JC / Railbird

Kentucky Derby

War Pass Works for Wood

– War Pass breezed four furlongs in :47.40 at Palm Meadows on Wednesday, the fastest of 26 works at the distance, restoring trainer Nick Zito’s confidence in the colt following the debacle in Tampa. “I’m praying, thanking God that we got another shot,” said Zito. “A lot of questions are going to be answered in the Wood” (DRF). The Wood has attracted seven possible starters, including Court Vision, Tale of Ekati, and Giant Moon, and if War Pass is indeed 100 percent, he should be the speed of the race and have no problem returning to his usual front-running, winning ways. I would think though that such a revival raises more questions about the Tampa Bay Derby and War Pass’ ability to handle adversity and running off the lead than it answers …
– Is the presence of War Pass at the Big A scaring off Denis of Cork? Trainer David Carroll told Blood-Horse that he’s considering sending the undefeated Southwest Stakes winner to the Illinois Derby instead of the Wood because of travel complications:

Maybe, but since stablemate Blackberry Road is now headed to the Arkansas Derby instead of Illinois, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Carroll is maneuvering to get Denis of Cork to the Kentucky Derby unscathed by a meeting beforehand with the champion.

Posted in Racing on March 27, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Derby / Comments Off on War Pass Works for Wood

Derby Paradox

The horse who wins the Kentucky Derby becomes exceptional by virtue of winning the Derby, but that horse is not exceptional before the Derby — merely above average. And yes, this includes Giacomo.

Posted in Racing on March 27, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Derby / 5 comments

Wednesday Afternoon Notes

– Proud Spell has been nominated to the Triple Crown. Citing the superior speed figures the filly earned winning the Fair Ground Oaks — both her Beyer and Sheet number were better than Pyro’s in the Louisiana Derby at the same distance on the same day — owner Bereton Jones said, “We just want to keep all avenues open if she runs a big race in the Ashland” (Blood-Horse). If she beats Country Star in the Ashland like she did Indian Blessing in the Oaks, expect to hear calls for her to take on the boys in the Derby.
– In his final move before the Florida Derby, Big Brown worked a bullet five furlongs in :59.20 at Palm Meadows on Tuesday. The Richard Dutrow-trained sensation, making his third career start on Saturday, drew the far outside in a field of 12, which doesn’t bode well for his chances:

Despite that stat, Big Brown has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Elysium Fields, who also worked on Tuesday, going five furlongs in an even 1:00, drew post eight, while Peruvian unknown Tomcito will start from post four. Majestic Warrior, who finished a miserable seventh in the Lousiana Derby, gets a new rider in Rene Douglas with regular jock Garrett Gomez in Dubai and will start from post 10. Face the Cat, making his first start from trainer Todd Pletcher’s barn, will be to his outside in post 11. With the possible exception of Majestic Warrior and Smooth Air, on the bubble, earnings-wise — all the Florida Derby starters are in the hunt for graded stakes monies and will have to finish no worse than second or third to get within reach of a Kentucky Derby spot.
– Precious Too, 1-for-19 before she was claimed for $15,000 by trainer Bruce Levine from Robert Bailes in January, has gone 2-for-2 since the switch despite a spotty work record and no equipment changes noted. Sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the seventh at Aqueduct this afternoon, the 4-year-old Precise End filly rocketed out of the gate, opening up a seven-length lead and running the first half in :44.73, more than a second faster than any other half at the distance today. Tiring in the stretch, she still finished the six furlong state-bred allowance event in 1:10.88, five lengths ahead of Abby Morgan.
– The Wood will be televised live. The race will be shown at 5:15 p.m. as part of an April 5 hour-long broadcast on NBC, which will also feature the Santa Anita Derby.

Posted in Racing on March 26, 2008 / Tagged Kentucky Derby / Comments Off on Wednesday Afternoon Notes