Haskin's Derby Report: Monday Madness
There's lots to catch up on, with several works of interest over the weekend and a star-studded array of works this morning, which unfortunately were played out against a horrific backdrop.
Headlines for Monday, April 27, 2009
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International Drug Coalition Meets Recently
The International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances and representatives of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium recently met in Lexington during the 75th convention of the Association of Racing Commissioners International and were sponsored by The Jockey Club.
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Alysheba Memorial Event Planned for April 29
A memorial service for former Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and Horse of the Year Alysheba will be held April 29 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, it was recently announced. The event is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST.
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Pinnacle to Feature New State-Bred Program
The 2009 Pinnacle Race Course season will feature the creation of several new state-bred days as part of a $1,100,000 2009 stakes schedule.
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Oaks: Rachel Sizzles a Half in :46 2/5
Though her work was a bit fast for his taste, trainer Hal Wiggins was more than satisfied when his filly Rachel Alexandra made it back to the barn in good shape after zipping through a half-mile in :46 2/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of April 27.
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Oaks: Flying Spur Works, Others Gallop
Under exercise rider Joanna Trout, Flying Spur worked four furlongs in :48.40 and was timed in 1:01.80 galloping out another furlong.
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Pioneerof The Nile: More Than Just a Survivor
Sickly foal, which was a $290,000 yearling sale buy-back, has grown up to become a Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) contender.
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Gross, Average Rise in Australian Sale
The gross revenue rose 31.4% from a year ago to Aust$2,610,750 (approximately $1,889,661 in U.S. funds) during the William Inglis & Son Melbourne autumn yearling sale, which ended its two-day run April 27 in Australia. The average price for the 262 horses that sold was Aust$9,965 ($7,213), up 14%, and the median price was Aust$7,500 ($5,429). The clearance rate was 89%.
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HRRN Sets Derby Week Coverage Schedule
The Horse Racing Radio Network will broadcast live from Churchill Downs beginning April 29 and provide 14 1/2 hours of Kentucky Derby week coverage.
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Past Derby Winners: Funny Cide (Video)
2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide, who arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park last fall, is perhaps best known as being one of only eight geldings to win the Derby.
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Quality Road Out of Derby Contention
Quality Road, who figured to be among the top choices for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will not start in the Run for the Roses, it was confirmed Monday morning by Chris Baker, farm manager of Edward Evans' Spring Hill Farm. Jockey John Velazquez will now ride Mr. Hot Stuff.
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Friesan Fire Sizzles in Final Pre-Derby Work
Friesan Fire burned up the track April 27 at Churchill Downs, working five furlongs in a blazing :57 4/5 during his final serious move before the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I). Wearing red and white blinkers and carrying jockey Gabriel Saez, the 3-year-old son of A.P. Indy turned in splits of :11 1/5, :22 1/5, :33 3/5, and 45:1/5. Friesan Fire galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.
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Delaware, Pimlico Get Alliance Inspections
Delaware Park and Pimlico Race Course are the latest racetracks to undergo the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Allliance accreditation process.
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Fair Grounds to Open Even Earlier in 2009
The meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots got a little bit longer calendar-wise in 2008-09, and it will get even longer in 2009-10.
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Pioneerof the Nile Cruises in 1:01 Work
Pioneerof the Nile didn't turn in the fastest five-furlong work April 27 at Churchill Downs, but that wasn't the goal for his trainer, Bob Baffert. The 3-year-old son of Empire Maker cruised through five furlongs in 1:01 and impressed onlookers with his long, free-flowing stride in his final breeze before the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I).
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Win Willy Preps for Kentucky Derby
Win Willy, the son of Monarchos who entered the Triple Crown picture with an upset victory in the Rebel Stakes (gr. II), turned in his final preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) with a five-furlong work in 1:02 2/5 April 27 at Churchill Downs.
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Mine That Bird Works Toward Derby
Mine That Bird, the 2008 Canadian champion 2-year-old male, worked five furlongs in 1:02 April 27 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
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Horse Euthanized After Churchill Accident
A horrific accident on the track at Churchill Downs the morning of April 27 provided a tragic kickoff to the week leading up to the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
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Flying Private Works; Lukas Comfortable
D. Wayne Lukas, the dean of Kentucky Derby trainers with four winners from 42 previous starters, expressed confidence in Flying Private following the colt's four-furlong work in :47 2/5 April 27.
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Pletcher Pleased With Works; Decision Tuesday
Trainer Todd Pletcher reported he was pleased with the April 27 workouts by three of his possible starters in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), and said a decision on which would actually start in the classic would be made April 28.
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Chocolate Candy Doesn't Melt Under Pressure
In spite of the distractions caused by a gruesome racetrack collision and a wailing siren that Churchill Downs uses to warn horsemen that there is trouble on the racetrack, Chocolate Candy turned in a professional and fast work April 27.
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Hungarian Sensation Headed to Group I Races
The horse they call the "Hungarian Seabiscuit" will put his unbeaten record on the line in top group I sprints in Europe this summer.
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Monday Works: Friesan Fire Blazes in :57 4/5
Monday morning at Churchill Downs was a busy day for horses getting in their final preparations for Saturday's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
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Consolidator's First Winner
Grade I winner Consolidator came through with his initial winner when his daughter Solid Lunar won April 26 at Lone Star Park at first asking.
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Kentucky Derby by the Numbers: Dosage Dilemma
Racing fans trying to pick the winner of the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) won't get much help relying solely on the Dosage System.
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Past Derby Winners: Funny Cide
2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide is perhaps best known as being one of only eight geldings to win the Derby. Read Esther Marr's blog Visiting with Past Kentucky Derby Winners.
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Kentucky Derby News Minute - 04/27/09
Ron Mitchell reports on the large number of workouts from Monday morning, plus the status of a trio of Kentucky Derby possible starters from the Todd Pletcher barn.Stay tuned throughout the week for the latest from Churchill Downs.
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Larry Jones Interview
Lenny Shulman speaks with Larry Jones, trainer of Kentucky Derby contender Friesan Fire. Jones talks about his colt's training pattern leading up to the Derby and also having the pedigree to get the Derby distance.
