North American Racing - Saturday, May 12, 2012
1:54 p.m. ET - Belmont - 3rd - 7F - You & I - 3yo - Quintet of sophomore sprinters including Hopeful winner Currency Swap after his disastrous debut around two turns in the Illinois Derby and Capossela winner - Bay Shore 2nd (to Trinniberg) Hardened Wildcat for trainer Chad Brown and New Farm.
Currency Swap gets on easy lead and wires field as 3-2 second favorite - Hardened Wildcat unable to close in stretch as even money favorite.
3:30 p.m. ET - Belmont - 6th - 6F Inner Turf - Genuine Devotion - 3&up - F&M - 12 entered (2 are Main Track Only, 3 entries) for this overnight turf sprint stakes including three that were imported after racing in Europe last year. Martin Schwartz' Whipsaw City likely to be the favorite off two turf wins at Gulfstream with Julian Leparoux up.
Whipsaw City scratched. Tony Dutrow trained Going to Kukaro - 6-5 favorite - goes to lead under Castellano and holds off Trix in the City.
4:27 p.m. ET - Lone Star - 5th - 1 1/16 - Texas Stallion - 3yo C&G - TX bred - 7 starters (two horse entry of owner Will Farish) led by the 1-2-3 finishers in the Jim's Orbit at Sam Houston on February 18 and Como Se Llama off an allowance win at Oaklawn in his first route try.
WS Farish's homebred Boca Bay wins under Luis Q at 3-1 (part of Farish entry) by a half lenght over 11-10 favs Sword Trick for Clarence Scharbauer Jr.
4:45 p.m. ET - Delaware Park - 8th - 1 1/16 - Winter Melody - 4&up F&M - Opening day at Del Park celebrating 75 anniversary season (opened 1937, didn't race in 1943 and 1983 so it's 74th year of racing at track) and the road to the July 21st Del Cap begins! 7 evenly matched distaffers with edge perhaps to Farnsworth Stables' Bahama Bound trained by Tony Dutrow who finished 3rd to Tiz MizSue (while running for Lael Stables) in 2011 running.
Bahama Bound scratched - Tony Dutrow's only entry of North Freeway wired field by widening four and a quarter lengths as 7-5 favorite.
4:49 p.m. ET - Woodbine - 8th - 1 1/16 - Marine - 3yo - Field of six led by two Todd Pletcher shippers from Keeneland including Spiral 2nd Winstar Farm's Holiday Promise and the Lexington 70-1 winner Sll Squared Away trained by Wesley Ward. Locals offer up the first two finishers from the Wando on April 21 - Kinghaven Farms' homebred Incredicat trained by Ian Black and Classic Bryce.
Locals run 1-2 with Strait of Dover winning by six and a half lengths at 11-2 over Classic Bryce. Pletcher trainees run 3rd & 4th and All Squared Away beaten in 5th.
5:03 p.m. ET - Hollywood - 3rd - 7F - 17th Laz Barrera Memorial - 3yo - Quartet led by two of the top 3 year old sprinters in country - Bob Baffert trained Drill and Jack Carava trained America Act. These two battle the length of the stretch in the San Vicente in February with Drill getting win by a neck. The other two - Gun Boat trained also by Baffert and Boompa trained by Gary Mandella - are lightly raced talented upset possibilities.
Drill wins by a half-length over American Act as 6-5 favorite. Connections have two of the best one-turn horses in country with Secret Circle also in stable.
5:06 p.m. ET - Belmont - 9th - 1 1/8 - 58th Peter Pan - 3yo - Nice field of 12 entered for this prep for the Belmont Stakes on June 9. 7 winners of the Belmont have won this race with AP Indy being the last twenty years ago. FG Stakes runner up Mark Valeski for Brereton-Larry Jones, Barry Schwartz' The Lumber Guy off win in the Jerome, and Magnolia Racing's Street Life are the headlines but all appear to have a shot in here running the longest one turn race in America.
Dominant performance by Mark Valeski with Rosie Napranvik up winning by a length and a quarter as 13-10 favorite for the Jones Boys of Larry and Brereton.
5:18 p.m ET - Monmouth - 10th - 6F - Decathlon - 3yo & up - Opening day at The Shore's Greatest Stretch for 67th season of racing! Field of nine entered (Comedero and Flat Bold are also in the Diablo at Belmont on Thursday - Monmouth looks the easier spot) led by Robsham Stables' Soaring Stocks who rattled off three straight at Gulfstream for Todd Pletcher and Godolphin's Bank Merger making his seasonal debut for Kiaran McLaughlin with Joe Bravo up. Longview Drive for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer tries grass for the first time. None of his siblings - including half brother Pyro (2008 2 year old champion) and half-sister stakes winning War Echo - have ever ran on turf.
Ponzi Scheme won at 12-1 with spill wiping out 5 of the 8 runners
http://www.drf.com/news/monmouth-ponzi-scheme-takes-spill-marred-decathlon
5:23 p.m. ET - Lone Star - 7th - 1 1/16 - Texas Stallion - 3yo F - TX bred - 8 starters (two horse entry of owner Tom Durant) led by 1-2-4 finishers of the Two Altzano at Sam Houston on February 18.
Luis Quinonez sweeps the Lone Star stakes on Saturday taking the filly version with Im a Bear as part of 2-1 2nd favorite Tom Durant owned entry.
7:15 p.m. ET - Golden Gate - 7th - 1 1/16 Turf - Alcatraz - 3yo - Field of seven with four shipping up from SoCal led by Pasadena and Eddie Logan winner Chips All In for Jeff Mullins and John Sadler trained Stoney Fleece whose last win was in the Generous last November at Hollywood Park.
SoCal raiders take first three spots with Stoney Fleece at 5-2 defeats Chips All In by a nose.
10:37 p.m. ET - Prairie Meadows - 8th - 6F - John Wayne -4up C&G - 11 Iowa bred sprinters led by top 3 finishers from 2011 edition including winner Mutti Blues, Wings of War who has won 3 of 4 this year including two at Oaklawn, and the 7 year old gelding Kate's Main Man - earner of over $500k - looking for his first win in ten months.
Trainer Chris Richard's two starters - Mutti Blues and Cresco Direct Hit dueled with the latter pulling away to win by a length and a half at 7-2.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
North American Racing - Friday, May 11, 2012
Lincoln Race Course in Nebraska begins final meeting of 29 days through July 8th. Track will keep open simulcast facility through September 2013 but demolition of horse barns will begin in September to allow for more parking for University of Nebraska basketball games (WTF???). Plans for new mile racetrack in Lincoln are being finalized.
2:41 p.m ET - Woodbine - 4th - 7F - AlwN1X - 3yo F - 2nd career start for Johannes after winning wire to wire by widening 11 1/2 lengths in debut in MSW at Woodbine earning 96 Beyer. She is a half-sister to Devereux who ran 2nd in Matt Winn at CD in 2008 and faces six rivals.
7-20 favorite Johannes beaten into third with 9-1 Man Stuff wiring the field under Eurico Rosa da Silva.
2:58 p.m. ET - Belmont - 5th - 7F Turf - OC25k/N1X - 3up F&M - Full field on the lawn in the middle of a Belmont Friday card that has four New York bred races. Trainer Jimmy Toner was 0 for 24 since moving stable from Aqueduct last fall but his last three starters have all been winners including Winter Memories winning the Beaugay on Saturday. He sends out 4 year old Fire Assay out of the millionaire mare Jostle in her first start in four months. Steve Klesaris saddles Minestrone - half sister to millionaire Riboletta (who won the majority of money on the dirt) . Trainer Mike Stidham looks for his first win on the New York circuit in over a year with Cobra Farm homebred Sweet Miss Avery. Kiaran McLaughlin sends out likely favorite in Darley homebred Questing who was stakes-placed in England last year and finished 5th in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies race in her only dirt start.
Irish bred Sylvestris scores in her 3rd American start for Bobby Barbara at 19-1 with Darley's Questing running 5th as 35-20 favs.
6:32 p.m. ET - Arlington - 6th - 6F - OC40k/N2X - 3up - The Ingrid Mason 3 year old trainee Apprehender may be one of the fastest 3 year olds in the Midwest. His mother was the very quick Missy's Mirage trained by Allen Jerkins and his last race was frontrunning 2nd in the Bachelor at Oaklawn. He faces a tough field of seven older sprinters
Synth negates the speed of Apprehender who finishes last in field of five as 11-10 favs - Savoy Stable's Conchacer wires field as 8-5 2nd favorite for trainer Dale Bennett.
8:31 p.m. ET - Lone Star Park - 3rd - 4 1/2F - MSW - 2yo - 10 entered included two entries from the W. Bret Calhoun barn and one from Steve Asmussen. Sleeper may be Poindexter Thoroughbreds homebred Redstone Mist trained by Francisco Bravo who has won 2 of 5 two year old first timer starts in past five years.
Jockey Larry Taylor wires field on 16-1 longshot Pardonmecomingthru by a neck over 2-1 favorite Miss Goodthing from the Asmussen barn. Redstone Mist checks in 5th at 13-1.
10:37 p.m. ET - Prairie Meadows - 8th - 6F - Mamie Eisenhower - 4up F&M - Evenly matched field of six led by 6 year old mare Sakakawea who is going for her third consecutive win in the stakes and her 10th win in 20 career starts.She has to beat 4 year old challengers Someplace Else trained by Kelly Von Hemel and Ginger Added trained by Dick Clark.
Sakakawea wires field to take her third straight Mamie Eisenhower at 7-2 for her 10 win in 20 career starts and 9 win in 11 Prairie Meadows races.
11:35 p.m. ET - Hollywood - 4th - 6F - OC80k/N1X - 3yo F - Baffert sends out half sister to Soldat - My Selection - for third lifetime start after fading to last in field of four last time on the slop at Santa Anita. She faces four rivals including Cal bred Heleonor Rugby making her 11th career start for trainer AC Avila having already earned $231k running mainly in Cal bred races.
My Selection wins her 2nd start at 3-1 by three quarters length under Rafael Bejarano.
Lincoln Race Course in Nebraska begins final meeting of 29 days through July 8th. Track will keep open simulcast facility through September 2013 but demolition of horse barns will begin in September to allow for more parking for University of Nebraska basketball games (WTF???). Plans for new mile racetrack in Lincoln are being finalized.
2:41 p.m ET - Woodbine - 4th - 7F - AlwN1X - 3yo F - 2nd career start for Johannes after winning wire to wire by widening 11 1/2 lengths in debut in MSW at Woodbine earning 96 Beyer. She is a half-sister to Devereux who ran 2nd in Matt Winn at CD in 2008 and faces six rivals.
7-20 favorite Johannes beaten into third with 9-1 Man Stuff wiring the field under Eurico Rosa da Silva.
2:58 p.m. ET - Belmont - 5th - 7F Turf - OC25k/N1X - 3up F&M - Full field on the lawn in the middle of a Belmont Friday card that has four New York bred races. Trainer Jimmy Toner was 0 for 24 since moving stable from Aqueduct last fall but his last three starters have all been winners including Winter Memories winning the Beaugay on Saturday. He sends out 4 year old Fire Assay out of the millionaire mare Jostle in her first start in four months. Steve Klesaris saddles Minestrone - half sister to millionaire Riboletta (who won the majority of money on the dirt) . Trainer Mike Stidham looks for his first win on the New York circuit in over a year with Cobra Farm homebred Sweet Miss Avery. Kiaran McLaughlin sends out likely favorite in Darley homebred Questing who was stakes-placed in England last year and finished 5th in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies race in her only dirt start.
Irish bred Sylvestris scores in her 3rd American start for Bobby Barbara at 19-1 with Darley's Questing running 5th as 35-20 favs.
6:32 p.m. ET - Arlington - 6th - 6F - OC40k/N2X - 3up - The Ingrid Mason 3 year old trainee Apprehender may be one of the fastest 3 year olds in the Midwest. His mother was the very quick Missy's Mirage trained by Allen Jerkins and his last race was frontrunning 2nd in the Bachelor at Oaklawn. He faces a tough field of seven older sprinters
Synth negates the speed of Apprehender who finishes last in field of five as 11-10 favs - Savoy Stable's Conchacer wires field as 8-5 2nd favorite for trainer Dale Bennett.
8:31 p.m. ET - Lone Star Park - 3rd - 4 1/2F - MSW - 2yo - 10 entered included two entries from the W. Bret Calhoun barn and one from Steve Asmussen. Sleeper may be Poindexter Thoroughbreds homebred Redstone Mist trained by Francisco Bravo who has won 2 of 5 two year old first timer starts in past five years.
Jockey Larry Taylor wires field on 16-1 longshot Pardonmecomingthru by a neck over 2-1 favorite Miss Goodthing from the Asmussen barn. Redstone Mist checks in 5th at 13-1.
10:37 p.m. ET - Prairie Meadows - 8th - 6F - Mamie Eisenhower - 4up F&M - Evenly matched field of six led by 6 year old mare Sakakawea who is going for her third consecutive win in the stakes and her 10th win in 20 career starts.She has to beat 4 year old challengers Someplace Else trained by Kelly Von Hemel and Ginger Added trained by Dick Clark.
Sakakawea wires field to take her third straight Mamie Eisenhower at 7-2 for her 10 win in 20 career starts and 9 win in 11 Prairie Meadows races.
11:35 p.m. ET - Hollywood - 4th - 6F - OC80k/N1X - 3yo F - Baffert sends out half sister to Soldat - My Selection - for third lifetime start after fading to last in field of four last time on the slop at Santa Anita. She faces four rivals including Cal bred Heleonor Rugby making her 11th career start for trainer AC Avila having already earned $231k running mainly in Cal bred races.
My Selection wins her 2nd start at 3-1 by three quarters length under Rafael Bejarano.
North American Racing - Thursday, May 10, 2012
4:29 p.m. ET - Churchill - 8th - AlwN1X - 1 1/16 - 3up - Another Flower Alley 3 year old likely to be favorite in field of 7 - Neck 'n Neck who returns to allowance ranks after finishing middle of pack in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby meets five 4 year olds and one other 3 year old - Eddie Kenneally trained Quiet Man shipping in off two straight wins at Aqueduct.
3-10 favs Neck 'n Neck widened throughout the lane to win by 6 1/2 lengths - likely to go back into stakes next time out in the Matt Winn on Foster Day at Churchill.
4:34 p.m. ET - Belmont - 8th - Diablo overnight stakes - 6F - 3up - Top notch field of seven led by Grade I winner Jersey Town who gets rematch against Todd Pletcher trained Travelin Man who defeated him at Gulfstream two months ago by a half-length on Florida Derby Day. Field also includes Rick Dutrow trained This Ones for Phil and the quickest Arkansas bred in years - 5 year old gelding Comedero (throw out the last stinker at Keeneland).
7-1 Royal Currier shook loose from Comedero entering at the quarter pole and drew off to a comfortable win under Rajiv Marah. Travelin Man broke poorly and never got into the race.
4:29 p.m. ET - Churchill - 8th - AlwN1X - 1 1/16 - 3up - Another Flower Alley 3 year old likely to be favorite in field of 7 - Neck 'n Neck who returns to allowance ranks after finishing middle of pack in the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby meets five 4 year olds and one other 3 year old - Eddie Kenneally trained Quiet Man shipping in off two straight wins at Aqueduct.
3-10 favs Neck 'n Neck widened throughout the lane to win by 6 1/2 lengths - likely to go back into stakes next time out in the Matt Winn on Foster Day at Churchill.
4:34 p.m. ET - Belmont - 8th - Diablo overnight stakes - 6F - 3up - Top notch field of seven led by Grade I winner Jersey Town who gets rematch against Todd Pletcher trained Travelin Man who defeated him at Gulfstream two months ago by a half-length on Florida Derby Day. Field also includes Rick Dutrow trained This Ones for Phil and the quickest Arkansas bred in years - 5 year old gelding Comedero (throw out the last stinker at Keeneland).
7-1 Royal Currier shook loose from Comedero entering at the quarter pole and drew off to a comfortable win under Rajiv Marah. Travelin Man broke poorly and never got into the race.
Monday, May 07, 2012
North American Racing - Wednesday, May 9, 2012
1:54 p.m. ET - Belmont - 3rd - MSW - 2yo - Wesley Ward's Traveling Two Year Old Road Show continue at Belmont with two fillies entered to face six rivals in field of six with two entries. Ward has 2 for 16 strike rate past five years at Belmont. Main danger looks like the Kelly Breen first starter Bern Identity for the Halls - connections won 2 year old race a week ago at Belmont.
Ward trained Sweet Shirley Mae wires field by a length and a half as 17-20 favorite with Breen's Bern Identity finishing 2nd. Ward has 5 wins from 18 2 year old first time starters in 2012 but he started an entry in four races. So he has won 5 of the 14 races he has started a first time two year old. Only one of his two year olds has gone off at double digit odds (finished 6th).
4:34 p.m. ET - Belmont - 8th - Marta overnight stakes - 6 1/2F - 3up F&M - five entries led by 7-5 morning line favorite Her Smile making her third start for Stronach Stables and trainer Chad Brown.
Pimlico shipper Aquitania wins by three and a quarter under Ramon Dominguez with 3-5 favs Her Smile running 4th and last by 8 1/2 lengths. Luckily for some there was no show better.
1:54 p.m. ET - Belmont - 3rd - MSW - 2yo - Wesley Ward's Traveling Two Year Old Road Show continue at Belmont with two fillies entered to face six rivals in field of six with two entries. Ward has 2 for 16 strike rate past five years at Belmont. Main danger looks like the Kelly Breen first starter Bern Identity for the Halls - connections won 2 year old race a week ago at Belmont.
Ward trained Sweet Shirley Mae wires field by a length and a half as 17-20 favorite with Breen's Bern Identity finishing 2nd. Ward has 5 wins from 18 2 year old first time starters in 2012 but he started an entry in four races. So he has won 5 of the 14 races he has started a first time two year old. Only one of his two year olds has gone off at double digit odds (finished 6th).
4:34 p.m. ET - Belmont - 8th - Marta overnight stakes - 6 1/2F - 3up F&M - five entries led by 7-5 morning line favorite Her Smile making her third start for Stronach Stables and trainer Chad Brown.
Pimlico shipper Aquitania wins by three and a quarter under Ramon Dominguez with 3-5 favs Her Smile running 4th and last by 8 1/2 lengths. Luckily for some there was no show better.
North American Racing - Tuesday, May 8, 2012
1:38 p.m. ET - Parx - 4th Race - 6F - Maiden Special Weight - 3,4,5 yo - $340k yearling purchase Spin Zone meets five foes and attempts to break maiden in fifth career start for Fox Hill Farm and his first start after moving to John Servis barn from Steve Hobby's barn at Oaklawn. 1/2 brother to 2010 Iowa and Virginia Derby winner Concord Point.
Spin Zone won by 9 1/4 lengths as 3-10 favs.
10:20 p.m. ET - Mountaineer - 9th race - 5 1/2F - Allowance NW2L - 3yo F - Kentucky Juvenile Filly winner Charming Vixen makes her 3 year old debut for Tom Amoss after working at Fair Grounds and Churchill. Listed as 2-5 morning line favorite - Amoss has 35% Win rate and 75% ITM rate at track over past five years.
Bella the Princess upset from the rail at 23-1 with 1-10 favorite Charming Vixen finishing 3rd.
1:38 p.m. ET - Parx - 4th Race - 6F - Maiden Special Weight - 3,4,5 yo - $340k yearling purchase Spin Zone meets five foes and attempts to break maiden in fifth career start for Fox Hill Farm and his first start after moving to John Servis barn from Steve Hobby's barn at Oaklawn. 1/2 brother to 2010 Iowa and Virginia Derby winner Concord Point.
Spin Zone won by 9 1/4 lengths as 3-10 favs.
10:20 p.m. ET - Mountaineer - 9th race - 5 1/2F - Allowance NW2L - 3yo F - Kentucky Juvenile Filly winner Charming Vixen makes her 3 year old debut for Tom Amoss after working at Fair Grounds and Churchill. Listed as 2-5 morning line favorite - Amoss has 35% Win rate and 75% ITM rate at track over past five years.
Bella the Princess upset from the rail at 23-1 with 1-10 favorite Charming Vixen finishing 3rd.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Second Place Derby Finishes
With the game effort of Bodemeister finishing 2nd in the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert has now finished 2nd in the race three times (to go along with his three victories). This ties him with Woody Stephens for the record number of 2nd place finishes in the race.
Zayat Stable of Ahmed Zayat has now finished 2nd in three of the last four Kentucky Derbies - all with horses who had a lead in the stretch run. This equals record of three Derby runner-up finishes of Dixiana stable of Charles Fisher who finished 2nd in the 1931, 1946, and 1952 Derbies.
Claire Novak had nice piece on ESPN website on Ahmed Zayat this week - this story continues....
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7893631/zayat-gets-away-all
With the game effort of Bodemeister finishing 2nd in the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert has now finished 2nd in the race three times (to go along with his three victories). This ties him with Woody Stephens for the record number of 2nd place finishes in the race.
Zayat Stable of Ahmed Zayat has now finished 2nd in three of the last four Kentucky Derbies - all with horses who had a lead in the stretch run. This equals record of three Derby runner-up finishes of Dixiana stable of Charles Fisher who finished 2nd in the 1931, 1946, and 1952 Derbies.
Claire Novak had nice piece on ESPN website on Ahmed Zayat this week - this story continues....
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7893631/zayat-gets-away-all
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Derby Worthiness - Owners in the 138th Running
Not Derby Worthy
Hansen - Dr. Kendall Hansen - a gasser who claims to have "made his living" wagering on horses and keeps trying to dye Hansen's tail.
Dullahan - Donegal Racing - ran 3rd with Paddy O'Prado in 2010 Derby
Went the Day Well - Team Valor - won 2011 Derby with Animal Kingdom - another win for Barry Irwin would be insufferable
El Padrino - Let's Go Stable - first Derby starter for two rather young guys
Trinniberg - Shivananda Racing - first Derby starter
Prospective - John Oxley - already a Derby winner with Monarchos in 2001
I'll Have Another - J. Paul Reddam - owner since 1998 - founded and sold Ditech - President of CashCall which sponsors the Hollywood Futurity - partner in Wilko who ran 6th in 2005 and owned two also rans in 2007
Daddy Nose Best - Cathy and Bob Zollars - partners in two Derby also rans in 2001 and 2002- owned horses since late 1990s - co-founder of engineering/architectural firm in Dallas.
Gemologist - Winstar Farms - already a Derby winner with Super Saver in 2010
Daddy Long Legs - Coolmore - Michael Tabor already won Derby in 1995 with Thunder Gulch
Take Charge Indy - Chuck and Marlbeth Sandford - founded Bag Makers - leading supplier of corporate marketing bags - racehorse owners since 2009. First Derby starter.
Derby Worthy
ranked from least to most worthy - all stables running homebreds are considered worthy.
Rousing Sermon - Mr and Mrs Larry D Williams - homebred who was raised in Idaho but is a Cal-bred. Owners operate Les Bois Park (racetrack) in Boise. Founded Idaho Timber in 1970 and are major Boise State University supporters. On May 5, 1962, Decidedly won the 88th Derby by two and a quarter lengths under Bill Hartack. He was the last Cal-bred to win the Derby. Now exactly fifty year later to the day, .....
Bodemeister - Zayat Stable - Ahmed Zayat - has run second twice in race (last year and 2009) and had likely 2010 post time favorite Eskendereya until he was retired on the Sunday of Derby week. Zayat's financial troubles were a significant story in the run-up to the 2010 Derby. He sold a portion of the colt last week to Southern Equine. The colt named after Baffert's son is too good a story not to be considered worthy.
Done Talking - Skeedattle Stable - homebred - partnership of three men - two who are longtime friends and own overhead door company in Maryland. First Derby starter.
Mark Valeski - Brereton Jones - homebred - KY Governor from 1991-95 and longtime horse breeder/owner with Airdrie Stud - much of which is situated on the original Woodburn Stud farm that bred four 19th century Derby winners.
Creative Cause - Heinz Steinmann - 80 year old Swiss born whose family developed Mountain High Ski area near LA and who has owned race horses for more than 35 years - first Derby starter. Nice Steve Haskin story on the connections: http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2012/04/28/harrington-s-leap-of-faith.aspx
Alpha - Godolphin - Sheikh Mohammad - homebred - purchase of 1992 Derby winter book favorite - Arazi who finished 8th - was first foray of his quest for Kentucky Derby winner (he has already won majority of European Derbies as well as the UAE Derby). Under the famed blue Godolphin silks, he has seven starters since 1999 - none of which finished better than 6th. This is the first Godolphin starter in the Derby not trained by Saeed bin Suroor - Kieran McLaughlin has had him since he started racing wearing the Darley silks. Chances must be considered enhanced if the great man himself travels to Kentucky.
Sabercat - Winchell Thoroughbreds - stable started under father Verne Winchell - the Donut King - and has six Derby starters dating back to Classic Go Go's fourth in 1981 and running through losses of Tapit, Zanjero, and Pyro (one time Derby winter book favorite) in past decade. The first horse Winchell bought at auction he named Donut King who won the 1961 Champagne and was trained for the 88th Derby by a young trainer named Ron McAnally. He was scratched the morning of the race due to a hoof infection. Now a half-century later, ......
Union Rags - Chadds Ford Stable - homebred of Phyllis Wyeth - her family's Hickory Tree Stable started Believe It who ran 3rd in 1978 and Chumming who ran 12th in 1983. Devil's Bag was heavy winter book favorite during runup to 1984 Derby. Horse is stabled in Barbaro's same stall at Churchill - Barn 42, Stall 10. Same trainer (Michael Matz) and groom (Eduardo Hernandez). Read Philly Inquirer story on owner Phyllis Wyeth http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-29/news/31474975_1_jamie-wyeth-wyeth-family-paintings-brandywine-river or watch this video http://www.trackpackpa.com/union-rags/ This is the story of Derby 138.
Not Derby Worthy
Hansen - Dr. Kendall Hansen - a gasser who claims to have "made his living" wagering on horses and keeps trying to dye Hansen's tail.
Optimizer - Bluegrass Hall (Brad Kelley) - American billionaire - founded and sold discount tobacco company for $1 billion. Likely owner of Calumet Farm in near future.
Liaison - Arnold Zetcher - second Derby starter (Midnight Interlude ran 16th last year) - owned horses for 13 years - significant player in California racing who attempted to bid for Santa Anita Park ownership on the TOC's dime per Roger Stein.
Went the Day Well - Team Valor - won 2011 Derby with Animal Kingdom - another win for Barry Irwin would be insufferable
El Padrino - Let's Go Stable - first Derby starter for two rather young guys
Trinniberg - Shivananda Racing - first Derby starter
Prospective - John Oxley - already a Derby winner with Monarchos in 2001
I'll Have Another - J. Paul Reddam - owner since 1998 - founded and sold Ditech - President of CashCall which sponsors the Hollywood Futurity - partner in Wilko who ran 6th in 2005 and owned two also rans in 2007
Daddy Nose Best - Cathy and Bob Zollars - partners in two Derby also rans in 2001 and 2002- owned horses since late 1990s - co-founder of engineering/architectural firm in Dallas.
Gemologist - Winstar Farms - already a Derby winner with Super Saver in 2010
Daddy Long Legs - Coolmore - Michael Tabor already won Derby in 1995 with Thunder Gulch
Take Charge Indy - Chuck and Marlbeth Sandford - founded Bag Makers - leading supplier of corporate marketing bags - racehorse owners since 2009. First Derby starter.
Derby Worthy
ranked from least to most worthy - all stables running homebreds are considered worthy.
Rousing Sermon - Mr and Mrs Larry D Williams - homebred who was raised in Idaho but is a Cal-bred. Owners operate Les Bois Park (racetrack) in Boise. Founded Idaho Timber in 1970 and are major Boise State University supporters. On May 5, 1962, Decidedly won the 88th Derby by two and a quarter lengths under Bill Hartack. He was the last Cal-bred to win the Derby. Now exactly fifty year later to the day, .....
Bodemeister - Zayat Stable - Ahmed Zayat - has run second twice in race (last year and 2009) and had likely 2010 post time favorite Eskendereya until he was retired on the Sunday of Derby week. Zayat's financial troubles were a significant story in the run-up to the 2010 Derby. He sold a portion of the colt last week to Southern Equine. The colt named after Baffert's son is too good a story not to be considered worthy.
Done Talking - Skeedattle Stable - homebred - partnership of three men - two who are longtime friends and own overhead door company in Maryland. First Derby starter.
Creative Cause - Heinz Steinmann - 80 year old Swiss born whose family developed Mountain High Ski area near LA and who has owned race horses for more than 35 years - first Derby starter. Nice Steve Haskin story on the connections: http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2012/04/28/harrington-s-leap-of-faith.aspx
Alpha - Godolphin - Sheikh Mohammad - homebred - purchase of 1992 Derby winter book favorite - Arazi who finished 8th - was first foray of his quest for Kentucky Derby winner (he has already won majority of European Derbies as well as the UAE Derby). Under the famed blue Godolphin silks, he has seven starters since 1999 - none of which finished better than 6th. This is the first Godolphin starter in the Derby not trained by Saeed bin Suroor - Kieran McLaughlin has had him since he started racing wearing the Darley silks. Chances must be considered enhanced if the great man himself travels to Kentucky.
Sabercat - Winchell Thoroughbreds - stable started under father Verne Winchell - the Donut King - and has six Derby starters dating back to Classic Go Go's fourth in 1981 and running through losses of Tapit, Zanjero, and Pyro (one time Derby winter book favorite) in past decade. The first horse Winchell bought at auction he named Donut King who won the 1961 Champagne and was trained for the 88th Derby by a young trainer named Ron McAnally. He was scratched the morning of the race due to a hoof infection. Now a half-century later, ......
Union Rags - Chadds Ford Stable - homebred of Phyllis Wyeth - her family's Hickory Tree Stable started Believe It who ran 3rd in 1978 and Chumming who ran 12th in 1983. Devil's Bag was heavy winter book favorite during runup to 1984 Derby. Horse is stabled in Barbaro's same stall at Churchill - Barn 42, Stall 10. Same trainer (Michael Matz) and groom (Eduardo Hernandez). Read Philly Inquirer story on owner Phyllis Wyeth http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-29/news/31474975_1_jamie-wyeth-wyeth-family-paintings-brandywine-river or watch this video http://www.trackpackpa.com/union-rags/ This is the story of Derby 138.
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