Hansen heading in right direction for Derby
March 5, 2012With a few equipment tweaks and a new running style, Hansen is on his way to becoming one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby.
Fitted with a new bit and running without blinkers for the first time, the near-white Hansen showed he can run from off the pace, too, by winning the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct over the weekend.
It marked the first time in his four wins that the 3-year-old colt didn't lead wire-to-wire.
The win keeps Hansen at No. 2 in The Associated Press' latest Run to the Roses Top 10 list of Derby contenders. Union Rags remains No. 1 going into his final prep, the Florida Derby on March 31. Hansen's final prep before the Derby will be the Wood Memorial on April 7.