Barbaro Updates: 996
updates are now here.
Update 6004: A day off from Fair Hill.
Well Calvin Borel did it again and won his third Kentucky Derby in four years, this time aboard Super Saver for trainer Todd Pletcher. It was Todd Pletcher's first win. Calvin had Super Saver placed somewhat forwardly, and along the rail pretty much the entire trip. There was crazy speed early in the race which stretched the field well and made Calvin's inside trip more makable. Around the far turn the trick was not to get caught by the front runners who were literally pulling up at that point. Calvin got first run down the lane and held off a fast closing Ice Box who had sat far behind in the early going. Paddy O' Prado and Make Music for Me finished third and fourth.
The first half mile was run in a torrid 46.16. The final time of 2:04.45 and change was slow and included a near 27 second last quarter. The track conditions were awful thanks to the weather.
Here are some media coverage:
Super Saver Wins the Derby!
Super Saver gives Pletcher a Derby win
Super Saver wins the Kentucky Derby
Super Saver, Calvin Borel capture 2010 Kentucky Derby
Update 6003: It's Kentucky Derby day! And here are my picks: Our 2010 Derby Picks Are Burning. Obivously the weather in Kentucky is having an impact on Derby day.
I rode six this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. And what a gorgeous morning it was here at Fair Hill. Four of mine also worked, so there was plenty of activity out there for me today. All went nicely.
While the Derby is the marquee race today, it's not the only big race: WEEKEND STAKES: WHERE TO WATCH brought to you by KBC Horse Supplies.
Update 6002: Six ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It was a little warmer start to the day too that made it a very pleasant morning's work. All mine went nicely, including the two babies I rode that went on the Tapeta track for the first time. One did hesitate a little going through the tunnel (under the dirt track) for the first time but then she was great.
Yesterday we previewed the Kentucky Derby on our 30 minute ABR radio show. It was a fun show, and hopefully you will enjoy not just the humor but also some of the insights (and background noise): Alex Brown Racing on the radio.
Of course the highlight of today will be Rachel Alexandra's race at Churchill Downs. 2009 Horse of the Year looks to turn the tables on Zardana who defeated her in a huge upset earlier this year. They appear in the 6th race, with a post time of 1:26 pm and (hopefully) on HRTV.
Blind Luck headlines the feature race at Churchill Downs later this afternoon, the Kentucky Oaks: Blind Luck Draws Post 5 for KY Oaks.
And please keep calling.
Update 6001: Another chilly start to the day at Fair Hill, but bright sunshine. I had five to ride for Michael Pino and all five went nicely. This included two sets of babies that both went to the gate for some schooling for the first time. It's always an interesting experience when you take a horse to the starting gate for the first time, but they were very good.
The field and morning line odds are now set for Saturday's Kentucky Derby: Lookin at Lucky Draws Inside Post. It will be a little while before I can really figure this field out. We will be hosting our ABR radio show at 2 pm today. We will of course focus a lot of our time on trying to handicap the Derby: Alex Brown Racing on the radio. We will be joined today by Lisa Grimm.
Here is my latest entry for The Rail: A Day in the Life of an Exercise Rider.
And please keep calling.
Update 6000: Wow, 6000 updates!
Seven ridden this morning for Michael Pino. It was a chilly start to the day. I had a mixed bag of activity out there. A couple of joggers, four gallopers, two of which were babies, and one worker who went 5/8ths. All went nicely, even the babies were pretty good as it was only there second day here. Here is my first horse, cooling out after her gallop.
This is my latest entry for The Rail: Countdown Begins for Derby Horses.
And please keep calling.
Update 5999: Superfecta here, with your regular weekly update.
After the frenzied game of musical chairs over the weekend, we now have a reasonably good sense of who is actually going in the Derby - and it's certainly not Eskendereya or Rule (who, quite sensibly, now seems pointed for the Preakness). While it's not clear whether the front wraps he wore in his Wood victory were a hint that something was slightly amiss, he will be missed – but in some ways, his defection makes the potential race more interesting – and certainly more wide-open. Lookin At Lucky is the obvious successor to take on the favorite mantle, but here are a few more Derby starters on whom I'll be keeping a particularly close eye:
Noble's Promise
I liked his finish in the Rebel, and he has had more than his share of poor luck this season; he could be due for a big race.
Sidney's Candy
While I wish he had a good dirt prep on his resume, he seems more likely to make the transition more easily than many. But it's nice to see Joe Talamo have a horse with a real shot, after the I Want Revenge situation last year.
Awesome Act
Another victim of bad luck in the past, we know he likes the mud - and he's worth watching.
Devil May Care
Now we know she's definitely in the Derby - and she deserves her spot (which is more than I can say for some of the colts we'll likely be seeing - whether you agree with Beyer's entire column or not, I think he's right on with the notion that the earnings have become some sort of automatic Derby ticket, deserved or otherwise). And hey, she has namesakes in both a Jamie Cullum CD and a James Bond novel (albeit one by Sebastian Faulks). John Velazquez gets the mount.
Of course, we already have the field for the Oaks, and Blind Luck is the favorite. We'll go more in-depth with the Oaks tomorrow (as well as commenting on the Derby draw), but Amen Hallelujah and Crisp are my other two (rather chalky) picks.
And the Oaks undercard is going to have one very special guest: Rachel Alexandra is running in the La Troienne. She's back to her normal (for which read 'rather spectacular') work pattern, so hopefully we'll see her turn the tables on Zardana - although I'm equally fine giving her another race to get back into her true form.
In the meantime, check out Hello Race Fans and The Rail for more, as there is plenty of quality racing-related writing on tap this week - and remember to tune in to Alex Brown's radio show on Thursday, where I'll be handing out some dubious Derby and Oaks wagering advice.
I leave you (until tomorrow!) with this thought: can Pletcher get another last-place finisher with Mission Impazible?
Update 5998: Seven ridden this morning for Michael Pino at Fair Hill. It has been damp here lately so most training occurred on the Tapeta track. All went nicely. Here is one of my fillies, a little over 30 minutes after she had finished training.
Here is my first contribution to The Rail. I interviewed Daily Racing Form's Mike Welsch: A Closer Look at the Derby Crop.
Here is this week's ABR Facebook Group e-mail: Alexa King, Bill Nack, Eskendereya, The Rail, pre-Derby workouts, Rachel Alexandra, Careless Jewel, Zardana, ABR radio, Steve Willard, Lisa Grimm.
And please keep calling.
Update 5997: A damp and dreary morning this morning at Fair Hill. I shedrowed five for Michael Pino for a very straightforward start to the day.
The Rail is back for another Triple Crown season. I will again be contributing.
Rachel Alexandra worked this morning ahead of her much anticipated start later this week at Churchill Downs.
And please keep calling.
A copy/paste so everyone can be sure and see this one:
###
Tomorrow, April 27, is our very own *SHERRY VAN WAGONER'S* Birthday...She's going to be celebrating her first Birthday in Heaven!!
To mark the day, Daryl, Warpaint, Dakota and Gunner will go for a walk at the Ranch in Minnesota and find a perfect spot to stop and Celebrate Sherry on her Special Day.
Daryl will bring with him three balloons, Lael colored balloons, a pale pink rose and a small bit of Sherry's ashes which her sister, Lois, gave to him. Daryl wants Sherry to be there with her three Boyz and the balloons will be released skyward to the Heavens.
I believe our Sherry VW will be watching and smiling...she'll be there with little Melody and her beloved *CHICO* and Daryl's dad, Ed, who shares the same birthdate with Sherry.
Sherry's candle group is burning brightly thanks to our Sister in Barbaro, Barb AZ, Group Search: Sherr. Please stop in and light a candle and give a 'shout-out' for our Sherry.
Happy Birthday, Sherry VW...We love you!
Lynne-Barbaro's Forever Friend in CA
Posted by: Lynne Brown at April 26, 2010 6:44 AM
and....I sure hope I can do this 'right' a second time!
SHERRY'S CANDLES
Posted by: Lynne Brown at April 26, 2010 4:25 PM