I’m catching up with
a lot of the weekend goings on. Here are some notes:
Alpha: Still no word on who the rider will be. Rajiv Maragh appears to be
the favorite seeing as he worked Alpha on Sunday, but Kiaran McLaughlin put on
his dancing shoes when asked for a commitment.
Gemologist/El Padrino- Todd Pletcher’s plan to keep his Derby contenders
in Florida due to supposed better weather clearly backfired. Gemologist had the
better work of the two in the muddy conditions, although Pletcher said he
wasn’t looking for much from either colt.
Union Rags- Mike Welsch from DRF believes he’s sitting on his best race based on
Saturday’s work. Lots of talk
about how washy the colt appears when he’s out on the track, but those that are
familiar with him in the mornings know it’s normal.
Bodemeister- Consensus seems to be that while Union Rags stole the
show Saturday, it was all about Bodemeister on Sunday. His daily routine
gallops on the track did not impress, but he was a different mover Saturday.
Prospective- Welsch likes as long shot pick in Derby.
Went the Day Well- worked with blinkers and was much more focused and game.
Dullahan- Welsch thinks it appears synthetic surfaces are more
suited for him. I have seen Dullahan gallop multiple times along the
backstretch, and he seems to be moving very well over the surface.
Kentucky Derby News and Opinion
4/29
The
case for and against all the horses (Courier Journal)
Fresh
air, if not blue hair planned for Hansen on Derby day (Courier Journal)
Local
trainer sends Rousing Sermon to Kentucky Derby (San Francisco Examiner)
Marengo
horse owners have shot at winning Kentucky Derby (Chicago Daily Herald)
Iowan’s
believe their horse Dullahan can win Kentucky Derby (Indianapolis Star)
Hansen on Hansen [video]
(Cincinnati Enquirer)
