2011 Kentucky Derby Info/News

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY APRIL 11, 2011

Trainer Peter Miller might be having a change of heart regarding COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie), telling Daily Racing Form Sunday that the gelding could still end up contesting the Kentucky Derby (G1) despite his earlier statements to the contrary. Comma to the Top was recently withdrawn from the third and final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager when Miller revealed his intentions to skip the Run for the Roses.

Yet Miller re-opened the Kentucky Derby door less than 24 hours later, and cited the shocking upset of Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) in Saturday's Wood Memorial (G1) as a contributing factor. "The way he ran, and after Uncle Mo's loss and everything else, I think we may need to re-evaluate and keep our options open," Miller told the DRF. "I'll discuss it with the owners. He looked super, and he ate up. He was bouncing around this morning, and he jogged down the road like a Marine."...

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2011

A day after Uncle Mo finished third as the overwhelming favorite in the Resorts World New York Casino Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct, trainer Todd Pletcher said the colt grabbed a quarter in the race, but that it was a minor issue and would not likely affect his Triple Crown plans. “Uncle Mo is physically sound today,” said Pletcher in a statement released April 10. “He walked the shedrow this morning. He did grab his quarter, about the size of a nickel, at the start of the race but it is very minor and insignificant. It will heal quickly and shouldn't be an issue."

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 12, 2011

By Michael Dempsey


With just four weeks until the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby, the buzz for America’s most famous race is barely audible.

Uncle Mo was supposed to be the poster boy for this year’s Run for the Roses, but that ended on Saturday when the 2010 champion two-year-old faded to finish third in the $1 million Wood Memorial (G1) at Aqueduct.

Now it appears the likely morning line favorite on the first Saturday of May will be Florida Derby (G1) winner Dialed In.

I wrote back in February that I thought this year’s crop of three-year-olds was going to be a talented and exciting group, but the prediction has not exactly panned out.

Uncle Mo certainly appeared to be a horse that could capture the attention of the average sports fan, coming into his three-year-old season undefeated in three starts in 2010, capped off by an impressive victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1).

With graded earnings not an issue, trainer Todd Pletcher chose the path of least resistance, entering him in the $100,000 Timely Writer where he easily beat four overmatched foes.

Was he just a short horse in the Wood? After all, it was just his second start since November.

Has he just not progressed from his two-year-old campaign? Does he have physical issues his connections are not telling us?

The rumors have been swirling since his defeat, including HRTV’s Joanne Jones stating she heard Uncle Mo would not make it to Churchill Downs.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said otherwise, and that if blood tests come back fine on Tuesday, he would ship the colt to Churchill Downs to begin preparations for the Derby.

With or without Uncle Mo, the buzz for this year’s Derby is nearly nonexistent in the mainstream media.

All three Triple Crown races are on NBC this year, but the network has not shown any of the major prep races leading up to the Run for the Roses.
Last year, the USA Network (which is owned by NBC) showed the Louisiana Derby and Lane’s End on March 27, followed by NBC covering the Santa Anita Derby and Wood Memorial on April 3, and the Blue Grass Stakes and Arkansas Derby the following week.

That is six major Derby preps national televised last year and none this year.
How are sports fans supposed to find the next Smarty Jones or Funny Cide if these races are not televised?

These prep races could have easily been squeezed into an hour or even a half hour show shown on NBC or one of the cable channels owned by NBC.

By my count, NBC owns 13 cable networks. They could not find a couple of hours to broadcast races to help promote the Kentucky Derby?

Where were the NTRA and Churchill Downs?

How does the horse racing industry expect casual sports fans to get excited about the Kentucky Derby this year when most viewers will know practically nothing about the participants?

Streaming the races live at NTRA.com or showing them on TVG is not the answer.


www.turfnsport.com

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY APRIL 14, 2011

Arthurs Tale out of Derby

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62445/arthurs-tale-to-miss-derby-with-injury

[Gremlin Lad]

SUNDAY APRIL 17, 2011


The Factor ; No Factor at All on Saturday 4/16/2011 in Arkansas Derby.

Ridden by Jon Court, Archarcharch ($52.40) finished a head in front of Nehro in the field of 13, finishing 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.34. The Factor , the 4-5 favorite, was as close as third on the backstretch and turn but faded in the final furlong.
The stewards conducted an inquiry into the stretch run, focusing on a bumping incident between third- and fourth-place finishers Dance City and Sway Away , but did not change the order of finish.

Archarcharch has won 3 of 5 starts and $832,744, including the Sugar Bowl Stakes at Fair Grounds last December and the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 21. Owned by Robert and Loval Yagos and trained by Jinks Fires, Archarcharch was third behind The Factor in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes on March 19.

Nehro ran in his second stakes in the Arkansas Derby. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Nehro was a fast-closing second at 36-1 in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds on March 26.

Trainer Bob Baffert said immediately following the race that it appeared The Factor displaced his palate.

[Gremlin Lad]

Tuesday April 19, 2011


Master of Hounds firms up Derby plans

The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) looks increasingly likely to have international flavor, as the status of the Aidan O'Brien-trained MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo) was firmed up Monday.

A spokesman for the well-bred colt's Coolmore ownership told the Blood-Horse and Daily Racing Form that plans currently call for Master of Hounds to ship in from Ireland for the May 7 Run for the Roses. Pending his final workouts at Ballydoyle, O'Brien is expected to give the green light.

Last week, a declaration of intent could have been read in the fact that the four-year-olds Jan Vermeer (Montjeu [Ire]) and Cape Blanco (Galileo [Ire]) were both made late nominees to the May 7 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1), perhaps signaling that a traveling companion might be on hand with Master of Hounds. The Blood-Horse report Monday indicated that Jan Vermeer was the likelier of those two, but was still only possible for the 1 1/8-mile turf affair.

Master of Hounds is no stranger to international travel, including to Churchill Downs. Sixth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) after a problematic trip, the bay opened his three-year-old campaign with an excellent second in the March 26 U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) at Meydan, where he was just nailed on the line by the race-fir filly Khawlah (Cape Cross [Ire]).

Before venturing aboard, Master of Hounds had performed well in Europe. In his second start, he lost a photo to subsequent multiple Group 3 winner Dunboyne Express (Shamardal) at Leopardstown. Next time, Master of Hounds failed to catch his loose-on-the-lead stablemate Roderic O'Connor (Galileo [Ire]) at the Curragh. Roderic O'Connor went on to finish second to the all-conquering Frankel (Galileo [Ire]) in the Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1), and followed up with a score in the Criterium International (Fr-G1).

Master of Hounds then broke his maiden impressively at Tipperary, and returned from a three-month holiday with an encouraging third in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-G1). On that occasion, he made a solid move to reach contention, only to have his lack of fitness tell in the end, but still defeated the hitherto unbeaten Native Khan (Azamour [Ire]) and Dunboyne Express. Both of those colts have advertised their classic credentials this season, with Dunboyne Express rolling in the March 27 Leopardstown Two Thousand Guineas Trial (Ire-G3) and Native Khan capturing last Thursday's Craven S. (Eng-G3).

[Gremlin Lad]

Tuesday April 19, 2011


Astrology out of Derby, to target Jerome

Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton's Grade 3 winner ASTROLOGY (A.P. Indy) will not contest the Kentucky Derby (G1), but will instead head to the April 23 Jerome H. (G2), his connections announced Monday.

"We feel that running him in the Kentucky Derby (G1) off one prep race is too much to ask of him at this point," trainer Steve Asmussen said, according to a press release issued on behalf of Stonestreet's Jess Jackson.

Astrology did not make his three-year-old debut until the March 27 Sunland Derby (G3), where he chased a torrid pace before tiring late for second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Twice the Appeal (Successful Appeal).

While the Sunland Derby was held over 1 1/8 miles, the Jerome is contested around a one-turn mile at Aqueduct.

"We think the Jerome is a nice spot for him coming off the Sunland Derby, a race in which he ran hard," Asmussen said.

"We still feel that he will be a major three-year-old this year," the trainer added.
The news came following the colt's half-mile spin in :50 2/5 on a fast track at Churchill Downs.

Astrology captured the Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill last fall and concluded his two-year-old campaign with a runner-up effort in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) over the same course.

[dugbug15]

good job updating us gremlin,we really appreciate it.at least,i do anyways.good luck at the track and contests.

[gregm]

Thanks for the info on the lead up to the derby Gremlin, I have been so caught up with wagering on the playoffs and I haven't been reading any of the equestrian/horse racing media. Good job

cheers

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2011


Here's the official Kentucky Derby 137 Graded Stakes Earnings Top 30 through Saturday, April 16 (with last week's ranking on the Graded Stakes Earnings List plus graded stakes earnings, the trainer of the horse and the next race and/or travel updates):
Rank.. (Last Week) ..Horse, Graded Stakes Earnings..(Possible Next Race)
1 ...(1).................Uncle Mo, $1,360,000....(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrived Monday)
2.....(2).................Dialed In, $840,000........(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives April 30)
3.....(25)...............Archarcharch, $780,000.(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrived Tuesday)
4.....(3)................Comma to the Top, $671,000.(May 7 Kentucky Derby under consideration; arrival TBA)
5.....(4)................Toby's Corner, $625,000..(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrival TBA)
6.....(5)................Pants On Fire, $623,000...(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives Sunday)
7.....(6)...............Midnight Interlude, $600,000...(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives Thursday)
8.....(7)...............J P's Gusto, $544,000.......(May 7 Kentucky Derby under consideration; arrives in Ky. Tuesday)
9....(8)...............Soldat, $540,000..............(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives April 30)
10..(new)...........Brilliant Speed, $450,000...(May 7 Kentucky Derby; stabled at Keeneland and arrival TBA)
11....(9)..............Master of Hounds, $441,884...(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives May 3)
12....(10)...........Twice the Appeal, $400,000.....(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives Tuesday)
13....(22)...........Nehro, $400,000.......(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrives Tuesday)
14....(11)..........Mucho Macho Man, $370,000....(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrived Monday)
15....(12)..........Decisive Moment, $301,000......(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrived March 30)
16....(13)..........Animal Kingdom, $285,000.......(arrives Thursday, decision on Derby after Saturday work on dirt)
17....(15)..........The Factor, $272,500.......(plans not firm after displacing palate in Arkansas Derby; arrives Tuesday)
18....(16)..........Stay Thirsty, $260,000.......(May 7 Kentucky Derby; arrived April 7)
19....(17)..........Jaycito, $250,000..............(April 23 Lexington; arrives Thursday)
20....(18)..........Santiva, $242,397..............(May 7 Kentucky Derby is possible; stabled at Keeneland)
21....(19).........Watch Me Go, $235,500.........(status unknown after sixth in Illinois Derby)
22....(20).........Shackleford, $212,000............(May 7 Kentucky Derby or May 21 Preakness)
23....(37).........Twinspired, $197,500..............(May 7 Kentucky Derby if he can get in)
24....(23).........Silver Medallion, $184,334...........(Lexington on Saturday; needs win to crack Top 20)
25....(24)........Anthony's Cross, $182,000........(status unknown after fifth in Santa Anita Derby)
26....(26)........Brethren, $155,000..................(plans not firm after 11th in Arkansas Derby)
27....(28).......Mr. Commons, $120,000......(status unknown after third in Santa Anita Derby)
28....(35).......Sway Away, $111,500.....(plans not firm after fourth in Arkansas Derby; arrives Tuesday)
29....(new)....Dance City, $100,000...(status unknown after third in Arkansas Derby; arrives Tuesday)
29....(29)......Norman Asbjornson, $100,000..(status unknown after fourth in Wood Memorial)
31....(30)......Ruler On Ice, $96,000..........(April 30 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial)

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2011

The status of several horses remains in a state of flux:

* Top-ranked Uncle Mo (gastrointestinal infection), No. 18 THE FACTOR (War Front) (flipped palate) and No. 20 JAYCITO (Victory Gallop) (bruised foot) are recovering from recent setbacks, with the latter possibly contesting Saturday's $200,000 Lexington S. (G2) at Keeneland.

* The connections for No. 4 COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie) suggested that the gelding would bypass the Kentucky Derby in advance of the Santa Anita Derby, but are now considering the race after he finished a close second.

* The status of No. 8 J P'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal) remains unclear after back-to-back disappointing efforts at Oaklawn Park. He is booked on an Arkansas-to-Kentucky charter flight Tuesday, but the plane reservation notes that he will then be vanned to New York. On Tuesday morning, trainer Joe Petalino said the colt could go to an area farm until owner Dr. John Waken makes his final decision about the Derby, which he expected to come sometime between Thursday and Sunday. "He's still in the mix," said Petalino, who reported that the ridgling would likely go to East Coast-based trainer Mike Hushion following the Derby.

* Ireland-based No. 11 MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo), who was under consideration for the English Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) on Kentucky Derby Day, now appears on course for the Derby as travel plans appear firm with his arrival scheduled for approximately 11 a.m. (EDT) on Tuesday of Kentucky Derby Week (May 3).

* Plans for No. 16 ANIMAL KINGDOM (Leroidesanimux [Brz]), who has raced exclusively on turf and synthetic surfaces, won't be finalized until the colt has a workout over Churchill Downs' dirt oval Saturday.

* It was announced Monday that ASTROLOGY (A.P. Indy), who would be ranked No. 17 with $281,893, would contest Saturday's $150,000 Jerome (G2) at Aqueduct and, in all likeliness, bypass the Kentucky Derby. "We feel that running him in the Kentucky Derby off one prep race is too much to ask of him at this point," trainer Steve Asmussen said in a news release. The colt departed for New York on Monday night, and he was removed from the list of possible contenders.

* No. 20 SANTIVA (Giant's Causeway) finished ninth in the Blue Grass as the 2-1 favorite but is considered "possible" for the Derby if he makes the field.

* There's been no word from the camp of No. 21 WATCH ME GO (West Acre) about next-race plans following his distant sixth in the Illinois Derby (G3). After the race, trainer Kathleen O'Connell suggested the colt may not have liked the Hawthorne surface. He was made a late Triple Crown nominee after winning the Tampa Bay Derby.

* SILVER MEDALLION (Badge of Silver), who begins the week at No. 24 with $184,334, will attempt to crack the Top 20 in Saturday's Lexington. The 1 1/16-mile race over Polytrack features a $120,000 first prize, which would jump him to No. 16. A runner-up effort, worth $40,000, would only move him up two spots ahead of No. 22 SHACKLEFORD (Forestry) and No. 23 Twinspired, whose connections desire to make the field.

* No. 25 ANTHONY'S CROSS (Indian Charlie), No. 26 BRETHREN (Distorted Humor), No. 27 MR. COMMONS (Artie Schiller), No. 28 SWAY AWAY (Afleet Alex) and others appear to need several defections within the next two weeks to make the field.

Outside of Astrology, Jaycito and Silver Medallion, it does not appear that this weekend's races -- the Lexington and Jerome -- can produce any other Kentucky Derby 137 starters.

The final chance for those on the outside looking in to accrue coveted graded stakes money will come Opening Night at Churchill Downs under the lights in the $200,000 The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial (G3). The one-turn mile race, which will feature a first prize in excess of $124,000, will be run as Race 8 in prime time at 9:39 p.m. on Saturday, April 30 -- one week in advance of the Kentucky Derby.

The $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby has been restricted to 20 starters since 1975. Graded stakes earnings accumulated in races on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" have determined the field for the 1 1/4-mile classic since 1986.

The Kentucky Derby 137 Graded Stakes Earnings List only includes active three-year-olds that were made eligible to the Triple Crown. Also, their connections have suggested that they're considering a run in the 1 1/4-mile classic.

Twenty horses have entered the Derby every year since 2004, and 10 of the last 12 years. The 20th and final spot in the starting gate -- a.k.a. "the bubble" horse -- has varied year to year. Last year, it took a record $218,750 for eventual fourth-place finisher Make Music for Me to make the field. In 2009, it took only $55,500 for Nowhere to Hide to complete the 20-horse lineup. Over the last five years, the final horse to make the field has earned an average of $130,450 in graded stakes races.

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2011


Uncle Mo not looking so hot, according to Pletcher's comments
Not if you read between the lines, anyway.

Also of note, Brethren is officially out of the Derby. Bad couple of months for that guy...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...ye-on-uncle-mo

[Gremlin Lad]

Lexington draws six; Jaycito passes but still eyeing Derby

http://www.ntra.com/content/display/news/NDc5MjI=

[Gremlin Lad]

FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2011

Found on www.kentuckyderby.com


Arkansas Derby: part of the report.

THE FACTOR (War Front) found himself in uncomfortable territory after the break, stalking the pace in third instead of leading the way, and faltered upon reaching the stretch, weakening to seventh as the 4-5 favorite. Trainer Bob Baffert said the colt flipped his palate, but The Factor remains under consideration for the Derby, jogging a mile at Churchill Downs on Wednesday.

Considering his immense potential at shorter distances, The Factor could easily wind up skipping the Derby -- it's difficult to envision him sustaining his speed at 1 1/4 miles under a 126-pound impost -- and the connections of the other speed horses are probably hoping he doesn't run. The Factor will affect the pace scenario if he starts because jockey Martin Garcia can't afford for another rival to have the early lead. The front runner's only chance is wire to wire.

[Gremlin Lad]

SATURDAY APRIL 23, 2011

Found on other horse news sites: posted by fbwinners

Soldat - Alan Garcia is going ot keep the mount on this colt. That is good news for this one as Garcia rode Animal Kingdom in the Vinery Spiral.



Animal Kingdom is staying at Keeneland because of the weather at CH as it has been raining on and off this week. Staying on the poly for this work.

Tobys Corner - This colt is flourishing also as in his flesh and coat. He has actually gained over 30 pounds from the Wood and seems to be coming into his own at the right time, this horse has the best closing 3f number to date on real dirt in the preps and shouldn't be left off any exotic tickets as he will be dismissed again and won't be seen at CH till the last minute as his is galloping at Fair Hill over the Tapeta and is looking much stronger coming out of the wood than his prior race.


Calvin "Borail" will be working Stay Thirsty this weekend, looks to be his mount for this years Run for the Roses, you heard it here first.

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2011

The Factor ruled out of Kentucky Derby

Trainer Bob Baffert said Tuesday morning that he was "leaning against" running Rebel S. (G2) winner THE FACTOR (War Front) from the May 7 Kentucky Derby (G1), and co-owner George Bolton made it official in late morning that The Factor would not run.

"It's too much too quick," Botlon said via telephone. "We don't want to run a horse that isn't right. He's basically miler pedigree that is good enough to go further.

"The right thing for The Factor is to wait and go either to Preakness (S. [G1]), Met Mile (G1), Woody Stephens (S. [G2]) or something like that."

The Factor galloped on Tuesday during a break in the rain that has pelted Churchill Downs for days, but Baffert cancelled a planned workout for the colt on Wednesday. Baffert said his "gut feeling" was telling to pass on the 1 1/4-mile classic.

"We don't want to rush him into it and pay for it down the road, because he's such a good horse," he said. "I have a feeling that if I did run him in the Derby, I'd have a chance of ruining him."

Baffert also revealed that The Factor had undergone a minor throat surgery on the day after his April 19 arrival at Churchill Downs. The issue surfaced when the colt displaced his soft palate during the running of the Arkansas Derby (G1) on April 16 at Oaklawn Park. The Factor finished seventh that day, an effort that led to the decision to perform a myectomy.

"That's why I did it (the surgery)," Baffert said. "(Veterinarian) Dr. (Mark) Cheney looked at him and said it would be good for him because he was displacing really easy."

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2011


Jaycito to miss Derby, aim for Belmont

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-consideration

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2011


Steve Haskins Derby Dozen 4/26/2011

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/kentucky-derby-dozen/archive/2011/04/26/derby-dozen-april-26-2011-presented-by-pauls-mill.aspx

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY APRIL 26, 2011

Durkin Ends Triple Crown Run

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62711/durkin-ends-triple-crown-run

[Gremlin Lad]

FRIDAY APRIL 29, 2011



A rainbow graced the Twin Spires on Thursdayfollowing days of stormy weather (Darren Rogers/Churchill Downs

[Gremlin Lad]

FRIDAY APRIL 29, 2011

If the long-range forecast is correct, rain on May 6 for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) will clear out and make way for a sunny Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) the following day. If there is sunshine on Derby Day this year it would be a welcome sight for Louisvillians. Like most of the Ohio Valley, the Louisville area has seen record amounts of rainfall and flash flooding during the month of April. According to weather.com, there is a 60% chance of showers and scattered showers on Oaks Day and night, with a day-time high of 72 degrees and an overnight low temperature of 54. On Derby Day, the sun will rise at 6:40 a.m. EDT and evolve into a sunny day in which there is only at 10% chance of precipitation, with a forecast high of 73 degrees.

[Gremlin Lad]

Monday May 2, 2011


Brisnet Derby Top 10 -- May 2

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/2011/05/01/top-10-kentucky-derby-contenders

[dugbug15]

thanks for the post ,gremlin.very good info supplied by you,as usual.
good luck!

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY MAY 2, 2011


I know this thread is about 2011 Kentucky Derby News, but I felt this is important to the bettors who are interested in the 2 day OAKS / DERBY DOUBLE Friday May 6th and Saturday May 7th 2011

********************************* *********************

The complexion of the 2011 Kentucky Oaks changed dramatically following the defection of expected favorite R Heat Lightning on Monday morning. Todd Pletcher's talented daughter of Trippi has a knee problem and will be thoroughly examined later this week.

http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Joyful_Victory_New_Kentucky_Oaks_Favorite_123

[Gremlin Lad]

TUESDAY MAY 3, 2011


Churchill Downs, Kentucky, USA 5 Day extended weather forecast.
at

http://www.weather.com/weather/5-day...+32176:20?role=


Churchill Downs, Kentucky, USA Weekend Extended Forecast
at

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/32176:20?role=

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY MAY 4, 2011

Late posting this because I have to work for a living.........

137TH KENTUCKY DERBY

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/instant.cgi?type=inp&country=USA&track=CD&date=2011-05-07&race=11

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011

Albarado injured, but still expected to ride in Derby
Robby Albarado was injured in a post parade incident on Wednesday (EquiSport Photos)Robby Albarado was injured on Wednesday when he was thrown during the post parade for the 3RD race at Churchill Downs. However, the jockey is still expected to take the mount on Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]) during Saturday's Run for the Roses.
Albarado was aboard Smoke'n Al (Albert the Great), who threw his rider as the horses were coming onto the track for the post parade of the 3RD race. It was reported that the horse may have stepped on Albarado's face.
The rider was taken to a Louisville hospital, where he was treated for a broken nose and laceration on his face that required stitches. Though he's still scheduled to ride in the Derby, Albarado's participation in Friday's Kentucky Oaks (G1) aboard Bouquet Booth (Flower Alley) has yet to be determined.

"I think he's going to be OK. I'm not 100 percent sure that he's going to be able to ride (Thursday), he's got a broken nose and lacerations around his eye," said Graham Motion, trainer of Animal Kingdom. "But I talked with (Albarado's agent) Lenny (Pike) and he's pretty confident that he will be OK for Saturday."

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY MAY 5, 2011

Like most Louisvillians, Butch Lehr is hoping that the monsoon-like rains that have inundated the Kentucky city have ended for awhile. After all, according to Lehr, the track superintendent at historic Churchill Downs, some 5-6 inches of rain fell during a 72-hour period ending mid-day Tuesday, May 3. That was on top of the record 14 inches recorded in Louisville during the month of April.

The weather is a concern to Lehr and other track maintenance professionals because of the effect it can have on the grass course and the main dirt track, especially leading up to big race events like the May 6 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Despite all that precipitation, Lehr said problems have been at a minimum, most notably the inability of horses to be able to train over the grass course. “We were prepared for this because we did a lot of work on both tracks over the winter,” Lehr said. “All of the drains below the turf course have been open to allow it to all drain off. And we feel that the main track now has the right sand mixture.”

During the Tuesday, May 3, race card—the second day of racing during the spring meet—turf races were switched to the main track. The main track was labeled sloppy, while sealed, throughout the day. While not being able to train on the grass course is an inconvenience to horsemen and could cause some horses to miss vital workouts, Lehr said trainers have been understanding, especially since they know it’s more important to be able to save the grass course for racing and not training when there has been this much precipitation.

Lehr, who said he and his staff “watch the (weather) radar non-stop,” likes the forecast for the next several days but may not like the Derby Day prediction.

According to the National Weather Service, on Wednesday, clouds will part to reveal mostly sunny skies, with a high temperature in the low 60s.

Thursday is even better, with mostly sunny skies and a 70 degree high.

Oaks Day will be partly cloudy with a high temperature of 68.

Then, when the crowd gets to Churchill Downs on Derby Day, they will be facing a 50% chance of rain, with scattered thunderstorms possible and a high of 73

[Gremlin Lad]

SUNDAY MAY 8, 2011

The 137th KENTUCKY DERBY IS WON BY ANIMAL KINGDOM and replacement jockey JOHNNY V.... The story.

http://www.equibase.com/racingnews/article/View.cfm

[Gremlin Lad]

SUNDAY MAY 8, 2011

Archarcharch, Comma to the Top exit Derby injured

Arkansas Derby (G1) winner ARCHARCHARCH (Arch) and CashCall Futurity (G1) winner COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie), who finished up the track in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1), were both found to be injured shortly after the race.

Archarcharch was vanned off the track following his uncharacteristic 15th. After he was returned to his barn, X-rays revealed that he had suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture to his left foreleg.

Dr. Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian for the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said that Archarcharch walked into the ambulance on his own power and was not in any distress. Bramlage added that the injury is not life-threatening.

Archarcharch, who broke from the rail, had his saddle slip early. He was never in contention at any point, and jockey Jon Court noted that the colt didn't give him a confident feeling.

"He just didn't feel comfortable in the last sixteenth," Court said. "I never was really comfortable in the race. My saddle slipped coming out of gate. I don't know why, because the equipment was on perfectly.

"He had never felt like that underneath me, so I had the vet take him back as a precaution. He just didn't pull up comfortably enough."

Archarcharch was the first Derby runner for Court and for his father-in-law, trainer Jinks Fires.



Comma to the Top, who stalked the pace early in second before giving way badly in the stretch, trailed home last in the 19-horse field.

"It appears my horse chipped his left ankle," trainer Peter Miller said. "We could see it when we brought him back.

"I believe we will have Dr. (Wayne) McIlwrath from Colorado State University take it out in the next little while. Then he's got to go on the sidelines for at least 60 days.

"This isn't the end of the world and hopefully it won't be too bad. My horse tried; he always tries and for the first mile of the race he was right there. In the end it looks like we do have a real good miler or mile and a sixteenth horse.

"We got to run in the Kentucky Derby. How special is that?"

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY MAY 9, 2011

Archarcharch retired after surgery; Pants on Fire bled during Derby

Robert and Val Yagos' ARCHARCHARCH (Arch) was scheduled to leave Churchill Downs before noon (EDT) on Sunday to go to the Rood & Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky, for surgery on a condylar fracture to the left front.

Later Sunday, Val Yagos issued an update via Facebook. Although she offered good news about the surgery, she also officially announced his retirement.

"Archarcharch made it through surgery like a champ," she said. "His racing career is over. Too much damage, but he is good and that is what is important."

For trainer Jinks Fires and his son-in-law, jockey Jon Court, their first Kentucky Derby (G1) experience turned into a nightmare.

Archarcharch was bumped coming out of the gate, where Fires thought the injury may have occurred. Then, Court's saddle slipped and then the colt got bumped again before finishing 15th on the wire. Court got off Archarcharch on the far turn and the colt was vanned back to the barn.

"He got banged coming out of the gate and kind of knuckled over there at the crown of the track," Fires said. "I told my wife that I didn't like the way he was moving when he passed us the first time, and you hope you are wrong about that."

Dr. Larry Bramlage was to perform the surgery on the clean break. Court was at the barn at 6:15 Sunday morning "to check on the big horse."

"I'm just heart-broken," Court said. "You are not supposed to get attached to the horses, but, c'mon, this horse, with the owners and everybody. It feels like a knife to the gut.

"My saddle slipped coming out of the gate and then maybe 30 yards from the wire I got bumped hard and I have no idea who it was."

"You have the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows," Fires said of the emotional roller coaster. "I was never more confident leading a horse over there. I thought I had the horse to beat them. He had trained well, was doing well and very comfortable in his surroundings."




Fellow Derby runner COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie), who finished last of 19 after pressing the pace for the first mile, suffered a chip in his left front ankle during the race and was "doing OK" at Churchill's Barn 42 Sunday morning, according to trainer Peter Miller.

"He ate up last night and he wasn't tired after the race," Miller said. "He didn't drink any water or anything. But he's just a tick off; you can see it. On a scale of 1 to 5, he's about a 1. Not much, but he isn't quite right."

Miller said he'd schedule a surgery for his horse to remove the chip with Dr. Wayne McIlwrath of Colorado State University, one of the most respected veterinarians in the country.

"Something like this (the surgery) usually means they are out of action for eight to 12 weeks," the trainer said. "But we'll see how it goes and let Dr. McIlwrath tell us how to proceed. He'll be the guy.

"If everything goes well, we'll hope to have him back in training and back here in the fall for the Breeders' Cup, either the Mile (G1) or the Dirt Mile (G1). He could go either way. He runs on both."

Miller had a noon flight scheduled for Comma to the Top.

"He'll be back in his stall at Hollywood Park at 7 tonight," he said.



PANTS ON FIRE (Jump Start) didn't suffer any fractures or chips from his ninth-place run in the Derby, but George and Lori Hall's homebred "bled enough to say it was significant" from the exertion put forth in his effort, trainer Kelly Breen said Sunday morning.

"One of the things we're working on is his immune system," Breen said. "We were staying on top of his lungs coming into this race so it's a bit of a setback to say we have to work on him. Coming off a mile-and-a-quarter race it's tough to say he's not fit now, but you have to start from the inside out and heal him up. He'll probably be going back to the track soon but he'll just be doing it nice and easy."

That said, the May 21 Preakness S. (G1) is almost certainly out of the question for Pants on Fire.

"As of right now we'd have to have a miraculous recovery," Breen said. "We're about 99 percent that we're not going to go. Right now I'd say the main objective -- being in New Jersey and being a Jersey-based trainer -- is to get him prepped and ready for the (July 31) Haskell (Invitational [G1]). The Haskell has a series of prep races so we'll see how he is and when he's going to be ready."

Breen was happy with the trip Pants on Fire got under 23-year-old Rosie Napravnik, whose popularity undoubtedly helped make her mount the second choice in the wagering, especially considering it was the Derby.

"There wasn't too much to fault," Breen said. "The pace wasn't too, too hot and we have a healthy horse now after the race, leg-wise. I'm content with what happened and to move forward.

"He didn't get beat that far, he never stopped trying. He has a lot of fight in him."

Pants on Fire was set to leave Churchill Downs by van at about noon on Sunday and is expected to arrive at Breen's Monmouth Park barn around 7 a.m. Monday.
"We'll take him back home to a big old fluffy stall and see how he is in a couple of days."

[Gremlin Lad]

137th KENTUCKY DERBY OFFICAL RACE CHART by DRF

http://www1.drf.com/drfPDFChartRacesIndexAction.do?TRK=CD&CTY=USA&DATE=20110507&RN=11