Horse racing news

[gremlinlad]

Tues 4/14/09

Chocolate Candy, runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby, worked five furlongs under new rider Mike Smith on Pro-Ride in :59 1/5 April 12. The son of Candy Ride is scheduled to leave April 14 for Louisville to prepare for the 135th Kentucky Derby. Chocolate Candy is one of four major contenders for the Kentucky Derby based in Southern California.



The Kentucky Derby (G1) status of Shadwell Stable's MAFAAZ (GB) (Medicean), who ran eighth in Saturday's Blue Grass S. (G1), is yet to be determined. The chestnut returned to Keeneland's training track for a jog under exercise rider Miguel Moya on Monday. "I don't believe they have made a decision for the Derby," said Les Reynolds, head traveling lad for trainer John Gosden. Mafaaz, by virtue of his victory in the March 18 Kentucky Derby Challenge S. at Kempton Park in England, is guaranteed a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby. "The boss thought with the shipping at this time of year and with a young horse that he ran a little flat (in the Blue Grass)," Reynolds said. "I am sure he will get with Sheikh Hamdan (al Maktoum) and Rick Nichols (vice president and general manager of Shadwell) soon and reach a decision."



Atlantic City turf course open for six-day meet
Racing returns to the hallowed turf course at Atlantic City Race Course on Thursday as the track plays host to the first of six all-turf cards scheduled over the next three weeks. Racing will be conducted on Thursdays and Fridays through May 1 with six races run each day. Post time will be 3:30 p.m. (EDT).
The lone stakes scheduled for what is dubbed the "Jersey Turf Festival" is the $50,000 Tony Gatto Dream Big S. on closing day. For older horses going five furlongs, the Gatto is named for the track's late plant supervisor.
Racing fans will have larger betting pools to bet into this year. For the first time in 10 years, the signal will be simulcast to other facilities. In previous years, the races could only be bet at Atlantic City.
Opened in 1946, Atlantic City ceased running meets of regular length more than a decade ago. The United Nations S. (G1), now run at Monmouth Park, originated at Atlantic City and was won by such standouts as Round Table, Mongo, Dr. Fager, *Hawaii, Fort Marcy, Run the Gantlet and Manila, among many others.
Famous main track performers such as Hill Prince, Hail to Reason, Gallant Bloom, Desert Vixen, Susan's Girl and Spectacular Bid are also part of Atlantic City lore, with the track being the previous home of the Matchmaker S. (G3) for fillies and mares as well as the defunct World's Playground S. for juveniles.

 

[oldmanTED]

gremlin lad:

Just wanted to say how much the information you have been providing from the stakes schedule to the news is very much appreciated and has not gone unnoticed. Wishing you the very best of luck in the Sport Of Kings. (<)<

 

[trytrytry]

Old Fashioned was retired from racing earlier today.

 

[gremlinlad]

Wednesday 4/15/2009

Rick Porter’s Old Fashioned, who underwent surgery at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington after emerging from the April 11 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) with a non-displaced slab fracture of his right knee, has been retired from racing. Porter campaigned the 3-year-old son of Unbridled's Song in the name Fox Hill Farms.



Bo Hirsch’s homebred Papa Clem, winner of the $1 million Arkansas Derby (gr. II) at Oaklawn Park April 11, arrived at Churchill Downs April 14 to continue his preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Papa Clem flew from Arkansas to Lexington, then traveled just over an hour by van to Churchill Downs. He arrived at the Louisville track at 5:30 p.m. and took up residence in Barn 10A, which houses horses trained by Cody Autrey. The Gary Stute-trained Papa Clem was ridden by Rafael Bejarano when he won the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby. The victory was the Smart Strike colt’s first stakes triumph and improved his record to 2-2-0 in six races and lifted his earnings to $790,940. The arrival of Papa Clem raises the number of likely Kentucky Derby contenders on the grounds to seven. The others are Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) winner I Want Revenge; Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) winner General Quarters; Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner Musket Man; and Regal Ransom and Desert Party, Godolphin’s 1-2 finishers in the $2 million UAE Derby (UAE-II).

 

[gremlinlad]

Wednesday 4/15/09


Dunkirk Comes Out of Weekend Smelling Like Roses
<HR></HR>By Michael Dempsey | Date 4/13
<HR></HR>(Monday, April 13) Florida Derby runner up Dunkirk's Kentucky Derby prospects improved over the weekend, and the talented colt did not even race.

Churchill Downs appears to have dodged a bullet and a public relations nightmare, as their antiquated rules for running in the Kentucky Derby will likely not prevent one of the Derby favorites from running on the first Saturday of May.

The late bloomer was sent off at 11/1 and fifth choice in Pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager and is among the top five on just about every Derby Top Ten List known to man.

However, despite a solid runner up finish in the Florida Derby, the colt owns just $150,000 in graded stakes earnings, and it was looking bleak that the colt would get into the race.

However, America's Bubble Boy had things go pretty well over the weekend. Mafaaz, who won an idiotic "Win and You're In" race at Kempton and has an automatic berth to get into the Derby seems doubtful after his dull eighth in the Blue Grass Stakes.

Old Fashioned came out of his runner up finish in the Arkansas Derby with an injury, taking him off the Derby Trail and possibly ending his career.

Others, including Terrain, Charitable Man, Theregoesjojo, Flying Private, and Danger to Society came up short.

That leaves Dunkirk sitting at #20 on my list with several above him doubtful, and his ticket seems stamped for Churchill Downs.

There are still three graded stakes for three year olds between now and the Derby:
April 18: $300,000 Lexington Stakes (G2)
April 25 $150,000 Withers Stakes (G3)
April 25: $100,000 Derby Trial (G3)

Therefore, there may still be some squirming for the connections of runners sitting near the cutoff.
The Dunkirk situation hopefully will motivate Churchill Downs into changing the entry procedures for the Derby.

First, the overseas "Win and You're In" race needs to go.

Then, three year olds races need to count more than two year old races, regardless of purses. Having the $1 million Delta Jackpot (G3), which is run in December count as much as the final Derby preps in April is asinine.
I would make the following races "Win and You're In" races: Santa Anita Derby, Blue Grass Stakes, Illinois Derby, and the UAE Derby (Note the first two are run on synthetic surfaces).

I would make the following races "Land in the Exacta and You're In" races: Wood Memorial, Florida Derby, and Arkansas Derby. (Note these three races are run on real dirt).
That would be ten spots, and no doubt would go to legitimate Derby contenders.

The final ten sports would be determined by a points system, based on performances in graded stakes, with three-year-old form counting more than two-year-old form.

This change needs to come for the 2010 Derby, but the way this industry moves, it might take a horse like Dunkirk to miss the race before it actually happens.

 

[gremlinlad]

By Michael Dempsey | Date 4/13/09

Here is my unofficial graded stakes earnings list. Horses that earned money in last weekend's stakes are in bold.

<TABLE borderColor=#c0c0c0 cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=1 width=404 border=1><COLGROUP><COL width=34><COL width=111><COL width=125><COL width=109><TBODY><TR><TD width=34>Rank
</TD><TD width=111>Horse
</TD><TD width=125>Trainer
</TD><TD width=109>Graded Earnings
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>1
</TD><TD width=111>Regal Ransom
</TD><TD width=125>bin Suroor, Saeed
</TD><TD width=109>$1,250,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>2
</TD><TD width=111>Pioneerof the Nile
</TD><TD width=125>Baffert, Bob
</TD><TD width=109>$1,193,250
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>3
</TD><TD width=111>Square Eddie
</TD><TD width=125>O'Neill, Doug
</TD><TD width=109>$774,981
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>4
</TD><TD width=111>I Want Revenge
</TD><TD width=125>Mullins, Jeff
</TD><TD width=109>$774,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>5
</TD><TD width=111>Papa Clem
</TD><TD width=125>Stute, Gary
</TD><TD width=109>$760,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>6
</TD><TD width=111>Desert Party
</TD><TD width=125>bin Suroor, Saeed
</TD><TD width=109>$641,667
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>7
</TD><TD width=111>Quality Road
</TD><TD width=125>Jerkens, James
</TD><TD width=109>$600,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>8
</TD><TD width=111>General Quarters
</TD><TD width=125>McCarthy, Tom
</TD><TD width=109>$595,645
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>9
</TD><TD width=111>Friesan Fire
</TD><TD width=125>Jones, J. Larry
</TD><TD width=109>$570,465
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>10
</TD><TD width=111>Musket Man
</TD><TD width=125>Ryan, Derek
</TD><TD width=109>$485,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>11
</TD><TD width=111>Big Drama
</TD><TD width=125>Fawkes, David
</TD><TD width=109>$480,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>12
</TD><TD width=111>Terrain
</TD><TD width=125>Stall, Albert
</TD><TD width=109>$448,330
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>13
</TD><TD width=111>Hold Me Back
</TD><TD width=125>Mott, Bill
</TD><TD width=109>$438,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>14
</TD><TD width=111>West Side Bernie
</TD><TD width=125>Breen, Kelly
</TD><TD width=109>$385,160
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>15
</TD><TD width=111>Chocolate Candy
</TD><TD width=125>Hollendorfer, Jerry
</TD><TD width=109>$370,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34 height=1>16
</TD><TD width=111>Win Willy
</TD><TD width=125>Robertson, McLean
</TD><TD width=109>$230,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>17
</TD><TD width=111>Bittel Road
</TD><TD width=125>Pletcher, Todd
</TD><TD width=109>$211,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>18
</TD><TD width=111>Giant Oak
</TD><TD width=125>Block,Chris
</TD><TD width=109>$169,256
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>19
</TD><TD width=111>Charitable Man
</TD><TD width=125>McLaughlin, Kiaran
</TD><TD width=109>$150,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>20
</TD><TD width=111>Dunkirk
</TD><TD width=125>Pletcher, Todd
</TD><TD width=109>$150,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>21
</TD><TD width=111>Mine That Bird
</TD><TD width=125>Woolley, Bennie
</TD><TD width=109>$138,705
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>22
</TD><TD width=111>Theregoesjojo
</TD><TD width=125>McPeek, Ken
</TD><TD width=109>$133,063
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34 height=4>23
</TD><TD width=111>Flying Private
</TD><TD width=125>Lukas, D. Wayne
</TD><TD width=109>$124,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34 height=4>24
</TD><TD width=111>Massone
</TD><TD width=125>McAnally, Ron
</TD><TD width=109>$115,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>25
</TD><TD width=111>Mr. Hot Stuff
</TD><TD width=125>Harty, Eoin
</TD><TD width=109>$114,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>26
</TD><TD width=111>This Ones For Phil
</TD><TD width=125>Dutrow, Rick
</TD><TD width=109>$97,500
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34 height=8>27
</TD><TD width=111>Join in the Dance
</TD><TD width=125>Pletcher, Todd
</TD><TD width=109>$90,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>28
</TD><TD width=111>Cribnote
</TD><TD width=125>Violette, Rick
</TD><TD width=109>$90,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>29
</TD><TD width=111>Take the Points
</TD><TD width=125>Pletcher, Todd
</TD><TD width=109>$85,000
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=34>30
</TD><TD width=111>Atomic Rain
</TD><TD width=125>Breen, Kelly
</TD><TD width=109>$77,500
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><SCRIPT src="http://www.turfnsport.com/services/add.php" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>

 

[gremlinlad]

Thanks oldman TED.

Figured since I was researching the Derby, I would share what I came up with.

Good Luck to everyone.

As a Bettor told me.."It's the most foolish bet you can make.. but you need to make it if you are a bettor"


My personal feeling is these "3 year olds" animals are too young to be but to such a tuff test in the triple crown challenge. But that is horse racing.

gl

 

[gremlinlad]

Wednesday 4/15/09 Happy Income Tax Day


My automatic bets for the Kentucky Derby. Win And Place Bets on the Saddle cloth numbers 4-6-10-11-8-12-13-17.

Numbers listed are for personal reasons.


If a horse I like gets one of these saddle cloths, I will also key on that horse.


gl

 

[gremlinlad]

Weds 4/15/2009

Leparoux named to ride General Quarters
Four-time Churchill Downs riding champion Julien Leparoux has been named to ride owner-trainer Tom McCarthy's Blue Grass S. (G1) winner GENERAL QUARTERS (Sky Mesa) in the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1).
McCarthy said Wednesday that the 25-year-old native of Senlis, France, would ride the gray colt after he became frustrated by a lack of a commitment or communication from jockey Eibar Coa, who rode the colt in the Blue Grass. Coa is also the regular jockey aboard Kentucky Derby contender MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska), the winner of the Illinois Derby (G2).
"Julien is a nice, sit-still rider and he's fairly aggressive," McCarthy said. "I think he'd fit this horse very nicely."

The 72-year-old McCarthy, a retired educator and former principal at three Louisville high schools, has a long relationship with Steve Bass, Leparoux's agent and a former student of McCarthy's at Louisville's Seneca High School. Leparoux's success at Churchill Downs was also a selling point for McCarthy.
"That's a big thing," McCarthy said. "He's been riding here and he knows the track. After I get through talking with him we'll have a plan we'll use in the Derby."
General Quarters returned to the track on Wednesday for the first time since his Blue Grass victory. He galloped 1 1/2 miles under exercise rider Julie Sheets.
McCarthy said General Quarters would probably have just one work before the Kentucky Derby. His plan is not yet firm, but McCarthy said that he anticipates a work about eight days out from the Run for the Roses.

 

[gremlinlad]

Weds 4/15/2009

Pimlico set to open 2009 meet
Live racing in Maryland shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on Saturday. The headline event of the six-week stand is the 134th running of the $1 million Preakness S. (G1), the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, on May 16.
"You get a unique feeling driving down Winner Avenue and into the facility," said Tom Chuckas, Maryland Jockey Club president and chief operating officer. "This is a storied place with a deep tradition and is the second oldest racetrack in the country. The Pimlico meet has a festive atmosphere buoyed by one of the premier races in our industry."
The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season will feature 21 stakes races. Preakness weekend features 16 stakes races for more than $2.3 million in purses, including all nine of the graded stakes for the meet.
The Preakness Day card features nine stakes races, seven of them graded. In addition to the Preakness, other top races include the Dixie H. (Grade 2), the Allaire duPont Distaff (G2) and four Grade 3 events.
The Preakness Eve card on May 15 card features seven stakes races, six for fillies and mares, highlighted by the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) for three-year-old fillies. The day will also include eight of the nation's top riders in the inaugural Jockey Challenge.
The 20-day stand will conclude on May 23.
Racing will be conducted on a Thursday through Sunday schedule. First post for 17 days of the meeting will be 1:10 p.m. (EDT). Post time will be 12:45 p.m. on Kentucky Derby Day, May 2; 12:15 p.m. on Black-Eyed Susan Day; and 10:15 a.m. on Preakness Day.

 

[gremlinlad]

Weds 4/15/2009

HOLD ME BACK (Giant's Causeway), the 2-1 favorite in the Blue Grass, offered a solid late run for second while never threatening the winner, and the WinStar homebred will make his third start of the year in the Derby. The Bill Mott trainee opened his three-year-old campaign with a strong showing in the March 21 Lane's End S. (G2), closing from far back to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths, and received a 108 BRIS Late Pace rating that afternoon. The well-bred colt possesses a strong late kick, but his best efforts have come on synthetics and one can question the company's he's been facing in his last two starts. Hold Me Back ran poorly in his lone appearance on a dirt track, finishing fifth in the Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct in November.

 

[gremlinlad]

Weds 4/15/2009

The previously unbeaten CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid) was never a factor on Saturday, checking in seventh in the Blue Grass, but his connections are reportedly still mulling a Derby bid with the lightly raced colt. Their plans were ambitious to begin with -- only one prep for a twice-raced juvenile who had never been past seven furlongs -- and there's no need to risk injury in a 20-horse field. Charitable Man will be one to keep an eye on later this year.

 

[gremlinlad]

Weds 4/15/2009

Old Fashioned's defection, coupled with the withdrawal of the front-running The Pamplemousse (Kafwain) the week before, knocks a lot of early speed out of the Kentucky Derby (G1) line-up. As a result, the classy QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Road) now looms as the possible pacesetter. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens probably prefers to sit right off a target before pouncing, but he won't mind running the field into the ground on a loose lead. The Florida Derby (G1) winner showed no ill effects from his recent quarter-crack when working five furlongs at Belmont Park last week.


Another major development involves Florida Derby (G1) runner-up DUNKIRK (Unbridled's Song), who now appears certain to get into the Kentucky Derby field with $150,000 in graded earnings.

I'll take a closer look at the main event after reviewing the Arkansas Derby and Blue Grass. The Kentucky Derby is two weeks from Saturday

 

[gremlinlad]

Thursday 4/16/2009

KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
APRIL 16, 2009​

by James Scully


Contender breakdown -- I will break the Derby contenders down into four categories (Top Tier, Serious Contenders, Longshot Hopefuls and Poorly Spotted) and will list the runners in each alphabetically.

Top Tier:I WANT REVENGE and QUALITY ROAD have distinguished themselves from the rest in my opinion. They're the fastest contenders based on Speed ratings, and their respective victories in the Wood Memorial and Florida Derby were the two best performances I've seen this year.
I Want Revenge earned a whopping 113 BRIS Speed rating for his 8 1/2-length romp in the Gotham S. (G3) and a 109 for an extremely troubled-filled yet spectacular victory in the Wood. Bred to relish the 1 1/4-mile distance, the formidable colt closed from last to first in the Wood after spotting his rivals a head start, but I Want Revenge can be placed anywhere with his speed. Look for expect him to be much closer to the engine on May 2 as jockey Joe Talamo keeps an eye on John Velazquez and Quality Road.
Velazquez is a perfect fit for Quality Road, and there isn't a horse in the prospective Derby field that is as quick as the bay colt. He would be tracking the leaders with Old Fashioned and/or The Pamplemousse in the line-up, but the pace scenario changed dramatically without those speedballs. In 2002, War Emblem was out galloping along on a short lead, with the late-running Perfect Drift chasing him, and left plenty in reserve for the stretch run, eventually winning off by four lengths. Nobody should be surprised to see Quality Road enjoy a similar trip. If another runner completely sacrifices his chances during the opening furlongs, Quality Road will be content to sit and pounce.


Serious Contenders: It's a deep year for Derby contenders, and I'll put five horses in this group.

DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) will attempt to give Godolphin their first Derby winner. After opening 2009 with a pair of sharp wins in Dubai, he was upset by his stablemate in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), but the promising colt gained more fitness-wise in the half-length setback than an easy victory would've provided. The Grade 2 winner is bred to handle the 10-furlong distance, and I'm anxious to see if Desert Party trains well at Churchill.
DUNKIRK is talented enough to win, but the unraced juvenile has little seasoning and must bounce back from a grueling runner-up effort in the Florida Derby. Don't be surprised if he does so. Dunkirk offered a breathtaking move on the far turn of the Florida Derby, making up a lot of ground over the speed-favoring oval, and that kind of rally often wins the Kentucky Derby.
FRIESAN FIRE will enter the Derby fresh for Larry Jones, who knows how to have a horse ready for his best after saddling the last two Derby runners-up, and there's a lot to like about the improving colt. His BRIS Speed ratings have steadily increased in three starts this season, and the bay colt displayed a tremendous turn of foot leaving the far turn of the Louisiana Derby, winning off by 7 1/4 lengths. Friesan Fire looked like he had plenty more to offer that afternoon, and he's eligible to keep moving forward at Churchill.
PAPA CLEM has finished either first or second in four starts since being stretched out to a route in December, and I love Stute's strategy of running him on dirt before the Kentucky Derby. The bay colt showed plenty of heart in the Robert Lewis and Arkansas Derby, and we haven't seen his best yet.
PIONEEROF THE NILE will bring excellent credentials into the Derby, rattling off four straight stakes victories, including a one-length score in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), since being transferred to Bob Baffert last fall. His conditioner (a three-time Derby winner) is an advantage, but Pioneerof the Nile will be a no-fig horse with a career-best 96 to his credit. I Want Revenge's Speed ratings increased significantly when he switched to dirt, and Pioneerof the Nile's supporters will look for the same results. We'll find out whether he can handle the new surface.


Longshot Hopefuls: I'm discounting their win chances, but the following horses could potentially make their presence felt in the exotics.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) figures to finally get a solid pace up front, but the late runner has never run very fast, generating a career-best 94 Speed rating for his non-threatening second in the Santa Anita Derby. He's out of a Seattle Slew mare, so the added distance may be no problem for the Northern California runner.
GENERAL QUARTERS will look to rally from midpack under new rider Julien Leparoux.
GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) opened the year with a pair of disappointing showings at Fair Grounds, but he gained a measure of redemption with his runner-up effort in the Illinois Derby. The Illinois-bred still appears seriously up against it, but the one-run closer ran well when finishing a close second in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill last fall and could pass a lot of horses over the final furlongs in the Derby.
HOLD ME BACK would rate more serious consideration if the Derby was held over a synthetic track, but I still respect his late kick. With a couple of solid races under his belt this year, Hold Me Back could get involved late for a minor award.
MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) is bred more for sprints than routes, but he exits a smart two-length win in the Illinois Derby and has outrun any pedigree concerns so far. I don't expect him to run his best race at 1 1/4 miles, but I admire how hard he tries every time.
REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) recorded a front-running upset over Desert Party in the U.A.E. Derby, but it's difficult to envision him enjoying the same trip and the additional ground is a major concern. He will enter the Derby on the upswing for Saeed bin Suroor, though, and it will be interesting to see how the Kentucky-bred trains at Churchill.
WEST SIDE BERNIE (Bernstein) has turned in only bad effort in his career, a sixth-place effort in the Lane's End, and rebounded from the disappointment with an excellent second in the Wood. He's got serious distance concerns stretching out with his pedigree, but the Kelly Breen pupil can finish, earning BRIS Late Pace numbers of 116 and 110 in his career. West Side Bernie rates as a live exotics contender at long odds.
WIN WILLY (Monarchos) didn't run back to his Rebel victory when fourth in the Arkansas Derby, and it's difficult to imagine the Canterbury maiden winner surprising on the Derby stage. The Mac Robertson runner has earned century-topping Late Pace numbers in both starts at a route, and he's another late runner to consider for part.


Poorly Spotted: I'll put the rest of the Derby field, which could include horses like FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus), MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow) and SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike), into this self-explanatory group for now.


Upcoming -- Saturday's $300,000 Lexington S. (G2) could provide a couple of Derby starters and will mark the return of Square Eddie, who was sidelined in early February due to a left front shin injury. The Doug O'Neill-trained colt likes the main track at Keeneland, winning the Breeders' Futurity (G1) over the Polytrack last October, and Edgar Prado will pick up the mount.

 

[gremlinlad]

KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT
APRIL 16, 2009​

by James Scully

Contender breakdown -- I will break the Derby contenders down into four categories (Top Tier, Serious Contenders, Longshot Hopefuls and Poorly Spotted) and will list the runners in each alphabetically.


Top Tier:I WANT REVENGE and QUALITY ROAD have distinguished themselves from the rest in my opinion. They're the fastest contenders based on Speed ratings, and their respective victories in the Wood Memorial and Florida Derby were the two best performances I've seen this year.
I Want Revenge earned a whopping 113 BRIS Speed rating for his 8 1/2-length romp in the Gotham S. (G3) and a 109 for an extremely troubled-filled yet spectacular victory in the Wood. Bred to relish the 1 1/4-mile distance, the formidable colt closed from last to first in the Wood after spotting his rivals a head start, but I Want Revenge can be placed anywhere with his speed. Look for expect him to be much closer to the engine on May 2 as jockey Joe Talamo keeps an eye on John Velazquez and Quality Road.
Velazquez is a perfect fit for Quality Road, and there isn't a horse in the prospective Derby field that is as quick as the bay colt. He would be tracking the leaders with Old Fashioned and/or The Pamplemousse in the line-up, but the pace scenario changed dramatically without those speedballs. In 2002, War Emblem was out galloping along on a short lead, with the late-running Perfect Drift chasing him, and left plenty in reserve for the stretch run, eventually winning off by four lengths. Nobody should be surprised to see Quality Road enjoy a similar trip. If another runner completely sacrifices his chances during the opening furlongs, Quality Road will be content to sit and pounce.


Serious Contenders: It's a deep year for Derby contenders, and I'll put five horses in this group.

DESERT PARTY (Street Cry [Ire]) will attempt to give Godolphin their first Derby winner. After opening 2009 with a pair of sharp wins in Dubai, he was upset by his stablemate in the U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), but the promising colt gained more fitness-wise in the half-length setback than an easy victory would've provided. The Grade 2 winner is bred to handle the 10-furlong distance, and I'm anxious to see if Desert Party trains well at Churchill.
DUNKIRK is talented enough to win, but the unraced juvenile has little seasoning and must bounce back from a grueling runner-up effort in the Florida Derby. Don't be surprised if he does so. Dunkirk offered a breathtaking move on the far turn of the Florida Derby, making up a lot of ground over the speed-favoring oval, and that kind of rally often wins the Kentucky Derby.
FRIESAN FIRE will enter the Derby fresh for Larry Jones, who knows how to have a horse ready for his best after saddling the last two Derby runners-up, and there's a lot to like about the improving colt. His BRIS Speed ratings have steadily increased in three starts this season, and the bay colt displayed a tremendous turn of foot leaving the far turn of the Louisiana Derby, winning off by 7 1/4 lengths. Friesan Fire looked like he had plenty more to offer that afternoon, and he's eligible to keep moving forward at Churchill.
PAPA CLEM has finished either first or second in four starts since being stretched out to a route in December, and I love Stute's strategy of running him on dirt before the Kentucky Derby. The bay colt showed plenty of heart in the Robert Lewis and Arkansas Derby, and we haven't seen his best yet.
PIONEEROF THE NILE will bring excellent credentials into the Derby, rattling off four straight stakes victories, including a one-length score in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), since being transferred to Bob Baffert last fall. His conditioner (a three-time Derby winner) is an advantage, but Pioneerof the Nile will be a no-fig horse with a career-best 96 to his credit. I Want Revenge's Speed ratings increased significantly when he switched to dirt, and Pioneerof the Nile's supporters will look for the same results. We'll find out whether he can handle the new surface.


Longshot Hopefuls: I'm discounting their win chances, but the following horses could potentially make their presence felt in the exotics.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) figures to finally get a solid pace up front, but the late runner has never run very fast, generating a career-best 94 Speed rating for his non-threatening second in the Santa Anita Derby. He's out of a Seattle Slew mare, so the added distance may be no problem for the Northern California runner.
GENERAL QUARTERS will look to rally from midpack under new rider Julien Leparoux.
GIANT OAK (Giant's Causeway) opened the year with a pair of disappointing showings at Fair Grounds, but he gained a measure of redemption with his runner-up effort in the Illinois Derby. The Illinois-bred still appears seriously up against it, but the one-run closer ran well when finishing a close second in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) at Churchill last fall and could pass a lot of horses over the final furlongs in the Derby.
HOLD ME BACK would rate more serious consideration if the Derby was held over a synthetic track, but I still respect his late kick. With a couple of solid races under his belt this year, Hold Me Back could get involved late for a minor award.
MUSKET MAN (Yonaguska) is bred more for sprints than routes, but he exits a smart two-length win in the Illinois Derby and has outrun any pedigree concerns so far. I don't expect him to run his best race at 1 1/4 miles, but I admire how hard he tries every time.
REGAL RANSOM (Distorted Humor) recorded a front-running upset over Desert Party in the U.A.E. Derby, but it's difficult to envision him enjoying the same trip and the additional ground is a major concern. He will enter the Derby on the upswing for Saeed bin Suroor, though, and it will be interesting to see how the Kentucky-bred trains at Churchill.
WEST SIDE BERNIE (Bernstein) has turned in only bad effort in his career, a sixth-place effort in the Lane's End, and rebounded from the disappointment with an excellent second in the Wood. He's got serious distance concerns stretching out with his pedigree, but the Kelly Breen pupil can finish, earning BRIS Late Pace numbers of 116 and 110 in his career. West Side Bernie rates as a live exotics contender at long odds.
WIN WILLY (Monarchos) didn't run back to his Rebel victory when fourth in the Arkansas Derby, and it's difficult to imagine the Canterbury maiden winner surprising on the Derby stage. The Mac Robertson runner has earned century-topping Late Pace numbers in both starts at a route, and he's another late runner to consider for part.


Poorly Spotted: I'll put the rest of the Derby field, which could include horses like FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus), MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow) and SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike), into this self-explanatory group for now.

 

[gremlinlad]

SORRY FOR THE DUPLICATION

gl

 

[gremlinlad]

RACING DATES​

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Current Meetings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>AQUEDUCT:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 1 - April 26</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>BEULAH PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 10 - May 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>CHARLES TOWN:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 1 - Dec. 31</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>EMERALD DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 17 - Sept. 27</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>EVANGELINE DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 8 - Sept. 7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>FINGER LAKES:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 17 - Dec. 5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>FONNER PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Feb. 13 - May 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>GOLDEN GATE FIELDS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec. 26 - June 14</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>GULFSTREAM PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 3 - April 19</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>HASTINGS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 18 - Nov. 8</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>HAWTHORNE:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>March 6 - April 27</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>KEENELAND:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 3 - 24</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>LONE STAR PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 9 - July 26</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>MOUNTAINEER PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 17 - Dec. 29</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>PENN NATIONAL:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 2 - Dec. 30</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>PHILADELPHIA PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Jan. 1 - Dec. 30</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>PIMLICO:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 18 - May 23</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>RIVER DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 17 - Sept. 7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>SANTA ANITA PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec. 26 - April 19</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>SUNLAND PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec. 12 - April 21</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>TAMPA BAY DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Dec. 13 - May 3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>TURF PARADISE:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>Oct. 3 - May 3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>WOODBINE:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 4 - Dec. 6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap>Upcoming Meetings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>BELMONT PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 29 - July 26</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>CALDER:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 24 - Jan. 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>CHURCHILL DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 25 - July 5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>DELAWARE PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 25 - Nov. 7</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>HOLLYWOOD PARK:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 22 - July 19</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>INDIANA DOWNS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 20 - July 15</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>PRAIRIE MEADOWS:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 24 - Sept. 19</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top noWrap width=300>THISTLEDOWN:</TD><TD vAlign=top width=10> </TD><TD vAlign=top>April 30 - Oct. 31</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[gremlinlad]

Thurs 4/16/2009

Square Eddie heads 11 in Lexington
Grade 1 winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) entered 2009 as one of the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the Doug O'Neill trainee made only one appearance this season, a second in the January 17 San Rafael S. (G3), before heading to the sidelines with a shin injury. The Canadian-bred colt will attempt to revive his Derby hopes when he returns to the races against 11 rivals in Saturday's $300,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland.
Winner of the Breeders' Futurity (G1) over Keeneland's Polytrack last October, Square Eddie will break from post 8 with new rider Edgar Prado in the 28th running of the 1 1/16-mile Lexington. He has recorded four works since returning from his injury, most recently breezing six furlongs in 1:12 1/5 at Hollywood Park on Saturday.

 

[gremlinlad]

Thursday 4/16/2009

Saturday's $150,000 Bed o' Roses H. (G2) at Aqueduct will mark the seasonal debut of SEATTLE SMOOTH (Quiet American), who ended her sophomore season on a high note by knocking off eventual champion Proud Spell in the Cotillion S. (G2) at Philadelphia Park. Others of note entered in the one-mile feature for fillies and mares are DISTORTED PASSION (Distorted Humor) and AWESOME I AM (Awesome Again), stars of the recently concluded inner track meet, and the Grade 1-placed LOVELY ISLE (Double Honor). Grade 2 heroine COWGIRLS DON'T CRY and stakes winner SPRITELY (Touch Gold) would also merit respect, though both have been cross-entered in Sugar Maple S. at Charles Town Saturday night...

 

[gremlinlad]

Thursday 4/16/2009

Mafaaz will skip Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Challenge winner MAFAAZ (GB) (Medicean), a disappointing eighth when making his U.S. debut in Saturday's Blue Grass S. (G1), will skip the Kentucky Derby (G1) and will likely return to grass, new trainer Kiaran McLaughlin announced Thursday.

"(Shadwell Farm vice-president) Rick Nichols spoke with Sheikh Hamdan and said he has elected not to run Mafaaz in the Kentucky Derby," McLaughlin said. "We have sent him to the farm (in Lexington, Kentucky) for a week or two, and then he will come to New York."

Mafaaz, who was previously trained by John Gosden, earned an automatic berth in the May 2 Derby with his victory in the Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park on March 18. McLaughlin said the colt would most likely return to racing on grass although nothing had been picked out.

"We'll get him here and get him into our program, and then look for a grass race for him," McLaughlin said.