Trainer George Weaver said Tuesday morning that Javier Castellano, who rode Vekoma to victory in Keeneland's Blue Grass (G2) on April 6, will have the mount in the 2019 Kentucky Derby on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Owned by the partnership of R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables, Vekoma returned to Palm Beach Downs training center in South Florida last Tuesday. Weaver said the colt is scheduled to work there Friday with plans to ship to Churchill on April 30 for the Derby.

QUIP'S NEXT STEPS

WinStar Farm, China Horse Club International and SF Racing’s Quip, winner of Saturday’s Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at Oaklawn Park, is back at trainer Rodolphe Brisset’s Keeneland barn.

Quip gave Brisset, who saddled his first starter in May 2017, his fourth graded stakes victory and the richest win of his career. Brisset said the Pimlico Special (G3) on May 17 at Pimlico or the Stephen Foster (G2) at Churchill Downs on June 15 are possibilities for Quip’s next start.



BLUE PRIZE TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD BREEDERS’ CUP



Merriebelle Stable’s Blue Prize, winner of last fall’s Juddmonte Spinster (G1) here, will make her return to the races Friday when she goes postward as the likely favorite in the 25th running of the Grade 3, $100,000 Hilliard Lyons-Baird Doubledogdare going 1 1/16 miles on the main track.



Trained by Ignacio Correas IV, Blue Prize closed 2018 with a fourth-place finish behind champion Monomoy Girl in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs.