In the constant shuffle of the Kentucky Derby starting field, we've got a new twist. Win Willy will not run on Saturday due to a leg injury. Nick Zito has entered Nowhere to Hide in his place.
The Derby field draw is today at noon, and I'll have a full update later this afternoon.
Friday, April 24, 2009
These Four Round Out the Field.....
On Friday, I posted eighteen likely starters, along with their qualifications for getting in. You can still see that list below. However, there have been a few changes to that list, including the scratches of Quality Road (quarter crack) and Square Eddie (shin). So, drop those two from the list and add these four:
Atomic Rain: 4th in the Wood Memorial
Advice: Winner of the Lexington, 5th at the Sunland Derby
Join In the Dance: 2nd in the Tampa Bay Derby, 5th in the Blue Grass
Summer Bird: 3rd in the Arkansas Derby
Atomic Rain: 4th in the Wood Memorial
Advice: Winner of the Lexington, 5th at the Sunland Derby
Join In the Dance: 2nd in the Tampa Bay Derby, 5th in the Blue Grass
Summer Bird: 3rd in the Arkansas Derby
Quality Road and Square Eddie Out
We've had two Derby contenders drop out in as many days.
Quality Road trainer Jimmy Jerkins said yesterday that his colt will not run in the Derby on Saturday due to complications with the quarter crack he sustained late last week. He does, however, expect Quality Road to return, and is likely aiming at either the Preakness or the Belmont. Either way, a horse of that caliber, with several weeks off, might be bad news for anyone looking to find his way on the Triple Crown trail.
Also, I saw on ESPN News this morning that Square Eddie will not run on Saturday due to a "recurring shin injury." Certainly a tough break for him.
Quality Road trainer Jimmy Jerkins said yesterday that his colt will not run in the Derby on Saturday due to complications with the quarter crack he sustained late last week. He does, however, expect Quality Road to return, and is likely aiming at either the Preakness or the Belmont. Either way, a horse of that caliber, with several weeks off, might be bad news for anyone looking to find his way on the Triple Crown trail.
Also, I saw on ESPN News this morning that Square Eddie will not run on Saturday due to a "recurring shin injury." Certainly a tough break for him.
Joe Talamo, Philanthropist?
Joe Talamo said this week that if I Want Revenge, his mount in the Kentucky Derby, should get the victory in the big race, he will donate 25% of his earnings to the Children's Hospital in New Orleans.
Talamo, himself a native of the Crescent City, said "since Hurricane Katrina, the health care system in New Orleans has struggled to rebound, and I wanted to do something to help my hometown get back on its feet. Children’s Hospital is a wonderful institution that we can all be proud of. Several of my friends have been treated there, and I’m thankful they’re here, caring for all the children of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.”
Talamo, himself a native of the Crescent City, said "since Hurricane Katrina, the health care system in New Orleans has struggled to rebound, and I wanted to do something to help my hometown get back on its feet. Children’s Hospital is a wonderful institution that we can all be proud of. Several of my friends have been treated there, and I’m thankful they’re here, caring for all the children of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.”
Off the Derby Trail
As the Derby preps have progressed, we've seen a lot of horses flash potential, and most have fallen by the wayside as we move closer and closer to the big day. I thought now would be a good time to recap some of the horses who showed their brilliance early, but for various reasons, are no longer contenders. They are:
Stardom Bound: Despite early rumors of a run against the boys in the Derby, it now appears that her third place finish in the Ashland has scared her IEAH owners enough that they will run her in the Kentucky Oaks instead. Don't think for a second, though, that we have seen the end of this breathtaking champion filly. She's the real deal, and will likely prove it on the first Friday in May.
Midshipman: the 2008 Eclipse award winning juvenile suffered a soft-tissue injury to his left front leg while training in Dubai in March. He will not compete in any of the triple crown races.
The Pamplemousse: Has been off the trail since scratching the morning of the Santa Anita Derby due to tendon issues, which co-owner Alex Solis II described as "a small lesion." Expect to see him back later this summer.
Mafaaz (GB): This colt was the first winner of the "win and you're in" format for the Derby, qualifying via his victory in the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park in Great Britain. However, after shipping to the U.S. and running a disappointing eight (to likely Kentucky Derby starter General Quarters) in the Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland, his owners decided to change trainers, handing him over to the always capable Kiaran McLaughlin, who immediately ruled him out of the Kentucky Derby.
Old Fashioned: This early Derby favorite was retired after finding a slab fracture in his right knee following his 2nd place finish in the Grade II Arkansas Derby. He will now stand at stud, although to my knowledge, where he will stand is still being determined.
Vineyard Haven: After a disappointing fourth in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas, Godolphin decided to pull this colt from Derby consideration. Don't feel too bad for them though, as they still own likely starters Desert Party and Regal Ransom.
Beethoven: This colt missed his start in the Florida Derby after trainer John Ward found heat in a tendon on his left front leg several days prior. At that point, Ward said he doubted the colt would be back in time to make a Derby start, and it still appears that way.
Stardom Bound: Despite early rumors of a run against the boys in the Derby, it now appears that her third place finish in the Ashland has scared her IEAH owners enough that they will run her in the Kentucky Oaks instead. Don't think for a second, though, that we have seen the end of this breathtaking champion filly. She's the real deal, and will likely prove it on the first Friday in May.
Midshipman: the 2008 Eclipse award winning juvenile suffered a soft-tissue injury to his left front leg while training in Dubai in March. He will not compete in any of the triple crown races.
The Pamplemousse: Has been off the trail since scratching the morning of the Santa Anita Derby due to tendon issues, which co-owner Alex Solis II described as "a small lesion." Expect to see him back later this summer.
Mafaaz (GB): This colt was the first winner of the "win and you're in" format for the Derby, qualifying via his victory in the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton Park in Great Britain. However, after shipping to the U.S. and running a disappointing eight (to likely Kentucky Derby starter General Quarters) in the Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland, his owners decided to change trainers, handing him over to the always capable Kiaran McLaughlin, who immediately ruled him out of the Kentucky Derby.
Old Fashioned: This early Derby favorite was retired after finding a slab fracture in his right knee following his 2nd place finish in the Grade II Arkansas Derby. He will now stand at stud, although to my knowledge, where he will stand is still being determined.
Vineyard Haven: After a disappointing fourth in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas, Godolphin decided to pull this colt from Derby consideration. Don't feel too bad for them though, as they still own likely starters Desert Party and Regal Ransom.
Beethoven: This colt missed his start in the Florida Derby after trainer John Ward found heat in a tendon on his left front leg several days prior. At that point, Ward said he doubted the colt would be back in time to make a Derby start, and it still appears that way.
Field Almost Set
With only eight days until the Kentucky Derby, it appears there are only two starting spots remaining. So far, the eighteen who appear to be in are (in no particular order):
Dunkirk - Florida Derby runner up
Musket Man - Winner of the Illinois and Tampa Derbies
West Side Bernie - Wood Memorial runner up
Chocolate Candy - Winner of California and El Camino Derbies, runner up in Santa Anita Derby
General Quarters - Winner of the Blue Grass Stakes
Square Eddie - 3rd in the Lexington at Keeneland
Papa Clem - Arkansas Derby winner, second in the Louisiana Derby
Pioneerof the Nile - Santa Anita Derby winner
Mine That Bird - Second in the Borderland Derby
Friesan Fire - Winner of the Lecomte, Risen Star, and Louisiana Derby
Flying Private - Second in the Lane's End, fifth in the Arkansas Derby
Desert Party - Winner of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas, second in the UAE Derby
Mr. Hot Stuff - 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby
Quality Road - Winner of the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby
I Want Revenge - Winner of the Gotham and Wood Memorial
Win Willy - Rebel Winner, fourth in the Arkansas Derby
Regal Ransom - UAE Derby winner, second in UAE Two Thousand Guineas
Hold Me Back - Lane's End winner, second in the Blue Grass
For the record, I still like I Want Revenge to win it, with Quality Road and Pioneerof the Nile rounding out the top three. For a long shot, I'll take Dunkirk (I've got ticket for him at 9-1 from future wager pool two).
Dunkirk - Florida Derby runner up
Musket Man - Winner of the Illinois and Tampa Derbies
West Side Bernie - Wood Memorial runner up
Chocolate Candy - Winner of California and El Camino Derbies, runner up in Santa Anita Derby
General Quarters - Winner of the Blue Grass Stakes
Square Eddie - 3rd in the Lexington at Keeneland
Papa Clem - Arkansas Derby winner, second in the Louisiana Derby
Pioneerof the Nile - Santa Anita Derby winner
Mine That Bird - Second in the Borderland Derby
Friesan Fire - Winner of the Lecomte, Risen Star, and Louisiana Derby
Flying Private - Second in the Lane's End, fifth in the Arkansas Derby
Desert Party - Winner of the UAE Two Thousand Guineas, second in the UAE Derby
Mr. Hot Stuff - 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby
Quality Road - Winner of the Fountain of Youth and Florida Derby
I Want Revenge - Winner of the Gotham and Wood Memorial
Win Willy - Rebel Winner, fourth in the Arkansas Derby
Regal Ransom - UAE Derby winner, second in UAE Two Thousand Guineas
Hold Me Back - Lane's End winner, second in the Blue Grass
For the record, I still like I Want Revenge to win it, with Quality Road and Pioneerof the Nile rounding out the top three. For a long shot, I'll take Dunkirk (I've got ticket for him at 9-1 from future wager pool two).
Quality Road's Got a Hoof Crack
In what can only be considered as more bad luck from the racing Gods, Quality Road has developed a crack in his right hind hoof. By all accounts, it appears that the crack was caught before any infection set in, and a patch should have him up and breezing again within days.
Unfortunately, this is the second crack the Florida Derby winning colt has developed this year. Trainer Jimmy Jerkins has said that the colt does not appear to show any soreness from the injury, but nonetheless, it leaves little time for recovery.
Let's hope that this potential superstar will still be healthy and able to make the start at the Kentucky Derby. He has certainly earned his position, and the race would be worse off without him in the field.
Unfortunately, this is the second crack the Florida Derby winning colt has developed this year. Trainer Jimmy Jerkins has said that the colt does not appear to show any soreness from the injury, but nonetheless, it leaves little time for recovery.
Let's hope that this potential superstar will still be healthy and able to make the start at the Kentucky Derby. He has certainly earned his position, and the race would be worse off without him in the field.
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