Blinkers Off – Wednesday
Special Railbird correspondent Blinkers Off checks in from the backstretch. Today at Churchill …
Graham Motion, a great guy but not exactly a human quote machine, has one good line this week for reporters about Adriano and he’s sticking to it: “I must be the only trainer in the world with an A.P. Indy that can’t run on dirt.”…
Speaking of one-liners, Henny Youngman used to have a good one about racing. “I once bet on a horse that was so slow, I saw him turn around and say to the jockey, ‘Whaddya hittin’ me for, there’s nobody behind us.” …
Todd Pletcher missed the trainer’s dinner Tuesday night with either strep throat or a flu bug, depending on who you talk to. He arrived at his Churchill Downs barn this morning, however, looking razor sharp as always, moments after Monba and Cowboy Cal danced off the van from Keeneland and into the barn. After a brief photo shoot worthy of Ashlee Simpson, Pletcher was surrounded by a media swarm more interested in his take on Polytrack than his 1-2 finishers in the Blue Grass Stakes. After 10 minutes of this, one late-comer walked up and asked, “Todd, what do you make of Polytrack?” He snickered, but patiently repeated everything he had just said. His PR flak made a slicing motion with her hand across her throat — a gang signal someone is about to get killed — and Pletcher turned and walked away.
“Are you sick, Todd?” a reporter called out.
“Yes.”
“Did you just give it to all of us?”
“I hope so.” …
A lot of people are talking to Richard Dutrow this week like he’s a cheater. To his credit, Dutrow just calls everyone “babe” and recommends they “bet out” on Big Brown.
“Who wants to cheat and win the Derby? That’s not us,” he said …
There’s a lot of talk about whether Colonel John can transfer his Santa Anita form to a dirt track. Trainer Eoin Harty says no problem, but he also says, “As long as it’s not a wet track.” Rain is called for Friday and Saturday.
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