch is based out of Laurel Park. But three Mid-Atlantic-based trainers have won the Derby in recent years: Graham Motion (Animal Kingdom, 2011); Michael Matz (Barbaro, 2006); John Servis (Smarty Jones, 2004).

I will mention two long-shot horses that should improve as they mature and their races get longer. The first is True Timber (8-1), trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. He lost by 11 lengths to El Areeb in the Jerome last time out. That does not faze me, as he is still quite inexperienced.

The other is J Boys Echo (4-1), from trainer Dale Romans. He ran fourth in the Delta Jackpot last out. True Timber and J Boys Echo are by sire Mineshaft, who did his best running as a 4-year-old in dominating the older handicap division.

The Holy Bull will feature champion 2-year-old Classic Empire. He won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile to cap a terrific four-win season. Trained by Mark Casse, Classic Empire is sired by Pioneerofthenile, who ran second in the 2009 Derby to Mine That Bird.

Gunnevera, winner of the Delta Jackpot, figures to see a lot of action, too.

Two young horses that should keep improving include Shamsaan from McLaughlin and Fire for Effect from Romans. Both have solid two-turn route credentials, so they are likely to keep developing.

The Robert B. Lewis drew only five runners, but it’s a wide-open stakes. Irap, Royal Mo and Term of Art appear to be the front-runners.

Royal Mo is by Uncle Mo, who is off to a tremendous start as a stallion. Trainer John Shirreffs and owner Jerry Moss won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo, so Royal Mo has them dreaming again.

Irap and Term of Art are sired by Tiznow and trained by Doug O’Neill. He owns two Derby wins in Nyquist (2016) and I’ll Have Another (2012).

HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP

Week 2 of the head-to-head matchups will be Saturday in all Nevada race books. The one I will pick is between Gunnevera and Fact Finding in the Holy Bull. Gunnevera has a big edge in his rail draw and should get a perfect ground saving trip.

Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. You can buy his Santa Anita Park picks at racedaylasvegas.com. You can email him at rich_eng@hotmail.com and follow @richeng4propick on Twitter.