Gulfstream Park, March 29, $1,000,000, 3yo, 9f, ft, 1:48.16
Big Brown 122, B. Boundary -- Mien, by Nureyev. Owner, IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., et al; breeder, Monticule; trainer, Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.; jockey, Kent J. Desormeaux. $600,000
Smooth Air 122, B. Smooth Jazz -- Air France, by French Deputy. Owner, Mount Joy Stables, Inc.; breeder, Mount Joy Stables; trainer, Bennie F. Stutts, Jr.; jockey, Manoel R. Cruz. $200,000
Tomcito 122, B. Street Cry (IRE) -- Inside Or Outside, by Eastern Echo. Owner, Jet Set Racing Stable; breeder, Chesapeake Farm & Darley; trainer, Dante Zanelli, Jr.; jockey, Jorge F. Chavez. $100,000
Margins: 5, 7.5, 3.25
Also ran: Hey Byrn 122 ($50,000), Cool Gator 122 ($30,000), Majestic Warrior 122 ($20,000), Nistle's Crunch 122, Face the Cat 122, Da' Tara 122, Fierce Wind 122, Elysium Fields 122, B B Frank 122
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:40 am
The Wood Memorial Results
Tale of Ekati
8 Tale Of Ekati Edgar Prado 19.00 6.30 3.60
5 War Pass Cornelio Velasquez 3.70 2.60
1 Court Vision Garrett Gomez 2.40
REPLAY
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:01 am
The Santa Anita Derby -April 5, 2005
Winner - Colonel John
Colonel John and jockey Corey Nakatani (white silks/outside horse) overtake Bob Black Jack and jockey Richard Migliore to win the Santa Anita Derby on Saturday.
Colonel John enhanced his credentials as one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with a visually impressive victory in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
The Tiznow colt closed gamely from the outside under jockey Corey Nakatani to reel in Bob Black Jack in the closing strides for a half-length score in the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby.
Replay
“I’ll give him two works here at Santa Anita and ship to Churchill [Downs] about 12 days [before the Kentucky Derby on May 3], give him one work over the track, and pray,” winning trainer Eoin Harty said.
Sent off as the 2.60-to-1 second choice in the 11-horse field, Colonel John entered off a half-length win in the Sham Stakes (G3) on March 1 at Santa Anita.
The WinStar Farm homebred defeated San Rafael Stakes (G3) winner El Gato Malo in the Sham, in which he surged to the lead while El Gato Malo waited for running room and held off a late bid from that foe.
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:09 am
Gayego shows heart in Arkansas Derby win
By Noah Trister / Associated Press
Article Launched: 04/12/2008
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Turned out the Arkansas Derby did have a worthy favorite.
Gayego held off hard-charging Z Fortune down the stretch to win by ç of a length Saturday at Oaklawn Park in a race that bolstered both colts' Kentucky Derby prospects. Gayego's win wasn't as dominating as Curlin's a year ago, but he was near the lead the entire way and showed impressive stamina at the end.
"I have a lot of faith in this colt," trainer Paulo Lobo said. "He proved today that he could stay right there with a fast pace, then finish fast."
In recent years, the Arkansas Derby has been a proving ground for some of the world's finest 3-year-olds. Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex, Lawyer Ron and Curlin all won it, cementing the race's status as one of the top Kentucky Derby preps.
Curlin won the race by a record 10å lengths, and few expected this year's race to produce a similar performance. Gayego was the favorite but not an overwhelming one.
Gayego's margin of victory was the closest at an Arkansas Derby since Victory Gallop's win in 1998. But make no mistake, Gayego and Z Fortune clearly separated themselves from the rest of the 13-horse field. Both horses now have more than enough graded stakes earnings to run in the Kentucky Derby.
Jockey Mike Smith reacts aboard Gayego after winning the $1 million Arkansas Derby horse race at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Saturday, April 12, 2008.
Gayego (2-1) broke well early and stayed near the lead at a quick pace. With Mike Smith aboard, Gayego was second at the half-mile mark, a half-length behind longshot Tres Borrachos.
"Down the back side it was just a question of me staying on his back
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and making him keep his mind on his business," Smith said.
Gayego eventually took the lead and held off Z Fortune, covering the 1 1-8 miles in 1 minute, 49.63 seconds -- slightly faster than Curlin ran last year.
"He's still learning," Smith said. "He runs some and then doesn't. Once we caught the leader I stayed busy on him to make sure he stayed focused. When the challenger came up to his hip from that point on he was doing what he should."
Z Fortune (7-1) produced an encouraging performance after a fifth-place finish in the Rebel last month at Oaklawn. Trainer Steve Asmussen's horse won his first three starts, including the Lecomte. He then finished second in the Risen Star before his disappointing Rebel.
Z Fortune started from the No. 11 post and went four wide around each turn but was still right there at the end.
"I don't like running second but this was a big move forward for him today," said Robby Albarado, Z Fortune's jockey. "He really improved over his last race and showed me he still has some more ability."
Gayego has now won three times in five career starts. The dark bay colt was second in each of his losses, including in the San Felipe last month. In a year with no clear Kentucky Derby favorite, that type of consistency could make him an attractive choice at Churchill Downs next month.
"Kentucky Derby? I think he is in top three, or four, of the contenders," said Lobo, who has never trained a Kentucky Derby horse.
Gayego paid $6.40, $4.40 and $3.80. A $2 exacta paid $44.
Tres Borrachos (38-1) dropped to third, 4ç lengths behind the winner.
"He really ran big," jockey Tyler Baze said. "There was a tremendous head wind down the back side and he fought it all the way. When the leaders went by him he pricked his ears up and leveled off again."
King's Silver Son, another colt trained by Asmussen, went off as the second choice at 5-1. He finished ninth, 11å lengths back of Gayego.
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:12 am
Major Contenders for this year Run For The Roses -May 3, 2008*
Contenders Index
* Pyro
* Colonel John
* Big Brown
* Tale of Ekati
* Cool Coal Man
* War Pass
* Visionaire
* Bob Black Jack
* Big Truck
* Court Vision
* Smooth Air
* Recapturetheglory
* Adriano
* Gayego
* Tomcito
* Denis of Cork
* El Gato Malo
* Yankee Bravo
* Cowboy Cal
* other horses still are eligible.
Last edited by resigned on Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:27 pm; edited 1 time in total
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:20 am
Monba takes Blue Grass Stakes,
Pyro up the track
2007 Hollywood Futurity win pic
Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - A pair of Todd Pletcher trained colts, Monba and Cowboy Cal, battled down the stretch in Saturday's $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes with Monba prevailing, while even-money favorite Pyro failed to challenge in the 1 1/8 mile race at Keeneland.
Pyro, the winner of the Louisiana Derby, went into the race with a chance to become the favorite for the Kentucky Derby with any type of solid performance at Keeneland. He was sent off as the even-money post-time favorite after opening as the even-money top pick in the morning-line.
Setting the pace in the Blue Grass was Cowboy Cal ridden by John Velazquez. Stalking the leader was Stone Bird, Monba and Stevil. Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan settled Pyro into seventh in the 12 horse field.
The field maintained their positions up the backstretch and into the far turn. Around the turn for home Cowboy Cal still had the lead with Monba moving into second and Cool Coal Man running third.
At the top of the stretch the two stablemates, Cowboy Cal and Monba, hooked up in a battle to the wire. Monba, ridden by Edgar Prado, got the better of Cowboy Cal and won by a neck.
Kentucky Bear rallied late to finish third with Stevil holding onto fourth. Pyro, showing a complete dislike for the all-weather surface at Keeneland, struggled to finish 10th.
Rounding out the order of finish for the 84th Blue Grass Stakes was Visionaire, Miner's Claim, Halo Najib, Medjool, Cool Coal Man, Pyro, Big Truck and Stone Bird.
The final time was 1:49.71.
Monba is owned by Starlight Stable, Don Lucarelli and Paul Saylor. The gray three-year-old was 15-1 in the program, but was bet down to 8-1 when the gate opened.
Saturday's win was worth $465,000 to increase Monba's career earnings to $577,534. He was coming off a 12th place finish behind Cool Coal Man in the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park in February. Monba closed 2007 with a fourth place result in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park, where Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John was second.
Jockey Edgar Prado is best remembered as the rider of 2006 Kentucky Derby champ Barbaro. Todd Pletcher trained the filly Rags to Riches to victory in last year's Belmont Stakes.
Monba returned $19.60, $8.60 and $6.60. Cowboy Cal paid $8.80 and $6.60, and Kentucky Bear paid $8.20 to show.
Last year Street Sense followed a second place finish to Dominican in the Blue Grass with a win in the Run for the Roses and a second to Curlin in the Preakness Stakes.
REPLAY
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SavannahStarPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:27 am
Oh Lawd time to start shopping for a hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like this one, but I would rather have it in peach or teal.
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SavannahStarPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:53 am
Ah, peach AND teal in one hat!
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SavannahStarPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:25 am
Memories of last year's Derby....the Queen!
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SavannahStarPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:26 am
And of course.......
RIP BARBARO! Run with the wind!
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:07 pm
SavannahStar wrote:
Ah, peach AND teal in one hat!
I can work with those colors, Savannah.
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paxPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:32 pm
Resigned, when do you make your Derby picks?
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SavannahStarPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 3:33 pm
What's the date of the derby, Pat?
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:27 pm
The 134th Kentucky Derby is Saturday May, 3, 2008.(it is traditionally the first Saturday in May)
I'll make my picks after the post positions are drawn during Derby Week which, iirc is either Wednesday or Thursday of that week.
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SchmertyPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:24 pm
SavannahStar wrote:
And of course.......
RIP BARBARO! Run with the wind!
I'll love him forever!>
Skipping along my own path.
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resignedPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:52 pm
2006 KY Derby - Barbaro - "a sublime performance"
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paxPosted:
Mon Apr 14, 2008 10:40 pm
resigned wrote:
The 134th Kentucky Derby is Saturday May, 3, 2008.(it is traditionally the first Saturday in May)
I'll make my picks after the post positions are drawn during Derby Week which, iirc is either Wednesday or Thursday of that week.
Awesome. I might let some moolah ride on your picks this year.
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resignedPosted:
Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:17 am
Holy Bull Stakes GIII April 12, 2008
Hey Byrn (Photo by: Coglianese Photos)
The Holy Bull Stakes is held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Although this Grade III event offering a purse of $150,000 was a prep for the Florida Derby, the race will be held for the first time later on the racing calendar and at a new distance of 1 3/16 miles.
Inaugurated in 1990 as the Preview Stakes, it was created as a replacement for the Flamingo Stakes which ceased to exist following the closure of Hialeah Park Race Track. In 1996 the Preview Stakes was renamed in honor of the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame horse, Holy Bull.
Since inception, the race has been contested at various distances:
* 1 mile : 2007
* 11/16 miles : 1991-2004
* 1⅛ miles : 1990, 2005-2006
* 1³/16 miles (9.5 furlongs) : 2008
Recap | Video Recap | Replay | Charts
PGM Horse/Jockey W P S
2 Hey Byrn C. C. Lopez 4.00 3.00 2.20
6 Dream Maestro Manoel Cruz 4.80 2.80
1 Famous Patriot Eddie Castro 2.20
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resignedPosted:
Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:15 am
Tesio - Prep Race
Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on April 19
A field of eight will be competing in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, home of the 2008 Preakness Stakes, on April 19, Saturday.
Three-year-old horses racing 1 1/8 miles at Pimlico’s Federico Tesio Stakes this Saturday with jockeys and weight:
1. Fast Talking ridden by jockey Abel Castellano, Jr. carries 116 lbs.
2. Wonder Mon ridden by jockey Travis Dunkelberger, 116 lbs.
3. Icabad Crane ridden by jockey Jeremy Rose, 116 lbs.
4. Mint Lane ridden by jockey Mario Pino, 116 lbs.
5. Indian Jump ridden by jockey Kendrick Carmouche, 116 lbs.
6. Deputyville ridden by jockey A. R. Napravnik, 116 lbs.
7. Regal Solo ridden by jockey Jozbin Santana, 116 lbs.
8. Cave’s Valley ridden by jockey Julian Pimentel, 122 lbs.
Carrying top weight of 122 pounds, Cave’s Valley will be ridden by jockey Julian Pimintel in Saturday’s Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Trained by Mike Trombetta for owners Harry and Tom Meyerhoff, Cave’s Valley was third in the $70,000 Miracle Wood Stakes last March 1 at Laurel Park.
The New York-bred son of Jump Start, Icabod Crane, finished third behind Big Glen in the Rushaway Stakes March 22 at Turfway Park. Jockey Jeremy Rose will be riding Icabod Crane this Saturday at Pimlico.
Coming off a 5th place finish in the March 16 WinStar Derby at Sunland Park, Deputyville by Deputy Warlock will be mounted by jockey A. R. Napravnik for the Federico Tesio Stakes. They will break from post position 6.
The Federico Tesio Stakes is scheduled as the 9th race in Pimlico’s April 19 horse racing program. Local post time is 4:55 pm.
--------------
UPDATE
Notebook
Icabad Crane Wins the Tesio Stakes
BALTIMORE, April 19 -- Mario Pino turned for home on the back of Mint Lane, clear on the lead and feeling a racehorse full of run beneath him. With victory in the $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes for 3-year-olds in sight Saturday, Pino believed there was no way he could lose, even when Icabad Crane came to engage him in a duel through the Pimlico stretch.
Last edited by resigned on Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:16 am; edited 1 time in total
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resignedPosted:
Sat Apr 19, 2008 3:20 am
Lexington Stakes -Prep Race
Horses Wild: Horse Betting Tips & Racing Picks
April 19 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland
For those with Triple Crown aspirations, the $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (gr. II) at Keeneland on Saturday, April 19, may be their last chance to boost their graded stakes earnings in order to be in the 2008 Kentucky Derby contenders list.
Raced at 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland’s Coolmore Lexington Stakes is one of the final prep races for the 2008 Kentucky Derby which will be run on May 3 at Churchill Downs. Three-year-old horses racing in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes this Saturday at Keeneland with jockeys and weight line up as follows:
1. Atoned ridden by jockey Edgar Prado carries 117 lbs.
2. Salute the Sarge ridden by jockey Michael Baze, 117 lbs.
3. Samba Rooster ridden by jockey Garrett Gomez, 117 lbs.
4. St. Joe ridden by jockey Miguel Mena, 117 lbs.
5. Racecar Rhapsody ridden by jockey Robby Albarado, 117 lbs.
6. Felon ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, 117 lbs.
7. Behindatthebar ridden by jockey David Flores, 117 lbs.
8. Tomcito ridden by jockey Jorge Chavez, 123 lbs.
9. Big Glen ridden by jockey Rene Douglas, 119 lbs.
10. Riley Tucker ridden by jockey John Velazquez, 117 lbs.
11. Red Sandy ridden by jockey Jamie Theriot II, 117 lbs.
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Over the course of a week, trainer Todd Pletcher went from having no Kentucky Derby qualifier to having three.
The latest, however, likely won't be joining him at Churchill Downs.
Behindatthebar pulled in front of Samba Rooster down the stretch and won the $325,000 Lexington Stakes by a length on Saturday at Keeneland, picking up $201,500more than enough graded stakes earnings to qualify for next month's Derby.
Pletcher didn't rule out an appearance for his colt, but signaled it was doubtful the horse would join stablemates Monba and Cowboy Cal in the May 3 Run for the Roses. Those two finished first and second in the Blue Grass Stakes a week ago, also on Keeneland's Polytrack.
"I don't think it's a distance issue," Pletcher said. "It's a question of whether he's a dirt horse or synthetic horse."
Last edited by resigned on Sun Apr 20, 2008 2:21 am; edited 1 time in total
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SavannahStarPosted:
Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:24 am
Thanks for the updates Pat!
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resignedPosted:
Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:46 am
Macho Again Overpowers Derby Trial
by Claire Novak
Updated: April 26, 2008
West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again had the determination to overcome four graded stakes winners, plus four others, when he powered to the lead in the $115,200 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs April 26.
The 7 1/2-furlong Derby Trial, once run to prep horses for a start in the Kentucky Derby, is now a race for 3-year-olds not on the road to that race. Still, this year’s running drew a solid field, with the presence of Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) winner Majestic Warrior, Saratoga Special (gr. II) victor Kodiak Kowboy, Swale Stakes (gr. II) winner Eaton’s Gift, and Delta Jackpot (gr. III) victor Turf War.
Macho Again, unraced since a seventh-place finish in the March 22 Lane’s End Stakes (gr. II) for trainer Dallas Stewart, was lightly regarded at odds of 9-2. The Macho Uno colt had just two wins under his belt—a maiden score at Churchill last fall and an allowance win at Fair Grounds in February. The allowance win, by 4 1/2 lengths at six furlongs, came after a sixth-place finish in the Lecomte Stakes (gr. III) at the beginning of the year.
In the Derby Trial, Macho Again was first at the start under jockey Julien Leparoux. Taken back to sixth, he followed a pace set by Eaton’s Gift, who went through a quarter in :22.59 and a half in :45.14 while leading the field well in the center of the track. Lemon Spice raced second, and Da’ Tara tracked along in third.
“He broke good and was in good position," Leparoux said. "As they made the run into the stretch, we got bumped a little bit between the eighth and sixteenth (pole). When he got bumped, it made him go again. I rode him before around two turns, and he was not the same. Around one turn, that’s the kind of distance he needs.”
Moving into the far turn, Macho Again was closing four wide when he was bumped slightly from an outside contender. Jockey Calvin Borel and Fujita moved up the rail to take a brief lead, but Kodiak Kowboy found running room and moved with Macho Again to put a nose in front. Those two took it down to the wire after going five-eighths in 1:09.95, but when asked for more, Macho Again responded with an extra kick to pull away. The margin of victory was a half-length in a final time of 1:28.45.
“He’s a really honest colt," Stewart said. "He had a little bit of trouble at the quarter-pole. Kodiak Kowboy dug in tough at the sixteenth pole and Macho had to work hard to get by him and he finished up really well. He loves the track. He likes the dirt. We’ve just got to keep him off the Polytrack. He trains well over it, but he just doesn’t get down and run on it. There are a ton of good 3-year-old races coming up, so we’ll see (what comes next). This horse still has to mature a little bit, but he’s got a lot of fight in him."
Macho Again returned $14.20, $5.60, and $3.80. Kodiak Kowboy brought $4 and $3, while Fujita paid $5. Majestic Warrior, Da’ Tara, Iron Works Pike, Eaton’s Gift, Turf War, and Lemon Spice completed the order of finish. Zulu Magic scratched.
Macho Again, bred in Florida by Milan Kosanovich out of the Wild Again mare Go Donna Go, was a $150,000 OBS February 2-year-olds in training sale purchase. He has three victories and two runner-up efforts to his credit with earnings of $143,761.
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resignedPosted:
Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:58 am
Posted: Saturday, April 26, 2008 2:22 PM Eligibility rule becoming annual hot topic Derby week
by Ed DeRosa
Discussing the Kentucky Derby (G1) eligibility rule has become as much a tradition as singing “My Old Kentucky Home” during the post parade.
With interest in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands seemingly at an all-time high, getting into the race has become a difficult challenge.
Churchill Downs limits entries to the first jewel of the Triple Crown to 20 horses. If more than 20 three-year-olds are entered, then the top 20 earners in graded stakes receive a spot in the starting gate. There is no also-eligible list.
With one week to go before the race, more than 25 three-year-olds still were under consideration. This year’s situation is further complicated by the fact that owner Rick Porter plans to enter filly Eight Belles in both the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and not finalize his plans for which race to contest until he finds out what post position she draws in each race.
The idea that an owner is considering entering a horse in the Derby with the possibility of scratching has left many to ask why there is not an also-eligible list for the race.
“It’s an annual conversation, and it seems to make sense that we would have an also-eligible list, but the unique nature of the Derby makes it difficult,” Churchill General Manager Jim Gates said. “The post draw is Wednesday night, and wagering begins Thursday. The only time you could have an [also-eligible] draw in would be between the post draw and Thursday morning, and that would be rare even in the case of this Rick Porter situation, since they might not decide until Friday in which race they’re going to run.
“There are just so few instances where I can see anyone benefiting from an AE list.”
As for the graded stakes earnings format, there are many ideas out there on how to amend the current format of using lifetime graded stakes earnings. Some think three-year-old races should count more than two-year-old races. Others think route races should count more than sprints. Others think Grade 1 races should be worth more than other graded stakes races. Some agree with a combination of the aforementioned ideas.
One group that mostly agrees with the current system is horsemen.
“We haven’t heard a lot of talk or flak from our horsemen,” Gates said. “It’s mostly the media that raises the question, and we raise it internally. It’s a good issue to discuss.”
“It’s a fair way of doing it,” Racing Hall of Fame trainer and two-time Derby winner Nick Zito said. “I don’t see a better way. If one year I’m 22, then I’m 22. The Derby is the Derby, and if you earn your way in, then you deserve a shot.”
Zito said that he begins thinking about mapping a strategy to get his horses graded stakes earnings as early as late summer. He specifically applauded Zayat Stables for its acumen in having several horses with sufficient graded stakes earnings to make this year’s Derby. Z Fortune and Z Humor are likely to run, Halo Najib is on the bubble, and Massive Drama has enough earnings but will not run.
Having that many horses eligible this year is quite a feat considering the bubble is around $200,000, which is easily the highest total graded stakes earnings needed to qualify for the Derby.
Last year, when 22 horses were entered, Imawildandcrazyguy was the 20th horse to make the field with $104,000 in earnings. In 2006, Flashy Bull’s $109,000 was enough to exclude three horses. Going Wild got in with $57,250 in 2005, and Song of the Sword excluded eventual Grade 1 winners Eddington and Rock Hard Ten with $132,500 in earnings.
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