Check this blog daily for all the latest updates on Kentucky Derby contenders and other news as the Run for the Roses is now just 28 days away.

Mo-mentum stopped: Early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo suffered his first career defeat, finishing third behind Toby’s Corner and Arthur’s Tale in the Wood Memorial to throw this Derby wide open. Uncle Mo grabbed a quarter at the start but recovered quickly to set the pace; after bouncing through a first quarter in :23.49, he relaxed through the half in :47.98, and to the untrained eye, appeared home free while leading around the far turn. But the colt failed to accelerate away from the pack and had no response when confronted. Toby’s Corner, who ran near the back of the pack early, came home smartly, splitting rivals gamely to best Arthur’s Tale by a neck. The son of 2005 Wood winner Bellamy Road capped a solid winter at Aqueduct; the lanky colt won the Whirlaway in the slop and was third behind Stay Thirsty in the Gotham. His career record is now 6-4-0-2.

Midnight bandit: Although Bob Baffert was forced to scratch favored Jaycito from the Santa Anita Derby, he still came up with a nice consolation prize, as Midnight Interlude edged Grade 1 winner Comma To The Top for the win. Midnight Interlude, a strapping son of War Chat who broke his maiden in his third try last time out, sat fours as Comma To The Top led through brisk early fractions (:22.81, :47.33, 1:11.53). The colt came four wide into the stretch and was up by a head at the wire. Comma To The Top gamely held second, another 2 ¼ lengths clear of Mr. Commons in third.

Go Joe: Despite the disappointing loss with Uncle Mo, Pletcher did take the Illinois Derby with the previously unheralded Joe Vann. The colt, based out of Laurel, was winning his third straight race after taking a maiden and an optional event. However, with the winner’s purse for the Illinois Derby $167,400, and the graded earnings cutoff likely to be well in excess of $200,000 this year, it’s unlikely Joe Vann earned his way into the Kentucky Derby with this win. Tampa Bay Derby winner Watch Me Go finished sixth as the favorite.

Oaks watch: Longshot Lilacs and Lace said catch me if you can in Saturday’s Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland, leading wire to wire to post the $99.40 upset. The daughter of Flower Alley won the California Oaks earlier this year. Wyomia was second, favored Kathmanblu was third in her first try on a synthetic track, and second choice Dancinginherdreams was rank and faded to last.