Gonna try to give an overview of things to look at while capping the Derby.Please add your 2 cents.First of all let me just say,that I believe this is probably the most difficult race to pick.Fisrt of all you have 3 year old running.These horses are babies and can be very inconsistent.Secondly,none of them have ran this distance before.Adding a 1/4 of a mile is a big deal at this age.Finally,its a big field,so as has been pointed out before,luck factors in.The best horse rarely wins this race.I personally am not only concerned with who I think is going to win,but also where I see value.I do this because of the racing luck factor.
Okay things to look for.First of all,you have to find a horse that is fast enough.Doesn't matter what kind of trip you get,if the horse isn't fast enough,he won't get it done.Now at the same time you are looking for a horse that is ready to run his fastest race to date.Whoever wins,it will be his best race up until this point.So your looking for horses with the best chance to move forward from previous races.
Next,you're looking for a horse in good condition leading up to race.Is he putting on weight[racing muscle]is he working well.Signs that he is peaking.
I also look for things that are common in past winners.Dosage,running patterns,prep races.
Very importantly, you have to find a horse capable of running the mile and 1/4.A lot of good horses just can't get the classic distance.
Churchill Downs.A very different kind of surface.Many horses just don't handle it.A horse that demonstartes he can run there has an advatage.
Pace.To me its the biggest factor.You have to get an idea how the early fractions are gonna be run,which will determine which horses should be there at the finish.If early fractions are fast,it sets up for the closers.If they are slow,the front enders have the edge.
Finally let me just add,that in most Derbies a case can be made for about 3/4 of the field.So its a matter of finding the horse with the most positives at a value price,then taking a shot and hope you get lucky.
Once the field is set and posts are drawn we will try to take a look at how the race will be run.
Okay things to look for.First of all,you have to find a horse that is fast enough.Doesn't matter what kind of trip you get,if the horse isn't fast enough,he won't get it done.Now at the same time you are looking for a horse that is ready to run his fastest race to date.Whoever wins,it will be his best race up until this point.So your looking for horses with the best chance to move forward from previous races.
Next,you're looking for a horse in good condition leading up to race.Is he putting on weight[racing muscle]is he working well.Signs that he is peaking.
I also look for things that are common in past winners.Dosage,running patterns,prep races.
Very importantly, you have to find a horse capable of running the mile and 1/4.A lot of good horses just can't get the classic distance.
Churchill Downs.A very different kind of surface.Many horses just don't handle it.A horse that demonstartes he can run there has an advatage.
Pace.To me its the biggest factor.You have to get an idea how the early fractions are gonna be run,which will determine which horses should be there at the finish.If early fractions are fast,it sets up for the closers.If they are slow,the front enders have the edge.
Finally let me just add,that in most Derbies a case can be made for about 3/4 of the field.So its a matter of finding the horse with the most positives at a value price,then taking a shot and hope you get lucky.
Once the field is set and posts are drawn we will try to take a look at how the race will be run.
My morning line (current starters)
Smarty Jones 5-1
Cliffs Edge 6-1
Tapit 6-1
Master David 8-1
Lion Heart 12-1
Castledale 15-1
Imperialism 15-1
Wimbledon 15-1
Pollards Vision 15-1
Quintons Gold Rush 15-1
Borrego 20-1
Read the Footnotes 25-1
Friends Lake 25-1
Minister Eric 25-1
Birdstone 30-1
Limehouse 30-1
Action This Day 35-1
St Averil 35-1
Song Of Sword 35-1
Sinister G 50-1
Smarty Jones 5-1
Cliffs Edge 6-1
Tapit 6-1
Master David 8-1
Lion Heart 12-1
Castledale 15-1
Imperialism 15-1
Wimbledon 15-1
Pollards Vision 15-1
Quintons Gold Rush 15-1
Borrego 20-1
Read the Footnotes 25-1
Friends Lake 25-1
Minister Eric 25-1
Birdstone 30-1
Limehouse 30-1
Action This Day 35-1
St Averil 35-1
Song Of Sword 35-1
Sinister G 50-1
Birdstone has me confused to say the least. Nick Zito was whinning like a baby after The Lanes End at Turfway. He did'nt like that they sealed the track just before the race and made it well known before the gate opened. Is it possible it affected his horse more then the rest of the field that day? He did follow sinister G on the Rail and had a perfect trip but still went backwards. who knows? I still will not dismiss him
This year's Kentucky Derby will feature a most unusual cast of characters.
And why not?
After arguably the wackiest Derby prep season ever, not one 3-year-old has stepped forward to dominate the division. So when entries are taken in a few days for next Saturday's race, a full field of 20 horses is a certainty, many of them uniquely distinctive.
Among this oddball collection of colts -- so far, there's not a gelding or filly to be found -- is one blind in his right eye (Pollard's Vision), another with partial vision in an eye (Imperialism) and another who recovered from a fractured skull (Smarty Jones).
For those who appreciate a catchy moniker, try the colt named for a tennis tournament (Wimbledon), or an Equibase chart caller (The Cliff's Edge), or a 1920s jazz tune (Limehouse).
And then there are the amazing grays, three of 'em right now, trained by an intriguing group: Three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert has Wimbledon; 21-year-old Kristin Mulhall, trying to become the youngest trainer -- and first female trainer -- to win the Derby, conditions Imperialism; and Englishman Michael Dickinson has his first Derby horse in Tapit, winner of the Wood Memorial.
Pro Prado, another gray, might end up in the field, while the gray Value Plus is doubtful but hasn't been ruled out. Preachinatthebar, a gray son of Silver Charm, was pulled out Thursday by Baffert following a poor workout.
Only five grays have won the Derby, including Silver Charm in 1997 and Monarchos in 2001.
"It's wide open," Dickinson said. "Whoever wins is going to have to show improvement from the last time."
The buildup to this Derby will be quite different from last year. Empire Maker was the clear-cut favorite off prep victories in the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial and drew most of the media attention in the week leading up to the race.
But as often is the case in America's greatest race, the favorite faltered. Last year, the unexpected winner was Funny Cide, the first gelding since 1929 and first New York-bred ever to take the Derby. Since Spectacular Bid's victory in 1979, the only other Derby favorite to win was Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.
The only thing that seems certain about the 1¼-mile Derby is that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won't be there. The four-time Derby winner has saddled at least one starter in 22 of the past 23 Derbies.
Two-time Derby winning trainer Nick Zito returns after a two-year absence and has the likely favorite in The Cliff's Edge. Named for Equibase chart caller Cliff Guilliams, "Cliffy" won the Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 10, and is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs.
"He loves the track," Zito said. The trainer also will send out Birdstone, who finished a dull sixth in the Lane's End Stakes last month and missed the Blue Grass with an elevated white blood cell count.
Bobby Frankel, who will saddle Master David in his quest for his first Derby win, says The Cliff's Edge is the horse to beat "because he ran fast and he ran good at Churchill as a 2-year-old. We know he likes the track."
Certainly not to be overlooked is Smarty Jones, who recovered from a skull fracture in a starting gate mishap before he even raced. The Pennsylvania bred is trying to become the first unbeaten Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977 -- and second Pennsylvania bred to win (Lil E. Tee in 1992 was the other).
If Smarty Jones can complete a sweep of the Rebel Stakes, the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby, he also would earn a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park.
Trainer John Servis doesn't seem overwhelmed with what's at stake as he prepares for his first Derby.
"Oh, it's been great," Servis said before arriving at Churchill Downs, where his colt's every move will be monitored closely for the first time. "He's been a fun horse to train. He trains hard and he races even harder. It's been a blast."
About the bonus: "I don't even think about it," he said. "If this horse wins the Derby, I'm going to be ecstatic."
The Derby will not be without horses trying to make it two in a row for New York breds. Two colts have the chance -- Florida Derby winner Friends Lake and Fountain of Youth winner Read the Footnotes, a tiring fourth in the Florida Derby.
Both come into the race off seven-week layoffs, something most trainers try to avoid, perhaps fearful of Derby history -- the last horse to win on the first Saturday in May without a race in April was Needles in 1956.
"I think the whole idea is to have a fresh horse for the Derby," Friends Lake's trainer John Kimmel has said.
Trainer Richard Mandella has two Derby horses in Action This Day and Minister Eric, the 1-2 finishers in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25. Mandella set a record with four wins on Breeders' Cup day, and his BC Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect went on to win the Dubai World Cup last month.
Action This Day, the 2-year-old champion, is winless in three starts this year, including a sixth-place finish in the Blue Grass. Minister Eric earned his way into the field with an allowance victory last week at Keeneland.
None of the first 19 BC Juvenile winners has gone on to win the Derby.
Under Derby rules, the field is limited to 20 starters. If more are entered Wednesday, the field will be determined by graded stakes earnings.
Among those considered top Derby contenders who still need defections to get into the field are Pro Prado, Eddington and Rock Hard Ten.
http://www.sportsline.com/horseracing/story/7282681
And why not?
After arguably the wackiest Derby prep season ever, not one 3-year-old has stepped forward to dominate the division. So when entries are taken in a few days for next Saturday's race, a full field of 20 horses is a certainty, many of them uniquely distinctive.
Among this oddball collection of colts -- so far, there's not a gelding or filly to be found -- is one blind in his right eye (Pollard's Vision), another with partial vision in an eye (Imperialism) and another who recovered from a fractured skull (Smarty Jones).
For those who appreciate a catchy moniker, try the colt named for a tennis tournament (Wimbledon), or an Equibase chart caller (The Cliff's Edge), or a 1920s jazz tune (Limehouse).
And then there are the amazing grays, three of 'em right now, trained by an intriguing group: Three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert has Wimbledon; 21-year-old Kristin Mulhall, trying to become the youngest trainer -- and first female trainer -- to win the Derby, conditions Imperialism; and Englishman Michael Dickinson has his first Derby horse in Tapit, winner of the Wood Memorial.
Pro Prado, another gray, might end up in the field, while the gray Value Plus is doubtful but hasn't been ruled out. Preachinatthebar, a gray son of Silver Charm, was pulled out Thursday by Baffert following a poor workout.
Only five grays have won the Derby, including Silver Charm in 1997 and Monarchos in 2001.
"It's wide open," Dickinson said. "Whoever wins is going to have to show improvement from the last time."
The buildup to this Derby will be quite different from last year. Empire Maker was the clear-cut favorite off prep victories in the Florida Derby and Wood Memorial and drew most of the media attention in the week leading up to the race.
But as often is the case in America's greatest race, the favorite faltered. Last year, the unexpected winner was Funny Cide, the first gelding since 1929 and first New York-bred ever to take the Derby. Since Spectacular Bid's victory in 1979, the only other Derby favorite to win was Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000.
The only thing that seems certain about the 1¼-mile Derby is that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won't be there. The four-time Derby winner has saddled at least one starter in 22 of the past 23 Derbies.
Two-time Derby winning trainer Nick Zito returns after a two-year absence and has the likely favorite in The Cliff's Edge. Named for Equibase chart caller Cliff Guilliams, "Cliffy" won the Blue Grass at Keeneland on April 10, and is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs.
"He loves the track," Zito said. The trainer also will send out Birdstone, who finished a dull sixth in the Lane's End Stakes last month and missed the Blue Grass with an elevated white blood cell count.
Bobby Frankel, who will saddle Master David in his quest for his first Derby win, says The Cliff's Edge is the horse to beat "because he ran fast and he ran good at Churchill as a 2-year-old. We know he likes the track."
Certainly not to be overlooked is Smarty Jones, who recovered from a skull fracture in a starting gate mishap before he even raced. The Pennsylvania bred is trying to become the first unbeaten Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977 -- and second Pennsylvania bred to win (Lil E. Tee in 1992 was the other).
If Smarty Jones can complete a sweep of the Rebel Stakes, the Arkansas Derby and the Kentucky Derby, he also would earn a $5 million bonus from Oaklawn Park.
Trainer John Servis doesn't seem overwhelmed with what's at stake as he prepares for his first Derby.
"Oh, it's been great," Servis said before arriving at Churchill Downs, where his colt's every move will be monitored closely for the first time. "He's been a fun horse to train. He trains hard and he races even harder. It's been a blast."
About the bonus: "I don't even think about it," he said. "If this horse wins the Derby, I'm going to be ecstatic."
The Derby will not be without horses trying to make it two in a row for New York breds. Two colts have the chance -- Florida Derby winner Friends Lake and Fountain of Youth winner Read the Footnotes, a tiring fourth in the Florida Derby.
Both come into the race off seven-week layoffs, something most trainers try to avoid, perhaps fearful of Derby history -- the last horse to win on the first Saturday in May without a race in April was Needles in 1956.
"I think the whole idea is to have a fresh horse for the Derby," Friends Lake's trainer John Kimmel has said.
Trainer Richard Mandella has two Derby horses in Action This Day and Minister Eric, the 1-2 finishers in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Oct. 25. Mandella set a record with four wins on Breeders' Cup day, and his BC Classic winner Pleasantly Perfect went on to win the Dubai World Cup last month.
Action This Day, the 2-year-old champion, is winless in three starts this year, including a sixth-place finish in the Blue Grass. Minister Eric earned his way into the field with an allowance victory last week at Keeneland.
None of the first 19 BC Juvenile winners has gone on to win the Derby.
Under Derby rules, the field is limited to 20 starters. If more are entered Wednesday, the field will be determined by graded stakes earnings.
Among those considered top Derby contenders who still need defections to get into the field are Pro Prado, Eddington and Rock Hard Ten.
http://www.sportsline.com/horseracing/story/7282681
ACTION THIS DAY Trainer: Richard Mandella Jockey: David Flores
He's the quintessential one-hit wonder, having done nothing before or after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at odds of 26-1. Has shown no speed and no closing kick at 3, finishing fourth, sixth and seventh. If you're superstitious, throw in the double-jinx factor, as no Juvenile winner has won the Derby and no 2-year-old champion has done it since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Throw him out.
BIRDSTONE Trainer: Nick Zito Jockey: Edgar Prado
Looked like a potential star after winning the Champagne Stakes last fall but has had problems this season. I could forgive his dud against a weak group in the Lane's End at Turfway March 20, but he hasn't raced since. Although his sire, Grindstone, and grandsire Unbridled won the Derby, I doubt very much if he'll do the same. He'll be off the board.
BORREGO Trainer: Beau Greely Jockey: Victor Espinoza
He's a plodder, and those types almost never win the Derby. He's 1-for-4 on dirt since running his first three career races on turf, and he was no star there, either. Only main-track win was in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in January. I think he has a good chance to inflate the price of the superfecta while having little or no chance to win. An exotics play only.
CASTLEDALE Trainer: Jeff Mullins Jockey: Jose Valdivia
Pint-sized Irish-bred jumped up to win the Santa Anita Derby at 30-1 odds in only his second start on dirt. Lost a considerable amount of weight after that race, but a strong workout last weekend persuaded his connections to go to Louisville. Has plenty of turf stamina on both sides of his pedigree. Is he a wild card at a big price again, or is he Mullins' second coming of Buddy Gil? That horse upset the Santa Anita Derby last year, then was nowhere at Churchill. Rarely runs a bad one, and certainly isn't the worst stab. Not on my short list of likely winners, but not impossible. At 10-1 or better, he's worth considering.
EDDINGTON Trainer: Mark Hennig Jockey: TBA
Long-striding, beautiful colt has one of the best distance pedigrees in the field (by Unbridled out of a Chief's Crown mare) but as of Monday he needed one more defection to make the race. Had a wide, odd trip in the Wood and missed second by a nose after coming on again late. Bailey wanted to re-ride him even after committing to Wimbledon. Looks like the type that could win the Derby if he puts it all together on the day, and many Derby winners fit that profile. Working strongly at Belmont Park. Can win if he gets in.
FRIENDS LAKE Trainer: John Kimmel Jockey: Richard Migliore
High-strung colt needs lots of time between races, so Kimmel chose to rest him after he won the Florida Derby off an eight-week break. To become the second consecutive New York-bred to get the roses, he'll have to be the first Derby winner not to run in April since Needles in 1956. The Florida Derby has turned out to be a key race, with also-rans The Cliff's Edge and Tapit winning the Blue Grass and Wood, respectively. Still, the combination of a difficult temperament and a long layoff makes me say no.
IMPERIALISM Trainer: Kristin Mulhall Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Will make his 16th start Saturday, so he's the most experienced horse in the Derby, if nothing else. Mulhall, 21, will be the youngest ever to saddle a Derby runner, and she's had remarkable success the past year. Ran down Lion Heart and the very quick Hosco to upset 7-furlong and mile stakes at odds of 14-1 and 7-1. Was weakening when bothered in deep stretch of the Santa Anita Derby, and I think he's at his best at 1 1/16 miles, tops. Closing sprinter/miler types don't get the job done in the Derby.
LIMEHOUSE Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Santos
Pletcher annually churns out many of these types, who are brilliant in 2-year-old sprints and competitive until the distances get past a mile and a sixteenth. Does his best work stalking from up close at shorter distances, and he's 1-for-3 beyond a mile, all in stakes. Has lots of class and always runs hard, but I think he'll be packing it in approaching the eighth pole, if not earlier.
LION HEART Trainer: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Mike Smith
As long as he breaks well, he's clearly the controlling speed, and he's never been worse than second in five starts. When front-runners Sinister G and Value Plus were in the field, Lion Heart looked like a certain pace casualty. With them out of the race, Lion Heart might get loose in reasonable fractions if the riders of Smarty Jones, Pollard's Vision and Quintons Gold Rush choose to stay two or three lengths behind him. Could lead for a long way, but is likely to come back to the field anyway because he runs hard and has a miler's pedigree. Yet nobody thought War Emblem would wire the 2002 Derby, either. If you can get 5-1 or so, at least you can be confident you'll be in front entering the stretch. Not getting that much attention and may be a slight overlay. If Smarty Jones doesn't fire and the better closers find traffic trouble, Lion Heart might hang on and gasp home first.
MASTER DAVID Trainer: Bobby Frankel Jockey: Alex Solis
Former European has quality and stamina but lacks a big turn of foot, the type of burst that often blows open the Derby on the far turn or entering the stretch. Never off the board in four main-track races and will be running on late while most of the field fades. I think he's a must for any exotic bets. I don't think he'll win, but he won't be far back from whoever does.
MINISTER ERIC Trainer: Richard Mandella Jockey: Pat Day
Handsome colt might win the beauty contest but not the race. His claim to fame is a clunk-up, non-threatening second to stablemate Action This Day in the Juvenile. Just won a non-winners-of-1 allowance over a nothing field at Keeneland, not usually a ticket to the Derby. He's never won a stakes and never even tried 1 1/8 miles, so expecting him to do well at 1¼ is silly. Forget him.
POLLARD'S VISION Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez
He's by sprint sire Carson City, so it was a surprise he won the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby, even against a weak field. Pletcher and Velazquez are tremendous talents and eventually will win a Derby together, but not with this guy. Could have a major impact if he runs hard with Lion Heart early, but I think Velazquez will nurse him along and try to milk his questionable stamina as far as he can. Off the board.
PRO PRADO Trainer: Bob Holthus Jockey: John McKee
Holthus' only previous entries in the Derby were in 1972 and 1988, so like clockwork, 16 years later, he's back again. He's 0-for-4 at a mile or longer and has never won past 6½ furlongs, so why is he trying 10 furlongs? Couldn't do better than a no-chance third despite a golden trip in the Arkansas Derby. Might get third or fourth at 50-1 if everything breaks his way again and most of the better runners get cooked or lack running room. That's not much of an endorsement. Ignore him.
QUINTONS GOLD RUSH Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: TBA
Made a big move forward in the Lexington, drawing off with ease and registering a career-best speed figure. Didn't beat much there, but he always tries and has tactical speed, a fine asset to avoid trouble in a huge field. Tries to repeat the pattern of Charismatic, who ran fourth in the 1999 Santa Anita Derby before dominating the Lexington and taking the Kentucky Derby at huge odds. This guy will be a big price and worth considering. Had a hard trip battling on the lead when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. Worries for Saturday: being too close to a likely fast pace and bouncing in his third race in four weeks. Without a few negatives, though, you never get a big price. I'm keeping him in mind because of the risk/reward angle.
READ THE FOOTNOTES Trainer: Richard Violette Jockey: Robby Albarado
Like Friends Lake, he's a New York-bred with good credentials who hasn't run since mid-March. If you're willing to accept the layoff angle, do you choose this guy or the other one? I'm inclined not to play either and will salute any trainer who wins the Derby off a long break. Read The Footnotes has tactical speed, a win at 1 1/8 miles and 2-year-old seasoning, so he wouldn't be a big shock if he won. I just don't like the long layoff and I'll try to beat him.
ROCK HARD TEN Trainer: Jason Orman Jockey: TBA
Magnificent-looking specimen needed two defections as of Monday to get into the Derby. Besides that problem, he didn't make his career debut until Feb. 7, and no Derby winner has been unraced at 2 since Apollo in 1882. In the long run, he'll be better off if he doesn't run 1¼ miles in top company less than three months after his first race. Even if he gets in, I'll pass on him.
SMARTY JONES Trainer: John Servis Jockey: Stewart Elliott
This Pennsylvania-bred from Philly Park is this year's version of Funny Cide, and he has a good chance to repeat the New York-bred's feat. He's unbeaten and untested, and his 5-furlong work in 58 seconds Saturday at Churchill was fantastic. His pedigree says 1¼ miles should be a stretch, and his competition has been weaker than any other top contender. Wasn't drawing off at the end of the Arkansas Derby, and maybe that signals the Derby's final furlong could find him out. Respect, and if he's 9-2 or better, he's very playable.
SONG OF THE SWORD Trainer: Jennifer Pedersen Jockey: Norberto Arroyo
Had trouble when second in the Illinois Derby and third in the Lexington but was no factor at the end of either. Gives the impression he wants shorter distances and Grade II or III company, not a Grade I at 10 furlongs. Hasn't won past a mile and 70 yards and 0-for-2 in stakes. Only chance would be a third or fourth at huge odds after a perfect trip.
ST AVERIL Trainer: Rafael Becerra Jockey: Tyler Baze
I liked his Derby chances until he ran a miserable sixth in the Santa Anita Derby, partly because of a foot problem. I figured Becerra would pass on Kentucky, but he decided to come after a 6-furlong work in a pokey 1:11 4/5 Sunday at Santa Anita. I can't take him seriously after that pathetic Santa Anita Derby, even though I have a small future wager on him.
TAPIT Trainer: Michael Dickinson Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
If anyone can win the Derby off only four career starts, it's the "Mad Genius," Dickinson. Like Lion Heart, he'll make only his third 3-year-old start Saturday, and it's been 21 years since the Derby winner (Sunny's Halo) had that profile. Not since 1918 has the Derby winner had only four previous starts. Dickinson has been a miracle worker throughout his career, but he's asking a lot of this horse. If he's 8-1 or better, maybe he's worth a shot, but I doubt if he'll be that good a price. I won't be playing him.
THE CLIFF'S EDGE Trainer: Nick Zito Jockey: Shane Sellers
After his gigantic move forward in the Blue Grass, he'll most likely be favored, partly because Zito is a fan favorite who has won the Derby twice. This colt is 2-for-2 at Churchill and has the biggest speed figure, so he could be 4-1 or so, which is no bargain. Of the last 12 Derby winners, only Charismatic, Fusaichi Pegasus and War Emblem won his final prep, so I'm a bit wary of jumping on the "Cliffie" bandwagon. Certainly would be no shock, but I'm concerned he might regress off a career top.
WIMBLEDON Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Ran terribly in the Santa Anita Derby after drawing a lot of premature support for winning the Louisiana Derby. The field in New Orleans was second-rate, at best, and it was only 1 1/16 miles. If not for the Baffert factor, his price would be a lot higher, because he still has a lot more to prove than many of his rivals. I won't be on him.
http://espn.go.com/horse/triplecrown04/s/2004/0426/1790345.html
He's the quintessential one-hit wonder, having done nothing before or after winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at odds of 26-1. Has shown no speed and no closing kick at 3, finishing fourth, sixth and seventh. If you're superstitious, throw in the double-jinx factor, as no Juvenile winner has won the Derby and no 2-year-old champion has done it since Spectacular Bid in 1979. Throw him out.
BIRDSTONE Trainer: Nick Zito Jockey: Edgar Prado
Looked like a potential star after winning the Champagne Stakes last fall but has had problems this season. I could forgive his dud against a weak group in the Lane's End at Turfway March 20, but he hasn't raced since. Although his sire, Grindstone, and grandsire Unbridled won the Derby, I doubt very much if he'll do the same. He'll be off the board.
BORREGO Trainer: Beau Greely Jockey: Victor Espinoza
He's a plodder, and those types almost never win the Derby. He's 1-for-4 on dirt since running his first three career races on turf, and he was no star there, either. Only main-track win was in an optional claimer at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita in January. I think he has a good chance to inflate the price of the superfecta while having little or no chance to win. An exotics play only.
CASTLEDALE Trainer: Jeff Mullins Jockey: Jose Valdivia
Pint-sized Irish-bred jumped up to win the Santa Anita Derby at 30-1 odds in only his second start on dirt. Lost a considerable amount of weight after that race, but a strong workout last weekend persuaded his connections to go to Louisville. Has plenty of turf stamina on both sides of his pedigree. Is he a wild card at a big price again, or is he Mullins' second coming of Buddy Gil? That horse upset the Santa Anita Derby last year, then was nowhere at Churchill. Rarely runs a bad one, and certainly isn't the worst stab. Not on my short list of likely winners, but not impossible. At 10-1 or better, he's worth considering.
EDDINGTON Trainer: Mark Hennig Jockey: TBA
Long-striding, beautiful colt has one of the best distance pedigrees in the field (by Unbridled out of a Chief's Crown mare) but as of Monday he needed one more defection to make the race. Had a wide, odd trip in the Wood and missed second by a nose after coming on again late. Bailey wanted to re-ride him even after committing to Wimbledon. Looks like the type that could win the Derby if he puts it all together on the day, and many Derby winners fit that profile. Working strongly at Belmont Park. Can win if he gets in.
FRIENDS LAKE Trainer: John Kimmel Jockey: Richard Migliore
High-strung colt needs lots of time between races, so Kimmel chose to rest him after he won the Florida Derby off an eight-week break. To become the second consecutive New York-bred to get the roses, he'll have to be the first Derby winner not to run in April since Needles in 1956. The Florida Derby has turned out to be a key race, with also-rans The Cliff's Edge and Tapit winning the Blue Grass and Wood, respectively. Still, the combination of a difficult temperament and a long layoff makes me say no.
IMPERIALISM Trainer: Kristin Mulhall Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Will make his 16th start Saturday, so he's the most experienced horse in the Derby, if nothing else. Mulhall, 21, will be the youngest ever to saddle a Derby runner, and she's had remarkable success the past year. Ran down Lion Heart and the very quick Hosco to upset 7-furlong and mile stakes at odds of 14-1 and 7-1. Was weakening when bothered in deep stretch of the Santa Anita Derby, and I think he's at his best at 1 1/16 miles, tops. Closing sprinter/miler types don't get the job done in the Derby.
LIMEHOUSE Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: Jose Santos
Pletcher annually churns out many of these types, who are brilliant in 2-year-old sprints and competitive until the distances get past a mile and a sixteenth. Does his best work stalking from up close at shorter distances, and he's 1-for-3 beyond a mile, all in stakes. Has lots of class and always runs hard, but I think he'll be packing it in approaching the eighth pole, if not earlier.
LION HEART Trainer: Patrick Biancone Jockey: Mike Smith
As long as he breaks well, he's clearly the controlling speed, and he's never been worse than second in five starts. When front-runners Sinister G and Value Plus were in the field, Lion Heart looked like a certain pace casualty. With them out of the race, Lion Heart might get loose in reasonable fractions if the riders of Smarty Jones, Pollard's Vision and Quintons Gold Rush choose to stay two or three lengths behind him. Could lead for a long way, but is likely to come back to the field anyway because he runs hard and has a miler's pedigree. Yet nobody thought War Emblem would wire the 2002 Derby, either. If you can get 5-1 or so, at least you can be confident you'll be in front entering the stretch. Not getting that much attention and may be a slight overlay. If Smarty Jones doesn't fire and the better closers find traffic trouble, Lion Heart might hang on and gasp home first.
MASTER DAVID Trainer: Bobby Frankel Jockey: Alex Solis
Former European has quality and stamina but lacks a big turn of foot, the type of burst that often blows open the Derby on the far turn or entering the stretch. Never off the board in four main-track races and will be running on late while most of the field fades. I think he's a must for any exotic bets. I don't think he'll win, but he won't be far back from whoever does.
MINISTER ERIC Trainer: Richard Mandella Jockey: Pat Day
Handsome colt might win the beauty contest but not the race. His claim to fame is a clunk-up, non-threatening second to stablemate Action This Day in the Juvenile. Just won a non-winners-of-1 allowance over a nothing field at Keeneland, not usually a ticket to the Derby. He's never won a stakes and never even tried 1 1/8 miles, so expecting him to do well at 1¼ is silly. Forget him.
POLLARD'S VISION Trainer: Todd Pletcher Jockey: John Velazquez
He's by sprint sire Carson City, so it was a surprise he won the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby, even against a weak field. Pletcher and Velazquez are tremendous talents and eventually will win a Derby together, but not with this guy. Could have a major impact if he runs hard with Lion Heart early, but I think Velazquez will nurse him along and try to milk his questionable stamina as far as he can. Off the board.
PRO PRADO Trainer: Bob Holthus Jockey: John McKee
Holthus' only previous entries in the Derby were in 1972 and 1988, so like clockwork, 16 years later, he's back again. He's 0-for-4 at a mile or longer and has never won past 6½ furlongs, so why is he trying 10 furlongs? Couldn't do better than a no-chance third despite a golden trip in the Arkansas Derby. Might get third or fourth at 50-1 if everything breaks his way again and most of the better runners get cooked or lack running room. That's not much of an endorsement. Ignore him.
QUINTONS GOLD RUSH Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: TBA
Made a big move forward in the Lexington, drawing off with ease and registering a career-best speed figure. Didn't beat much there, but he always tries and has tactical speed, a fine asset to avoid trouble in a huge field. Tries to repeat the pattern of Charismatic, who ran fourth in the 1999 Santa Anita Derby before dominating the Lexington and taking the Kentucky Derby at huge odds. This guy will be a big price and worth considering. Had a hard trip battling on the lead when fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. Worries for Saturday: being too close to a likely fast pace and bouncing in his third race in four weeks. Without a few negatives, though, you never get a big price. I'm keeping him in mind because of the risk/reward angle.
READ THE FOOTNOTES Trainer: Richard Violette Jockey: Robby Albarado
Like Friends Lake, he's a New York-bred with good credentials who hasn't run since mid-March. If you're willing to accept the layoff angle, do you choose this guy or the other one? I'm inclined not to play either and will salute any trainer who wins the Derby off a long break. Read The Footnotes has tactical speed, a win at 1 1/8 miles and 2-year-old seasoning, so he wouldn't be a big shock if he won. I just don't like the long layoff and I'll try to beat him.
ROCK HARD TEN Trainer: Jason Orman Jockey: TBA
Magnificent-looking specimen needed two defections as of Monday to get into the Derby. Besides that problem, he didn't make his career debut until Feb. 7, and no Derby winner has been unraced at 2 since Apollo in 1882. In the long run, he'll be better off if he doesn't run 1¼ miles in top company less than three months after his first race. Even if he gets in, I'll pass on him.
SMARTY JONES Trainer: John Servis Jockey: Stewart Elliott
This Pennsylvania-bred from Philly Park is this year's version of Funny Cide, and he has a good chance to repeat the New York-bred's feat. He's unbeaten and untested, and his 5-furlong work in 58 seconds Saturday at Churchill was fantastic. His pedigree says 1¼ miles should be a stretch, and his competition has been weaker than any other top contender. Wasn't drawing off at the end of the Arkansas Derby, and maybe that signals the Derby's final furlong could find him out. Respect, and if he's 9-2 or better, he's very playable.
SONG OF THE SWORD Trainer: Jennifer Pedersen Jockey: Norberto Arroyo
Had trouble when second in the Illinois Derby and third in the Lexington but was no factor at the end of either. Gives the impression he wants shorter distances and Grade II or III company, not a Grade I at 10 furlongs. Hasn't won past a mile and 70 yards and 0-for-2 in stakes. Only chance would be a third or fourth at huge odds after a perfect trip.
ST AVERIL Trainer: Rafael Becerra Jockey: Tyler Baze
I liked his Derby chances until he ran a miserable sixth in the Santa Anita Derby, partly because of a foot problem. I figured Becerra would pass on Kentucky, but he decided to come after a 6-furlong work in a pokey 1:11 4/5 Sunday at Santa Anita. I can't take him seriously after that pathetic Santa Anita Derby, even though I have a small future wager on him.
TAPIT Trainer: Michael Dickinson Jockey: Ramon Dominguez
If anyone can win the Derby off only four career starts, it's the "Mad Genius," Dickinson. Like Lion Heart, he'll make only his third 3-year-old start Saturday, and it's been 21 years since the Derby winner (Sunny's Halo) had that profile. Not since 1918 has the Derby winner had only four previous starts. Dickinson has been a miracle worker throughout his career, but he's asking a lot of this horse. If he's 8-1 or better, maybe he's worth a shot, but I doubt if he'll be that good a price. I won't be playing him.
THE CLIFF'S EDGE Trainer: Nick Zito Jockey: Shane Sellers
After his gigantic move forward in the Blue Grass, he'll most likely be favored, partly because Zito is a fan favorite who has won the Derby twice. This colt is 2-for-2 at Churchill and has the biggest speed figure, so he could be 4-1 or so, which is no bargain. Of the last 12 Derby winners, only Charismatic, Fusaichi Pegasus and War Emblem won his final prep, so I'm a bit wary of jumping on the "Cliffie" bandwagon. Certainly would be no shock, but I'm concerned he might regress off a career top.
WIMBLEDON Trainer: Bob Baffert Jockey: Jerry Bailey
Ran terribly in the Santa Anita Derby after drawing a lot of premature support for winning the Louisiana Derby. The field in New Orleans was second-rate, at best, and it was only 1 1/16 miles. If not for the Baffert factor, his price would be a lot higher, because he still has a lot more to prove than many of his rivals. I won't be on him.
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ACTION THIS DAY/MINISTER ERIC - Trainer Richard Mandella returned from his California trip Monday night and was at Barn 41 at 5:45 Tuesday morning to oversee his five-horse Churchill Downs' contingent. Chief among those runners are a handsome threesome consisting of Action This Day and Minister Eric, who are bound for Saturday's 130th Kentucky Derby, and Halfbridled, who will run in Friday's Kentucky Oaks.
After sending Halfbridled out in the dark for some exercise, Mandella had Action This Day trackside at 7 to greet the sun on a crisp and clear morning in Louisville. The sturdy bay by Kris S. galloped once around the oval for exercise rider Paul Nilluang. Mandella and wife Randi did their best to take in the exercise from one of the viewing stands on the backside, but visibility is limited at the track this year because of all the tents and other structures in the infield while the rebuilding of the grandstand continues.
Action This Day came back from his exercise in good order and the trainer indicated he would give the juvenile champion a short blowout Wednesday morning.
"He'll go three furlongs," Mandella said. "I'm not quite sure when. We'll see how it goes in the morning."
At 8:30, following the renovation break, the trainer returned to the track with Minister Eric and his Kentucky Derby rider, Pat Day, for a half-mile drill that was to be the Old Trieste colt's final major move prior to the Run for the Roses. Minister Eric and his Hall of Fame partner backtracked to the frontside with a pony, jogged back the right way to the five-furlong pole, then broke off and picked up steam for their run from the half-mile pole home. They accomplished the move in a final time of :50 flat.
"We didn't do much away from the pole," Day noted afterward, "but he finished up strong. He surprised me how hard he pulled."
"It was good," Mandella said. "I'm happy with what he did."
Minister Eric will be Day's 22nd Derby mount, starting with Music Leader, who finished 15th back in 1982.
Minister Eric will be Mandella's fifth Derby starter - the first coming with Bedouin, who finished 15th in 1984.
Bedouin, incidentally, is still alive and doing well, living at the California Equine Retirement Foundation (CERF) farm in Temecula, Calif. The now-white gray often is called upon to make guest appearances at racetracks and fairs all around the state.
BIRDSTONE/THE CLIFF'S EDGE - Trainer Nick Zito sent Birdstone to the track for a mile and a half gallop under exercise rider Maxine Correa before the renovation break.
Stablemate The Cliff's Edge walked the shedrow a day after working five furlongs in 1:01. Zito, a two-time Derby winner, was asked about his confidence level coming into the race.
"I have a great confidence level, but you have to wait as the week goes on," Zito said. "Right now, we have had a couple of good weeks. Go for Gin (in 1994) had a couple of good weeks; 'Cliffy' has had a couple of good weeks, but you still have to go on to the last part. Once you get to Friday and race day, you get to feel a lot more confident.
"You've got to have those good weeks and good days. The main thing is, we are through the works. This Derby for Nick Zito, if they get in the gate Saturday, I'm just gonna say, 'Hallelujah,' and then I will go from there.
"Both horses have come up great, and it's great to be here. On April 10, I didn't know if I would be here, even with 'The Cliff' ... Believe it or not, Keeneland probably wasn't his track, and if he had thrown in some kind of race where he finished fourth ... you never know."
Another good omen for Zito was how The Cliff's Edge's work mirrored the final work of Go for Gin in 1994.
'"Go for Gin galloped out past the kitchen, and 'Cliff' did that yesterday, too. He went all the way past the kitchen," Zito said. "That part is OK, but we still have to have the whole week."
Zito said that Eurosilver, who was taken off the Derby trail after coming down with a glandular infection prior to the Blue Grass, was on the mend at Buckram Oak Farm.
"I talked to them yesterday, and they said he was doing well on the farm," Zito said. "We are going to take all the time we need. Obviously, he is going to miss the Triple Crown and we are going to get ready for the fall."
BORREGO - It was just a light morning for the Louisiana and Arkansas Derbies' runner-up Borrego, as trainer (and co-owner and co-breeder) C. Beau Greely had his charge spend some time schooling at the gate and then gallop less than a mile under Irishman Andy Durnin. Greely watched the proceedings near the gate, which is positioned in the chute at the head of the stretch for training.
The husky chestnut went trackside at 7 a.m., took care of his business and came off the oval bouncing, something the son of El Prado has been doing all the while he's been at Churchill Downs. The veteran Durnin was asked how his mount was doing.
"Unbelievable," he stated with a shake of the head. "I had to take a real good hold of him out there to make sure he didn't go 'round with me again. He's something."
Borrego, a winner of $399,580, will have Victor Espinoza in the irons on Saturday.
CASTLEDALE - Irish-bred Castledale, the $62 upset winner of the Santa Anita Derby, arrived safely Monday from California and jogged once around the one-mile Churchill Downs track early this morning.
Frank Lyons, co-owner of Castledale with Greg Knee, said the bay colt "traveled well and ate up and enjoyed the trip. He's a good traveler. He was looking around a lot this morning but in a good way, not like he was nervous about his new surroundings."
According to Lyons, trainer Jeff Mullins will arrive in Louisville Wednesday, as will jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. The latter also is scheduled to ride McCann's Mojave in the Churchill Downs Handicap Saturday versus, among others, Congaree.
EDDINGTON - Willmott Stables' Eddington jogged Tuesday morning at Belmont Park with exercise rider and assistant trainer Jose Sanchez up. Trainer Mark Hennig said Eddington would be entered tomorrow for Derby 130 and if he made the field of 20, would ship to Louisville after training at Belmont.
FRIENDS LAKE - The big chestnut son of A.P. Indy spent some quality time out of the barn Tuesday morning. With exercise rider Amanda Roxborough aboard, the colt galloped a mile and a half after the break, and then schooled at the gate and in the paddock.
Friends Lake, owned by breeders Chester and Mary Broman Sr., has not started since winning the Florida Derby on March 13. "We made that decision right after the Florida Derby," trainer John Kimmel said. "He's very fit right now."
The New York-bred colt, who is out of the millionaire mare Antespend, had his final Derby prep on Sunday, when he breezed five furlongs in 1:03 through a driving rainstorm.
Regular rider Richard Migliore, who has been aboard in all the colt's three career wins, has the mount again.
IMPERIALISM - Trainer Kristin Mulhall sent Imperialism to the track shortly after its 5:15 a.m. opening for a paddock visit and a mile and a half gallop. The Steve Taub-owned colt is scheduled for a paddock schooling session Tuesday afternoon.
Even though Mulhall is saddling her first Derby starter, she has made the Derby Day walk from the barn area to the paddock three times.
"I came over with Desert Hero, Point Given and War Emblem," Mulhall said of three TheThoroughbred Corporation Derby starters. "It's an unbelievable feeling, especially when we did it with Point Given. There is no other feeling like it. It will be interesting this time, especially knowing it is my own horse."
The 21-year-old Mulhall, who has been around horses all her life, said she has never had a drink.
So, what would the beverage of choice be at the Kentucky Derby Museum on Saturday night should Imperialism win the Derby?
"Water," she said.
LIMEHOUSE/POLLARD'S VISION - The Todd Pletcher-trained duo were out of their stalls Tuesday morning, but only to walk the shedrow as their Kentucky Derby dates drew a day closer.
The pair, who will be the eighth and ninth horses the 36-year-old conditioner has sent postward in America's most famous race, have done just about everything right coming up to their mile and a quarter crucible Saturday.
"I couldn't be more pleased with the way these two have come along for this," Pletcher said. "Everything has gone the way I would have wanted. They've been getting over the track well. They're doing good and there haven't been any surprises."
Pletcher has named last year's Kentucky Derby winner Jose Santos to ride the Grand Slam colt, Limehouse. He'll give John Velazquez a leg up on Carson City's son, Pollard's Vision.
LION HEART - Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Lion Heart jogged at Keeneland Race Course today, a day after putting in a half-mile workout at Churchill Downs. Trainer Patrick Biancone was pleased with the colt's round trip from Lexington to Louisville on Monday and indicated that Lion Heart will ship back to Churchill Downs on the morning of the Kentucky Derby.
Lion Heart will be Biancone's second Derby starter. Last year, he sent out Michael Tabor's Brancusi, who finished 16th. Biancone shipped Brancusi to Churchill Downs on the Friday prior to the Derby. The last time a Derby starter shipped in on the day of the race was in 2002: Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo finished eighth and 12th, respectively.
"His work yesterday was an easy one to stretch his legs," said Biancone. "It gave him a chance to look at the track and it seems like he liked the surface. He'll gallop tomorrow (at Keeneland)."
Purchased for $1.4 million as a 2-year-old, Lion Heart quickly demonstrated his value by winning his first three races last year, including the Hollywood Prevue (G3) and the Hollywood Futurity (G1). He only has started twice as a 3-year-old, finishing second both times but beaten less than a length total. His auction price is by far the highest among this year's Derby contenders.
The colt has plenty of speed and was just caught in the end in his last two, thus prompting questions about his ability to get a mile and a quarter.
"I don't think he has any limitations, he has so much talent, so much class. Hopefully he'll be very competitive on Saturday," said Biancone.
MASTER DAVID - Master David did some high stepping at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning, but first the Grand Slam Colt made his trainer - Hall of Famer Robert Frankel - do some fancy footwork of his own.
As stablehands walked the chestnut under the shedrow readying for a five-furlong drill, he passed by his trainer and let out a quick kick. Frankel, who has spent more than 40 years around racehorses, was ready for the thrust and did a quick move of his own to avoid a flying hoof.
"Well, he's alive," deadpanned the trainer. "Nothing nasty on his part. He's just feeling good."
Frankel then went trackside at the six-furlong gap following the 8 a.m. renovation break to watch Master David and stablemate Coded Warning step onto the "fast" Churchill Downs strip. The Derby colt had veteran exercise rider Joe Deegan aboard, while his workmate - a 3-year-old maiden with two starts - was handled by jockey Rafael Bejarano. The pair backtracked together to the frontside, jogged back the right way to near the five-furlong marker, then dropped down on the rail and worked as a team. Master David was outside his partner for the drill and he outran his less-experienced morning rival. Clockers gave Master David a final time of 1:00.80, while Coded Warning got a 1:01.60. The splits for Master David were :12.60, :25, :37.20 and :49.20 with an "out" time of 1:14.60.
Frankel was asked if it was what he was after. "Exactly," said the trainer.
Why had he worked the horse in company? "He sometimes gets a little lazy at the end of his works," he noted. "He's OK the first part, but then he gets lazy. This way he'll stay after it."
Frankel, who'll be saddling his seventh Derby horse with Master David on Saturday, has Alex Solis named to ride in the mile and one-quarter classic. The trainer indicated he might paddock Master David Wednesday afternoon.
PRO PRADO - Mrs. James A. Winn's Pro Prado galloped a mile and three-quarters under exercise rider Lee Lockwood, going to the track at 7:15.
"He is going to the gate in the morning and that is just to get him comfortable," said trainer Robert Holthus, who plans no paddock schooling for Pro Prado. "If I get the post I'd like, he won't be in there very long, but if I don't, he might have to stand awhile."
John McKee, one of five first-time Derby riders, saw his first Derby in person last year.
"The first Derby I remember watching on TV, Pat Day won (on Lil E Tee in 1992)," the 22-year-old Cincinnati native said.
McKee, who will be the youngest rider in the field, was asked if there would be any butterflies come post time Saturday.
"I am not thinking about it. I am going out there with every intention of winning the race," McKee said. "If I get butterflies, it's a distraction. I am going to try to stay level-headed."
QUINTONS GOLD RUSH - Quintons Gold Rush, who breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 Monday, walked under the shed this morning and will school in the Churchill Downs paddock this afternoon, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
Quintons Gold Rush, owned by Padua Stables, won the Coolmore Lexington Stakes to cinch out a spot in the 130th Kentucky Derby Saturday. Corey Nakatani has the call.
READ THE FOOTNOTES - The Klaravich Stables-owned colt had an easy morning Tuesday following his half-mile breeze on Monday. "He just jogged around the track," trainer Rick Violette Jr. said. "Then we took him to the paddock and he stood around for about 10 minutes looking at the scenery."
Read the Footnotes, a son of Smoke Glacken, had his final Derby work Monday when he zipped a half-mile in :47.60.
The colt won the Fountain of Youth Stakes in February with the best speed figure (113) of the season for a 3-year-old, but "bounced" in the Florida Derby on March 13, when he finished fourth, four lengths behind fellow New York-bred Friends Lake. He has not started since that race, but Violette refuses to second-guess his game plan.
"It was the best thing to do for Read the Footnotes," the trainer said of the decision to give the colt seven weeks between races. "He's a willing workhorse, and he runs well fresh. Everything has worked out well. He's a legitimately good horse."
Read the Footnotes will have a new rider for the Derby in Robby Albarado.
"He's won stakes here and he knows this track very well," Violette said. "We'll be in good hands."
ROCK HARD TEN - The huge Kris S. colt, who may be on the outside looking in when entries are drawn Wednesday for the Kentucky Derby, walked the shedrow in Barn 41, a day after working five furlongs in :59.40.
"He's fine this morning, and he will go back to the track in the morning," trainer Jason Orman said.
Rock Hard Ten is slated to be entered Wednesday, but at No. 22 on the graded earnings list of Derby hopefuls, may not make the Derby field that is limited to the top 20 entered graded earners.
ST AVERIL - St Averil, the stakes-winning Saint Ballado colt who arrived Monday afternoon with the shipment of horses from California, had his first tour of Churchill Downs this morning, jogging once around for trainer Rafael Becerra.
Kevin Power was aboard the colt who was a highly regarded Kentucky Derby contender until a disappointing sixth-place finish behind Castledale as the 2-1 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby. Previously, the Stan Fulton-owned 3-year-old won the Santa Catalina Stakes over Lucky Pulpit and Master David and was beaten a nose by Preachinatthebar in the San Felipe Stakes.
Becerra, who arrived in Louisville this morning, said St Averil traveled well and will gallop each day until Saturday's 130th running of the Kentucky Derby.
He plans to school St Averil in the Churchill Downs paddock at least twice this week, Thursday and Friday.
"Mentally, this horse is really good, so I'm not too concerned about it," he said.
Becerra recalled that he was at Churchill Downs 20 years ago as an assistant to Gary Jones with Fali Time, who finished fifth to Swale and was moved up to fourth when Gate Dancer was disqualified.
According to Becerra, jockey Tyler Baze, who has ridden St Averil in all of his six races, will arrive Friday from California.
SMARTY JONES - The undefeated Smarty Jones went to the track at 7 a.m. Tuesday with regular exercise partner Pete Van Trump up for a mile and a half gallop.
A growing number of cameras followed the colt to the track, but trainer John Servis noted Smarty Jones was not bothered by it at all.
"He's been doing good," Servis said. "We go early because I only have the one horse here and you don't feel like standing around all morning."
Smarty Jones is scheduled to visit the starting gate in the morning and then Servis will wait for that afternoon's post position draw.
"Wednesday is a big day with the draw and that could change a lot of things," said Servis when asked about strategy. "The last thing I'd want to see is Lion Heart get out and control the race."
Servis was asked if he thought the pre-Derby campaign was taking a toll on Smarty Jones.
"From the way he has been training, he might be going a little forward, which is what I like to see," Servis said, adding, "If he can't go that far (the mile and a quarter), I'd be surprised."
SONG OF THE SWORD - Jennifer Pedersen is shipping Paraneck Stable's Song of the Sword to Churchill Downs from Keeneland Race Course on Tuesday at approximately 1 p.m. The colt jogged two miles and galloped one this morning at Keeneland. Pedersen expects to blow him out at Churchill on Wednesday after the break. He ships into Barn 45.
While Kentucky Derby 130 is the first Derby for Pedersen, it will be the fourth for owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo (Paraneck Stable). Song of the Sword's sire, Unbridled's Song, ran fifth as the favorite in the 1996 Kentucky Derby for Paragallo, and he was followed by Artax (13th in 1998) and Adonis (17th in 1999).
This will be the first Kentucky Derby for jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr., who has the return call on Song of the Sword after riding him to a third-place finish in the Coolmore Lexington (G2) at Keeneland.
TAPIT - The gray son of Pulpit, who had an easy breeze on the all-weather track at Tapeta Farm in Maryland on Monday morning, was being prepared today for his plane ride to Churchill Downs on Wednesday. Ronald Winchell's Wood Memorial winner has been training at Michael Dickinson's farm since winning the New York race on April 10. His activity has included breezes on the all-weather track and on the turf course.
Ramon Dominguez, who has the mount in the Derby, was aboard for the colt's last breeze on Monday.
Tapit is expected to arrive early Wednesday afternoon. He is the first Derby starter for both his trainer and jockey.
WIMBLEDON - James McIngvale's Wimbledon, winner of the Louisiana Derby in early March, visited the starting gate this morning prior to a light jog around the Churchill Downs track, trainer Bob Baffert said.
The rangy Wild Rush colt, who breezed five-eighths over a sloppy track in :59.40 Sunday, is "feeling great," said Baffert who will be seeking a fourth Derby success. "That's all a trainer can ask for."
Wimbledon, a $425,000 yearling purchase, was a well-beaten fifth in the Santa Anita Derby, a finish that Baffert blamed on being taken out of the one-run, come-from-behind style that was successful in the Louisiana Derby. Baffert selected Jerry Bailey to replace Javier Santiago aboard Wimbledon.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com
After sending Halfbridled out in the dark for some exercise, Mandella had Action This Day trackside at 7 to greet the sun on a crisp and clear morning in Louisville. The sturdy bay by Kris S. galloped once around the oval for exercise rider Paul Nilluang. Mandella and wife Randi did their best to take in the exercise from one of the viewing stands on the backside, but visibility is limited at the track this year because of all the tents and other structures in the infield while the rebuilding of the grandstand continues.
Action This Day came back from his exercise in good order and the trainer indicated he would give the juvenile champion a short blowout Wednesday morning.
"He'll go three furlongs," Mandella said. "I'm not quite sure when. We'll see how it goes in the morning."
At 8:30, following the renovation break, the trainer returned to the track with Minister Eric and his Kentucky Derby rider, Pat Day, for a half-mile drill that was to be the Old Trieste colt's final major move prior to the Run for the Roses. Minister Eric and his Hall of Fame partner backtracked to the frontside with a pony, jogged back the right way to the five-furlong pole, then broke off and picked up steam for their run from the half-mile pole home. They accomplished the move in a final time of :50 flat.
"We didn't do much away from the pole," Day noted afterward, "but he finished up strong. He surprised me how hard he pulled."
"It was good," Mandella said. "I'm happy with what he did."
Minister Eric will be Day's 22nd Derby mount, starting with Music Leader, who finished 15th back in 1982.
Minister Eric will be Mandella's fifth Derby starter - the first coming with Bedouin, who finished 15th in 1984.
Bedouin, incidentally, is still alive and doing well, living at the California Equine Retirement Foundation (CERF) farm in Temecula, Calif. The now-white gray often is called upon to make guest appearances at racetracks and fairs all around the state.
BIRDSTONE/THE CLIFF'S EDGE - Trainer Nick Zito sent Birdstone to the track for a mile and a half gallop under exercise rider Maxine Correa before the renovation break.
Stablemate The Cliff's Edge walked the shedrow a day after working five furlongs in 1:01. Zito, a two-time Derby winner, was asked about his confidence level coming into the race.
"I have a great confidence level, but you have to wait as the week goes on," Zito said. "Right now, we have had a couple of good weeks. Go for Gin (in 1994) had a couple of good weeks; 'Cliffy' has had a couple of good weeks, but you still have to go on to the last part. Once you get to Friday and race day, you get to feel a lot more confident.
"You've got to have those good weeks and good days. The main thing is, we are through the works. This Derby for Nick Zito, if they get in the gate Saturday, I'm just gonna say, 'Hallelujah,' and then I will go from there.
"Both horses have come up great, and it's great to be here. On April 10, I didn't know if I would be here, even with 'The Cliff' ... Believe it or not, Keeneland probably wasn't his track, and if he had thrown in some kind of race where he finished fourth ... you never know."
Another good omen for Zito was how The Cliff's Edge's work mirrored the final work of Go for Gin in 1994.
'"Go for Gin galloped out past the kitchen, and 'Cliff' did that yesterday, too. He went all the way past the kitchen," Zito said. "That part is OK, but we still have to have the whole week."
Zito said that Eurosilver, who was taken off the Derby trail after coming down with a glandular infection prior to the Blue Grass, was on the mend at Buckram Oak Farm.
"I talked to them yesterday, and they said he was doing well on the farm," Zito said. "We are going to take all the time we need. Obviously, he is going to miss the Triple Crown and we are going to get ready for the fall."
BORREGO - It was just a light morning for the Louisiana and Arkansas Derbies' runner-up Borrego, as trainer (and co-owner and co-breeder) C. Beau Greely had his charge spend some time schooling at the gate and then gallop less than a mile under Irishman Andy Durnin. Greely watched the proceedings near the gate, which is positioned in the chute at the head of the stretch for training.
The husky chestnut went trackside at 7 a.m., took care of his business and came off the oval bouncing, something the son of El Prado has been doing all the while he's been at Churchill Downs. The veteran Durnin was asked how his mount was doing.
"Unbelievable," he stated with a shake of the head. "I had to take a real good hold of him out there to make sure he didn't go 'round with me again. He's something."
Borrego, a winner of $399,580, will have Victor Espinoza in the irons on Saturday.
CASTLEDALE - Irish-bred Castledale, the $62 upset winner of the Santa Anita Derby, arrived safely Monday from California and jogged once around the one-mile Churchill Downs track early this morning.
Frank Lyons, co-owner of Castledale with Greg Knee, said the bay colt "traveled well and ate up and enjoyed the trip. He's a good traveler. He was looking around a lot this morning but in a good way, not like he was nervous about his new surroundings."
According to Lyons, trainer Jeff Mullins will arrive in Louisville Wednesday, as will jockey Jose Valdivia Jr. The latter also is scheduled to ride McCann's Mojave in the Churchill Downs Handicap Saturday versus, among others, Congaree.
EDDINGTON - Willmott Stables' Eddington jogged Tuesday morning at Belmont Park with exercise rider and assistant trainer Jose Sanchez up. Trainer Mark Hennig said Eddington would be entered tomorrow for Derby 130 and if he made the field of 20, would ship to Louisville after training at Belmont.
FRIENDS LAKE - The big chestnut son of A.P. Indy spent some quality time out of the barn Tuesday morning. With exercise rider Amanda Roxborough aboard, the colt galloped a mile and a half after the break, and then schooled at the gate and in the paddock.
Friends Lake, owned by breeders Chester and Mary Broman Sr., has not started since winning the Florida Derby on March 13. "We made that decision right after the Florida Derby," trainer John Kimmel said. "He's very fit right now."
The New York-bred colt, who is out of the millionaire mare Antespend, had his final Derby prep on Sunday, when he breezed five furlongs in 1:03 through a driving rainstorm.
Regular rider Richard Migliore, who has been aboard in all the colt's three career wins, has the mount again.
IMPERIALISM - Trainer Kristin Mulhall sent Imperialism to the track shortly after its 5:15 a.m. opening for a paddock visit and a mile and a half gallop. The Steve Taub-owned colt is scheduled for a paddock schooling session Tuesday afternoon.
Even though Mulhall is saddling her first Derby starter, she has made the Derby Day walk from the barn area to the paddock three times.
"I came over with Desert Hero, Point Given and War Emblem," Mulhall said of three TheThoroughbred Corporation Derby starters. "It's an unbelievable feeling, especially when we did it with Point Given. There is no other feeling like it. It will be interesting this time, especially knowing it is my own horse."
The 21-year-old Mulhall, who has been around horses all her life, said she has never had a drink.
So, what would the beverage of choice be at the Kentucky Derby Museum on Saturday night should Imperialism win the Derby?
"Water," she said.
LIMEHOUSE/POLLARD'S VISION - The Todd Pletcher-trained duo were out of their stalls Tuesday morning, but only to walk the shedrow as their Kentucky Derby dates drew a day closer.
The pair, who will be the eighth and ninth horses the 36-year-old conditioner has sent postward in America's most famous race, have done just about everything right coming up to their mile and a quarter crucible Saturday.
"I couldn't be more pleased with the way these two have come along for this," Pletcher said. "Everything has gone the way I would have wanted. They've been getting over the track well. They're doing good and there haven't been any surprises."
Pletcher has named last year's Kentucky Derby winner Jose Santos to ride the Grand Slam colt, Limehouse. He'll give John Velazquez a leg up on Carson City's son, Pollard's Vision.
LION HEART - Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Lion Heart jogged at Keeneland Race Course today, a day after putting in a half-mile workout at Churchill Downs. Trainer Patrick Biancone was pleased with the colt's round trip from Lexington to Louisville on Monday and indicated that Lion Heart will ship back to Churchill Downs on the morning of the Kentucky Derby.
Lion Heart will be Biancone's second Derby starter. Last year, he sent out Michael Tabor's Brancusi, who finished 16th. Biancone shipped Brancusi to Churchill Downs on the Friday prior to the Derby. The last time a Derby starter shipped in on the day of the race was in 2002: Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo finished eighth and 12th, respectively.
"His work yesterday was an easy one to stretch his legs," said Biancone. "It gave him a chance to look at the track and it seems like he liked the surface. He'll gallop tomorrow (at Keeneland)."
Purchased for $1.4 million as a 2-year-old, Lion Heart quickly demonstrated his value by winning his first three races last year, including the Hollywood Prevue (G3) and the Hollywood Futurity (G1). He only has started twice as a 3-year-old, finishing second both times but beaten less than a length total. His auction price is by far the highest among this year's Derby contenders.
The colt has plenty of speed and was just caught in the end in his last two, thus prompting questions about his ability to get a mile and a quarter.
"I don't think he has any limitations, he has so much talent, so much class. Hopefully he'll be very competitive on Saturday," said Biancone.
MASTER DAVID - Master David did some high stepping at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning, but first the Grand Slam Colt made his trainer - Hall of Famer Robert Frankel - do some fancy footwork of his own.
As stablehands walked the chestnut under the shedrow readying for a five-furlong drill, he passed by his trainer and let out a quick kick. Frankel, who has spent more than 40 years around racehorses, was ready for the thrust and did a quick move of his own to avoid a flying hoof.
"Well, he's alive," deadpanned the trainer. "Nothing nasty on his part. He's just feeling good."
Frankel then went trackside at the six-furlong gap following the 8 a.m. renovation break to watch Master David and stablemate Coded Warning step onto the "fast" Churchill Downs strip. The Derby colt had veteran exercise rider Joe Deegan aboard, while his workmate - a 3-year-old maiden with two starts - was handled by jockey Rafael Bejarano. The pair backtracked together to the frontside, jogged back the right way to near the five-furlong marker, then dropped down on the rail and worked as a team. Master David was outside his partner for the drill and he outran his less-experienced morning rival. Clockers gave Master David a final time of 1:00.80, while Coded Warning got a 1:01.60. The splits for Master David were :12.60, :25, :37.20 and :49.20 with an "out" time of 1:14.60.
Frankel was asked if it was what he was after. "Exactly," said the trainer.
Why had he worked the horse in company? "He sometimes gets a little lazy at the end of his works," he noted. "He's OK the first part, but then he gets lazy. This way he'll stay after it."
Frankel, who'll be saddling his seventh Derby horse with Master David on Saturday, has Alex Solis named to ride in the mile and one-quarter classic. The trainer indicated he might paddock Master David Wednesday afternoon.
PRO PRADO - Mrs. James A. Winn's Pro Prado galloped a mile and three-quarters under exercise rider Lee Lockwood, going to the track at 7:15.
"He is going to the gate in the morning and that is just to get him comfortable," said trainer Robert Holthus, who plans no paddock schooling for Pro Prado. "If I get the post I'd like, he won't be in there very long, but if I don't, he might have to stand awhile."
John McKee, one of five first-time Derby riders, saw his first Derby in person last year.
"The first Derby I remember watching on TV, Pat Day won (on Lil E Tee in 1992)," the 22-year-old Cincinnati native said.
McKee, who will be the youngest rider in the field, was asked if there would be any butterflies come post time Saturday.
"I am not thinking about it. I am going out there with every intention of winning the race," McKee said. "If I get butterflies, it's a distraction. I am going to try to stay level-headed."
QUINTONS GOLD RUSH - Quintons Gold Rush, who breezed five furlongs in 1:01.40 Monday, walked under the shed this morning and will school in the Churchill Downs paddock this afternoon, trainer Steve Asmussen said.
Quintons Gold Rush, owned by Padua Stables, won the Coolmore Lexington Stakes to cinch out a spot in the 130th Kentucky Derby Saturday. Corey Nakatani has the call.
READ THE FOOTNOTES - The Klaravich Stables-owned colt had an easy morning Tuesday following his half-mile breeze on Monday. "He just jogged around the track," trainer Rick Violette Jr. said. "Then we took him to the paddock and he stood around for about 10 minutes looking at the scenery."
Read the Footnotes, a son of Smoke Glacken, had his final Derby work Monday when he zipped a half-mile in :47.60.
The colt won the Fountain of Youth Stakes in February with the best speed figure (113) of the season for a 3-year-old, but "bounced" in the Florida Derby on March 13, when he finished fourth, four lengths behind fellow New York-bred Friends Lake. He has not started since that race, but Violette refuses to second-guess his game plan.
"It was the best thing to do for Read the Footnotes," the trainer said of the decision to give the colt seven weeks between races. "He's a willing workhorse, and he runs well fresh. Everything has worked out well. He's a legitimately good horse."
Read the Footnotes will have a new rider for the Derby in Robby Albarado.
"He's won stakes here and he knows this track very well," Violette said. "We'll be in good hands."
ROCK HARD TEN - The huge Kris S. colt, who may be on the outside looking in when entries are drawn Wednesday for the Kentucky Derby, walked the shedrow in Barn 41, a day after working five furlongs in :59.40.
"He's fine this morning, and he will go back to the track in the morning," trainer Jason Orman said.
Rock Hard Ten is slated to be entered Wednesday, but at No. 22 on the graded earnings list of Derby hopefuls, may not make the Derby field that is limited to the top 20 entered graded earners.
ST AVERIL - St Averil, the stakes-winning Saint Ballado colt who arrived Monday afternoon with the shipment of horses from California, had his first tour of Churchill Downs this morning, jogging once around for trainer Rafael Becerra.
Kevin Power was aboard the colt who was a highly regarded Kentucky Derby contender until a disappointing sixth-place finish behind Castledale as the 2-1 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby. Previously, the Stan Fulton-owned 3-year-old won the Santa Catalina Stakes over Lucky Pulpit and Master David and was beaten a nose by Preachinatthebar in the San Felipe Stakes.
Becerra, who arrived in Louisville this morning, said St Averil traveled well and will gallop each day until Saturday's 130th running of the Kentucky Derby.
He plans to school St Averil in the Churchill Downs paddock at least twice this week, Thursday and Friday.
"Mentally, this horse is really good, so I'm not too concerned about it," he said.
Becerra recalled that he was at Churchill Downs 20 years ago as an assistant to Gary Jones with Fali Time, who finished fifth to Swale and was moved up to fourth when Gate Dancer was disqualified.
According to Becerra, jockey Tyler Baze, who has ridden St Averil in all of his six races, will arrive Friday from California.
SMARTY JONES - The undefeated Smarty Jones went to the track at 7 a.m. Tuesday with regular exercise partner Pete Van Trump up for a mile and a half gallop.
A growing number of cameras followed the colt to the track, but trainer John Servis noted Smarty Jones was not bothered by it at all.
"He's been doing good," Servis said. "We go early because I only have the one horse here and you don't feel like standing around all morning."
Smarty Jones is scheduled to visit the starting gate in the morning and then Servis will wait for that afternoon's post position draw.
"Wednesday is a big day with the draw and that could change a lot of things," said Servis when asked about strategy. "The last thing I'd want to see is Lion Heart get out and control the race."
Servis was asked if he thought the pre-Derby campaign was taking a toll on Smarty Jones.
"From the way he has been training, he might be going a little forward, which is what I like to see," Servis said, adding, "If he can't go that far (the mile and a quarter), I'd be surprised."
SONG OF THE SWORD - Jennifer Pedersen is shipping Paraneck Stable's Song of the Sword to Churchill Downs from Keeneland Race Course on Tuesday at approximately 1 p.m. The colt jogged two miles and galloped one this morning at Keeneland. Pedersen expects to blow him out at Churchill on Wednesday after the break. He ships into Barn 45.
While Kentucky Derby 130 is the first Derby for Pedersen, it will be the fourth for owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo (Paraneck Stable). Song of the Sword's sire, Unbridled's Song, ran fifth as the favorite in the 1996 Kentucky Derby for Paragallo, and he was followed by Artax (13th in 1998) and Adonis (17th in 1999).
This will be the first Kentucky Derby for jockey Norberto Arroyo, Jr., who has the return call on Song of the Sword after riding him to a third-place finish in the Coolmore Lexington (G2) at Keeneland.
TAPIT - The gray son of Pulpit, who had an easy breeze on the all-weather track at Tapeta Farm in Maryland on Monday morning, was being prepared today for his plane ride to Churchill Downs on Wednesday. Ronald Winchell's Wood Memorial winner has been training at Michael Dickinson's farm since winning the New York race on April 10. His activity has included breezes on the all-weather track and on the turf course.
Ramon Dominguez, who has the mount in the Derby, was aboard for the colt's last breeze on Monday.
Tapit is expected to arrive early Wednesday afternoon. He is the first Derby starter for both his trainer and jockey.
WIMBLEDON - James McIngvale's Wimbledon, winner of the Louisiana Derby in early March, visited the starting gate this morning prior to a light jog around the Churchill Downs track, trainer Bob Baffert said.
The rangy Wild Rush colt, who breezed five-eighths over a sloppy track in :59.40 Sunday, is "feeling great," said Baffert who will be seeking a fourth Derby success. "That's all a trainer can ask for."
Wimbledon, a $425,000 yearling purchase, was a well-beaten fifth in the Santa Anita Derby, a finish that Baffert blamed on being taken out of the one-run, come-from-behind style that was successful in the Louisiana Derby. Baffert selected Jerry Bailey to replace Javier Santiago aboard Wimbledon.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com
Post positions for Saturday's 130th Kentucky Derby will be set in a two-tiered process today.
Twenty-two horses are expected to be entered this morning at the Churchill Downs' racing office; but only the 20 with the highest earnings in graded stakes races will make the field. Barring a defection late yesterday or this morning — or a surprise entry such as happened two years ago that bumped a horse — the horses who will be shut out are Wood Memorial third-place finisher Eddington and Santa Anita Derby third-place horse Rock Hard Ten.
For the second year since Churchill went to a two-tiered post-position selection procedure in 1998, the traditional blind draw — the "pill pull" — will be held after the close of entries. That draw, scheduled for 11:30 a.m., will decide the order in which the horses' agents select their post positions during a live telecast starting at 5 p.m. EDT.
The names of the horses in the race and their selection order will become public at the time of the morning's draw. No change in the official list of entries will be permitted after that time.
The evening selection procedure at the Kentucky Derby Museum is closed to the public but will be shown on ESPN's hour telecast.
http://www.courier-journal.com
Twenty-two horses are expected to be entered this morning at the Churchill Downs' racing office; but only the 20 with the highest earnings in graded stakes races will make the field. Barring a defection late yesterday or this morning — or a surprise entry such as happened two years ago that bumped a horse — the horses who will be shut out are Wood Memorial third-place finisher Eddington and Santa Anita Derby third-place horse Rock Hard Ten.
For the second year since Churchill went to a two-tiered post-position selection procedure in 1998, the traditional blind draw — the "pill pull" — will be held after the close of entries. That draw, scheduled for 11:30 a.m., will decide the order in which the horses' agents select their post positions during a live telecast starting at 5 p.m. EDT.
The names of the horses in the race and their selection order will become public at the time of the morning's draw. No change in the official list of entries will be permitted after that time.
The evening selection procedure at the Kentucky Derby Museum is closed to the public but will be shown on ESPN's hour telecast.
http://www.courier-journal.com
FWIW dept.
04-28) 09:23 PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) --
Two jockeys said Wednesday they might not ride in the Kentucky Derby if a federal judge bars them from wearing advertising patches during the race.
U.S. District Judge John Heyburn is expected to rule Wednesday on a jockeys' First Amendment challenge to a state law that bans jockeys from wearing advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols. A second lawsuit filed by jockeys argues they should be allowed to wear a patch with the name of their union, the Jockeys' Guild.
Jockey John Velazquez is set to ride Pollard's Vision in Saturday's race and Jose Santos will be aboard Limehouse. Both men are part of the advertising lawsuit.
"Basically, the threat is that we will be escorted out of the racetrack," Velazquez said on ESPN's "Cold Pizza" show. "If we will be escorted out of the racetrack, there will be no Kentucky Derby, put it that way."
If the two men don't ride, substitute jockeys could be assigned to their mounts. It was not clear if other jockeys also would boycott.
Attorneys for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, the state agency that enforces the rules, say they worry that letting jockeys wear ads could lead to corruption. They also argue that the presence of ads or other patches could hamper racing officials' ability to determine a winner in a tight finish, or whether a foul was committed.
Other states, such as New York, California and Florida, permit jockeys to wear ads and the guild patch.
Todd Pletcher, trainer of both Limehouse and Pollard's Vision, questioned whether Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority would have the right to escort jockeys off the track for having ads on their pants.
"I don't know if that's legal or not," he said. "Whether or not the jockey would actually refuse to ride in the Kentucky Derby, I don't know that, either. I'm sure that if some of these guys chose not to ride, there would be other guys that would choose to ride."
"The bottom line is I'm not concerned about it," he added.
Pletcher said jockeys should be allowed to wear advertising if the owner of the horse they're riding gives approval.
Fourteen jockeys were fined $500 for wearing the guild patch during last year's Derby. They appealed the fine to a state court; that case is pending.
wil.
04-28) 09:23 PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) --
Two jockeys said Wednesday they might not ride in the Kentucky Derby if a federal judge bars them from wearing advertising patches during the race.
U.S. District Judge John Heyburn is expected to rule Wednesday on a jockeys' First Amendment challenge to a state law that bans jockeys from wearing advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols. A second lawsuit filed by jockeys argues they should be allowed to wear a patch with the name of their union, the Jockeys' Guild.
Jockey John Velazquez is set to ride Pollard's Vision in Saturday's race and Jose Santos will be aboard Limehouse. Both men are part of the advertising lawsuit.
"Basically, the threat is that we will be escorted out of the racetrack," Velazquez said on ESPN's "Cold Pizza" show. "If we will be escorted out of the racetrack, there will be no Kentucky Derby, put it that way."
If the two men don't ride, substitute jockeys could be assigned to their mounts. It was not clear if other jockeys also would boycott.
Attorneys for the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority, the state agency that enforces the rules, say they worry that letting jockeys wear ads could lead to corruption. They also argue that the presence of ads or other patches could hamper racing officials' ability to determine a winner in a tight finish, or whether a foul was committed.
Other states, such as New York, California and Florida, permit jockeys to wear ads and the guild patch.
Todd Pletcher, trainer of both Limehouse and Pollard's Vision, questioned whether Churchill Downs or the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority would have the right to escort jockeys off the track for having ads on their pants.
"I don't know if that's legal or not," he said. "Whether or not the jockey would actually refuse to ride in the Kentucky Derby, I don't know that, either. I'm sure that if some of these guys chose not to ride, there would be other guys that would choose to ride."
"The bottom line is I'm not concerned about it," he added.
Pletcher said jockeys should be allowed to wear advertising if the owner of the horse they're riding gives approval.
Fourteen jockeys were fined $500 for wearing the guild patch during last year's Derby. They appealed the fine to a state court; that case is pending.
wil.
