2009 kentucky derby racing news

[gremlinlad]

Friday 4/24/09

Quality Road treated for second quarter crack
Trainer Jimmy Jerkens expressed optimism Friday afternoon that Florida Derby (G1) winner QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1), would be able to make the May 2 "Run for the Roses" after noted hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated another quarter crack in a different hoof.
Jerkens said Friday morning at Belmont Park he first noticed the crack, this one on the inside of his right-front hoof, on Thursday after the Edward Evans' homebred returned from a routine morning gallop.
Quality Road, who appears fully recovered from a slight quarter crack in his right-hind hoof suffered in March, developed this quarter crack, estimated at about one-half inch long, sometime Thursday.
"He wasn't sore or anything," Jerkens said. "We brought him in to pull his shoes afterward and that's when we noticed it.
McKinlay, who successfully patched the first injury, has been treating the crack since Thursday.
"I saw Quality Road (Thursday) morning and that's when we noticed the crack," McKinlay said. "I did him up with Animalintex (poultice), which draws out the infection. This morning, the crack was very clean. Obviously, he didn't go to the track, so they tubbed him.
"It was a straight crack, with no infection," McKinlay added. "I really don't think it is as serious as the other one (right-hind quarter crack).
A Friday afternoon report from Jerkens and McKinlay was upbeat.
"Ian closed the crack up with laces (this afternoon)," Jerkens said. "We will jog him tomorrow, if there's no blood we can patch him. He can gallop Sunday and breeze Monday, and if he is sound Tuesday we'll ship to Kentucky.
"Right now, he's absolutely sound," Jerkens added. "But to miss your last work when you wanted to work before the Derby is crucial."
McKinlay, whose client list includes 1997 Belmont S. (G1) winner Touch Gold and 2008 Derby and Preakness (G1) winner Big Brown, said he was fully confident Quality Road would be able to make the Derby.
"The foot is cold, which is a tremendous sign," McKinlay said. "He's a little sensitive at the hairline, but now that it is stabilized (with the laces) the pain will go away. It's not bothering him and I don't think there's any infection."
McKinlay said Quality Road's quarter crack was far less severe than the ones which affected Big Brown and Touch Gold.
"Compared to Big Brown, this is a nice picnic in Central Park," McKinlay said. "And compared to Touch Gold, Big Brown was a picnic in the park. This is night and day and should be a minor deal."
A quarter crack is a crack that appears in the wall of the hoof, often starting at the coronet band, where the hoof meets the hair, and growing down. It can also start in the wall and move upward.
The track record-setting winner of the Florida Derby, Quality Road posted an impressive 4 1/4-length victory in the Fountain of Youth S. (G2) two starts back.

 

[gremlinlad]

Tuesday April 28, 2009

A weekend has gone by and two more horses are out of the Kentucky Derby.

Quality Road - quarter crack problem

Square Eddie - shin problem

Posted by Brisnet Editorial:
Grade 1 winner SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) due to a shin problem.

Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed that the same shin that forcd him to the sidelines earlier this year acted up following the colt's Sunday workout, and he said owner J. Paul Reddam decided to err on the side of caution.

His defection opens a spot in the field for TAKE THE POINTS.

 

[gremlinlad]

Wednesday 4/29/2009 9:00AM posted on kentuckyderby.com/2009
Off the Trail

<TABLE><THEAD><TR><TH>#</TH><TH>Silks</TH><TH>Horse</TH><TH>Trainer</TH></TR></THEAD><TBODY><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Quality Road

</TD><TD>James Jerkens</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Square Eddie

</TD><TD>Doug O'Neill</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Win Willy

</TD><TD>McLean "Mac" Robertson</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Stardom Bound

</TD><TD>Richard Dutrow, Jr.</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Old Fashioned

</TD><TD>Larry Jones</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Take the Points

</TD><TD>Todd Pletcher</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>The Pamplemousse

</TD><TD>Julio Canani</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Midshipman

</TD><TD>Saeed bin Suroor</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Beethoven

</TD><TD>John Ward</TD></TR><TR class=even><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Mafaaz (GB)

</TD><TD>John Gosden</TD></TR><TR class=odd><TD class=active>
</TD><TD class=silks> </TD><TD class=title>Vineyard Haven

</TD><TD>Saeed bin Suroor</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[joeyp]

Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby Post Horse Trainer Jockey Odds
1 West Side Bernie Kelly Breen Stewart Elliott 30-1
2 Musket Man Derek Ryan Eibar Coa 20-1
3 Mr. Hot Stuff Eoin Harty John Velazquez 30-1
4 Advice Todd Pletcher Rene Douglas 30-1
5 Hold Me Back Bill Mott Kent Desormeaux 15-1
6 Friesan Fire Larry Jones Gabriel Saez 5-1
7 Papa Clem Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 20-1
8 Mine That Bird Bennie Woolley Calvin Borel 50-1
9 Join in the Dance Todd Pletcher Chris DeCarlo 50-1
10 Regal Ransom Saeed bin Suroor Alan Garcia 30-1
11 Chocolate Candy Jerry Hollendorfer Mike Smith 20-1
12 General Quarters Tom McCarthy Julien Leparoux 20-1
13 I Want Revenge Jeff Mullins Joe Talamo 3-1
14 Atomic Rain Kelly Breen Joe Bravo 50-1
15 Dunkirk Todd Pletcher Edgar Prado 4-1
16 Pioneerof the Nile Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez 4-1
17 Summer Bird Tim Ice Chris Rosier 50-1
18 Nowhere to Hide Nick Zito Shaun Bridgmohan 50-1
19 Desert Party Saeed bin Suroor Ramon Dominguez 15-1
20 Flying Private D. Wayne Lukas Robby Albarado 50-1

 

[gremlinlad]

One last look reveals some clues

http://www.drf.com/news/article/103382.html

By Mike Welsch
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - All 20 Kentucky Derby starters went to the track Thursday at Churchill Downs - one last chance to see the field for this year's Derby before making a final assessment. There were a few surprises, both good and bad, in the offing.

Churchill Downs
Cloudy, track fast, 67 degrees

Two Derby horses blew out for the race, including Papa Clem (three furlongs in 34.47 seconds), who needed to do something serious and impressive following his very disappointing seven-furlong work here last week. And sure enough, that's exactly what he accomplished. With jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard, Papa Clem left the quarter pole in full stride and flew down the stretch, getting to the wire in 22.65 while reaching out nicely under some encouragement before finishing up at the seven-furlong pole and galloping out a half in 47.86. Only three furlongs but a definite improvement over his previous work.

Nowhere to Hide, a last-minute addition to the field, blew out a quarter-mile down the lane in 25.40 before pulling up three-eighths in 38 and change.
The major disappointment this morning was Desert Party, who just didn't gallop with the same smoothness and vigor he has displayed over the past couple of weeks. Changed back to his left lead prematurely approaching the wire and was not striding out as well as you would like to see just 48 hours out from the race.

General Quarters also did not look as smooth or comfortable on Thursday as he had in previous days, while Dunkirk had a very good morning, showing a little more energy during a very sharp-looking gallop than he had in his first visit to the track.

The following is a general assessment of all 20 Derby starters from impressions they made during training hours since my arrival in Kentucky two weeks ago.

Advice: Has shown high energy during a couple of morning gallops and worked a little faster than expected, a half-mile in 47.15 with a strong gallop-out in 59.97 last weekend. Will be making a quick turnaround out of his victory in the Lexington but looks like he has bounced back nicely from the race.

Atomic Rain: Has been on the grounds only two days and did work up a little kidney sweat during his routine gallop on Thursday.

Chocolate Candy: Faltered badly when sent a mile over a wet track in his first local work before rebounding with a strong five-furlong drill in 59.24 without much urging from jockey Mike Smith. That was a very positive sign since he has never run on dirt. Getting mixed signals here but off his last work perhaps he's capable of running in for at least a share of the gimmicks at a square price.

Desert Party: Trained as well as anybody on the grounds for most of the past two weeks while turning in arguably the best pre-Derby work of the field when drilling five-eighths in 59.44, galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.60, and pulling up seven-eighths in 1:26.20 on Saturday. Unfortunately, he did not look quite as sharp on Thursday morning when he appeared to take a couple of missteps before changing leads prematurely nearing the wire. Not what I wanted to see from a horse locked in as my top pick on Wednesday evening.

Dunkirk: Got to watch him breeze twice at Palm Meadows prior to leaving for Kentucky and hard to fault either work, although I did not get to see his final major Derby prep in south Florida. Made a nice appearance galloping with high energy here Thursday morning, but still getting mixed signals. Extremely talented and the one to beat if able to bounce back off his very impressive but draining performance in the Florida Derby. Concerned about his relative inexperience and running style in a 20-horse field.

Flying Private: In his final Derby prep, he was allowed to show a little speed, which he will need to avoid getting hung out to dry breaking out of post 20 on Saturday. Improving but still looks a notch below many of these.

Friesan Fire: Turned in a very sharp mile workout over the Keeneland Polytrack before shipping to Churchill Downs and being gunned through a five-furlong workout in 57.86 seconds on Monday. He was under urging down the stretch before shutting down abruptly coming to and especially after passing the wire. Bounced back nicely out of the work and must consider him a major player, although with some trepidation over the fact he has yet to race beyond 1 1/16 miles.

General Quarters: A Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde couple of weeks for this year's Derby Cinderella story. Made a terrible first impression when reluctant to gallop and displayed unappealing leg action. Nor did he score any points when tiring noticeably at the end of his final Derby prep. Yet he bounced out of that breeze looking better than ever and had several very sharp mornings only to lose a little luster when looking less than comfortable or inspired during Thursday's training session.

Hold Me Back: Couldn't be doing any better and deserving of a mulligan over dirt following dull showing at 2 in the Remsen. Finished with interest in his final Derby work without need of urging from jockey Kent Desormeaux and has not had a bad day since. In fact, he didn't miss a single morning coming out of Sunday's work, which is taken as a very positive sign. Can see him as a longshot threat if he takes to the surface as readily as during his recent training sessions.

Join in the Dance: Cannot fault his Derby preparations and he was full of vim and vigor during Thursday's training session when galloping off at a very fast pace before ultimately coming to hand. Figures to be a major pace presence but hard to envision him hanging around for the finish.

I Want Revenge: Has improved on a regular basis over the past 10 days, culminating with a series of razor-sharp gallops and a solid half-mile work on Tuesday that was much sharper than his previous local trial. Looks ready to deliver another top performance.

Mine That Bird: Far from the most-imposing-looking member of the field, but does gallop soundly enough. Flipped leads late during a decent but uninspiring five-furlong work last weekend. Looks overmatched here.

Mr. Hot Stuff: Have had limited opportunity to observe Colonel John's baby brother, but like what I've seen so far. Makes a great physical appearance, although he did display some of his reported immaturity during Thursday's training session when gawking around and losing his focus a bit coming through the stretch.

Musket Man: Had him under consideration as a definite longshot player when arriving in town but have less expectations at this point. Turned in a very uninspiring final Derby work in which he was under heavy pressure but could not get by his stablemate, a recent maiden winner who actually was stronger during the gallop-out. Must wonder if he has not fully recovered from those big efforts in Tampa and Illinois.

Nowhere to Hide: Blew out an easy quarter-mile on Thursday after joining the dance at the 12th hour, so there has been little opportunity to garner any other impression other than he appears overmatched.

Papa Clem: Was on and then quickly off our list of contenders after a very disappointing seven-furlong workout last week in which he shut down very badly and barely made it to the finish line. Did like the way he bounced back and was reaching out during a zippy three-furlong drill on Thursday, but still think he may have peaked prematurely with his big performance in the Arkansas Derby.

Pioneerof the Nile: Could not be doing any better over the past couple of weeks and clearly should have little trouble handling dirt from what he has shown on a regular basis at Churchill Downs. Might be nitpicking to say I would have liked to have seen him finish up just a trifle quicker in his final Derby work, but other than that, he appears to be sitting on a big effort.

Regal Ransom: Has trained as well as could be expected with a couple of sharp drills over the course, although he has always been a good work horse. Not likely to get the same type of pace setup that carried him to victory in the UAE Derby.

Summer Bird: Exits an improved showing in Arkansas, but his final Derby work suggests he's liable to regress off the effort as he labored noticeably during the final stages of that drill. Lightly raced colt looks in over his head in this spot.

West Side Bernie: Has done little wrong in his final preparations, which included a relatively easy half-mile drill last weekend in response, I imagine, to the fact he's coming off a career-best effort in the Wood. Hard to knock yet thinking he's a notch below the best in this field.

ACTIVITY REPORT
ADVICE - Galloped 1 3/8 miles
ATOMIC RAIN - Galloped one mile
CHOCOLATE CANDY - Galloped 1 1/2 miles
DESERT PARTY - Galloped 1 3/8 miles
DUNKIRK - Galloped 1 3/8 miles
FLYING PRIVATE - Galloped
FRIESAN FIRE - Galloped one mile
GENERAL QUARTERS - Galloped 1 1/2 miles
HOLD ME BACK - Galloped 1 5/8 miles
JOIN IN THE DANCE - Galloped 1 3/8 miles
I WANT REVENGE - Visited the starting gate, galloped one mile
MINE THAT BIRD - Galloped two miles
MR. HOT STUFF - Galloped 1 1/2 miles
MUSKET MAN - Galloped 1 1/2 miles
NOWHERE TO HIDE - Blew out a quarter-mile in 25.40 seconds
PAPA CLEM - Worked three furlongs in 34.47
PIONEEROF THE NILE - Galloped 1 1/4 miles
REGAL RANSOM - Galloped 1 3/8 miles
SUMMER BIRD - Stood at gate, galloped one mile
WEST SIDE BERNIE - Galloped one mile

 

[gremlinlad]

Upstate New York TV weather forecasters say a chance there might be rain on Saturday for the Kentucky Derby.




Think that will favor Friesan Fire


gl

 

[gremlinlad]

Monday 5/4/2009 www.drf.com


Friesan Fire was severely compromised by getting stepped on coming out of the gate. Though he raced in seventh position and in the clear down the backside, he backed up around the far turn under Gabriel Saez. Friesan Fire came back to the unsaddling area with blood emanating from his left front foot. He had part of his left front foot ripped off, known as grabbing a quarter.
"He got hit real bad leaving the gate," Jones said as he walked back to the barn. "He's bleeding. If you see blood on the track, it's his."
The result was a severe disappointment for Jones, who announced late last year that he would be retiring from training after this year's Breeder's Cup. Many didn't believe him, but Jones has already refused to take any 2-year-olds.