JC / Railbird - Kentucky Derby Notes

Kentucky Derby Notes

– In the lead up to the Derby, trainers Bob Baffert and Dale Romans are playing a game of my horse is faster than your horse:

Let’s hear first from Bob Baffert, checking in from California where he’ll load three Derby hopefuls on a plane today, including faster-than-sound Sinister Minister.

This, from Baffert: “He’s just a runaway train. He’s going to be on the lead.”

Back at Churchill Downs, trainer Dale Romans has a word for Baffert if Baffert thinks Sinister Minister can wire this field.

Romans to Baffert: You’re not in Lexington any more. No more sailing around the track unpressured and winning the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes by nearly 13 lengths.

Folks, meet Sharp Humor. He’s the horse that Romans, his trainer, says will look Sinister Minister in the eye.

This could get ugly.

“I don’t think anybody is faster than mine,” Romans said.

– If Baffert does win — if not with Sinister Minister, then Point Determined or Bob and John — Derby officials won’t be unhappy. “The party takes on the personality of the people,” said Laura Rink, a former public relations manager for The Kentucky Derby Museum, where the postâ€“Derby celebration takes place. “We like it when Baffert wins.”
– Trainer Barclay Tagg earned a reputation as a curmudgeon during the 2003 Triple Crown season and as a pragmatic horseman who wouldn’t bring a horse to the Kentucky Derby without a compelling reason. “Therefore, his expected presence in Louisville on Saturday is significant,” writes Andrew Beyer. “Tagg’s instincts are telling him that Showing Up belongs in the Derby.” Yes … but he’s had only three career starts. That’s a pretty big negative, regardless of Tagg’s confidence.
– More Derby news >

Posted by JC in Racing on 05/02/2006 @ 4:00 pm / Tagged Kentucky Derby / Follow @railbird on Twitter