Hollywood Derby Day Princess Elizabeth & Coronation Leparoux wins #3000 Japan Cup Results Bob Hope Stakes |
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It was busy this morning. Here are Master Fencer (blinkers), By My Standards (2nd from right), and Out For a Spin (far right) in the first turn. |
Wednesday morning was warm and, while mostly overcast, did have a bit of sun peek through. The track was fast during training at Churchill Downs after the renovation break, but rain is expected after today. All of the Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses are on the grounds now and all of them came out at some time during in the day. There was one timed work by Master Fencer who went 5 furlongs in 1:05.20 with jockey Julien Leparoux aboard.
Update as of 6:30pm - Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach will be scratched due to an entrapped epiglottis, according to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. "After training this morning we noticed him cough a few times," Mandella said. "It caused us to scope him and we found an entrapped epiglottis. We can't fix it this week so we'll have to have a procedure done in a few days and probably be out of training for three weeks. We'll have to figure out a whole new game plan."
The epiglottis is a triangular-shaped cartilage that lies at the base of the airway just in front of the arytenoid cartilages which cover the airway during swallowing. When an abnormality occurs in this area it can hinder the performance of horses.
With the scratch of Omaha Beach, Bodexpress will draw into the field and break from post position 20. All horses outside of Omaha Beach (post positions 13-20) will move over one position in the starting gate.
Below are photos for 21 Derby horses and 15 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track with comments for each. You can watch video of today's training session here.
Kentucky DerbyBy My Standards drew post 3 for trainer Bret Calhoun. Gabriel Saez gets the call aboard the 20-1 shot. He had his normal 1 1/2-mile training session Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.
"Things are sort of out of our hands right now," Allied Racing Stables' Chester Thomas said. "We're feeling good, we're happy, we're nervous, we're all of the emotions. Above all, I'm just thrilled to be here. (Trainer) Bret (Calhoun) and his team deserve a shot to be in the Derby and I'm glad I get to be here with him."
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Code of Honor was third in
the Florida Derby in his most recent start. John Velazquez, a two-time Derby winner, will break from post position 13 aboard the 15-1 shot for trainer Shug McGaughey. He went to the track shortly before the 7 a.m. break and galloped 1 1/2 miles under Brian Duggan before taking the scenic route back to the barn, which has been his routine all week. Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is making his first appearance in the Kentucky Derby since winning the race in 2013 with Orb.
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Country House drew the far outside post 20. Flavien Prat rides for Bill Mott. So far only 1 horse has won the Derby out of the 20-hole, Big Brown in 2008.
He and stablemate Tacitus went out during the special Derby session and they had their usual gallop. They both walked through the paddock and then galloped a mile and a half," Mott said. "They both seem happy and all is well."
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Cutting Humor owned by Starlight Racing, comes into Saturday's race off a victory in the Sunland Park Derby (G3). Corey Lanerie has the mount aboard the 30-1 outsider and will break from post position 10 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
He and stablemate Spinoff made their first appearance at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning and galloped during the special Oaks-Derby training period starting at 7:30. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "They both went 10 furlongs. They're in good shape. They've settled in well and they went over the ground smoothly this morning. Knock on wood, our first morning went well."
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Game Winner is the 5-1 second
choice on the morning line. Florent Geroux will be aboard Saturday and break from post position 17 for trainer Bob Baffert. He finished second to Omaha Beach in the Rebel (G2) and then second to Roadster in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
As was the case on Tuesday, reigning juvenile male champion Game Winner emerged at 9 a.m. with Gomez in the irons for his gallop. "(This year) reminds me a little bit of the Silver Charm derby (in 1997)," Baffert said. "You had a lot of good 3-year-olds in there and whoever gets the trip is going to win it."
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Gray Magician is one of two horses listed at the longest price of 50-1 morning line. The Peter Miller trainee drew post 4 and will have Drayden Van Dyke in the saddle.
He got his first feel for the local surface when galloping with a pony Wednesday during the special 7:30-7:45 Kentucky Derby/Oaks session. Assistant trainer Ashlie Campbell said, He felt good. He was a little warm, but it was nothing to worry about with him. We just wanted to introduce him to the crowds. He galloped about a mile and a quarter."
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Haikal is a 30-1 outsider who drew post 11. Rajiv Maragh gets the call Saturday for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
He got his second feel for Churchill Downs Wednesday during the special Kentucky Derby/Oaks 7:30-7:45 a.m. training session. Leaving Barn 41, the son of Daaher jogged with a pony and then broke off into a gallop. "He galloped a mile and a quarter today," trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. "We just want to keep him happy, sound and healthy right now."
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Improbable is 6-1 on the morning line. Winner of all three 2018 starts that included a victory in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G1) as well as the Street Sense here during Breeders' Cup Weekend, Improbable was runner-up to Omaha Beach in the Arkansas Derby. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will break from post 5 for trainer Bob Baffert.
"I think it's nice to not come in here as the heavy favorite, you can just enjoy the week more," Baffert said. "Last year we came in here with Justify and we knew it was my race to lose. So I felt a little extra pressure. There are a lot of good horses in here. I think they're a pretty evenly matched group of horses. You don't see anybody like really puffing off the screen here. When (2015 Triple Crown winner) American Pharoah came in here, we knew he was from on another planet."
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Long Range Toddy is Steve Asmussen's only entrant this year. Jon Court rides the 30-1 shot out of post 18.
He returned to the track for the first time since completing his final Derby work Monday and galloped one mile under regular exercise rider Brooke Stillion.
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Master Fencer has won two of four starts on the dirt in Japan and comes to Churchill Downs after spending his first few days in North America training at Keeneland. Julien Leparoux has the mount on the 50-1 longshot for trainer Koichi Tsunoda and will break from post position 15.
He got his second feel for the Churchill Downs dirt Wednesday during the special Kentucky Derby/Oaks 7:30-7:45 a.m. training session, working an easy five furlongs in 1:05.20 with jockey Julien Leparoux in the saddle. The pair will join again Saturday when they break from post 15 in the 20-horse field.
Trainer Koichi Tsunoda said through a translator, "He went really well today. We are pleased with today's work. He didn't work too hard, since he had a (strong gallop) at Keeneland on Sunday before shipping to Churchill Downs. He seems to be handling the dirt just fine. Even with a gate boy, he'll probably start slow, as usual. He has great closing speed, so I expect to see that turn of foot on Saturday."
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Maximum Security is the second of 2 entrants owned by Gary and Mary West (the other is Game Winner). Trained by Jason Servis, Maximum Security ran his undefeated streak to four with a front-running victory in the Florida Derby (G1). Luis Saez, who was aboard for that score, has the mount Saturday aboard the 10-1 shot and will break from post 7.
He got acquainted with the Churchill Downs track Wednesday morning while galloping a mile on his first day since arriving from his winter base at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Florida. "He looked good; he's acting good; he's cooling out good," trainer Jason Servis said.
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Omaha Beach brings a three-race win streak into Derby 145 including victories in a division of the Rebel (G2) and the Arkansas Derby (G1). Mike Smith, who has been aboard for those two victories, will have the mount Saturday as he aims for his third triumph in the Run for the Roses. Omaha Beach will break from post position 12 for trainer Richard Mandella as the 4-1 morning line favorite.
The Derby favorite had regular exercise rider Taylor Cambra aboard, who took his charge from the five-furlong gap on the backside to the paddock gap on the frontside to stand for a bit, then proceeded to gallop the big colt strongly around the big oval. "He went a mile and three-quarters," said the tall reinsman as he flashed a big smile. Was it his best gallop yet, someone asked? "Absolutely," came the resolute reply.
Update at 6:30pm: Kentucky Derby favorite Omaha Beach will be scratched due to an entrapped epiglottis, according to Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. "After training this morning we noticed him cough a few times," Mandella said. "It caused us to scope him and we found an entrapped epiglottis. We can't fix it this week so we'll have to have a procedure done in a few days and probably be out of training for three weeks. We'll have to figure out a whole new game plan."
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Plus Que Parfait UAE Derby (G2) winner drew post 9 as a 30-1 outsider for trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr.
He put in another strong gallop under Tom Molloy, assistant trainer, with head conditioner Brendan Walsh watching on horseback. "He went about a mile and a half," Walsh said. "He's a talented horse and he is going to get better. The distance won't be an issue with him and he proved that when (winning over 1 3/16 miles) in Dubai. The nine-hole is perfect for him. Hopefully the speed goes inside of us and he can save some ground like he did in the UAE Derby. He has to answer a question this week of whether or not he's come back (to form) from Dubai," he continued. "He's giving me every indication that he has, but as we've seen in previous years, it's one thing to do it in the morning and it's another to go out there and do it in a race."
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Roadster has won three of four career starts with his only setback coming to Game Winner in the Del Mar Futurity. Florent Geroux will be aboard the 6-1 third choice Saturday for trainer Bob Baffert and break from post position 17, a post that is winless in the Derby so far.
Roadster came out at 7:30am and galloped about a mile and a half under Humberto "Beto" Gomez.
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Spinoff runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (G2), will be ridden by Manny Franco and break from post position 19 as a 30-1 outsider for trainer Todd Pletcher.
He and stablemate Spinoff made their first appearance at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning and galloped during the special Oaks-Derby training period starting at 7:30. Trainer Todd Pletcher said, "They both went 10 furlongs. They're in good shape. They've settled in well and they went over the ground smoothly this morning. Knock on wood, our first morning went well."
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Tacitus is the second of two Bill Mott entries in the Derby (after Country House). Jose Ortiz will be aboard the 10-1 chance out of post 8.
He and stablemate Country House went out during the special Derby session and they had their usual gallop. They both walked through the paddock and then galloped a mile and a half," Mott said. "They both seem happy and all is well."
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Tax is the first Derby entrant for trainer Danny Gargan. The 20-1 shot drew post 2 with Junior Alvarado in the irons.
He galloped a mile and a quarter at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning. "He's getting over the track really well. He's doing good. He's nice and relaxed, so we're happy with him," trainer Danny Gargan said.
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Vekoma, named after the Dutch manufacturer of amusement rides, drew post 6 for trainer George Weaver. Javier Castellano rides the 20-1 shot on Saturday.
He galloped a mile and a quarter and visited the starting gate under Cindy Hutter on the colt's first day on the track at Churchill Downs. "He galloped well and looked around a lot like you would fexpect with a new place," trainer George Weaver said, adding that Vekoma would school in the paddock this afternoon with horses in the third race.
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War of Will drew the unlucky inside post 1 for trainer Mark Casse and jockey Tyler Gaffalione as a 20-1 outsider. Casse said, I went and I watched 20 Derbys last night from the one hole. I did. And I've decided it's a good post. I mean it has won 9 percent of the time which is better's than Bob (Baffert)'s 17 (with Roadster) which has never won – and I told him that too."
War of Will galloped under exercise rider Jose Vasquez Wednesday morning.
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Win Win Win is a 15-1 shot out of post 14. Julian Pimentel rides for trainer Mike Trombetta.
jogged a mile, visited the starting gate and then galloped a mile under exercise rider Melanie Williams. Win Win Win is scheduled to school in the paddock with horses in Thursday's second race.
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Bodexpress, who arrived from South Florida Tuesday, jogged once around the Churchill Downs track Wednesday morning. Bodexpress, a maiden who finished second behind Maximum Security in the Florida Derby (GI) at Gulfstream, is on the also-eligible list and would need a defection by 9 a.m. Friday to draw into the Derby field. "We're hoping he gets in," said Gustavo Delgado Jr., assistant and son of trainer Gustavo Delgado. "He just jogged today. He'll gallop tomorrow."
Update at 6:30pm - With the scratch of Omaha Beach, Bodexpress will draw into the field and break from post position 20. All horses outside of Omaha Beach (post positions 13-20) will move over one position in the starting gate.
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Kentucky OaksBellafina brings a three-race win streak with her from Santa Anita where she won the Santa Ynez (G2), Las Virgenes (G2) and Santa Anita Oaks (G1). Flavien Prat, who has been aboard for all her starts, has the call Friday aboard the 2-1 morning line favorite and will break from post 4 for trainer Simon Callaghan.
She took to the track during the special Oaks-Derby training period between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. Wednesday and went through a full gallop of a mile and one-half under exercise rider Georgio Moreno. Assistant trainer Carlos Santamaria oversaw the move and liked what unfolded. "She handled the track well again," said Santamaria, sporting his usual dandy of a cowboy hat. "She's doing good."
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Champagne Anyone is trained by Ian Wilkes and will be
ridden by Chris Landeros. She will break from post position 10. The 6-1 third choice won the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) last out.
She galloped a mile Wednesday morning under exercise rider Kara Lee for trainer Ian Wilkes.
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Chocolate Kisses drew post 2 and is 20-1 morning line. Julien Leparoux rides for trainer Mark Casse. She won the Honeybee (G3) but was 6th in the Ashland (G1).
She came out at 9:10a.m. and proceeded to gallop under exercise rider Kim Carroll.
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Flor De La Mar runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) will break from post position five under Joel Rosario and is 20-1 on the morning line for trainer Bob Baffert.
She came out at 9 a.m. along with stablemate Game Winner and galloped under Jose Conteras.
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Jaywalk won the Frizette (GI) at Belmont Park and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (GI) here last fall. Third in the Ashland (GI) at Keeneland in her most recent start, Jaywalk is listed at 8-1 on the morning line and will break from post position seven.
She jogged six furlongs and galloped a mile Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs. "She's doing great. She's happy. I'm happy. She's where she needs to be," trainer John Servis said.
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Jeltrin won the Davona Dale (G2) last out. The 15-1 shot drew post 11 for trainer Alexis Delgado and jockey Luis Saez.
She galloped a mile at Churchill Downs Wednesday on the morning after being given an open gallop in preparation for a start in Friday's Kentucky Oaks.
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Lady Apple is Steve Asmussen's lone Oaks entrant this year off her Fantasy (G3) win. Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount and will break from post position three on the 20-1 morning-line proposition.
She went to the track at 7:30 a.m. and galloped one mile under Juan Vargas.
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Liora is winless this year so far but won the Golden Rod (G2) over the Churchill track in November. Regular rider Channing Hill gets the call from post 9 aboard the 20-1 outsider for trainer Wayne Catalano.
We're just kind of having a good time," said Annette Bacola of owner Coffee Pot Stables. "With Farrell, Farrell had a lot of speed and a lot of talent and we went in as one of the favorites so we were really kind of nervous about it and tense. And then she got injured during the race. But Liora, she may surprise a few people. She's tough and she'll run no matter what. She doesn't care what color the flowers are in the infield, she doesn't care about track conditions. She just likes to run. And she's tough and she's strong and according to (trainer) Wayne (Catalano), she's never been in better shape. So we'll see, we're just here to have a good time actually."
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Motion Emotion who finished 2nd in both the Honeybee (G3) and Fantasy (G3),is a 15-1 outsider from post 8. Jockey Mike Smith rides Friday for trainer Thomas Van Berg.
She went too the track at 7:30 a.m. for a two-mile gallop under Raul Vizcarrondo Wednesday, in anticipation of possibly having a wet track Thursday that could limit morning training. "We wanted to put some air in her today," Van Berg said. "This is probably our last bit of serious training, especially if it rains tomorrow."
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Out For A Spin won the Ashland in her most recent start. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides the 15-1 shot for trainer Dallas Stewart.
She galloped 1 1/2 miles Wednesday morning for trainer Dallas Stewart. The filly drew the rail for Friday's Kentucky Oaks. "It's sort of out of our control with the post," Stewart said. "Someone has to draw the rail. It's not that bad, though."
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Positive Spirit drew post 6. Manny Franco rides the 30-1 outsider for trainer Rodolphe Brisset off her 2nd place finish in the Gazelle (G2).
Brisset rode her this morning for a mile-and-a-half gallop, which is typically part of her routine. "She's doing extremely good, we're very happy with her," Brisset said. "I think she looked great galloping; we got a lot of comments about how good she looked out there. We also stopped to go to the gate in the middle of the gallop. It's kind of a routine thing for us. She'll train a little bit tomorrow and we will train the morning of the race."
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Restless Rider won the Alcibiades (G1) last fall at Keeneland and has been the runner-up in the Spinaway (G1), Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and the Ashland (G1) in her most recent start that served as her 2019 debut. Trained by Kenny McPeek, the 6-1 chance will be ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and break from post position 14.
She galloped under regular exercise rider Danny Ramsey.
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Serengeti Empress is an 8-1 chance on the morning line despite finishing last in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). New jockey Jose Oriz rides for trainer Tom Amoss out of post 13.
She was on the track for a 1 1/2-mile gallop again Wednesday morning. JoseOrtiz is down to ride her in the Oaks. "She had her regular gallop today," Amoss said of his filly. "We did take her to the gate, for schooling, and she did well. It was the second time this week that we did that."
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Street Band drew post 12. Sophie Doyle rides the 15-1 shot for owner-trainer Larry Jones. Doyle is looking to become the second Oaks-winning female rider after Rosie Napravnik.
She came on the track to train at 7:30 a.m. and several onlookers commented how much energy the filly has had all week as she bounced along until breaking into a 1 1/2-mile gallop under exercise rider Jorge Nava. When asked about the high energy his filly is displaying, trainer Larry Jones said, "That's just her. We never have to ask her to go. That's the problem we had with her early. We had trouble getting her to relax and I thought she'd only be a sprinter. But, now that she's running longer, she's learning to relax. I wish she wasn't that way all the time, but I'm not going to change anything now."
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Dunbar Road (also-eligible) would be the 5-1 morning line second choice for trainer Chad Brown, with Jose Ortiz the named rider, should she draw into the field. She had another great gallop," trainer Chad Brown said. "Everything is going fine for her here. She's doing really great."
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