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Kentucky Derby Podcast Trilogy Part II

April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s almost Kentucky Derby time. The prestigious race is less than a week away and we took to the airwaves to discuss recent works of Union Rags, Hansen, Dullahan, Went The Day Well and other contenders. Also part of the show is an in depth discussion of pedigree and the Derby. Click the button above to check it out!

The third and final episode of the Kentucky Derby Podcast Trilogy will include picks and discussions on how to bet the race. It is available exclusively to Kentucky Derby Guide subscribers. Click the link to learn more!

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – April 29, 2012

April 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Bodemeister prepares for the Kentucky Derby

Only 6 days remain until the 138th Run For The Roses, and this year’s crop is bringing plenty of excitement and intrigue.

 A muddy surface at Churchill Downs didn’t stop Bodemeister from turning in an impressive drill this morning.  The Arkansas Derby winner stopped the clock in 0:59.48 for 5 furlongs, which ranked 2nd best of 10 workouts today.  He breezed in company with Kentucky Oaks hopeful Jemima’s Pearl.  Trainer Bob Baffert thought Bodemeister handled the muddy going easily, and believes the son of Empire Maker will be ready on the first Saturday in May.  When asked about his colt’s chances, Baffert quipped, “With 20 horses, it is a crapshoot anyway. All I can do…I get them ready and put a saddle on them and after that it is out of my hands.”  Another Baffert Derby contender, Liaison, will record his final pre-Derby workout tomorrow.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sent his two Derby prospects to the track early this morning at Palm Meadows Training Center.  A muddy surface greeted El Padrino and Gemologist, who were both scheduled to work 4 furlongs.  Yesterday, their final Derby work was delayed due to weather, but today they were both able to get down to business.  El Padrino, winner of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes, breezed with stablemate Windsurfer, stopping the clock in an easy 0.53.43, the 7th fastest of 8 works.  Undefeated Gemologist, in company with the filly Disposablepleasure, clocked his half-mile work in 0:50.39 breezing.  This was the fastest time of 8 for the day.  The Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner, according the Pletcher, is doing very well and has been “perfect his whole life.”

 Mark Valeski is on the fence about participating in the Derby.  The runner-up in the G2 Risen Star Stakes and G2 Louisiana Derby galloped 1 1/2 miles at Churchill today.  Trainer Larry Jones, who rode Mark Valeski in his gallop this morning, said the son of Proud Citizen needs to prove he merits Derby consideration, and that the deciding factor will be how the bay colt works tomorrow.  Jones also said Mark Valeski’s hoof has healed, which was a worry for some after the colt lost a shoe and damaged the bulb of his hoof in the Louisiana Derby.  After tomorrow’s workout, Jones will gauge his colt and decide by entry day if he will run.

Anxiously awaiting news of if Mark Valeski or others will run in the Derby is the camp of Optimizer.  Trainer D. Wayne Lukas liked what he saw of his colt’s work today, which was timed in 1:00.40 breezing at Churchill.  This was the 4th fastest of 10 today for the son of English Channel.  However, the colt is currently sitting 21st on the graded stakes earnings list, and needs one defection if he and jockey Jon Court will even get to compete in the Run For The Roses.  Lukas stated that he thinks his closer will have a good chance in this year’s speed-filled Derby, if he gets in.  He also hinted that with Optimizer the more distance the better, saying, “I think his best race may show up in the Belmont.”

Yesterday was opening day at Churchill Downs, and the Grade 3 Derby Trial brought excitement under the lights for those willing to brave the weather.  Hierro was able to successfully handle the off-going, which seems to be a real talent with offspring of the stallion Hard Spun.  The Steve Asmussen trainee ran 4-wide into the stretch before overtaking favored Paynter to win his first stakes race.  Asmussen didn’t commit to anything, but did mention that the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes would be on the radar for his colt.

Tomorrow should be a major day on the Derby Trail.  Creative Cause, Daddy Nose Best, Liaison, Mark Valeski, Sabercat, and Trinninberg are all planning to work, weather permitting.  Wood Memorial runner-up Alpha will ship to Churchill tomorrow.  Rousing Sermon will work Tuesday

Although it doesn’t pertain to this year’s Triple Crown particularly, one of the foremast stallions in modern Thoroughbred racing  passed away today.  Dynaformer, who stood at Three Chimney’s, was 27 years old.  In an ironic twist, the day of his death fell on the day that would have marked the 9th birthday of his most famous son, 2006 Kentucky Derby hero Barbaro.

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – April 28, 2012

April 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

After a very slow day of Kentucky Derby news, April 28 has presented us with a bevy of excellent information. Let’s break it down!

It was works galore at Churchill Downs.

  • The best move the of day goes to Grade 3 Spiral Stakes victor Went The Day Well. Campaigned by the same connections as Animal Kingdom, the son of Proud Citizen was clocked in 1:01 for five furlongs while wearing blinkers for the first time. He will likely use them in the Derby. Trainer Graham Motion thinks it will help him keep a straighter course of action. His splits were :12.40, :24.60, :36.40 and :48.80 and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60

“I thought he went super,” trainer Graham Motion said. “John felt that he was better on the dirt here than he was last week on the synthetic (at Keeneland in which he worked six furlongs in 1:14.40).”

        Went the Day Well never has raced in blinkers, but the son of Proud Citizen was outfitted with them this morning.
        “I put ‘cheaters’ on him and it seemed like it really helped him,” Motion said. “Last week at Keeneland, he was content to stay with Crimson China and today he went right on by.”
        Would Went the Day Well wear blinkers in the Derby?
        “I am going to have to talk to the stewards about that,” Motion said. “He got to loafing and almost interfered with a horse at Turfway (Park in winning the Vinery Racing Spiral). I think they made a difference today.”
        Went the Day Well comes into the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the Spiral, just as stablemate Animal Kingdom did last year. Unlike Animal Kingdom, Went the Day Well already is proven on dirt.
        “He didn’t have anything to prove (this morning),” Motion said. “With Animal Kingdom, I talked with Barry (Irwin of Team Valor International) and if he had not handled the dirt, he would not have run.”
        Animal Kingdom responded with a six-furlong work in 1:13 on the Saturday before the Kentucky Derby.
        Went the Day Well ran twice in 2011 finishing second in two grass races in England. He made his U.S. debut in February on dirt at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 4, finishing fourth, and then broke his maiden four weeks later.
        “His first race was typical for a European horse in that he was a step slow out of the gate,” Motion said. “After that first race, we considered taking him to New York for the Gotham (GIII). We took him to the airport and then turned around and stayed for the maiden race.”
        Off the maiden victory, Went the Day Well took the Spiral by 3 ½ lengths.
        “It was a big step for him going from a maiden to a Grade III,” said Motion, who will turn on the lights tonight for the opening night of the 39-day spring meet. “I feel good about him and I feel good about running him in this race. And, I feel a whole lot better after the work today.”

 

  • Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes winner Union Rags was clocked in :59.80 for five furlongs over the Churchill Downs track. He recorded splits of :12, :23.60, :47.20 and was out in 1:13.80 for six furlongs. It was met with mixed reviews. Mike Welsch of DRF loved the work, while Jude Feld of Racehorse Report said the work was OK, but not great.
“I thought he ran good. We wanted a strong work here and that was the plan all along,” trainer Michael Matz said. “I wished I could have seen it. All I saw was the front part of it, the last quarter of a mile, but it looked like he went nice.”
        Leparoux gave Matz his thumbs up on the son of Dixie Union’s first workout at Churchill after shipping in from Keeneland on Thursday.
        “He never says much. He said he galloped out real strong and said he thinks he likes the track,” Matz said. “That was the plan to do it a week ahead of time and give him some time to recover. The gods were good. It didn’t rain on us, so it’s up to him.”
  • Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Hansen looked like a big ball of muscle as he breezed through five furlongs in 1:01.20 at the Churchill Downs Trackside Training Center. He was in company with graded stakes winning four year old Derby Kitten through the stretch.
In a work that resembled a handoff in a relay race in track and field, Hansen engaged stablemate Derby Kitten, who was waiting in the stretch, the two ran together for about a quarter-mile and the 4-year-old Derby Kitten continued on with his half-mile breeze. The split times for Hansen’s breeze under Joel Barrientos were :12.20, :24.60, :36.60 and :49.20. The 2011 juvenile male champion galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.
        Trainer Mike Maker deemed the work – which he joked that he dreamed up himself – a success.
“We’re trying to harness the speed so if we put a workmate with him from the starting point of the work he has a tendency to be very aggressive,” Maker said. “So we just sprinkled it in the last part.”
        Rather than trying to synch things at a specific pole, Maker said he told the rider on Derby Kitten to begin his work when he hooked up with Hansen.
        “Basically, the plan was to try to get Hansen to go soft the first three-eighths, which he did, and then just finish up his last quarter, which he did,” Maker said.
        Hansen galloped out through most of the backstretch of the six-furlong track after completing his breeze. After cooling out, the Tapit colt was taken to a sand pit at the training center where he was allowed to spend several minutes frolicking and rolling in the sand.
  • Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes winner Dullahan went out for a five furlong work in 1:01.20. His fractions were fast early as he recorded splits of :11.80, :23.80 and :36 and galloped out in 1:15.80 for trainer Dale Romans. Jude Feld tweeted “DULLahan” in response to the work.
“The work was perfect,” Romans said. “It was exactly what we were looking for. We just wanted a nice maintenance breeze. He went in :57 and change at Keeneland before the Blue Grass and then he ran in the Blue Grass and now he’s working two weeks later and going to run three weeks (after the Blue Grass), so he’s plenty fit and we just wanted him to stretch his legs a bit.”
        A chestnut son of Even the Score, Dullahan is a half-brother to Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who closed from last to take the Run for the Roses in 2009. Dullahan is also a deep closer and Romans said the race could set up well for him.
        “I like the way the race looks on paper for us,” Romans said. “The Derby seems to usually have an unreasonably fast pace and there are some fast horses in there this year. The problem is those fast horses are quality and they could just keep going. It’ll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.”
  • Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby champ Prospective got through five furlongs in 1:01.20 in the company of Moon Traveler at Churchill Downs. He was best by 3 lengths with splits of  :12.20, :24.80, :36.80, and :49 while galloping out six in 1:14.80. Trainer Mark Casse had Shaun Bridgmahon up for the work, but Luis Contreras will ride Prospective in the Derby.

“I thought it was perfect,” Casse said. “I told Shaun to go 1:01 and he went 1:01.20. He told me he was magnificent. The horse he worked with is not a bad horse and I was surprised how easily Prospective worked away from him. I’ve said all along I think this horse likes Churchill. We’re ready.”

  • Done Talking worked five furlongs in 1:01 at Laurel Park with Sheldon Russell up.
“I thought about having a workmate for him, but he would have gone too fast, so he went on his own,” trainer Hamilton Smith said. “I wanted to go around a minute and change and he almost hit it on the number.
The move was the best of 17 at the distance over a fast track. Done Talking galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.60.
“It was fast this morning, but the rain is the coming,” Smith said. “He did it the way we wanted. He finished good and galloped out good.”
Done Talking is scheduled to leave Laurel Park around 4 a.m. Sunday and arrive at Churchill Downs around mid-afternoon.
  • Trinniberg jogged two miles at Churchill Downs and will gallop two more on Sunday. He enters the Derby after two sprint victories against graded stakes company.
  • Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy walked the shed row at Palm Meadows. Several works there were canceled, including El Padrino and Gemologist. They will work on Sunday instead. Mark Valeski is scheduled to work on Sunday.
  • Stablemates Sabercat and Daddy Nose Best galloped 1 3/8 miles for Steve Asmussen. They will work on Sunday.
  • Optimizer galloped today and will work on Sunday.
  • I’ll Have Another, Rousing Sermon and Creative Cause have arrived via plane at Churchill Downs.
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Kentucky Derby Profile: Hansen

April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This post is just a sneak peak! Want to learn about all of the Kentucky Derby contenders? Check out our Kentucky Derby Guide!

Hansen

Trainer: Michael J. Maker Starts: 231 Win: 54 (23.37%) Place: 45 Show: 33 Earnings: $2,185,087.00

Jockey: Ramon A. Dominguez Starts: 371 Win: 90 Place: 82 Show: 48 Earnings: $5,447,933.00

Owner:  Kendall Hansen M.D. & Sky Chai Racing

Key Races: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (1st), Holy Bull Stakes (2nd), Gotham Stakes (1st), Blue Grass Stakes (2nd)

Best Speed Figures: Beyer (96 in Holy Bull & Blue Grass) BRISnet (105 in Gotham)

The speedy colt Hansen is conditioned by Mike Maker who helped develop 1999 Kentucky Derby winner Charismatic while working under four time Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Maker has saddled Blue Grass Stakes winner Stately Victor (2010), Lanes End Stakes winner Dean’s Kitten (2010), Blue Grass Stakes runner up Twinspired (2011) and Lexington Stakes winner Derby Kitten (2011). His best finish was with Stately Victor who finished eighth.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez has ridden in the Kentucky Derby every year since 2004 when his first mount in the race was Hansen’s sire, Tapit. They finished ninth together after winning the Wood Memorial. Dominguez’s best finish in the Run for the Roses was second at odds of 30-1 on Bluegrass Cat in 2006.

Hansen likes to be in front. He boasts a tremendous amount of natural zip and has a very high cruising speed. He has raced without blinkers in his last two tries and his Gotham Stakes win suggests that he has calmed down enough to sit behind a horse or two.

His chances are likely to hinge on a few things. First, his demeanor is an important factor. The nearly white colt can get a little head strong and it’s imperative that he allows Dominguez to do his job. If not, he could waste himself before the top of the stretch.

Second, Hansen needs a good post position that will allow him to break into the top flight without losing too much ground.

Third, Hansen, like everyone else, will need to handle the Derby day crowd. He got worked up before the Blue Grass Stakes and will be in front of many more thousands of people this time.

A perfect situation for Hansen would see him break cleanly and set up shop right behind the sprinter Trinniberg. When that one gives up the ghost, Dominguez can put the pedal to the medal and play “catch me if you can”. The slower the fractions the better, of course.

Hansen has the advantage of a win over this track, taking last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over Union Rags. He also appears to be training exceptionally well and could be ready for a career best effort. That makes him deadly in the Kentucky Derby.

Pedigree

Tapit stands for $125k at Gainesway. That price makes him the third most expensive stallion in the state of Kentucky, behind Bernardini and Street Cry. His marquee win was the aforementioned Wood Memorial where he rallied from last to triumph by a half-length. His best progeny include:

  • Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Stardom Bound
  • Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Tapitsfly
  • West Virginia Derby winner Concord Point
  • Lady’s Secret Stakes winner Zazu
  • Alabama Stakes winner Careless Jewel
  • Hawthorne Gold Cup winner Headache
  • Haskell Invitational runner up Trappe Shot

From the above listed runners, Concord Point and Careless Jewel were the most adept at going long distances, winning against top company at 9 and 10 furlongs, respectively. Headache’s Gold Cup win was at the 10 furlongs distance. Most sons and daughters of Tapit have done their best running from 8 to 9 furlongs, but we can see that with enough talent they are able to stretch out to achieve success at the classic distances.

Hansen was produced out of the Mountaineer Park starter allowance mare Stormy Sunday. Her sire, Sir Cat, won half of his 14 starts while annexing two Grade 2 races against turf routers. His best progeny include Surf Cat and Cativa, runners that excelled in middle distance races. The sire of Sir Cat is the prolific Storm Cat. Largely regarded as one of the best stallions in the history of racing, he stood for as much as $500k per live foal. His best progeny could get route distances, but for as great as he was, Storm Cat never produced a Triple Crown race winner.

On the whole, the pedigree of Hansen rates well. He has enough stamina influences to suggest that staying the Kentucky Derby distance is within reason.

Pedigree Grade: B

Overall Grade: B

Fair Odds: 8-1

This post is just a sneak peak! Want to learn about all of the Kentucky Derby contenders? Check out our Kentucky Derby Guide!

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Kentucky Derby Contenders: Bodemeister

April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

by Robert Boswell

Bodemeister

Bay colt foaled April 28, 2009

Empire Maker—Untouched Talent by Storm Cat

 

Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC & Southern Equine Stables

Trainer: Bob Baffert

Jockey: Mike Smith

 

On the track: Bodemeister is named for the Bob Baffert’s son, Bode, so you know he has high hopes for this colt. Being so gifted with 2-year-olds, it’s not often you see Baffert this patient with such a talented runner, but Bodemeister didn’t make his first start until January 16th. He lost that day, going 5 ½ furlongs, but put in a solid effort and returned to blow the field away at a mile with a 101 Beyer. With not much time to amass graded stakes earnings needed to get to the starting gate the first Saturday in May, he was entered right into the second leg of the Santa Anita 3-year-old prep series, the San Felipe (GII). There he met leading California-based 3-year-old, Creative Cause, and gave him all he could handle. Bodemeister took the lead on the far turn and ran his heart out in his second start, only to be caught late and lose by less than a length to Creative Cause, who was making his seventh start at the time. The two parted ways for their final preps, with Bodemeister going to the Arkansas Derby (GI) at Oaklawn. Here he not only secured the earnings to guarantee him a spot in the Kentucky Derby (GI) starting gate, but also put in a performance impressive enough to make him the probable favorite to win the Roses. After leading all the way around and turning in very speedy fractions, Bodemeister drew off in the stretch, repelling a bid from stablemate Secret Circle, to win by nine lengths in the most impressive Derby prep performance of the year.

Storylines: Bob Baffert has always had a special relationship with his son, Bode. He brings him to the winner’s circle, puts him in his lap for television interviews, and his adoration for his son is obvious to anyone that sees the two together for any amount of time. It would be extremely sentimental for Baffert to win the Derby with a horse named after his son. Also, Baffert just recovered from a heart attack he suffered while in Dubai to saddle a couple starters on the Dubai World Cup card. He was hospitalized but seems to be doing well at this point. With a new found appreciation for life, Baffert would likely celebrate his fourth Derby win as if it were his first.

Pros: Trainer, pedigree, three consecutive triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures

Cons: Curse of Apollo, speed in a speed-filled race

Looking for more Kentucky Derby information? Check out our Derby Picks & Derby Guide!

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – April 26, 2012

April 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

  • Florida Derby winner Take Charge Indy drilled five furlongs in 1:00 2/5 B at Palm Meadows in Florida. Trainer Patrick Byrne gushed about how easy the move was and says colt is 100% prepared to Run for the Roses. Prior to last year, jockey Calvin Borel had won 3 of the last 4 editions of the spring classic. Borel’s mount appears to be much more live in 2012 than it was a  year ago.
  • The connections of Blue Grass Stakes victor Dullahan have agreed to donate 5% of the colt’s Derby earnings to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Prairie Meadows has agreed to match the donation.
  • Dr. Kendall Hansen has agreed to donate 1% of Hansen’s earnings in the Derby to Thoro Fan, a group dedicated to the advancement of horse racing popularity. Thoro Fan’s main objectives are to enrich current racing fans while attracting new ones. This cause, along with the Disabled Jockeys Fund, are things that all of us can get behind!

It was a slow day for Kentucky Derby news, but if you’re looking for a wealth of information, check out our Derby Guide!

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Kentucky Derby Podcast Trilogy Part I

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It took five years, but Gradedstakes.com is finally on the radio. Yesterday saw the birth of our radio show which featured guests like Jay Em Ess Stable Racing Manager Samantha Siegel as well as Zayat Stables Racing Manager Justin Zayat. There were a few mistakes as you could expect given it was our first time doing something like this, but all in all, it went swimmingly.

Here are some of the topics we covered.

  • Preview of the Grade 3 Derby Trial Stakes
  • Kentucky Derby favorite Bodemeister
  • CashCall Futurity winner Liaison
  • European invader Daddy Long Legs
  • Future Wagering
  • Wood Memorial 1-2 finishers Gemologist and Alpha
Listen to myself and co-host David Crone discuss the Derby by clicking the link above!
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Kentucky Derby Contender: Union Rags

April 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

by Robert Boswell

Union Rags

Bay colt foaled March 3, 2009

Dixie Union – Tempo by Gone West

 

Owner: Chadds Ford Stable

Trainer: Michael Matz

Jockey: Julien Leparoux

 

On the track: Union Rags won his career debut in July going 5 furlongs at Delaware Park against Maiden Special Weight competition. He then jumped straight into the deep end in the Saratoga Special (GII) and the Champagne (GI), taking both and beating fellow Kentucky Derby contender, Alpha, in the latter. It was at this point that the chatter began to build, just as it does every time there is a bright young standout. ‘Rags was lauded as the early Derby favorite by all and as much as racing fans didn’t want to get too far ahead of themselves, the whispers and thoughts of a potential Triple Crown winner were unavoidable. The Breeder’s Cup Juvenile pitted the top 2-year-old against the largest and most talented he had seen, to date, and it proved to live up to the billing. He was sent off the 1/10 favorite and came up just a head short in his rally behind Hansen not only in the Breeder’s Cup, but also in the Eclipse Award voting for Champion 2-Year-Old Male. Michael Matz, being a patient trainer, waited until the Fountain of Youth (GII) to give Union Rags his 3-year-old start. With the defection of Algorithms due to injury, he won impressively and seemed to rekindle the romance in the racing world again. The obvious next step was the Florida Derby (GI), where he again was the heavy favorite.  After being set under a long drive by Julien Leparoux, the colt started his best running only in the final 16th, which proved to be too late to catch Take Charge Indy and Reveron.

Storylines: Matz won the 2006 Kentucky Derby with Barbaro, who was also a stand out his entire career, so it’s easy to draw some comparisons between the two.  It would be a great story for Matz and the racing world to have things go their way after such a tragedy. Also, before the Fountain of Youth, jockey Javier Castellano made the controversial decision to get off Union Rags and ride promising, young Algorithms, only for the son of Bernardini to be sidelined with injury. Castellano will be aboard Gemologist for the Derby.

Pros: Experience over the track; freshness; “Spirit of Barbaro”;

Cons: Disappointed last out; no two-turn Grade I win

Interested in learning about ALL the Kentucky Derby contenders? Check out our Kentucky Derby Guide!

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – April 25, 2012

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Liaison worked 6 furlongs at Churchill today

The first horse on the outside looking in, Isn’t He Clever, has opted out of a run in the Kentucky Derby.  His new trainer, Steve Asmussen, has decided to point the son of Smarty Jones to the Preakness Stakes instead, or possibly the G2 Woody Steven Stakes.  Without him sitting at the number 21 spot in graded stakes earnings, Optimizer now claims that place and will wait for defections in the upcoming 10 days.

Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Bodemeister has a new part-owner.  Although Zayat Stable maintains the majority interest in the son of Empire Maker, one third of him is now owned by Southern Equine Stable.  The purchase price has not been released, but Ahmed Zayat did say it was a “very healthy, lucrative arrangement for us.”  This year, Zayat hopes to win his first Derby.  He has come close several times in recent years, including runner-up performances by Nehro in 2011 and Pioneerof the Nile in 2009.  In 2010, his colt Eskendereya, who would have been one of the favorites, was injured prior to the race and was not able to compete.

The connections of Grade 1 Blue Grass winner Dullahan have graciously decided to make a donation after the Kentucky Derby.  5% of Dullahan’s earnings from his start in the Run For The Roses will go to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.  Prairie Meadows has agreed to match the amount.

The only major Derby contender on the worktab today was Liaison.  The Bob Baffert trainee breezed a nice 6 furlongs at Churchill in 1:12.80, which was the only work at that distance.  Although Liaison was a stellar juvenile, he is winless as a 3-year-old.  However, Baffert thought Liaison handled the Churchill track much better than the one at Santa Anita, where he had been based for his entire 2012 campaign.  Martin Garcia will ride the son of Indian Charlie on the first Saturday in May.

Although none of the entrants of the Grade 3 Derby Trial will be Derby bound this year, it is still an important race to watch this Saturday.  Several notable 3-year-olds are entered, and it is very likely that more than one runner will end up in the Preakness or Belmont.  Paynter, last seen finishing 4th in the loaded Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby, headlines the field.  Motor City, who won the Grade 2 Iroquois Stakes as a juvenile at Churchill, is looking to get back in the winner’s circle.  Another horses fond of Churchill, Hierro, will break from post 5 under Julien Leparoux.  The undefeated Bourbon Courage will break from the far outside in the field of eleven.  Post time for the Derby Trial, which will be run under the lights at Churchill Downs, is 9:39.  The full field with jockeys can be found below:
1. Tarpy’s Goal, L. Goncalves
2. The Black, C. Borel
3. Saint of Saints, K. Desormeaux
4. Nonios, G. Gomez
5. Hierro, J. Leparoux
6. Quick Wit, C. Lanerie
7. Paynter, M. Garcia
8. Seve , J. Castanon
9. Stealcase, S. Bridgmohan
10. Motor City, B. Hernandez Jr.
11. Bourbon Courage, M. Mena

Tomorrow, Union Rags and Went The Day Well are both planning to arrive at Churchill by van.  The two colts are currently at Keeneland.  Weather permitting, they will be under the Twin Spires by the end of the day tomorrow.

That’s all for today.  Make sure you check back tomorrow and everyday as we get closer to the 138th Kentucky Derby!

 

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The Daily Derby News Blitz – April 24, 2012

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

  • Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister kicked off today’s workout action with a five furlong move at Churchill Downs which he completed in 1:00 4/5 B for trainer Bob Baffert. The three time Derby winning conditioner said that his charge simply floated over the track. Baffert also noted that Liaison will compete in the Kentucky Derby after looking like a new animal on the track this morning. Read more here.
  • Grade 1 winner Creative Cause rolled through five furlongs in 1:00 1/5 H at Santa Anita. The son of Giant’s Causeway raced without blinkers for the first time last out in the Santa Anita Derby where he was second beaten a nose. He did not have them on in the work so it appears that they are gone for good. Joel Rosario will ride in the Run for the Roses.
  • Santa Anita Derby victor I’ll Have Another was placed on the vets list at Santa Anita after having shock therapy treatment on his back. This is not out of the ordinary and should not be viewed negatively. Trainer Doug O’Neill and owner J Paul Reddam are sparing no expense to prepare their Derby contender to do his best running. Click here to read more.
  • This site agrees with Mike Watchmaker, who says the riders of Hansen (Ramon Dominguez) and Bodemeister (Mike Smith) need not worry about the presence of the sprinting Trinniberg in the Kentucky Derby. He will likely have the lead early, but will without a doubt fade. Why ruin the chances of  Hansen or Bodemeister by engaging him too soon? Let him do his thing and pretend he isn’t even there. Watchmaker has it right on this issue.

It was a slow day of news on April 24. Keep up with the latest happenings by subscribing to our email list on the right side of the page!

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