Conquest Mo Money to skip Derby, point for Preakness

The connections of Arkansas Derby (G1) and Sunland Derby (G3) runner-up Conquest Mo Money announced Tuesday afternoon that they would bypass the May 6 Kentucky Derby (G1) and instead point their colt toward the May 20 Preakness (G1).

A $200,000 supplementary fee would have been required for Conquest Mo Money, who earned 60 qualifying points at Sunland Park and Oaklawn Park, to compete in the Kentucky Derby as he was not Triple Crown nominee. A smaller fee ($150,000) will need to be paid to make him eligible for the Preakness.

Conquest Mo Money, who has never finished worse than second in five starts, previously won the Riley Allison Futurity and Mine That Bird Derby prior to the March 26 Sunland Derby.

Conquest Mo Money's defection ensures Cloud Computing (#20, 40 points) a spot in the Derby lineup, but his connections are reportedly on the fence about his participation. Cloud Computing finished second in the Gotham (G3) and third in the Wood Memorial (G2). Owners Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence also have Practical Joke in the Derby field.

If Cloud Computing also comes out, Untrapped, currently 21st on the Derby Leaderboard with 34 points, would get a chance to run. Next on the list at #22 is Lookin At Lee (32 points), who ran third in the Arkansas Derby.