Phillies news and rumors 3/6: Jayson Werth has sights set on Kentucky Derby

Jayson Werth spent the 2007-10 seasons with the Phillies. (Photo by Rich Kane/Icon Sportswire)

Fifteen years after turning the 2009 postseason into his own personal home run derby, Jayson Werth is ready to make hay at a different derby.

Werth is the co-owner of Dornoch, a horse on a three-race winning streak who looks primed to qualify for and compete in this May’s Kentucky Derby. Dornoch just picked up 50 more qualifying points at the Fountain of Youth Stakes on Saturday in Hallandale Beach, Fla., moving to second in qualifying points — with the top-20 punching their ticket to Churchill Downs.

Saturday’s win was actually the second of the day for Werth, whose other horse, R Calli Kim, won his race — called The Very One — earlier in the day.

But for Werth, the star of the show is Dornoch. And for Phillies fans looking for a reason to get into The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports this year, now is as good a time as ever: You’ll literally have a horse in the race.

Must-read Phillies content

Read more about Werth’s horse-racing endeavor — including his creatively named company and Dornoch’s famous relative — in Gabriela Carroll’s story at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Former Phillie Brad Miller is on the move to the west coast. Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo has more.
With Zack Wheeler’s extension done, is Bryce Harper’s next? PN’s Ty Daubert wrote about John Middleton’s comments on the subject.
Where does Wheeler stack up among all of MLB’s aces? Tim Kelly gave his thoughts — and full ranking — over at Bleacher Report.
The Wheeler extension is likely the Phillies’ last significant move on the starting pitching side this season. Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer explains why Cristopher Sánchez is a big reason for that.
Lauber also wrote about Wheeler’s new splitter, on display in his spring debut Tuesday.
And Alex Coffey, also of the Inquirer, wrote about how much Aaron Nola enjoys pitching with and learning from Zack Wheeler.

Former Phillie Nation

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported on Tuesday that newly signed Lucas Giolito may need surgery to repair a partial UCL tear and flexor strain, which might force him out of the entire 2024 season. Enter Nick Pivetta as the possible de facto Opening Day starter for the Boston Red Sox.

If not outstanding, Pivetta’s Red Sox career has at least been consistent, with his three seasons ranging from 142 2/3 to 179 2/3 innings and his ERA from 4.04 to 4.56. If the nod goes to Pivetta instead of Brayan Bello, it would be his first career Opening Day start. He’s thrice pitched in the second game of the season, including twice for the Phillies — no-decision wins over the Braves in 2018 and 2019.