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Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide has three weeks to prepare for the biggest race of his career and trainer Barclay Tagg and assistant Robin Smullen have tentatively mapped out a plan for the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Sunday, May 18, 2003Empire Maker breezed four furlongs in :48 3/5 Wednesday. He will skip Saturday's Preakness and train up to the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. On the same day Derby winner Funny Cide walked at Belmont Park.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003Bobby Frankel finally has his Preakness starter confirmed. Frankel informed Pimlico stakes coordinator David Rollinson Sunday morning that Peace Rules will be his only runner in the second leg of the Triple Cown.
Sunday, May 11, 2003Just hours after saying that Empire Maker would point to the Preakness Stakes, trainer Bobby Frankel had second thoughts, and as a result, the Kentucky Derby runner-up is back out of the Preakness picture.
Saturday, May 10, 2003Bobby Frankel said Saturday, in wake of the investigation regarding the possibility of Jose Santos carrying a suspicious object in the Kentucky Derby, he and Juddmonte Farms have decided to point for the Preakness Stakes with Empire Maker.
Saturday, May 10, 2003Juddmonte Farms' Empire Maker, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, will not not run in the Preakness, and will go straight to the Belmont Stakes, trainer Bobby Frankel said Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 08, 2003It appears that Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide will van down to Pimlico from New York on May 14, a day after the New York-bred puts in his final Preakness work. Owner Jack Knowlton informed Maryland Jockey Club officials of his horse's plans for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, May 07, 2003With the Kentucky Derby taking its toll physically on several of the top contenders, it looks as though no more than eight horses will contest the Preakness Stakes. The second jewel of the Triple Crown likely will attract the first three finishers of the Derby.
Tuesday, May 06, 2003Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel said he, like his horses, came out of Saturday's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in good shape.
Sunday, May 04, 2003One day after Funny Cide upset the Kentucky Derby at odds of nearly 13-1, his trainer said the New York-bred gelding came out of the race unscathed and will move on to Baltimore, Md. to contest the Preakness Stakes on May 17.
Sunday, May 04, 2003Funny Cide, who was beaten just a half-length by Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite Empire Maker in the Wood Memorial (gr. I), sprung the upset Saturday at Churchill Downs. He became the first New York-bred to ever win the Derby and the first gelding to take the roses since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.
Saturday, May 03, 2003Last year, the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite was an incredibly high 6-1. Unlike Harlan's Holiday a year ago, Empire Maker was supposed be lower than 2-1. Well, it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
Saturday, May 03, 2003If Empire Maker is to win the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), he'll be bucking 52 years of history. This fact and more stats on the First Saturday in May...
Saturday, May 03, 2003It's like combining a Rolls Royce and a Mercedes when the rest of the world is represented by Dodge Darts. Bobby Frankel and Jerry Bailey have dominated their respective professions in the new century, and the dynamic duo hook up again Saturday with--and this is no surprise--the overwhelming favorite to win the Kentucky Derby.
Friday, May 02, 2003Here's a look at what happened on the training front with the 17 contenders for Saturday's Kentucky Derby,as described by Churchill Downs' note takers.
Thursday, May 01, 2003With only two days remaining before the big race, no news is good news, especially around the Bobby Frankel barn. Frankel kept throwing one word around in response to inquiries about Empire Maker's jog – "Perfect."
Thursday, May 01, 2003Kentucky Derby morning-line favorite Empire Maker was back on the Churchill Downs track Thursday morning and jogged to the satisfaction of trainer Bobby Frankel.
Thursday, May 01, 2003Here's a look at Wednesday morning's backstretch developments at Churchill Downs.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003The works are over, the order of post position draw has been determined, and after the trainer and owners choose their posts this evening there will nothing left but the waiting. OK, and the partying.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003Trainer Bobby Frankel is confident that a bruised foot suffered by Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Maker will clear up, and Bob Baffert reports that Kafwain has a strained tendon.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003It was learned this morning that Kentucky Derby favorite Empire Maker has been battling a minor foot bruise since his victory in the Wood Memorial. After examining the colt following his 6:45 jog, veterinarian Ken Reed told Frankel the colt should be fine.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003Probable Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite Empire Maker has never been offered at public auction. He's a homebred who races for Prince Khaled Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms. But most of the Derby candidates have passed through a sale ring at some point in their lives. Some brought hundreds of thousands of dollars, others much less.
Tuesday, April 29, 2003When the horses competing in this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) got their names, they had only their pedigree, personality, and their owners' personalities to create for them the perfect title.
Monday, April 28, 2003Here's a look at what some of the contenders for Saturday's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) were up to on Monday morning, according to Churchill Downs track notes.
Monday, April 28, 2003This was the big morning everyone has been waiting for, with Empire Maker and Peace Rules having their one and only work at Churchill Downs, while Ron Ellis sent Atswhatimtalknbout out for the most important work of his career.
Sunday, April 27, 2003In his final workout prior to next Saturday's $1-million Kentucky Derby, probable favorite Juddmonte Farm's homebred Empire Maker breezed six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 at Churchill Downs Sunday morning.
Sunday, April 27, 2003Midas Eyes kicked off what could be a banner week for trainer Bobby Frankel by posting a 2 ½-length gate-to-wire victory in the $167,400 Derby Trial (gr. III) Saturday at Churchill Downs before an opening day crowd of 14,492.
Saturday, April 26, 2003The storm that hit Louisville yesterday lingered until mid-morning, with the drizzle and wind finally giving way to brightening skies. With very little action, today will be more of a Derby potpourri. The heavy duty works pick up tomorrow, headed by Empire Maker and Peace Rules.
Saturday, April 26, 2003According to the 10-day forecast from The National Weather Service, it is a good thing we already know that Empire Maker can run on an off track.
Friday, April 25, 2003It was an important morning for Empire Maker and trainer Bobby Frankel, as the Derby favorite went out for his much-anticipated schooling session in the gate. Known for his erratic gate behavior, the son of Unbridled provided a few anxious moments, but in the end passed his test in fine style.
Thursday, April 24, 2003Juddmonte Farms' Empire Maker, who looms a strong favorite for the May 3 Kentucky Derby, has made the cover of a popular mainstream magazine.
Thursday, April 24, 2003This year's running of the Kentucky Derby will be special. It will be won by a special horse with a special story. We're sure of it after watching last night's PBS documentary on Seabiscuit. The only Derby horse on the work tab Tuesday was Offlee Wild. Also, Fund of Funds is out with an injury.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003Dr. John Chandler, president of Juddmonte Farms, said great things have been expected of Empire Maker since he was a young foal. "He was just an outstanding foal, a great physical specimen, and he's progressed like all great horses," Chandler said Tuesday during an NTRA teleconference.
Tuesday, April 22, 2003Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) runner-up Indian Express turned in his first work since arriving at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby 129 and jockey Robby Albarado was named to ride Holy Bull (gr. III) winner Offlee Wild in this year's Run for the Roses.
Friday, April 18, 2003If you think this year's road to the Kentucky Derby has been a bizarre one, imagine how scrambled your brain would be right now if Bobby Frankel hadn't brought some semblance of normalcy to the proceedings.
Monday, April 14, 2003Juddmonte Farm's Empire Maker, the strong favorite for the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), arrived at Churchill Downs Sunday afternoon to continue his preparations for the May 3 race. Several other leading contenders have joined the Wood Memorial winner at the historic track.
Sunday, April 13, 2003Juddmonte Farms' Empire Maker confirmed his credentials as this year's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) consensus choice with a calculated half-length victory in Saturday's $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) in the mud at Aqueduct Park.
Saturday, April 12, 2003Early Kentucky Derby (gr. I) favorite Empire Maker will mark his return to the Empire State Saturday in the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) at Aqueduct. He will break from the outside in a field of eight entered for the 1 1/8 mile Derby prep.
Thursday, April 10, 2003Empire Maker arrived Wednesday in New York, along with Aldebaran, Congaree, Senor Swinger, and others planning to battle Saturday in the Wood and the Carter.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003Juddmonte Farm's Empire Maker, winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I) and the favorite for next week's Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct, remained a strong favorite to win the 129th Kentucky Derby (GI) as wagering in the third and final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager drew to a close on Sunday evening.
Sunday, April 06, 2003Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel sent out a slew of his stars, including top sophomores Empire Maker, Peace Rules and Midas Eyes, for workouts at Hollywood Park Sunday morning.
Sunday, April 06, 2003Odds on Buddy Gil, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I,) dropped from 25-1 to 15-1 as Pool 3 wound down Saturday on the eve of the final day for the 2003 Kentucky Derby Future Wager.
Saturday, April 05, 2003Empire Maker remained the solid choice in pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Friday, but the odds on the son of Unbridled edged up a bit to 3-1.
Friday, April 04, 2003In addition to hosting Kentucky Derby prep the Wood Memorial on April 12, Aqueduct has also invited groups from the surrounding borough of Queens to the track that day to celebrate the area's diverse offerings.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003By Ray Paulick -- There wasn't a hotter trainer in the country than Larry Barrera for a brief time in the late spring of 1980. Larry, the son of Hall of Fame conditioner Laz Barrera, was just 20 years old when he saddled three stakes winners at Hollywood Park over a five-day period.
Wednesday, April 02, 2003Juddmonte Farms' Empire Maker, the record-breaking winner of the Florida Derby (gr. I), has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite for the third and final pool of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens its four-day run on Thursday.
Tuesday, April 01, 2003Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel sent out a trio of his top sophomores and a star handicap horse for workouts over Hollywood Park's main track on Saturday.
Saturday, March 29, 2003Edmund Gann's Midas Eyes, impressive winner of the Swale Stakes in his 3-year-old debut, will make his next start in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 19, trainer Bobby Frankel said.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003Trainer Manny Tortora reported that Supah Blitz, a 3-year-old son of Mecke--Boots N' Jackie who finished a tiring fourth in the Florida Derby (gr. I), has a breathing problem.
Monday, March 17, 2003A record-smashing victory in the Florida Derby (gr. I) by Juddmonte Farm homebred Empire Maker made a strong impression on Kentucky Derby (gr. 1) fans across the nation. The mutuel field still emerged as a narrow favorite as wagering in Pool 2 of Churchill Downs' 2003 Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) ended its four-day run on Sunday.
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