The final pieces are coming together for the 138th Kentucky Derby. With one prep remaining that could
affect one or two contenders on the bubble of the graded earnings list, we have
a very good idea of who will be in the starting gate May 5th. For the most part there is a lot of
parity among the accomplished cast in terms of pedigree, class, and speed
figures. As many as 7 horses could
be in the sub 10-1 range on the tote board come post time.
Arkansas Derby
Some felt Bodemeister was an undeserved morning line favorite in the Arkansas Derby (G1) having no stakes wins on his resume, especially compared to the other Bob Baffert entry Secret Circle who won the prior two graded Derby prep races at Oaklawn. Nonetheless, he was still the betting favorite when the gates opened and he did not disappoint his backers. With a perfect pacesetting trip by Mike Smith, Bodemeister dealt with little pressure the entire way. The final time was 1:48.71, over a second faster than the previous race the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses. Bodemeister’s Beyer speed figure came back 105, which is highest among likely Derby starters.
All sounds good so far, but of course there are doubters and with good
reason. With the Kentucky Derby
only three weeks away the obvious question is whether there is anything left in
the tank for Bodemeister?
Oftentimes dominating efforts like this are followed up with a “bounce”,
especially in the 10-furlong Derby.
I was immediately reminded of Sinister Minister in 2006, who dominated
the Blue Grass Stakes by 12 ¾ lengths only to finish 16th in the
Derby three weeks later. It is
unfair to automatically assume that will happen in 2012 (and to compare him to
an inferior horse), but the prevalence of bounces combined with the uniqueness
of a 20 horse field running 1 1/4 miles make it a distinct possibility.
Of even more concern for Bodemeister in the Derby could be trip and
pace. In the Arkansas Derby he
started from the far outside post and had an easy uncontested path to the front
and eventually on the rail. In the
San Felipe (G2) in March, a race he was beaten by Creative Cause, Bodemeister
did sit just off the pacesetter but was still in the clear most of the way.
What will he do in a crowd or even possibly behind horses? There was no early pressure up front
Saturday, but you can imagine Hansen and several others will
change that at Churchill Downs.
At the top of the stretch of the Arkansas Derby it appeared Secret
Circle could pass the winner, but Bodemeister had another gear. Secret Circle is still Derby bound and
will ship to Churchill Downs Monday with Bodemeister. 3rd place finisher Sabercat impressed his trainer
Steve Asmussen and will also move onto Kentucky via the same flight.
Blue Grass Stakes
Trainer Dale Romans struggled to wipe the smile off of his face Saturday following Dullahan’s victory over Hansen in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. The Louisville native has made no bones about his desire to win the signature hometown race, and Dullahan is sure to enter the Derby gate at the lowest odds of any previous Romans starter. It doesn’t hurt that the colt is a closer, comfortable among a crowd and splitting horses. Kent Desormeaux earned his share of the winner’s check for his initial patience, needlework through traffic, and spurring the furious late charge down the stretch. It will take that kind of a ride and a little luck in three weeks, but Desormeaux has been there before. It’s also encouraging that Dullahan put in a valiant effort on the Churchill strip last November in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), where he finished 4th after a troubled start.
Hansen fell short of a Blue Grass victory and Derby favoritism by just 1
3/4 lengths. Unlike the Gotham
Stakes (G3), where he showed the ability to rate behind a pacesetter, he was up
to his old tricks Saturday by bolting to the front. The early fractions were on the quick side for a 1 1/8 mile
race and proved to take just enough out of Hansen to relinquish the lead in the
final strides. It will be
interesting to see how many bettors jump off the Hansen bandwagon. The 2-year-old champion has always been
in the money, proven to be a fighter, and shown an affinity for Churchill
Downs, where he beat many of the same foes he will face Derby Day. There were a lot of shenanigans
regarding the spray painting of Hansen’s tail, all pretty much meant to divert
attention away from the race and towards an owner. If interested to hear more
you can find links to stories below.
Lots of notable Derby news Sunday. Aidan O’Brien will only ship Daddy
Long Legs to Churchill Downs for the Derby, leaving behind Wrote who is 6th
on the graded earnings list.
Trinniberg is also not likely for the Derby. These two defections would open up slots for Rousing Sermon
and Mark Valeski, if they can retain their ranking on the list following
Saturday’s Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland// Prospective, winner of the
Tampa Bay Derby (G3) and 6th in Saturday’s Blue Grass is “on the
fence” for the Derby, which is a surprise// El Padrino had his first workout
since a 4th place finish in the Florida Derby (G1). Todd Pletcher
will train the colt as if he’s going to the Derby, but will need probably one
or two more defections// In not-so-surprising news, Mike Smith was confirmed to
ride Bodemeister, which means he de-committed from riding Daddy Nose Best. Garrett Gomez was named as the new
jockey for Daddy Nose Best and his agent thinks they have a live longshot//
more…
Arkansas Derby (G1)
Winner: Bodemeister
Jockey: Mike Smith
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Chart: Equibase
chart
Replay: YouTube
Beyer: 105 (preliminary)
Wrap-up Articles: Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
/ TTimes
/ AP
Blue Grass Stakes (G1)
Winner: Dullahan
Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Trainer: Dale Romans
Chart: Equibase
chart
Replay: YouTube
Beyer: 98 (preliminary)
Wrap-up Articles: Bloodhorse
/ DRF
/ Brisnet
/ TTimes
/ USA
Today / Courier
Journal / Post-race
news conference
Graded Earnings
Official
List Updated 4/14 (Churchill Downs)
Kentucky Derby News and Opinion
Sunday
Trinniberg
likely to pass Kentucky Derby (Bloodhorse)
Smith
stays on Bodemeister, Gomez on Daddy (Bloodhorse)
D’oh-ahan
(TwinSpires Blog)
Dullahan’s
win deepens Derby mystery (Lexington Herald Leader)
Top
3 Blue Grass horses return to Louisville (Bloodhorse)
Top
finishers in Arkansas Derby heading to KY (Bloodhorse)
Kentucky
Derby 2012 field definitely is deep (Courier Journal)
We
have 3 weeks to sort out Kentucky Derby possibilities (The Bellingham
Herald)
Take
Charge Indy: Chicago’s Derby hope (ChicagoNow Blog)
Hansen
disappointed horse’s tail not blue (Bloodhorse)
Blue
tails and lasix: Good intentions, poor execution (Hansen Blog via Courier
Journal)
Saturday
Dullahan
and Hansen- Tale of the Trakus tape (And Down They Stretch They Come)
A
tale of two tail colors for Hansen (Bloodhorse)
Went
the Day Well works at Keeneland (Bloodhorse)
Went
the Day Well to follow Animal Kingdom’s path (Miami Herald)
Lexington
makeup could hinge on other outcomes (The Downey Profile)
Works
Sunday
Rousing Sermon HOL- 5F- 1.00:00- H- 6/60
Castaway SA- 5F- 1.01:20- H- 28/63
El Padrino PMM- 4F- 49:10- B- 4/12
Saturday
Went the Day Well- KEE- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 32/43
Reveron- CRC- 1M- 1.43:60- B- 1/2
Bourbon Courage- CD- 6F- 1.16:00- B- 2/3
Notes
and bits from web and Twitter:
#KyDerby runners I'd
consider "possible": Wrote, Secret Circle & Liaison. Unlikely but
not ruled out yet: Trinniberg & Drill.- DerbyMedia via Twitter
“Ramon Dominguez says he hasn't decided on Derby horse (Alpha or
Hansen). Will sit with agent soon.”- Barry Abrams via Twitter
“Hansen lost the Blue Grass and very likely his jockey as well. I'll be
shocked if Ramon Dominguez doesn't opt for Alpha in the KDerby.”- Randy Moss
via Twitter
