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

By Jay Privman

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

OAKS AND DERBY DAY WRAP UP, TRIP NOTES, RACE REPLAYS 

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

And: DRF's Dan Illman and Mike Beer handicap each Derby entrant
Joe Kristufek with HorsePlayer.Now talks Derby field - Video
From May 3 TDN, Brian DiDonato and Steve Sherack provide insight
TDN's May 3 "Cheat Sheet" - a must-read
DRF: Wet track could affect outcome
Steve Haskin weighs in on which horses likely to handle wet track

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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.

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
Post 5, 12-1
Derby profile
DRF profile and race replays
Past performances

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.

Stud Farms

WHO'S WHO IN THOROUGHBRED BREEDING

Following are glimpses into who are the biggest players of breeding Thoroughbreds around the world.  They are not listed in any particular order, except the biggest players are in all caps.

Kenny Troutt (left) and co-owner Bill Casner celebrate

their horse Super Saver's Kentucky Derby victory in 2010

Image by Getty Images North America via @daylife

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GODOLPHIN/DARLEY
Godolphin Racing is the Maktoum family's private thoroughbred horseracing stable and was named in honour of the Godolphin Arabian, who came from the desert to become one of the three founding stallions of the modern thoroughbred.

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the driving force behind Godolphin. He also owns the Darley Stud breeding operation. Godolphin's first runner and winner was Cutwater (GB) at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai on December 24, 1992 while Godolphin's international operation commenced in 1994. The stable has training facilities in both Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Newmarket, United Kingdom.

Sheikh Mohammed, or "Sheikh Mo" as he is affectionately known, is perhaps the best known billionaire in the world of thoroughbred horse breeding and racing. His presence at horse sales is met with hushed reverence (and an intimidating entourage including bodyguards). He is thought to be the biggest spender in the history of the sport, buying up stables in the Middle East, Europe and the US (including Bob McNair's, see previous slide). Four horses linked to the Sheikh's various stables have won the UK's Epsom Derby: Lammtarra, New Approach, High-Rise and Shaamit. He continues to chase his dream of winning the Kentucky Derby.

Recent scandal involving the administration of illegal drugs to several horses at the barn run by Al Zarooni has rocked the Thoroughbred world.  Disgraced trainer banned for 8 years by BHA  BBC report

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H. H. AGA KHAN
Vanity Fair - 2012
http://www.agakhanstuds.com/history/history.asp
Top owner/breeder in France

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JUDDMONTE FARMS
Juddmonte Farms consists of a variety of individual farms: three in England, two in Ireland, and three in Kentucky, United States. Established in 1977, Juddmonte in particular is highly regarded for their 300 plus broodmare band.

Founded in 1977, Juddmonte is based in Lexington, KY. Prince Khalid Abdullah, owner; John Chandler, president; Lord Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager. Web site

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COOLMORE / BALLYDOYLE / ASHFORD STUD KY
Coolmore Stud's wiki page
Coolmore web site
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses.

It was originally a relatively small farm dedicated to general agriculture, but came into the Vigors family in 1945 when a training operation was established there^.  It was inherited by Tim Vigors, famous fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain and in the Far East. Having left the air force, he firstly joined Goffs bloodstock auctioneers before setting up his own bloodstock agency in 1951. He moved to Coolmore in 1968 and began transforming it into the well known stud farm it is today.

Vigors went into partnership with his friend Vincent O'Brien, a leading racehorse trainer, and Robert Sangster, the Vernons pools magnate. He later sold his interest to O'Brien and his son-in-law, John Magnier. Eventually, Magnier became sole owner, and built the farm into a multi-national, multi-billion-euro operation. The original farm is now known as Coolmore Ireland, and has three branches—Ashford Stud, which operates as Coolmore America, near Versailles, Kentucky and Coolmore National Hunt (or Castle Hyde Stud) in Ireland, which specialises in breeding for National Hunt racing. Coolmore has many "shuttle stallions" that cover mares in either Ireland or Kentucky in the northern breeding season and are transported to Argentina and Australia for the southern breeding season.

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Alain and Gerard Wertheimer
Wertheimer et Frere
France’s Alain Wertheimer and his brother Gerard, co-owners of fashion house Chanel, are third generation horse owners and breeders. Their thoroughbred business Wertheimer et Frere (meaning Wertheimer and Brother) has produced champs like Goldikova, the only horse ever to win three Breeders’ Cup Mile races. In 1993, their horse Kotashaan won American Horse of the Year, one of the sport’s highest accolades.

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Jess Jackson/Barbara Banke - Stonestreet Farms
One of the most beloved figures in the U.S. horse racing scene passed away in April 2011. California billionaire winemaker Jess Jackson was a regular fixture at bloodstock auctions and racetracks. Forbes did a feature two years ago during the Saratoga Springs meet. Forbes feature.  It was clear he’d earned the respect of his peers as an owner and a breeder. His Stonestreet Farms stable is home to Curlin, the all-time top earning racehorse in North America with over $10.5 million winnings, and Rachel Alexandra, the first filly to win the Preakness Stakes in 85 years and 2009 Horse of the Year. His widow, Barbara Banke, continues to operate under the Stonestreet banner.