Borel gets Kentucky Derby mount, will pilot Twice The Appeal// Anthony’s Cross the latest bubble horse

Summary:

After a whirlwind day of major Kentucky Derby developments, Wednesday proved to be much calmer: there were no official workouts or defections from the top 20. However, several important decisions were still made, lead by the announcement that Calvin Borel secured a Derby mount. He will ride a longshot colt who was born May 10th, once raced in the claiming ranks, and made his way to Louisville via the Sunland Derby route.  No, they’re not allowing five-year-old Mine That Bird to run again in the Derby, Twice The Appeal will get the honor. It was also reported that Borel was recently offered the mount on Illinois Derby winner Watch Me Go but passed on the opportunity// Bob Baffert confirmed Victor Espinoza would stay on Midnight Interlude, despite first-call jock Martin Garcia losing his Derby mount due to The Factor’s defection.  Baffert said Espinoza’s timely use of the whip was reason to stay the course// Silver Medallion, the next in line for a Derby spot, was declared out which puts Anthony’s Cross on the bubble// Upcoming works include Dialed In Thursday, Decisive Moment Friday, and eight or nine moves for the weekend// The Derby weather forecast seemed to get some attention Wednesday.  As of now forecasters are predicting cool temperatures and rain, but of course that is all subject to change//Brad Free at the Daily Racing Form discusses the potential pace (or lack thereof) for the Derby. He claims with a tepid pace, the race could suit Midnight Interlude and Soldat// As expected, Larry Collmus was named as the race caller for the Triple Crown.

For a little detour from the daily news on horses, jockeys, owners and trainers check out Sarah Kelly’s “ABC’s” of the Derby in the Louisville Eccentric Observer.  It offers a realistic-- if not entirely flattering-- picture of what to expect if you happen to attend// more…

Graded Earnings

·       Official List 4/26 [Silver Medallion is out] (Churchill Downs)

Articles:

·       Kentucky Derby barn notes April 27 (Churchill Downs)

·       Derby/Oaks training session video pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 (YouTube)

·       Borel to ride Twice The Appeal (DRF)

·       Calvin Borel has Kentucky Derby Appeal (Zipse At The Derby)

·       Silver Medallion out (DRF)

·       Derby notes: Animal Kingdom plans to work at Churchill Saturday (TTimes)

·       Kerwin Clark gets first Kentucky Derby mount at age 52 [Decisive Moment] (DRF)

·       Quiet backdrop for Dialed In (TTimes)

·       Co-owners of Mucho Macho Man to become real partners (TTimes)

·       Mucho Macho Man promoted as Atlanta’s hometown horse (Courier Journal Blog)

·       Trainers play guessing game with weather at Churchill (DRF)

·       Weather another challenge for Derby trainers; rain forecast for Derby day (TTimes)

·       Larry Collmus to replace Tom Durkin as Triple Crown announcer (DRF)

·       Panic at the final stretch silences the voice of the Triple Crown (NY Times)

·       Kentucky Derby coverage: The Weather Channel, NBC Sports Group details (Monsters and Critics)

·       Looking around [includes CTD shout-out!] (Gary West Blog)

·       Derby Trial preview articles (Bloodhorse) (DRF)

·       Derby pace softens (Brad Free DRF Blog)

·       Derby Mo-Jo: And down the stretch we come (Mike Repole Bloodhorse Blog)

·       The ins and outs of the Kentucky Derby (The Brock Talk)

·       Is there a Mine That Bird in this year’s Derby field? (Albany Times Union Blog)

·       Daunting Derby entry (Brad Frees DRF Blog)

·       Buying a Derby winner: A few rules and a lot of luck (Kentucky Confidential)

·       Photos: Horse tales from Churchill Downs 4/26/11 (DRF Blog)

·       How many mint juleps will it take? (Horsepuckey Blog)

·       The ABC’s of Derby (Louisville Eccentric Observer)

·       Playing the field (Louisville Eccentric Observer)

·       Local Kentucky Derby contender [Mucho Macho Man] becomes face of Ga. horseracing advocates (Gwinnett Daily Post)

·       Rick Pitino’s Derby picks (Courier Journal Blog)

·       Derby Kitten aims for Preakness (Bloodhorse)

·       Kentucky Derby heroes welcomed by hometown (DRF)

·       Churchill Downs launches new Kentucky Derby mobile app (Churchill Downs)

·       Great Redeemer, the knife at the gunfight (Kentucky Confidential)

Works:

·       None

Rankings:

·       Jack McKinney’s Top 20 (Daily Racing News)

·       Brisnet Top 10 (Brisnet)