Enticed flies back to Florida to step up Derby prep

Enticed, the authoritative winner of Saturday’s G3 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, is to be shipped back to Godolphin’s training base in Florida to continue his preparation for the G1 Kentucky Derby on Saturday, 5 May.

“He’s come out of the race great,” reported trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “He’s due to fly out of New York back to Palm Meadows Monday,” he added.

Enticed jumped to second place on the Kentucky Derby leader board, bringing his total points score to 63, and proving himself a worthy contender for the Run For The Roses at Churchill Downs.

McLaughlin had instructed Junior Alvarado not to be too hard on Enticed on Saturday. Hence, the reason the jockey eased his mount in the closing stages.

“There will be bigger races coming up, hopefully, to worry about,” the trainer said.

McLaughlin described Enticed as “a big colt with a big stride,” and one who could gallop all day.

“We are still pointing him in the direction of the G2 Wood Memorial (Saturday, 7 April) because I feel he could use more racing,” he added.