Thursday, May 30, 2013

May 31 - June 2

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 31 thru June 2

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

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 ACROSS THE POND - IT'S DERBY TIME!

WHILE the five-day Royal meeting at Ascot later in the month may be seen as the pinnacle of the Flat season, Epsom’s meeting at the start of June features arguably the most prestigious race in the world, the Derby.

First run in 1780, the race takes its name from Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, who won the coin toss between himself and Sir Charles Bunbury over who the new race would be named after. Although his name never earned the same place in racing history, Bunbury got some compensation when his horse Diomed won the first running. Internationally, 140 other countries now hold a Derby.

The Derby attracts a huge one-day sporting crowd with in excess of more than 125,000 people descending on the Downs on Derby Day every year.  Read more at source

Thoroughbred racing around the world:  The historic Epsom Derby and an ambitious new stakes program in Pennsylvania take center stage on the weekend racing schedule.

With a week to go before the Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park has an important festival Saturday for New York-breds. Hollywood Park has graded stakes both Saturday and Sunday, as does Woodbine in Canada.

In Japan, sprinters tackle 1,000 meters in Sunday's Group 1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo. And French 3-year-olds will be tested at 2,100 meters in Saturday's Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

The early bird gets the worm -- and also gets to see the big race at Epsom. Read more at source

HRTV plans to cover all of the races from the UK for both days. TwinSpires will also carry the meet. There should be several YouTube sites that will upload the race replays. All of the race replays will also be available in the following day's TDN. RacingUK's YouTube channel   Direct link to RacingUK to watch free replays of races:  RacingUK web site - free replay videos

Following are links for the races for the two days, along with background information. The focus of the two-day festival is on the Epsom Derby, however, there are important races over the two days, and links for all the races and horse profiles are included below.
 
Official Derby web site * History of Epsom Derby * Guide to the Derby - Racing Post * Guide to the Epsom Derby *   The Meeting *  Course Guide *  Dress Code *  Latest news from the Derby



Race details below.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

May 25-27


LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 25-27


SUMMERTIME:  Memorial Day traditionally marks not only the start of summer, but it launches the "second season" of Thoroughbred racing. 

Arlington Park, Belmont Park, Hollywood Park, and Churchill Downs, all will see lots of turf action. Some of the nation's top horses will be on display in the Grade I Met Mile at Belmont.

Races for fillies and mares are in action from coast to coast with a couple of sprint races added to the mix.

Handicap horses run Monday in Texas in the Group III Lone Star Park Handicap.
Overseas, Group 1 action at the Curragh in Ireland and Longchamp in Paris. The Group 1 Japanese Derby runs Sunday in Tokyo and Hong Kong has an important race at Sha Tin on Sunday as its season winds down.

Monday's $750,000, GRADE I METROPOLITAN HANDICAP at Belmont Park has graded stakes winners Fed Biz, and Sahara Sky from California. Others could include Fort Loudon, Mark Valeski, and Swagger Jack, and Handsome Mike.

On Saturday the $150,000, GRADE III HANSHIN CUP will feature 10 contenders on the all-weather course, including Nate's Mineshaft, making his first start since finishing third behind Ron the Greek and Wise Dan last June in the Grade I Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs. Also scheduled will be Mister Mardi Gras also bears watching. Nates Mineshaft using Hanshin Cup comeback vehicle

Monday's holiday card includes the $300,000, GRADE III LONE STAR PARK HANDICAP at 1 1/16 miles and the $100,000, GRADE III ALL AMERICAN at Golden Gate Fields, also at 1 1/16 miles.

Fillies and mares:  Belmont Park has two grade 1 events for fillies and mares:  The $400,000, GRADE I OGDEN PHIPPS HANDICAP is expected to include Disposablepleasure, Centring, Joyful Victory and Tiz Miz Sue. Run at 1 1/16 mile on the main track.  The one-mile $300,000, GRADE I ACORN for 3-year-old fillies will include Kauai Katie, Cue the Moon, Let Me Entertain U, Midnight Lucky, Manuka Honey and Momentary Magic.

Saturday will include, the $150,000, GRADE III ARLINGTON MATRON at 9 furlongs on the main track. Signed up is Lotta Lovin, who has recorded six of her seven career wins over all-weather surfaces. Ice Cream Silence and Hooh Why also are proven stakes performers.

TURF:  A field of 9 will be in the longest race on the grass in Saturday's $150,000, GRADE III LOUISVILLE HANDICAP at Churchill Downs: Dark Cove, the morning-line favorite is back after a victory in the Grade II Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland.  Others include Ioya Bigtime, Atigun, Heathcote and Harrod's Creek -- any of them capable of a winning effort in the 1 1/2 mile event.

A full field of 12 is expected in Saturday's $150,000, GRADE III ARLINGTON CLASSIC at 1 1/16 miles including, including Fordubai, who ran second to Departing in the Grade III Illinois Derby in his last outing. Admiral Kitten was second in the Grade II American Turf at Churchill Downs on Oaks Day. Brown Almighty, General Election and California invader Procurement also are in the deep field of 12.

Turf milers get their chance in Saturday's $150,000, GRADE II AMERICAN HANDICAP at Hollywood Park. Obviously appears an obvious contender in a field of six.  Included in the rest of the field will be Grade 1 winne  Lucayan making his first U.S. start for trainer Neil Drysdale after racing in his native France last year. Barocci is a Japanese-bred who raced in France earlier. Bob Baffert has two -- Drill and Racing Aptitude.

Woodbine:  The grass sprint is Sunday's $200,000 (Canadian), GRADE II CONNAUGHT CUP at Woodbine, at 7 furlongs.

FILLIES AND MARES ON THE GRASS:
Saturday's $200,000 (CANADIAN), GRADE II NASSAU STAKES at 1 mile at Woodbine drew a field of seven with morning-line favoritism divided among Irish Mission, Dancing to Town and Solid Appeal. Irish Mission, the narrow choice at 5-2, was second in last year's Queen's Plate and won the Breeders' Stakes. She was third in the Grade III Orchid at Gulfstream before shipping back north.

Saturday's $200,000, GRADE II SHEEPSHEAD BAY STAKES at Belmont Park is 11 furlongs on the grass. Hessonite, who took her first graded stakes win last time out in the Grade III Beaugay, will try to repeat. Six of her rivals have European races on their resume, including Starformer, Strathnaver and Julie's Love.

Three-year-old fillies will go 1 1/16 miles on the Belmont Park turf in SUNDAY'S $200,000, GRADE II SANDS POINT STAKES with Carolina Thomas, Unbelievable Dream, Watsdachances and Wave Theory on tap.

Monday at Hollywood Park includes the $250,000, GRADE I GAMELY STAKES at 9 furlongs.
Sprint - Two Grade 3 events on Memorial Day:  The $100,000, GRADE III LOS ANGELES HANDICAP at Hollywood Park and the $100,000, GRADE III WINNING COLORS for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs both are run at 6 furlongs.

INTERNATIONAL

France:  Planteur and Beauty Parlor are among the entries for Sunday's GROUP 1 PRIX D'ISPAHAN at Longchamp. Eleven are expected in the GROUP 1 PRIX SAINT-ALARY on the same card.

Ireland: Sunday, Aidan O'Brien has 5 of the field of 9 in GROUP 1 TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP at the Curragh, including Camelot, the 2012 Derby winner. O'Brien also has Windsor Palace, El Salvador, Ernest Hemingway and the 4-year-old filly Was.  Eighteen are in for Sunday's Group 1 Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas.  

England:  Sole Power and Reckless Abandon are favorites among 12 left for Saturday's GROUP 2 BETFRED TEMPLE STAKES AT HAYDOCK, a 1,000-meters event included in the British Champions Series. Sole Power is a veteran world traveler with a fourth-place showing in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint earlier this year on his resume. Reckless Abandon, a 3-year-old Exchange Rate colt making his first start of the year, was undefeated in five starts in 2012, topped by the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in October and is one to watch.

Japan:  Sunday's GROUP 1 TOKYO YUSHUN, OR JAPANESE DERBY, is the second leg of the Triple Crown and set to have a huge field including Logotype. The son of Lohengrin was the victor in the first leg of the series, the Group 1 Satsuki Sho, or Japanese 1,000 Guineas. Others expected to include  Codino, Epiphaneia, Kizuna and Meiner Ho O.

Hong Kong:  Two-time Group 1 Hong Kong Cup winner, California Memory tops the field for Sunday's HK-GROUP 1 STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHARTER CUP.  He is expected to face some significant competition in the final top-level event of the Sha Tin racing season. Dominant, from the barn of red-hot trainer John Moore.  Recent triumphs include the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup and the Champions Mile at Sha Tin and the Singapore Airlines International Cup at Kranji -- all international Group 1 events and all within a month's time. Thumbs Up and Fay Fay also are familiar names in the field.

Jeremy Plonk's COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - Week 21
 Tom Lamarra and Pete Denk handicap the Arlington Classic stakes

FLASH!  LIVE STREAMING American Handicap and full card
FLASH!  DRF LIVE STEAMING of HOLLYWOOD PARK SATURDAY

Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

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Friday, May 17, 2013

May 17-18

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 17-18

IS ORB "THE ONE"!
Watch all of Orb's races and judge for yourself -- KY Derby, Fountain of Youth, and Florida Derby, as well as his allowance race....slow pace, no pace, fast pace....doesn't seem to matter with this horse. He has started from the rail position to the far outside position (KY Derby - post 16) and from the middle of the field. He's usually mid- to back of the pack for 3/4 of the race, and he makes his move on the back side nearing the turn and he just marches on regardless of who is close to him. He nearly always goes to the outside, which means he is packing plenty of reserves to get the job done. I don't think I have felt as confident about any horse's ability to do whatever it takes to win! He always runs his own race! No one dictates to this horse, and he has never gotten boxed in at the rail or had to fight for position. He makes his own "trip"....he's tough, he has the heart, and he sure has figured out how to win! GO ORB!! He will be carrying the hopes and dreams of millions who have been waiting for "the one"! ORB past performances - scroll down to "Past Performances" & click on video


Jon and Joel review the line up for the Preakness:



PIMLICO
Friday's program features the $500,000, Grade II BLACK-EYED SUSAN with nine 3-year-old fillies set to try 9 furlongs on the main track. Emollient is the 9-5 morning-line favorite off her gate-to-wire victory in the Grade I Ashland Stakes at Keeneland over the all-weather surface. Fiftyshadesofhay comes east after a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks for trainer Bob Baffert.

Friday's $300,000, Grade III PIMLICO SPECIAL will have a variety of running styles in the seven-horse field. Eighttofasttocatch has been well in front in his last two starts with one win to show for it. Last Gunfighter has rolled from off the pace to win five straight at Aqueduct and Belmont.

The $100,000 THE VERY ONE STAKES, a 5-furlongs turf dash for fillies and mares, drew an overflow field of 14 with two also-eligibles. Sweet Cassiopeia is the morning-line favorite off five straight wins but drew gate No. 13.

The $100,000 JIM MCKAY TURF SPRINT has eight starters with Bridgetown and local favorite Ben's Cat the morning-line picks.

Saturday's racing in support of the 138th Preakness includes four graded stakes and three others.

The $300,000, Grade II LONGINES DIXIE STAKES at 9 furlongs on the turf has a jam-packed field of 13, many of them with credentials. Optimizer, Willcox Inn, Imagining, Doubles Partner and Swift Warrior all are posted at single-digit odds in the morning line.

The $150,000, Grade III MARYLAND SPRINT HANDICAP drew 10. The morning-line choice, Sage Warrior, drew the outside gate as he steps up in company while trying to win his fourth in a row.

Samitar is the 5-2 favorite in the $150,000, Grade III GALLORETTE HANDICAP, a 1 1/16-miles turf test for fillies and mares. Samitar, one of two in for trainer Chad Brown, won the Grade I Garden City Stakes at Belmont last fall in her first U.S. start but hasn't visited the winner's circle in three intervening trips.

Fillies and mares go 1 1/16 miles on the main track in the $150,000, Grade III ALLAIRE DUPONT DISTAFF STAKES with seven set to face the starter. Summer Applause, Brushed by a Star and Moon Philly are the favorites.

GRADE 1 PREAKNESS STAKES with a purse of $1,000,000.  Orb's rivals on Saturday include Mylute, fifth in the Kentucky Derby, Oxbow, who finished sixth in the Run for the Roses, Will Take Charge (8th), Itsmyluckyday (15th) and Goldencents (17th). Each of them had an excuse -- or two -- in the Derby and could run much better against a smaller field. The weatherman is calling for sunny skies at Pimlico on Friday and no more than a few showers on Saturday so track condition is unlikely to be an issue. 

It is noteworthy that none of the top finishers in the KY Derby will run in the Preakness.  Clearly, most expect Orb to rise to the occasion and bring home the Black-Eyed Susans on Preakness Day!  The entire racing community is pulling for the magic of a Triple Crown to happen this year, with this horse, with these connections. 
 
The sport is overdue for some good news, and the journey with Orb, for me anyway, has been very satisfying.  If this is all there is, I'm prepared to accept it and consider myself lucky to have had the glimpse into what big-time racing used to be about.  The connections and the trainer, and the horse, are all worthy of admiration and appreciation for what they bring to the sport.  Icing on the cake will be for Orb to win the Preakness and to participate in the last leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont.  Can Orb win it all?  I think so, but if he falls short, it will not diminish the experience we have had with this horse and connections.  No matter the outcome, this has been a season of pure joy!
 
HOLLYWOOD PARK
Seven are set for Saturday's $150,000, Grade II MARJORIE L. EVERETT HANDICAP for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track. More Chocolate runs right back after a fifth-place finish in the Grade II LA TROIENNE at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Before that, she won the Grade II La Canada and finished second in the Grade I Santa Margarita. This is her first time on the all-weather surface. Lady of Fifty has been competitive in local graded stakes. The race is named for the former owner of Hollywood Park, who died last year at age 90. Hollywood Park is set to die at the end of this year, to be redeveloped into commercial and residential properties.

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Jeremy Plonk's COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - Week 20
Steve Haskin: Final observations on Preakness
Preakness contenders, profiles, race replays
DRF Preakness page - replays of past races
For those who want to see the charts for each of his races, here is Equibase Orb page...click on "results" and each of his races is listed with the charts for each race. Orb - Equibase - click on "results"
Dixie, Gallorette highlight Preakness undercard
Orb profile - Equibase
All systems go for Orb McGaughey says
Orb faces no challenger greater than himself - WPost/Beyer
Old school touch and a dash of superstition - NYTimes
DRF Preakness site
Stevens' long history in the Preakness
Emolliet, Walkwithapurpose meet in Black Eyed Susan
Mike Watchmaker says track bias at Pimlico a myth

Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

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Saturday, May 11, 2013

May 11-12

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 11-12

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

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WEEKEND BEFORE THE PREAKNESS OFFERS A COUPLE OF JUICY RACES!

On the weekend between the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, the racing world holds its breath, hoping something good is about to happen.

But the actual racing schedule is by no means devoid of action.

While Triple Crown hopeful Orb hones his edge in New York under the watchful eye of trainer Shug McGaughey, a field of 3-year-old late-bloomers is set to go 9 furlongs in Saturday's $200,000, Grade II Peter Pan over the sweeping Belmont Park layout.  Read more at source

Jon and Joel preview the Peter Pan stakes and wind up their look at the Derby



Jeremy Plonk's COUNTDOWN TO THE CROWN - Week 19

Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

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FEATURED RACES

Time Ordered LIST and ENTRIES

SATURDAY
PPs for Saturday's races

5:17 ET  Peter Pan S G2, Belmont, $200,000g, 3yo, 9f  R9  CARD
6:00 ET  Decathlon S, Monmouth, $75,000g, 3&up, 6f R11  CARD
6:35 ET Senorita S, G3, HP, $100,000g, 3yo f, 8fT R6 CARD

More info for today's races:
 Peter Pan first stakes test for Incognito
Peter Pan may reveal whether Saint Vigeur gets shot at Belmont Stakes
Peter Pan Belmont Stakes tryout for Infinite Magic
Fear the Kitten gets chance in Peter Pan
Scarlet Strike seeks second straight stakes win in Senorita

SUNDAY
2:38 ET  Albert the Great S, Belmont $90,000a, 4&up, 9f R4  CARD
4:25 ET Eclipse S G2, Woodbine, $200,000g, 4&up, 8.5f R8 CARD
4:45 ET  Good Reward S, Belmont, $90,000a, 4&up, 10f T R8  CARD
6:40 ET Inaugural S, $100,000g, PID, 3yo f, 6f 4 CARD
7:05 ET  Round Table S, BHP, $70,000a, 4&up, 12f T  R7  CARD

NEWS
BloodHorse
DRF - Daily Racing Form
Dick Powell's handicapping insights - 5-10-2013
James Scully's Preakness report - 5-9-2013
Jackson Bend returns to training
End of an era: Hollywood Park to close at end of 2013 meet
Mylute confirmed for Preakness
Mike Watchmaker's Weekend Warrior - Video
Animal Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Preakness report: Oxbow and Stevens try again
Can Orb go on to win the Triple Crown
Haskin: Derby launched into Orb-it


INTERNATIONAL
New French group looking for racing revival

Thursday, May 2, 2013

May 3-4

LET'S GO TO THE RACES - May 3-4

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

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Kentucky Derby: Orb storms home to win as the 5-1 favorite

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – There are times when horse racing can produce maddening, inexplicable results, waved away with a shrug and a common refrain, “That’s horse racing.”  Then there are times when everything comes together as if pre-ordained. The best jockey, on the best horse, prepared by the best trainer, bred by a family that has been competing at the top of racing for generations, wins the Kentucky Derby.  That, too, is horse racing.  So it was Saturday at Churchill Downs, at the 139th Kentucky Derby, when Orb brought trainer Shug McGaughey, the nation’s leading rider, Joel Rosario; and the families of Ogden Phipps and Stuart Janney III their first Derby victory with a convincing, 2 1/2-length win.  Read more at source





The National Racing Report - May 8, 2013 from NYRA on Vimeo.


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The KENTUCKY DERBY and KENTUCKY OAKS capture worldwide attention this weekend.

Details and resource materials on these two marquee races follow below, so let's take a look at the undercard action taking place Friday and Saturday.

The reigning U.S. Horse of the Year, WISE DAN, is back in action at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Bob Baffert is focused on Hollywood Park rather than Churchill Downs.

Undercard action, Churchill Downs on Oaks Day
ON FIRE BABY and BELIEVE YOU CAN are the heavy favorites in a field of seven entered for the $300,000, Grade II LA TROIENNE for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.  MIDNIGHT LUCKY has won both her starts for trainer Bob Baffert, including the Sunland Park Oaks in her last trip. CLOSE HATCHES is 3-for-3, including the Grade II Gazelle at Aqueduct.
 
The $300,000, Grade II ALYSHEBA STAKES at 1 1/16 miles on the main track drew nine, with three longshots on the inside and the remainder all contenders. Among the likelies: RICHARD'S KID, HYMN BOOK, TAKE CHARGE INDY, MACHO MACHO, BOURBON COURAGE and CYBER SECRET.
 
Thirteen 3-year-olds were drawn for the $200,000, Grade II AMERICAN TURF at 1 1/16 miles on the lawn. NOBLE TUNE and ADMIRAL KITTEN are the morning-line favorites.
 
A well-balanced field of 14 is set for the $150,000, Grade III EIGHT BELLES STAKES for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs on the dirt.

Also on the Oaks Day card is the $150,000 EDGEWOOD STAKES for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the grass.

Undercard action at Churchill Downs on Derby Day
MARKETING MIX makes her first start since the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in Saturday's $250,000, Grade II DISTAFF TURF MILE and likely will have to chase down DAISY DEVINE if she wants to win this one. The latter, a confirmed frontrunner, hasn't been out of the exacta in her last six starts, including a second in the Grade I Jenny Wiley at Keeneland. STEPHANIE'S KITTEN is making her first start since last October at Keeneland but usually is in the mix. At total of 10 are set to go.

The $400,000, Grade II CHURCHILL DOWNS Stakes, a 7-furlongs affair, attracted nine, including morning-line favorites TRINNIBERG and DELAUNAY. Delaunay has won five straight -- four in Louisiana sandwiching the Bet On Sunshine Stakes at Churchill Downs almost exactly six months ago. UNBRIDLED'S NOTE is almost always around at the finish. HANDSOME MIKE could be a big overlay after showing some life with a win when finally shortened up from routing in his last start.  

The reigning Horse of the Year, WISE DAN, is the obvious pick in the $500,000, Grade I TURF CLASSIC at 9 furlongs on the grass. The 6-year-old Wiseman's Ferry gelding has won eight of his last nine races and hasn't lost since returning to the turf five races back. This is no walkover, though, especially with POINT OF ENTRY drawn right to the outside of Wise Dan. Point of Entry has won seven straight races and eight of his last nine and comes off a win in the Grade I Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. The other seven have something to prove against this level of competition.

Belmont Park
DREAM PEACE is the morning-line favorite among nine in Saturday's $150,000, Grade III BEAUGAY for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Dream Peace has yet to win in the United States after racing as far afield as France and Singapore. The 5-year-old Dansili mare makes her first start since last October. Centring is entered only in the event the race is moved to the main track.

Only six signed on for the $150,000 FORT MARCY at 1 1/16 miles on the turf and SPEAKING OF WHICH and REAL SOLUTION are the early picks in a well-matched field.

Hollywood Park
With no runners in this year's Kentucky Derby, trainer Bob Baffert can concentrate on one of his 2012 starters, LIAISON, in Saturday's $150,000, Grade II MERVYN LEROY HANDICAP at 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather surface. The second- and third-place finishers from the Santana Mile are back -- MIDNIGHT TRANSFER and TRES BORRACHOS. But with no shippers in the field, Liaison has every chance to show he can make his mark in the depleted ranks of California handicap horses.

Kentucky Derby resource material - Profiles of each horse, links to view each horse's past races, past performance sheets, pedigree information all arranged for you to be able to get up to speed on each entry quickly and effortlessly. 
  
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KENTUCKY OAKS PRESENTS THE DEEPEST FIELD EVER ASSEMBLED! 

A fantastic collection of sophomore fillies is ready to converge on this year's Kentucky Oaks, possibly the deepest field we've ever seen assembled for the race. Read more at source
 
Here is a link to review each entry in the Oaks:  OAKS CONTENDERS - PROFILES

Also, don't miss visiting Mary Cage's "Past The Grandstand" Derby and Oaks analysis of each horse:   Derby Field Analysis   Oaks Field Analysis
Races listed below in time ordered format with cards. Come back after the race is run, click on the Card link and watch the replay at BloodHorse's results and video page.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

2013 KENTUCKY DERBY

LET'S GO TO THE RACES
KENTUCK DERBY SPECIAL

A quick reference tool meant to help the newer fan (like me!)

NOTE:AFTER A RACE HAS BEEN RUN, you can return here, click on the CARD to view the Results and watch a REPLAY.
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Kentucky Derby field is set, gate positions have been drawn, and Morning Line odds have been determined.  Below are quick links to get up to speed on each horse. 

Note:  Check back for updates, including the Oaks and the undercard action Friday and Saturday.

The top two morning-line favorites for the May 4 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) both drew fairly well in outside posts when post positions were selected May 1 at Churchill Downs.

The draw was conducted under normal "blind draw" conditions by Churchill Downs' Ben Huffman and Dan Bork. Twenty horses can start in the Derby and 21 passed the entry box. Fear the Kitten is the lone also-eligible colt on that list.

Orb
, a homebred for Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable, is riding a four-race win streak and drew post 16 of 20. The "buzz horse" of the backstretch Derby week was installed the 7-2 morning line favorite by oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.  Read more at source

Kentucky Derby: Orb favorite from post 16; Verrazano to break from 14

Nicole Russo for DRF
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Florida Derby winner Orb drew post 16 and was pegged as the 7-2 morning-line favorite as the field for the 139th Kentucky Derby was finalized Wednesday evening at Churchill Downs.

As expected, an overflow field of 21 horses was entered for the Grade 1, $2 million Kentucky Derby, which is limited to 20 starters. This year, Churchill Downs implemented a system tallying points in designated races as the tiebreaker if more than 20 enter, scrapping the previous system based on graded stakes earnings. Giant Finish, who was declared as a starter on Tuesday, was the final horse into the main body of the field with 10 points, leapfrogging Fear the Kitten, who has only six points. Last year, Churchill Downs re-instated an also-eligible list allowing up to four horses; Fear the Kitten may run if there are any withdrawals from the main body of the field by scratch time, 9 a.m. Friday. 

Many ceded Derby favoritism to Verrazano after the colt remained unbeaten with a victory in the Wood Memorial on April 6. However, support for Orb steadily grew in the week leading up to the race, reaching a fever pitch when the colt turned in an impressive final workout Monday morning at Churchill Downs, cruising four furlongs in 47.89 seconds. Verrazano, who landed post 14 for the Derby, was tabbed as the 4-1 second choice by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia.  Read more at source

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Horses are listed in gate order.  Under each horse you will find easy access to each horse's profile, connections, race replays, past performances, pedigree summary, and more.

You might also want to check in at Mary Cage's "Past The Grandsand" analysis of the Derby field.  She goes more in depth to discuss each horse's ability to go the distance.  "Past The Grandstand"

Note:  Be sure to use the back button after visiting each link.

BLACK ONYX
Post 1, 50-1
Derby profile                                        SCRATCHED
DRF profile and video replays             The gate position will be left open.
TVG video profile
Past performances
Black Onyx likely inherits sufficient stamina from his sire Rock Hard Ten, who didn't have the graded earnings to make the 2004 Kentucky Derby field.
 
OXBOW
Post 2, 30-1
Derby profile
DRF profile and race replays
Past performances
BloodHorse video
Oxbow's pedigree is shot through with Breeders' Cup Classic connections on both sides, making him well suited to the 1 1/4-mile distance of the Kentucky Derby. His sire, Awesome Again, scored four major victories at 1 1/4 miles, highlighted by Canada's prestigious Queen's Plate in just his third career start and the 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic over a stellar field including Derby-winning champion Silver Charm.

REVOLUTIONARY
Post 3, 10-1
Derby profile
DRF profile and video replays
TVG Video profile
Louisiana Derby replay
Revolutionary is a strong candidate for the classic distance, for he stands to inherit plenty of stamina from his dam, 1997 Alabama heroine Runup the Colors. He gets high-class speed from his sire War Pass, the undefeated champion two-year-old colt of 2007. War Pass swept his first five starts, including the Champagne and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but his Derby hopes were thwarted during the spring of 2008. He retired from racing following his runner-up effort in the Wood Memorial.

GOLDEN SOUL
Post 4, 50-1
Derby profile
DRF profile and video replays
Past performances
Dallas Stewart on Golden Soul - video
Golden Soul should thrive at 1 1/4 miles, but if his pedigree is any indication, he's likely to find his true home on turf. His sire, Perfect Soul, ranked as the Canadian champion turf horse of 2003. Although the son of supersire Sadler's Wells won over as far as 1 3/8 miles, he excelled from a mile to nine furlongs. Perfect Soul especially loved Keeneland, where he landed the Shadwell Turf Mile and came back to set a course record in the Maker's Mark Mile. His two leading offspring are likewise turf aficionados, 2011 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Perfect Shirl and 2009 Breeders' Stakes scorer Perfect Shower.

Normandy Invasion's pedigree is a mixture of speed and residual stamina, offering reasonable hope that the Derby distance is within his compass. He could also receive further heft from deeper in his female line, which descends from 1926 champion Fair Star and has continued to produce quality runners over the decades, including champions Fairy Chant and Parlo and Hall of Famer Arts and Letters. In more recent times, another branch of this line was responsible for 1996 Derby hero Grindstone.