Ky. Derby Trail: Louisville Shuffle

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As often happens on the Kentucky Derby trail, they fell like proverbial bowling pins last weekend, although two of the bigger names reinforced their strong position. Not all the vanquished will be taken off the trail, as some deserve another chance after racing on less than desirable surfaces, but they have put themselves in a desperate situation.

It was mentioned last week about the second wave that usually hits around this time. While that held up to a very small degree, in the form of one horse, those we expected to provide the fresh blood all failed miserably.

Rather than concentrate on the races, we will focus on the horses in the form of expanded comments on the Derby Dozen, and then we’ll get to the others who ran on Saturday..

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49690/ky-derby-trail-louisville-shuffle

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1. Is racing a sport?

When Charles Darwin postulated his theory about survival of the fittest, he probably wasn't thinking about Thoroughbred racing. Or perhaps he was.

According to Darwin, life is a competition for limited available resources. So it is whenever there are trying economic times.

One group of people points to another as the source of the problem. It is those people who are taking the bread out of my mouth. Or so it goes.

Just such an argument is going on right now in blog land among some racing fans. On one side are those who claim horse racing is a sport — a competition between equine athletes, with the best being the victor.

http://www.troyrecord.com/articles/2009/03/20/sports/horseracing/doc49c3281cd327e942006000.txt

[trumad]

10. Don't respond to the little dumb asses on this forum who don't think it's a sport.

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11. Hell, no one on this forum has been an asshole about it...

I think it's funny if someone says racing is not a sport. I would be more than glad to debate someone on the issue or take them to the track and show them what this sport is all about.

DU Sports Forum has the best racing coverage of any of the bulletin boards out there. We are always here for the big stakes races. We talk about real issues like breakdowns, medication, breeding, etc. Leading into the TC and the BC, if you check the racing threads, you should have a good idea who is a contender and who is a pretender. Every issue is up for discussion. We are the best.

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2. Thompson to Ride Old Fashioned

(Edited press release)

Leading jockey Terry Thompson has dominated the fierce riding colony at this Oaklawn Park meeting so far. The 37-year-old jockey holds a commanding lead atop the jockey standings, with 38 wins as of Thursday’s races. Chris Emigh sits in second with 26 wins. Not bad for one of Oaklawn’s fan favorites.

To put icing on the cake, trainer Larry Jones announced that Thompson will now ride Fox Hill Farms’ Old Fashioned in the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) April 11th. Thompson has been no stranger to the Arkansas Derby as he won the 2003 edition with Sir Cherokee . The duo of Jones and Thompson also has had success in years past, winning the Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) at Oaklawn with Ruby’s Reception and the Acorn Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park on Island Sand.

“I have been getting on the colt in the mornings working him, and we have worked well together,” Thompson said before the March 20 races. “He is an easy colt to ride, and there is nothing tricky about him. The first time I worked this horse, I knew he was a prospect. There is a presence about him. When I am on Old Fashioned, I have the feeling of being on something special.”

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49770/thompson-to-ride-old-fashioned

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3. Wow! Dunkirk the Derby favorite among Brits

European layers William Hill have reported strong interest in the Todd Pletcher trained Dunkirk for the Kentucky Derby. The bookmakers were offering odds of 14-1 about the unbeaten three year old winning the first leg of the triple crown, but the money they saw on Thursday has forced the firm to cut him to 11-1 clear favourite for the race.

Dunkirk is expected to start his campaign in the Florida Derby on the 28th of March and he may have to win that race to qualify for the Kentucky Derby.

The recent Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire, The San Felipe Stakes winner Pioneer Of The Nile and the Fountain of Youth Stakes scorer Quality Road are next in the betting on 12-1.

Meanwhile, The John Gosden-trained three-year-old Mafaaz showed a willing attitude to win the inaugural running of the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park on Wednesday. The win guarantees Mafaaz a starting berth at Churchill Downs and he is now rated a 33-1 shot by William Hill to win the Kentucky contest.

http://paulmoranattheraces.blogspot.com/2009/03/wow-dunkirk-derby-favorite-among-brits.html

Sorry, trumad.

[Justpat]

4. The 500,000 Lanes End for three year olds at Turfway today.

Pletcher's Bittel Road is the favorite. West Side Bernie second choice.


http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/TP032109USA-EQB.html#RN10

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5. Hold Me Back with Desormeaux up wins the Lanes End...

Flying Private 2nd Proceed Bee 3rd. Big payouts.

Lukas might have a Derby horse with Flying Private.

[Justpat]

6. I'm still waiting to see it on TVG.

What happened to Pletcher's horse?

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7. Finished up the track. Beat two horses I think.

[Justpat]

8. I just watched it.

So far he has only won on artificial surface.
He didn't run well in the Remson on the dirt.

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9. Looks like the Toddster oughta keep him on the fake stuff...

why do I take such joy in seeing Pletcher get beat?

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12. Chart for the Lane's End at Turfway

http://drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=TP&CTY=USA&DATE=20090321&RN=10

Check those prices!

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13. Derby updates and news

Mr. Fantasy Being Pointed Toward Wood
West Point Thoroughbreds’ president Terry Finley said Mr. Fantasy, who finished third in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III), would most likely run in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) on April 4 for his next start. The $500,000 Illinois Derby (gr. II) had also been considered for the son of E Dubai .

“We’re about 80 or 90 percent sure he’ll go in the Wood,” Finley said March 21. “This way, he doesn’t have to ship and he’s already run well over the racetrack. Hopefully, he’ll take a step forward from the Gotham.

“The other reason we’re leaning towards the Wood is that he can run first or second there and still probably have enough earnings for the (Kentucky) Derby. He’d have to win the Illinois Derby to get in since it’s for $500,000.”

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49771/mr-fantasy-being-pointed-toward-wood

As much as I would like to see a grandson of the great Spectacular Bid run and win this year's Derby I think Mr. Fantasy should be competing against other NYbreds and not GI company. He's a nice horse and it's a shame to keep running him over his head.

Dunkirk, Quality Road Post Sharp Drills
Dunkirk and Quality Road, the two likely favorites for the $750,000 Florida Derby (gr. I) on March 28 at Gulfstream Park, posted impressive workouts on a fast track on the morning of March 21 at Palm Meadows.

Dunkirk, working in company with highly-regarded stablemate Affirmatif, was timed a ‘bullet’ five furlongs in 1:00:15 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Quality Road was timed in 1:25 for seven furlongs for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, the only horse working that distance on the tab.

Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith own Dunkirk, a $3.7-million yearling who has won both of his prior starts impressively. Pletcher left shortly after training hours for a flight to Kentucky where he sends out James Scatuorchio and John Iracane’s 3-year-old Bittel Road as the morning-line favorite in the $500,000 Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park.

Later in the morning Jerkens said of Quality Road, who won the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (gr. II) by more than four lengths on Feb. 28: “He worked good. He went early so it was kind of hard to see, but I got the first half in 48 and change and the last quarter in 23. It was a good work. We’re only a week away, but we didn’t want him to go too fast.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49774/dunkirk-quality-road-post-sharp-drills

Mafaaz Earns Berth in Kentucky Derby
Sheikh Hamdan’s Mafaaz held off a trio of horses at the wire to win the $115,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at England’s Kempton Park March 18 and earned an automatic berth in the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on May 2.

Trainer John Gosden said after the race that Mafaaz likely will now be sent to Keeneland for the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I).

"I've got him in the Blue Grass Stakes, which is a big Derby trial over a mile and an eighth on the same surface as this, and from there it's only a van drive to Churchill Downs," Gosden told The Racing Post. "If he wins there and is in good order he'll go there (to the Kentucky Derby), and if he runs there that's where I'll be, even though it's Guineas weekend. It's where I started, and I'd want to be there."

Gosden added: "This is a great concept - very bold - and the more international our outlook the better. Any initiative like this must be supported."

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49728/mafaaz-earns-berth-in-kentucky-derby

WTF?

Chocolate Candy Shipped to Santa Anita
El Camino Real Derby (gr. III) winner Chocolate Candy was expected to arrive at Santa Anita on the afternoon of March 21 from the Bay Area to begin final preparations for the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 4.

Expected to be the third choice behind Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse, Chocolate Candy has not raced since winning the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields on Feb. 14. The Santa Anita Derby would be his first race in more than six weeks.

Jerry Hollendorfer, one of only four trainers in history to achieve more than 5,000 career victories, said the relatively light schedule for the son of Candy Ride is by design.

“You have to be concerned about everything, but I didn’t want to dance every dance with this horse,” Hollendorfer said. “He should run very well fresh. We’re not going to worry about it. He’ll have one breeze here, and then a blowout.”

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/49773/chocolate-candy-shipped-to-santa-anita

[trumad]

14. I'll be seeing Dunkirk and Quality Road up close on Saturday..

I scored a ticket front row---on the finish line.

I'm heading down from Orlando Saturday Morning---checking into the Westin on Hollywood Beach---A fantastic hotel--- I'll then head over to the track---about 2 miles away... I'm going to try and catch the DUBAI WORLD CUP shown via simulcast---have some lunch and tighten up my handicapping for the day, grab my seat--- and enjoy the full card.

After the race I'll head over to Tootsies for a couple of outstanding lap dances--- hopefully paid for with my daily winnings--- I'll head back to the hotel--- rest up and finish the night off at Hollywood Prime steak house.

And I'm doing it alone. No family---no friends, nada... simply because they distract me at the track.

A day of solitude at one of the best tracks in the country---Florida Spring weather--- Beautiful horses---Great Jockeys--- and outstanding card--- etc...etc...etc... oooppps--forgot hot babes at Tootsies.

BTW: Two Gun---any opinion of the DUBAI?

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15. No opinion on Dubai

jakefrep and aaronbees know a lot more about the racing there than I do. Have a great time at the track, trumad. Wish I was going with you. I'm jonesing for some spring weather, Calle Ocho, cuban coffee and good racing.

[Justpat]

16. My daughter is going to be at the races in Dubai.

I'll see if she is interested in doing some blogging.

[trumad]

17. Awesome

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18. Really?

That would be so cool. I'd love to get her perspective on racing in Dubai. No betting, just horses. Although, when I was in the Persian Gulf I attended some camel races and while they didn't have any pari-mutual windows I did see some wagering going on.

[Justpat]

19. Yes.

She is going to be there for a couple of weeks.

I'll ask her if she is interested in keeping in touch with us somehow about how the horses
look and stuff. She knows what she is talking about. She has worked for us for about ten years
galloping horses and running the barn.

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20. Racing is more fun when it's a family business....

good for you guys. I look forward to hearing her reports.

[northernsoul]

25. Good for you!

I'll start some handicapping when the PPs are published tomorrow.

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21. Developing story: Deal in works for a share of I Want Revenge

A sale is imminent for half of I Want Revenge, the runaway winner of last month's Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, owner David Lanzman confirmed on Saturday. The Gotham was the first race on dirt for I Want Revenge, who is trained in California by Jeff Mullins

"There's a lot of stuff going on. I can't say exactly what yet," Lanzman said when reached by phone in California. "All I can say is that I will retain control of the horse, and Jeff will not lose the horse."

Although Lanzman would not confirm any parties involved in the negotiations, Michael Iavarone, the co-president of the IEAH Stables syndicate that won last year's Kentucky Derby with Big Brown, confirmed that he is in negotiations with Lanzman regarding I Want Revenge.

"I think it would be premature to say a deal is done," Iavarone said by telephone. "I've been speaking with him. We're very interested in the horse, as we should be. But nothing's done yet. I don't want to jump the gun. We're very interested. Extremely interested. And hopeful."

http://www.drf.com/news/article/102406.html

[trumad]

23. Nice horse===chewing up that last furlong.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfltA5R9gYA

[northernsoul]

26. Great horse

I hope IEAH doesn't screw it up for him. I don't have a good feeling about that organization.

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27. Hedge fund managers have a little bit of a stink right now...

I'm no fan of Iavorone, IEAH or the trainers they use. We'll see how this shakes out. I hate seeing someone buy their way into the Derby but, that's how the business works. I can't fault the owners willing to sell a piece of the horse. It's hard to make money in the racing business and you've gotta take the money when you get the chance.

Glad to see you back on the racing threads. Good luck with your handicapping.

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22. Trainer, horse forge lifelong bond

TRAINER KENNY SMITH travels through Oklahoma on Highway 69 about once every 45 days on his way to Will Rogers Downs in Claremore and when he does, he makes a pit stop about halfway between McAlester and Hartshorne.

He pulls his truck up to a farm out in the middle of Nowhere, Okla., in the small town of Bache. Smith gets out and trudges toward the barn to visit an old friend. His friend is getting up there in age so at times one has to wonder if he remembers Smith. But the gentleman with the cowboy hat has a little trick that helps his elderly friend recall.

"I bring him peppermints," Smith said. "He remembers anyone who has those."

His friend's name is Silver Goblin, an 18-year-old horse who made a lot of memories for Oklahoma race fans and now lives at owner Al Horton's farm. That age is among the senior citizen set for horses. He may have his fuzzy moments, but he still loves to see Smith. If the horse's memory is hazy, the memories the horse made for fans are unforgettable.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?subjectid=29&articleid=20090321_29_B2_TRAINE325344

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24. Hey, a kennedy, here's a roan or gray Derby horse for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD0BPwIHWHA