2009 KY Derby 135th edition; final post-position/odds p28

[GreenMachine]

For the Birdstone fans, Summer Bird and Mine that Bird are on their way to Churchill, hoping to get into the gate.

About Summer Bird:

“After a few of those horses came out and we started moving up in earnings from 24th to 21st, we started talking about it,” said trainer Tim Ice, a former assistant to Cole Norman. “The way he came out of the Arkansas Derby, it gave us a little bit of hope.”

About Mine that Bird:

“We finally came to the decision (Thursday),” Woolley said. “We just weighed our options and felt this was our one shot at the Derby and decided to run. In the Sunland Derby, he made move too early and came up a little empty. He’s healthy and doing real good, so we’ll take a shot.”

Not bad for Birdstone’s first set of three-year-olds!

[Rubyfree]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4018043]
I wasn’t familiar with Summer Bird prior to Saturday. He caught my eye in the post parade and I’d love to see him again in the Belmont. I’m a Birdstone fan. :yes:[/QUOTE]

I also took notice of Summer Bird in the PP before the Arkansas Derby, and was impressed with his run to show. I’m looking forward to seeing how he works at CD.

[Glimmerglass]

Garett skips riding Dunkirk - stays with Baffert

No wonder Bob was smiling like a cat when my wife and I were talking to him late Saturday afternoon. The drive back down from Churchill knowing he scored with locking in GoGo for ‘Nile’ and the solid work must’ve made his day.

Bloodhorse 4-19-09 "Gomez to Ride Pioneerof the Nile "

In a decision they agonized over for weeks, jockey Garrett Gomez and agent Ron Anderson finally have decided to stick with Pioneerof the Nile as their Kentucky Derby (gr. I) mount.

I’ve made a lot of big decisions with Gary (Stevens), Jerry (Bailey), and Chris Antley, and most decisions for me are very black and white,” Anderson said. “But this decision for me was absolutely, positively one of toughest ones I can ever remember. It all came down to the fact that I won four graded stakes in a row on Pioneerof the Nile. That was the deciding factor.”

There has been no official announcement who will ride Dunkirk, but it is expected that Edgar Prado, who rode the colt in his career debut, will get the mount.

[Barnfairy]

It’s a good week for Bob Baffert, what with his being officially elected to the racing Hall of Fame and all…

The TB Times article makes it out as though Prado on Dunkirk is a done deal.

[Glimmerglass]

@Barnfairy;4035786

It’s a good week for Bob Baffert, what with his being officially elected to the racing Hall of Fame and all…

First time ever a trainer is inducted along with one of his trainees, too, no less. The mare Silverbulletday was elected as well.

Off the trail/out of Derby contention: Giant Oak . He’ll try the turf next and likely stay here in Chicago with an Arlington Park start in late May.

“Confirmed via text” with the DRF will be Prado riding Dunkirk.

Food for thought:

Gomez, in an interview with TVG, said that while Pioneerof the Nile has not been dazzling in his four victories, Gomez believes the horse has more to give.

A lot of Godolphin blue at Churchill? Regal Ransom and Desert Party both look to be running at Churchill Godolphin retaining jockies Alan Garcia and Ramon Dominguez.

The Paulick Report raises the chances for some odd circumstances should either Larry Jones or Jeff Mullins win the Kentucky Derby. Both trainers have suspensions which start May 3rd - thus preventing either from “having access to secure areas of a racetrack, including the stable area” regardless if they win May 2nd’s Kentucky Derby.

[InWhyCee_Redux]

@Glimmerglass;4036017

Food for thought:

A lot of Godolphin blue at Churchill? Regal Ransom and Desert Party both look to be running at Churchill Godolphin retaining jockies Alan Garcia and Ramon Dominguez.

So I take it Frankie Dettori passed on the mounts? I’ll pass.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=InWhyCee Redux;4036329]
So I take it Frankie Dettori passed on the mounts? I’ll pass. ;)[/QUOTE]

I’m presuming that there are bigger fish to fry (and purses to be won) at Epsom for Frankie across the pond. The 2000 Guineas is also being run on May 2nd. Hard to pick riding either horse which will be outside of the top 3 at Churchill and unlikely to get better then a couple undercard mounts. Flying back to the UK to ride on Sunday would just kill his body so it would be a double whammy. Nope getting a top flight rider from England to ride Stateside for one big race, while solid purses are available at home, is a tough sell.

[Drvmb1ggl3]

Glimmer, fer godsakes, the 2000 Guineas is run at Newmarket, and it’s the same day as the Kentucky Derby, about 7 hours earlier, making it humanely impossible to ride in both races… unless Sheik Mo buys a space shuttle.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=Drvmb1ggl3;4036702]
Glimmer, fer godsakes, the 2000 Guineas is run at Newmarket, and it’s the same day as the Kentucky Derby, about 7 hours earlier, making it humanely impossible to ride in both races… unless Sheik Mo buys a space shuttle.[/QUOTE]

Yep big mixup on the dates/track. However I wouldn’t doubt if Mo bought up one of the old Concordes “just in case” the need arises Phil Collins did play Live Aid in 1985 both at Wembley Stadium in London and also at the Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium on the same day using the supersonic jet.

[ClassyRide]

[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;4036017]
The Paulick Report raises the chances for some odd circumstances should either Larry Jones or Jeff Mullins win the Kentucky Derby. Both trainers have suspensions which start May 3rd - thus preventing either from “having access to secure areas of a racetrack, including the stable area” regardless if they win May 2nd’s Kentucky Derby.[/QUOTE]

:eek: I didn’t know that! :no:

[Glimmerglass]

More jocky assignments:

Robby Albarado, Churchill Downs’ 2008 spring meet leader, will ride the D. Wayne Lukas-trained Flying Private in the Derby. Flying Private was second in the Lane’s End and fifth in the Arkansas Derby, in which he suffered a breathing entrapment, Lukas said.

Trainer Benny “Chip” Woolley said Calvin Borel will ride Mine that Bird, fourth in the Sunland Park Derby. Borel won the 2007 Derby on Street Sense.

Also - as mentioned in the cited article: “West Side Bernie has rebounded from a bout of colic last week.”

“It was scary enough that he was sent to a Lexington equine clinic on April 13 as a precaution.”

The shocker of the day in my view: the connections for Square Eddie ARE going to enter him for the Kentucky Derby! Whoa - that’s nuts. Sorry but I wasn’t on that train and certainly hopped off it … they might have the fever but that doesn’t change the fact its a dumb move IMHO.

DRF 4-21-09 “Square Eddie moves closer to Derby”

Despite an effort in which he broke poorly and then circled the field on the far turn, Square Eddie came out of the race well, according to trainer Doug O’Neill, and will try to complete his improbable comeback in the 135th Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Who knows who they’ll get for a jockey on “Eddie” as Prado is off and other key jocks are on board others they’ve ridden.

As for the Lexington Coolmore winner: Advice he’s only a maybe for the Derby

Advice got a 94 Beyer Speed Figure in the Lexington. Pletcher on Monday said he had not firmed up a replacement jockey for Advice, whom Pletcher listed merely as “possible for the Kentucky Derby.”

[DickHertz]

Advice should be tough in the Preakness. They should shoot for that leg of the Triple Crown.

[justalittlex]

So Mr. Hot Stuff seems to be in the Derby, though currently without a rider.

Who would you pick to ride him now? I like Joel Rosario.

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=justalittlex;4041375]
So Mr. Hot Stuff seems to be in the Derby, though currently without a rider.[/QUOTE]

Just my opinion but Corey Nakatani likely saw that Square Eddie and Mr Hot Stuff have about the same chances to win. [Read - not great; I won’t wager on either to hit the board] So he’d rather make an important, long term associated owner happy by taking the mount with Eddie. Eoin will get someone - be it Joe Bravo or Jon Court - to ride ‘Hot Stuff’ but you simply aren’t working with a horse that has as much promise here on April 22nd as say an I Want Revenge going into this race.

[Linny]

@InWhyCee Redux;4036329

So I take it Frankie Dettori passed on the mounts? I’ll pass.

No doubt he’ll be riding in the 2000 Guineas that day. I’m sure that classic is more near and dear to him. BTW, it’s at Newmarket, not Epsom!

[Filly85]

[QUOTE=Barnfairy;4018043]
I wasn’t familiar with Summer Bird prior to Saturday. He caught my eye in the post parade and I’d love to see him again in the Belmont. I’m a Birdstone fan. :yes:[/QUOTE]

You’re not the only one that is showing Summer Bird some love;) I’m glad they’re taking him to Churchill. He deserves to be there.

Still, they all have to gun down POTN and QR.

Oh, and it’s going to be a miracle if the Derby doesn’t ruin Square Eddie.

[Glimmerglass]

One last call and unlikely to vault anyone in based upon added earnings, but …

$100,000 Derby Trial (Grade 3)
Churchill Downs Saturday April 25th
Race 10, off at 5:17 p.m.
Distance: 7 1/2 Furlongs, surface dirt

PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey

1. Silver City (KY), 117, Julien R. Leparoux
2. Tintim Por Tintim (FL), 117, Alan Garcia
3. Gato Go Win (FL), 117, Calvin H. Borel
4. Checklist (KY), 117, Shaun Bridgmohan
5. Santana Six (KY), 117, John R. Velazquez
6. Rendezvous (KY), 117, Rene R. Douglas
7. Hull (KY), 117, Miguel Mena
8. Kensei (KY), 117, Robby Albarado

[Glimmerglass]

An interesting bit of background on jockey Chris Rosier to be on “Summer Bird”

Courier-Journal 4-23-09 “Once a ‘punk,’ Rosier readies for Kentucky Derby”

It is hard to know which was the longer shot to be in the May 2 Kentucky Derby: Summer Bird, whose racing career started just 54 days ago, or jockey Chris Rosier.

As an apprentice jockey in 2001, Chris Rosier couldn’t be trusted to show up to work. After diabetes caused him to go blind for six days in 2004, he got a new lease on life, recommitted himself and has wound up with a Kentucky Derby mount on Summer Bird.

[JSwan]

What are your thoughts on Quality Road?

[Glimmerglass]

[QUOTE=JSwan;4043450]
What are your thoughts on Quality Road?[/QUOTE]

The quarter crack appears - for now - to be a non-issue and his works are very solid.

Comments from Brisnet - April 23, 2009

Quality Road will work once more at Belmont Park, and Dunkirk’s final drill will take place on either Friday or Saturday at Palm Meadows, his winter base. Both colts are scheduled to arrive at Churchill on Tuesday.

Quality Road exited [the Florida Derby] with a quarter-crack, and nobody likes to see their Derby horse suffering from a foot problem, but hoof specialist Ian McKinlay insisted Wednesday that he’s completely healed from the setback. Quality Road is training like a sound horse, recording a six-furlong bullet move in 1:12 last Friday and a five-furlong breeze seven days earlier, and Jimmy Jerkens is an excellent horseman. He’s got a big shot with his first Derby starter.

ESPN’s coverage of the Lexington Coolmore Stakes showed his work and the general remarks were he’s looking excellent. Having Julien Leparoux in the irons will be a big plus as he’s no cowboy on his mounts or sweating bullets when things heat up.

The same article was none too kind on a few contenders who will race but in their opinion are nothing more then (in car racing vernacular) moving chicanes:

They may not have a chance, but they’re lining up as expected, creating potential traffic problems for legitimate contenders. Nothing will stop their connections from dreaming, so we get the opportunity for more bumper-car action in a 20-horse field.

Cited was Flying Private, Summer Bird, and Join In The Dance (if he even gets in) …