© Pat McDonogh / Courier JournalKentucky Derby hopeful King Fury gallops on the track at Churchill Downs. April 21, 2020
Kenny McPeek had to wait a little longer than he would have liked, but he now knows he's in the field for the Kentucky Derby.
McPeek's King Fury moved safely into the field for the Run for the Roses on Friday after Churchill Downs announced two horses had dropped out of contention.
Dream Shake, who was third in the Santa Anita Derby, will bypass the Kentucky Derby and run instead in the Pat Day Mile on May 1 at Churchill Downs. The Bob Baffert-trained Hozier, who was sixth in the Arkansas Derby, also backed out of contention for the Kentucky Derby.
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Those moves put King Fury at No. 20 on the points list for the Kentucky Derby, which is limited to 20 starters.
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McPeek is 0-for-6 in the Kentucky Derby but finished second with Tejano Run in 1995, his first appearance in the race.
"I'm thrilled he got in," McPeek said.
A son of Curlin, King Fury is 3-0-0 in six career starts after winning the Grade 3 Lexington on April 10 at Keeneland. King Fury was a $950,000 purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.
"He's probably the healthiest, best-bred horse I've ever brought into the race," McPeek said. "With Tejano Run in 1995, there were a lot of things that went wrong in the winter. But this colt is hitting on all cylinders and really doing super."
Brian Hernandez Jr. will have the Derby ride on King Fury.
"Brian reminds me of the next version of Calvin Borel," McPeek said. "He knows his way around Churchill Downs blindfolded."
King Fury is scheduled to work Saturday morning at Churchill Downs.
Dream Shake did not race as a 2-year-old and was 1-0-2 in three starts at Santa Anita Park this year. The son of Twirling Candy won his maiden race Feb. 7 before finishing third in both the Grade 2 San Felipe and Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
Hozier had been considered out of Kentucky Derby consideration after his poor showing in the Arkansas Derby. On Wednesday, Churchill Downs officials reported Baffert had put Hozier back in consideration for the Run for the Roses.
Hozier worked six furlongs in 1:16 on Friday at Churchill, and officials announced Friday afternoon he was out of consideration for the Derby.
Baffert also has Santa Anita Derby runner-up Medina Spirit in line to compete in the Kentucky Derby. With six victories, Baffert is looking to break a tie with Ben Jones for the most by a trainer in Derby history.
At least two horses outside the current top 20 in points are hoping to get in the Kentucky Derby field - No. 21 Keepmeinmind for trainer Robertino Diodoro and No. 22 Starrininmydreams for trainer Dallas Stewart.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @KentuckyDerbyCJ.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kenny McPeek's King Fury now in Kentucky Derby field after Dream Shake, Hozier bow out