Noted: May 15
– Weekend results: “With no impetus other than his own desire, Wanna Runner took possession of Saturday’s $300,000 Lone Star Derby.” At Hollywood Park, Grey Swallow won the Jim Murray by five lengths, and Surf Cat made an amazing move from last to first to win the Mervyn LeRoy. “I saw a lightning flash,” said trainer Bruce Headley. “That was some kind of move.” Jockey Alex Solis had a big day at the track, sweeping all three graded stakes at Hollywood on Saturday.
– Trainer Bob Baffert said neither Point Determined nor Bob and John would run in the Preakness. “I’ll take them back to California on Monday,” said Baffert. “I’ll let [those entered] soften Barbaro up in the Preakness so we can get him in the Belmont.” The defection of Baffert’s duo leaves just six probables (making the likely Preakness field the smallest since 1979), but two others are still being considered for the race: Trainer King Leatherbury may supplement Federico Tesio winner Ah Day to the race, and trainer Steve Klesaris may enter allowance winner Diabolical.
– Hemingway’s Key worked five furlongs in 1:00.2 at the Oklahoma training track on Sunday in preparation for the Preakness. Jeremy Rose has been named to ride the colt, but the jockey may pass: “It’s not 100 percent whether or not we’re going to ride in the Preakness,” said Rose’s agent, Kid Breeden. “Right now it’s at best a 50/50 possibility.”
– The Green Monkey, aka the $16 million colt, worked for the first time on Sunday, breezing three furlongs in :39.4 at Belmont.
– Lost in the Fog could make his next start at Lone Star. Trainer Greg Gilchrist has nominated last year’s champion sprinter for the May 29 Beck Auto Group Turf Sprint. “We’ve always wanted to find a grass race for this horse,” said Gilchrist, “and this race at Lone Star would fit nicely in his schedule.”
– Julien Leparoux may be an apprentice, but he’s also the country’s leading jockey.
– Mid-Atlantic tracks like Delaware Park are growing crowded with Triple Crown race-winning trainers and jockeys. “They have slots, the trainers are getting better, the horses are getting better,” explained jockey Jeremy Rose.
