Horse Racing Fans Thread

Tomorrow ESPN is showing the WinStar Derby at 5. At the same time, USA is showing the Florida Derby. You can thank the NTRA for giving us crappy televised coverage. At least I warned you so you can set up your VCR. Last week a Kentucky Derby prep race was to be given an hour of coverage on ESPN but we only got 15 minutes thanks to a tennis game.

Florida Derby field:

The field, in post-position order, with (sire), jockey, and trainer:

1. Hesanoldsalt (Broad Brush), Eddie Castro, Nick Zito;

2. Flashy Bull (Holy Bull), Rafael Bejarano, Kiaran McLaughlin;

3. Saint Augustus (Saint Ballado), Chris DeCarlo, Todd Pletcher:

4. Doc Cheney (Saint Ballado), Jeremy Rose, Nick Zito;

5. Sunriver (Saint Ballado), John Velazquez, Todd Pletcher;****** full to Champion Ashado.

6. Rehoboth (Wagon Limit), Javier Castellano, Frank Gomez;

7. Sharp Humor (Distorted Humor), Mark Guidry, Dale Romans;

8. High Blues (High Yield), Cornelio Velasquez, David Paulus;

9. Charming Image (Halo's Image), Rajiv Maragh, Anthony Pecoraro;

10. Barbaro (Dynaformer), Edgar Prado, Michael Matz; and

11. Sam's Ace (In Excess [Ire]), Felipe Martinez, Doug O'Neill.

Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide runs today. I pick Evening Attire for this one, with Colita in 2nd.

Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. III, Race 8, 4:21 p.m.), 3 & Up, 1 1/8 Miles

PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Liquor Cabinet (IRE), 114, Eibar Coa
2. Colita (KY), 114, Michael Luzzi
3. Watchmon (KY), 114, Charles Lopez
4. Funny Cide (NY), 114, Richard Migliore
5. West Virginia (NY), 115, Norberto Arroyo, Jr.
6. Go Now (KY), 114, Mike Smith
7. Evening Attire (KY), 115, Jose Santos
8. Your Bluffing (KY), 115, Ramon Dominguez
9. Infinite Glory (FL), 114, Kent Desormeaux

The winner in Florida is trained by the formed Olympian Michael Matz (he of the heroic rescue of a child when their plane crashed in an Iowan corn field). It's his first Derby horse, and I wish him and Barbaro all the best!

Barbaro is now undefeated going into the KY Derby. Which means he will probably finish up the field, LOL.

Today I got a work for Lost in the Fog, whom I can't wait to see come back to the races, critics be damned.:

Workout Notification

Lost in the Fog
Your Comment:

Date: April 2, 2006
Track: Golden Gate Fields
Distance: Six Furlongs
Time: 11.80
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 1/8

There's two major derby preps on TV today--the Arkansas Derby and the Bluegrass Stakes.

The Blue Grass stakes are on TV today, ABC 5 pm.

Keeneland - April 15th, 2006 - Race 9
Toyota Blue Grass S. - Grade: 1
Estimated Local Post Time: 5:21 PM
Race Type: Stakes
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Three Year Old
Purse: $750,000
Distance:One And One Eighth Miles
Surface: Dirt
Post Horse
Jockey/Trainer/Odds

1 Little Cliff (KY) -Corey S. Nakatani / Nicholas P. Zito 10/1

2 Bluegrass Cat (KY) -John R. Velazque / Todd A. Pletcher 5/2

3 Storm Treasure (KY)-Mark Guidry / Don M. Robinson 15/1

4 Strong Contender (KY) -Edgar S. Prado / John T. Ward, Jr. 4/1

5 First Samurai (KY) -Rafael Bejarano / Frank L. Brothers 8/5

6 Court Folly (KY) Javier Castellano / Carl A. Nafzger 12/1

7 Sinister Minister (KY) Garrett K. Gomez / Bob Baffert 15/1

8 Sadler's Trick (KY) Julien R. Leparoux / Patrick L. Biancone 15/1

9 Seaside Retreat (KY)/Patrick Husbands / Mark E. Casse 15/1


Arkansas Derby posts, for 3-year-olds. This is another Derby Prep race on TV at 5 pm.

1 - New Joysey Jeff
2 - Steppenwolfer
3 - High Cotton
4 - With A City
5 - Lawyer Ron
6 - Well Said
7 - Jealous Profit
8 - Private Vow
9 - Red Raymond
10 - Simon Pure--Silver Deputy x Life's Magic
11 - Nob Hill Deelite
12 - Superfly
13 - Film Fortune
14 - Sayhellotolarry