U S S Tinosa is named after a World War II submarine and also needs several defections in order to make it into the Derby field. Should he draw into the field, U S S Tinosa will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux.
Marylou Whitney's Straight Gin put in a five-furlong work at Churchill Downs Saturday. Under exercise rider Jamie Sanders, Straight Gin completed his work in :59 3/5, the co-second fastest work of 26 at the distance Saturday.The connections of the son of Kentucky Derby winner Go for Gin remain hopeful Straight Gin will draw into the field. Straight Gin needs sveral horses to defect to make it into the race, which is limited to 20 starters based on graed stakes earnings."This horse is good right now," said trainer Nick Zito. "Another couple of lengths in the Blue Grass and we're in. We still have to be ready. He did this today on his own; no company, no blinkers ... on his own."Straight Gin finished fourth in the grade I Blue Grass Stakes."There is always Baltimore," said Zito, referring to the Preakness as the target for Straight Gin should he not make the Derby field. "But you still have to be ready. We are not going to do anything different next week."Derby hopeful U S S Tinosa's arrival at Churchill Downs has been postponed until Tuesday, trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said Saturday.The gray Ohio-bred son of Foxhound worked six furlongs at Bay Meadows Friday in 1:14 3/5 and was scheduled to ship to Louisville Saturday.Once he arrives at Churchill, U S S Tinosa will be stabled in Barn 42 along with probable Derby starters Easy Grades, Wild Horses, and It'sallinthechase.
