Video replay - here - of the Grade 1 $1M Arkansas Derby
Bodemeister earned $600,000 for the win, which was his second victory from four career starts. That now launches him into #11th or so in the overall graded stakes ranking for TC nominated runners.
[QUOTE=Flashy Gray VA;6256211]
Still picking up my jaw off the floor at Bodemeister’s relaxed and effortless 9 length (!) romp! :eek:
Thought his win and Gemologist’s win last weekend in the Wood were the most impressive of all the preps, actually.
Agreed 100%. I’ve never been on the Hansen bandwagon myself.
I am sure Mike Maker wishes he could trundle owner Dr. Hansen off to an isolated private island until after the Derby (or even just lock him in an empty stall). What a doofus.[/QUOTE]
Agree with everything!
Darn - didn’t see that! He ruined my exacta!
Dullahan - Wow, I like him…looks like a mature-thinking 3 yr old and handled his traffic well.
Hansen - love him in spite of a goofy owner, but don’t think he’s going to be able to get it done. Too much distance for him I think.
Bodemeister - another Wow. Some said they hoped he didn’t use himself up today, but it looked like mostly a hand ride as he was pulling away
Secret circle looked like he was going to run in his own secret circle coming down the stretch!!
going to make for an interesting Derby
Completely agree - will be very very interesting.
So is anyone thinking Triple Crown?? Would be nice to have another …
[QUOTE=2tempe;6256508]
Dullahan - Wow, I like him…looks like a mature-thinking 3 yr old and handled his traffic well.
Hansen - love him in spite of a goofy owner, but don’t think he’s going to be able to get it done. Too much distance for him I think.
Bodemeister - another Wow. Some said they hoped he didn’t use himself up today, but it looked like mostly a hand ride as he was pulling away
Secret circle looked like he was going to run in his own secret circle coming down the stretch!!
going to make for an interesting Derby[/QUOTE]
Beyer Speed Figs from the Blue Grass:
Hansen earned a 96 BSF
Dullahan earned a 98 BSF
It was a good day for business at Keeneland too despite initial fears of rain:
Ontrack attendance of 40,617 smashed the old record of 33,821 set nearly five years ago on Lexington Stakes Day, while all-sources handle of $21,647,378 also easily broke the old record of $19.2 million, set five years ago on Blue Grass Day. The 12 races run Saturday were the most ever for a single card at Keeneland.
Next weekend’s $200,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes will only afford Reveron the chance to make the Kentucky Derby with graded earnings. He was the runner-up in the Florida Derby.
[QUOTE=Flashy Gray VA;6256211]
Still picking up my jaw off the floor at Bodemeister’s relaxed and effortless 9 length (!) romp! :eek:
Thought his win and Gemologist’s win last weekend in the Wood were the most impressive of all the preps, actually.
Agreed 100%. I’ve never been on the Hansen bandwagon myself.
I am sure Mike Maker wishes he could trundle owner Dr. Hansen off to an isolated private island until after the Derby (or even just lock him in an empty stall). What a doofus.[/QUOTE]
I don’t know if Hansen’s a private physician, but I am not real sure I’d want him for my doctor! “Let’s use some pretty ribbon for these stitches, maybe tie them in little bows!” :lol:
And ugh, why on earth did Bodemeister’s owners accede to Baffert’s name suggestion? It’s awful. Yes, I know Baffert’s kid is named Bode (after that nitwit skier Bode Miller), but still. What a horrid name.
Bodemeister got a 105 Beyer for the AR Derby.
CJ coverage of “Tailgate” :
Was thinking this morning that Dr Hansen is such a male chauvinist. Where were the guys with the blue tails?!? 
(No, just kiddding…think all of this brouhaha is idiotic…):rolleyes:
[QUOTE=CVPeg;6257559]
(No, just kiddding…think all of this brouhaha is idiotic…):rolleyes:[/QUOTE]
Agreed in so far as I think anyone who was followed the news (or even this thread from time to time) would’ve known that Dr. Kendal Hansen really wanted to do something fun with color. There were tons of hints of “stay tuned” for the Blue Grass and a surprise.
So it wasn’t a shock that someone at his request did try to dye part of the tail. I was expecting blue ribbons in his mane myself. Was doing it silly? Yes. Is it a big deal? No. It didn’t cost him the race and by not sending him to the post color distorted there is no violation - so no fine or reprimand will occur.
I’m seeing elsewhere way too many folks bitching about Dr. Hansen as being this or that and bad for the game, etc. Come on. He loves the sport - he’s super proud of his horse - he wants to infuse excitement into racing - he’s willing to spend his own money to jump start some passion. Be it the tee shirts, wrist bracelets, the aborted sky writing at Keeneland, the aborted drop of the bracelets, or yes even the blue coloring on the horse.
Folks need to move on over the whole thing. The horse didn’t die of shame, it didn’t injure him or distract him. Dr. Hansen should’ve taken the “no means no” of the racing authorities and not tried it but so be it.
I think I’ve narrowed down my picks to
Union Rags
Gemologist
Dullahan
Good strong horses who’ve seemingly gotten better with each race.
Of course, in the Derby anymore, with the 20 PP, the winner gets it more by luck than skill…I see Dullahan as a Belmont horse.
Glimmer, I agree with you that there was no violation, and thus no harm no foul.
But I disagree with you that this is merely a tempest in a teapot and people need to “move on.”
I think the doctor is a total buffoon with his over-the-top antics, period. He was told NO by stewards in 2 states and he chose to fool around anyway - and by some media accounts up to around 3:00 p.m. on race day.
There is a petulant, juvenile quality about the whole thing, as if to say “screw you I’m doing whatever I want, your rules be damned.”
Of course one can’t prove that “Tailgate” actually caused the horse any upset, obviously. But he sure was worked up in that post parade, no?
Owners can have fun and generate fan excitement in lots of appropriate ways without actually interfering with the horse. Thinking of the Mosses and all the fun fan promos they did at the track for Z.
Or even the scads of happy silly folks in the winners circle last weekend for I’ll Have Another after the SA Derby or, going back a few years, the great goofy Sackatoga Stables guys with Funnycide.
All in good fun, garnered some positive media attention, and didn’t reduce a nice race horse to a dyed circus poodle, either. Or cause a media distraction for the trainer and the hardworking team at the barn.
As noted some jock switch and firming up who will ride which horse …
Garrett Gomez will ride Daddy Nose Best for trainer Steve Asmussen in the Kentucky Derby on May 5. Originally named last week Mike Smith on that horse switches to Bodemeister in a less than shocking turn of events now that the horse will be assured of a starting gate.
The prior rider of Bodemeister - Rafael Bejarano - was asked by Baffert to ride Secret Circle in the Arkansas Derby. Rafael doesn’t have a say in the lost mount of Bode. So with Secret Circle at #10 (with $670,000 in graded money, just ahead of Bode at #11) he has his Derby horse but seemingly a lukewarm runner compared to others at the moment.
Worth citing the statistic mentioned just about every year in the last decade: Bodemeister will be attempting to become the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without having made a start at age 2. As ga-ga as folks were with his Oaklawn effort I don’t see him breaking that drought.
I am hoping for a really thrilling comptetive race in which all come home safe. I am really looking forward to this years Derby. There seems to be alot of closely matche horses this year.
[QUOTE=Glimmerglass;6257587]
I’m seeing elsewhere way too many folks bitching about Dr. Hansen as being this or that and bad for the game, etc. Come on. He loves the sport - he’s super proud of his horse - he wants to infuse excitement into racing - he’s willing to spend his own money to jump start some passion. Be it the tee shirts, wrist bracelets, the aborted sky writing at Keeneland, the aborted drop of the bracelets, or yes even the blue coloring on the horse.
Folks need to move on over the whole thing. The horse didn’t die of shame, it didn’t injure him or distract him. Dr. Hansen should’ve taken the “no means no” of the racing authorities and not tried it but so be it.[/QUOTE]
Seriously. It’s STUPID, but so is a human dying their hair with streaks of blue or purple. On no planet could it be construed as disguising the horse’s identity. He should probably just braid it with blue ribbons. But really complaining because he’s really enthusiastic? Come on. The LAST thing this sport needs is more Stop Having Fun Guys. Enthusiastic owners with money to burn, on the other hand, are more than welcome.
ETA: I’d love a TC, but 1. lets’ wait until there’s some possibility (ie a Derby and a Preakness win) and 2. Please, not with a stupid name like Bodemeister. If I were the owner I’d have put my foot down.
Much as I enjoyed watching Bodemeister live yesterday, I must admit, the name grates on me, too. I do like that he’s by Empire Maker, who I always thought should have won the Derby his year other than his foot injury. But the name . . . 
I will confess to rooting against Big Brown at the Belmont during his year because that just does not fit up there with the other TC winners. Gallant Fox, War Admiral, Count Fleet . . . Big Brown. No. :no::no::no:
Wish to clarify - the brouhaha I think of initially, is Dr Hansen making such a spectacle to draw attention to himself. Think it’s possible this did interfere with the horse on race day, but so could too many flies in the stall that morning. Something I used to tell SO all the time. Anything could cloud up a result. The horse’s coming in 2nd, though may have given him pause, but probably not - too big of an ego.
Just hate, however, the idiots who care to draw attention to themselves, and not the horse, trainer, jockey, etc. We know you’ve paid all the bills, but go elsewhere - sky diving, a circus, rent a grand ballroom to draw attention to yourself. The horse, under a good trainer, would have run well for another owner.
And now, back to the best part - considering the horses, trainers, and jockeys, once again.
I at first hated the name, Bodemeister as well, but have softened considering Baffert’s recent medical issue. And the way the horse ran - well, that didn’t interfere with anything!
I’m in “He’s a buffoon camp” too. Sure he’s the owner but does that extend to messing physically with the horse on raceday? This is a big deal to Mike Maker too–its not like he has Derby horses every year.
Besides those playgirl horse bunnies in the white with the blue tails just creeped me out. He’s a doctor and if he wants to help/appeal to kids, find an Alex’s Lemonade angle.
I’m guilty here of not putting this one to bed by posting this story from the Herald-Leader, but the story and facts seem to continue to take odd turns. If I read this correctly: 1 - Mike Maker is saying he was aware and ok with the blue dye and 2 - Dr. Hansen was willing to enter the horse and run him with the blue tail and then pay the fine; 3 - Dr. Hansen believe the rule wouldn’t have been violated.
#1 - Mike Maker’s knowledge:
Maker confirmed Sunday he indeed was aware of and helped coordinate the initial dying of Hansen’s tail.
“I think everybody thinks I was against the blue tail which in fact, the tail was dyed before (the race),” Maker said. “I was under the impression it wasn’t permissible and to take it off. Obviously the owner went through a lot of planning and expense to get that done. And he had every right to be mad.”
#2 - Dr. K. Hansen’s willing to take the risk but couldn’t get in touch with Maker
Upon hearing his colt could be scratched, Dr. Hansen requested a meeting with the stewards where he said he was told the horse would be allowed to run, but that he could face a possible fine.
Citing the spotty cellphone service brought on by a record crowd of over 40,000 at Keeneland on Saturday, Dr. Hansen said he was unable to contact Maker in time to let him know he did not need to wash the blue color out of Hansen’s tail.
“Mike had to do what he had to do because the stewards said they might scratch him. But I don’t like the way it was portrayed, like I’m some crazy owner who is not working together with my trainer. This was not the way I wanted it to go.”
#3 Interpretation of the rule:
Had Hansen won the Blue Grass with a dyed tail, his owner maintains he would have won any possible appeals other connections could have filed with the commission.
“The stewards showed me the rules and the rule doesn’t say you can’t alter the appearance of the horse, it says you can’t alter the identity,” Dr. Hansen explained. “And having the bottom tip of the tail doesn’t alter the identity of the horse, they go by the (lip) tattoo and the markings. No track identifier uses the tip of the tail to identify the horse. So I would have won that in an appeal, I think.”
And the final word …
Dr. Hansen said he has had his fill of backlash from his efforts to lighten things up.
… I don’t want to get a bunch of crap like this," he said. “I like to have fun, and this was not fun for me yesterday.”
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