Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Texas Red is likely to have three starts on the early Triple Crown trail according to his trainer Keith Desormeaux beginning with the G2 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita on February 1.

Also on the radar for the Eclipse Award runner-up as champion 2-year-old male is the G2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on February 21 and the $1 million Santa Anita Derby on April 4.

"It's always been kind of a tentative schedule, like with all things concerning racehorses,” Desormeaux said.

“It seems like the best plan for me at this point."

The son of Afleet Alex has been working at Santa Anita since January 3 with his regular rider and three time Kentucky Derby winner Kent Desormeaux, the trainer’s younger brother.

"He's growing, getting stronger and smarter," said the jockey. "He's maturing wisely."

In five career starts Texas Red, a $17,000 Keeneland September yearling bargain, has earned $1,192,300 and has never finished worse than fourth.

He won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita by 6.5 lengths, showing amazing ability to come from a long last early (see video) with those he defeated including Upstart, who returned with a romp to win in last Saturday's G2 Holy Bull Stakes.

The win by Upstart at Gulfstream Park has made him a prime contender on the Triple Crown trail for trainer Rick Violette Jr.

Violette said Upstart's road to the Kentucky Derby on May 2 will be either through Florida or New York.

"We'll play it by ear," Violette said. "We could do the Fountain of Youth or if we need a couple more weeks, we could wait for the Gotham.”

The G2 Fountain of Youth is at Gulfstream on February 21, while the Gotham Stakes is at Aqueduct in New York on March 7.

The G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream on March 28 or the G1 Wood Memorial in New York on April 4 are later options for Upstart.

Upstart smoked a field of talented sophomores to take the Holy Bull in his 3-year-old debut, drawing clear to win by 5.5 lengths under Jose Ortiz.

Upstart has three wins, a second and a third in five starts with earnings of $701,880.