Big Brown a welcome presence
Big Brown delivered a standout performance in last Saturday's Preakness Stakes and has the racing industry buzzing as it awaits the final leg of racing's Triple Crown, the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 7.
Although many thoroughbreds in recent history have attempted the sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont, the last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978. The industry dearly needs a hero and Big Brown certainly looks capable and deserving of the attention leading up to the 140th running of the Belmont.
The striking bay colt has already arrived in New York and is settled in Bobby Frankel's barn. He remains undefeated for trainer Richard Dutrow and has won all of his five previous races by a combined 39 lengths. The field is just beginning to take shape for the 1 1/2 -mile Belmont Stakes with Denis of Cork, Tale of Ekati and Casino Drive confirmed to participate at this point.
Denis of Cork ran third in the Kentucky Derby and passed on the Preakness, as did Tale of Ekati, who won the Wood Memorial. Casino Drive, who was bred in Japan, skipped both the Derby and Preakness, but has been all the rage since winning the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park last Saturday.
The colt is bred for Belmont's distance. His dam, Better Than Honour, produced the last two winners of the Belmont Stakes, 2007 champion, Rags to Riches and Jazil.
Trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, Casino Drive is expected to work at Belmont Park this Monday. Kent Desormeaux rode Casino Drive to victory in the Peter Pan, but is also the regular rider of Big Brown. Japanese jockey Yutaka Take piloted him in his previous start, but no rider has been named for the Belmont.
Big Brown is the big story. Racing fans who wish to immerse themselves in the achievements of the undefeated colt can log onto BigBrownTripleCrown.com, a Web site with comprehensive information on the Triple Crown candidate and his quest to become the 12th thoroughbred to win the coveted title.
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Losing Perspective in the Winner's Circle
Imagine if the governor of Massachusetts blathered before presenting the Commissioner's Trophy to the World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Or if a Sprint executive spoke from the platform at Glendale, Ariz., about the company's pride of sponsorship after the Giants beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Much of what these time-wasting interlopers say sounds as if they're addressing the local Rotary Club.
With minor tweaks to account for personalities, that's the story at every Kentucky Derby winner's circle.
Yet the only people anyone needs to hear from are owners, jockeys and trainers.
Although similar scenes play out at the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, the Derby tableau sticks out for excessive bloviating from officials who add nothing. And amazingly, nothing changed Saturday even though the second-place finisher in the Derby had collapsed and died.
After Big Brown won Saturday and Eight Belles had to be euthanized, NBC's Bob Costas spoke to David Novak, chairman of Yum Brands, the sponsor; Bob Evans, president of the track; and Gov. Steve Beshear of Kentucky.
Costas said he told them and Michael Iavarone, a co-owner of Big Brown, about Eight Belles's fate, but that wasn't reflected in most of the remarks.
"What a great day for the commonwealth of Kentucky," said Novak, whose place in the broadcast was the only one contractually mandated; the others were there by tradition, like the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home."
Novak added that Yum is "the proud sponsor of the greatest event in the world."
Evans said: "Let me first thank all of our sponsors, including Yum and Visa; they've been terrific and you guys at NBC have been terrific to work with."
Beshear said: "Each year, on the first Saturday in May, the world focuses on Churchill Downs and the commonwealth of Kentucky, and each year Kentucky shows the world what a great place this is to work and live and play. And what a race we showed them today."
All of their comments were interchangeable with what they could have said about any other Derby. But in this one, a horse was dead. The men were aware that a horse had broken down, but said they weren't prepared to alter their remarks on the fly.
Could it be a great day when a horse was lying on the track?
Jonathan Blum, a senior vice president of Yum, who was with Novak until the presentation, said: "I believe he knew that a horse had gotten hurt, yet I don't believe he knew how serious it was or what the facts were, so there was no way he could comment. It was a great day for Kentucky, but unfortunately, a tragedy occurred with Eight Belles."
Evans, whose comments were the most tempered, said in an interview that he had learned about Eight Belles's injury from "NBC guys," and that he had told Big Brown's owners about it before the presentation. And on the way to the winner's circle, he watched a brief aerial shot of the injured Eight Belles.
"I didn't know exactly what happened and was trying to get information by cellphone and e-mail, but there was a lot of chaos," he said.
He added: "Without confirmed facts, we did our best. But in retrospect, we didn't."
Recounting the scene in the winner's circle, Costas said: "I mentioned to the people with whom I would speak what I had just learned. I said, 'I'm not saying you should comment, but I want you to be aware of it.'" It was a huge hint that it would be smart to change their tone, if not their remarks.
Blum said Novak was unaware of what Costas had said and did not receive solid information about the filly's death until later. It was chaotic up there.
"He never would have made his remarks if he had all the information," Blum said.
If Costas's cautionary words to them were inaudible or insufficient, one can only wonder what Novak and Beshear were thinking when they heard him begin the winner's circle segment by referring to "triumph and tragedy today at Churchill Downs."
Wasn't that a cue?
Dick Brown, Beshear's press secretary, said, "The governor had just been told of the incident and didn't feel he had enough information to appropriately comment at that time." Presumably, authoritative information from Costas was inadequate.
It sounds odd that a politician could not switch oratorical gears to offer his condolences and be as graceful as Iavarone, whose first words to Costas were: "First off, our sympathies go out to the connections of Eight Belles. I know she was a terrific filly."
Here is my policy for all to follow: No more politicians or sponsors should take part in a championship ceremony. Only those at the commissioner or league president levels should be included. Royalty can stay. So can those who run the tracks. The Augustans at the Masters are approved, too, because regardless of how stiff and unprepared they have been, it's their tournament.
Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
Big Brown has no problems in Derby starting gate
If things get any better for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., who will saddle 3-to-1 morning-line favorite Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday, he may not know what to do with himself.
"I'm having as much fun as I can have here," Dutrow said with a chuckle on Wednesday morning. "I'm with all my people. My family is coming in tonight. My girlfriend is coming in tonight... I'm in a good zone right now. It's all good, babe.
"Mainly, though, it's because the horse is so good. It couldn't be any better as far as I can see. I hope I'm not missing anything."
Dutrow has not missed much so far with Big Brown, who is unbeaten in three career starts and enters off an impressive five-length victory in the $1-million Florida Derby (G1) on March 29.
The bay Boundary colt, owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., made a trip to the Churchill Downs starting gate on Wednesday, and Dutrow plans to breeze him three furlongs and school him in the paddock on Thursday.
"We put him in [the gate] and he was very good," said Dutrow, who will saddle his first Derby starter. "He also galloped around one time and looked great. He seems like he was born for this track."
Dutrow and Big Brown's other connections will be 16th at the post position draw on Wednesday afternoon in Louisville.
The trainer said he would like to see the horse work between :36 and :37 on Thursday morning, giving the speedy colt a chance to stretch his legs after arriving in Kentucky on Monday.
"I don't want him to go too fast because we've got him where we want to be," he said. "I just want him to get a little feel for the place and let him know that something is going on. Things are coming to a head and he knows it. He's not stupid."
Dutrow said that Big Brown is a pussycat compared to many other three-year-olds, who tend to be a bit full of themselves as they grow into maturity.
"He loves people and he loves other horses," he said. "You could let your kids play with him or he could be a pleasure riding horse. He's a dream come true, that's what he is."
Dutrow remained confident that Big Brown is the horse to beat in the $2-million first leg of the Triple Crown, refusing to back down from earlier comments that his horse is by far the best.
"I really feel that if he runs his race and gets a clean break, I don't see any other horse that can just beat him. I really don't."
Asked what kind of favorite he thought Big Brown would be following he post-position draw and then at post time on Saturday, Dutrow needed only one word to answer the query.
"Big," he said with grin.
(c) Copyright 2008, Thoroughbred Times.
Local owners on Derby road
Three horses on the road to the Kentucky Derby have owners from Las Vegas: Pyro, Behindatthebar and Samba Rooster. Only one appears a certainty to run in America's greatest race.
Louisiana Derby winner Pyro is owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, which is operated by Ron Winchell and his mother, Joan.
They are continuing the racing legacy of family patriarch Verne Winchell, who passed away in 2002. He founded the Winchell's Donuts chain that later was sold to Denny's.
Pyro probably will be the third choice in Derby betting behind Florida Derby winner Big Brown and Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John.
Don Stanley partly owns Lexington Stakes winner Behindatthebar.
In 1996, Stanley sold MTC Technology in Kansas City, Mo., and moved to Las Vegas. He and Mike Shustek sold 90 percent of Behindatthebar to Satish Sanan's Padua Stables.
Trainer Todd Pletcher is undecided on whether to enter the Derby with the colt, who has enough graded earnings to make the probable 20-horse field.
Finally, three Las Vegans -- Terry Lanni, Ernie Moody and Bernie Schiappa -- own Lexington Stakes runner-up Samba Rooster.
Lanni is chairman of MGM Mirage, Moody is best known as the inventor of Triple Play Poker, and Schiappa is general manager of Fletcher Jones Imports.
Samba Rooster is not a Triple Crown nominee, so he would need to be supplemented to run in either the Derby, Preakness or Belmont Stakes.
The draw for the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Wednesday.
* DERBY SEMINARS -- Three free Derby handicapping seminars are scheduled for next week in Las Vegas.
On May 2, Jon Lindo, Ralph Siraco and Brad Bryant will be in the Planet Hollywood race book at 1 p.m. Then that night in the Sam's Town race book, Gordon Jones, John Kelly, Patrick McQuiggan and Mike Willman will share their expertise. Finally, Lindo and Siraco will be at The Orleans' Mardi Gras ballroom at 10 a.m. on May 3.
* CORRECTION -- A sharp reader pointed out from last week's column that Giacomo, as well as Sea Hero, did not run a triple-digit Beyer in a two-turn race before winning the Kentucky Derby.
Beyer ratings have been in the Daily Racing Form since 1992.
* SOUTH POINT -- On Thursday, the South Point hosted the first of six tournament qualifiers leading up to the South Point Finale to be held April 17 and 18. The next qualifier will be June 19.
The South Point Finale joins the National Handicapping Championship and the Horseplayer World Series to form a trio of big-money, year-end handicapping tournaments.
* DERBY DATA -- If you like to massage statistics in finding your Derby horse, try Derby Data Track by Leslie Huddleston. It can be found at cjderbydatatrack.com on the Internet.
Copyright (c) Las Vegas Review-Journal, 1997 - 2008
HRRN Has Agreement for Preakness Stakes
The Horse Racing Radio Network has reached an agreement with Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland Jockey Club to become the exclusive national radio network for the 2008 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
HRRN will provide live coverage of the Preakness May 17 from 5:30-7 EDT. In addition to its national Preakness coverage, HRRN plans a three-hour live broadcast of the stakes on the Preakness undercard from 2-5 p.m., and will provide live coverage of the Pimlico Special (gr. I) and Black Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) May 16. Mike Penna and Pete Kules, founders of HRRN, will co-host the broadcasts.
HRRN, based in Lexington, will air more than 50 broadcasts this year, including grade I races such as the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Kentucky Oaks, Stephen Foster Handicap, Arlington Million, Travers Stakes, and the Breeders' Cup. The 2008 broadcast schedule is available on the HRRN Web site.
"Everyone at the Maryland Jockey Club takes a tremendous amount of pride in putting on a first-class show during Preakness week," Mike Gathagan, MJC vice president of communications, said in a statement. "It is not only something we are proud of, but the Preakness experience is special to Baltimore and Maryland. To be able to host an event of this magnitude means so much in so many ways, and the addition of HRRN's national coverage will allow racing fans from coast to coast to feel as if they are here for this special event."
"The Preakness is one of the most historic and exciting events on the racing calendar," Penna said. "The possibility of having a Triple Crown candidate is usually still alive with the Derby winner, and when that horse comes to the top of the stretch, the atmosphere is electric. We are thrilled to be able to bring the excitement of this spectacular race to a national radio audience."
Copyright (c) 2008 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Jockey now giving a leg up
On the heels of achieving two of his career goals last year by winning a Triple Crown race and a Breeders' Cup event, jockey Robby Albarado embarked yesterday on a third: starting a foundation to help the disadvantaged get the sort of chance he got in pulling himself out of an impoverished area in Lafayette, La.
In a national conference call, Albarado said Curlin's victories in the Preakness Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic didn't spark the Robby Albarado Foundation, which was formally announced in a news conference at Hurstbourne Country Club.
"But it helps," he said. "It helps get the word out about the foundation. ... I felt like it was a perfect time."
The foundation, whose president is Louisville golf pro Gary Demling, will assist the homeless and socially and economically disadvantaged in the Louisville area.
"I was a young kid growing up in a very poor area," said Albarado, who was to leave this morning to ride 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin in the $6 million Dubai World Cup. "I got a couple of chances from a few people who helped me in racing, and I was able to become a success. If I could make a change in a kid's life, that's what I'm looking forward to."
The foundation's first major fundraiser will be a celebrity golf tournament at Hurstbourne Country Club on Monday, April 28 -- the one day during Derby Week when there is no racing at Churchill Downs. Albarado said retired Hall of Fame jockeys Chris McCarron and Gary Stevens have signed on.
Although there have been notable racing participants involved with racing-related charities, Albarado's charity is somewhat unusual in that it's not pegged to the industry.
"I'm very passionate about anything I do," he said. "I'm putting a lot of heart into this. If I can make a difference with just one kid, or one person, in the Louisville area, I think I've done my job. But I feel like this is going to be a big thing."
Copyright (c)2007 courier-journal.com
Dirt is big deal at Oaklawn
LITTLE ROCK - When it comes to preparing a thoroughbred for the Kentucky Derby, a four-letter word elevates Oaklawn Park above Keeneland and Santa Anita.
It's d-i-r-t. You know the substance, add water to make mudpies.
At Lexington, Ky., the horses run on Polytrack, a mixture of silica sand, rubber, fibers and wax. At Arcadia, Calif., it's called Cushion Track, which is similar to Polytrack except that officials had to add polymers and fibers in early February after the surface failed to drain following major rains and Santa Anita lost 11 days of racing.
At Louisville, the Derby is on d-i-r-t at Churchill Downs.
The subject comes up this week because some 3-year-olds with Derby potential will take to the Oaklawn surface Saturday to compete in the $300,000 Rebel. Three of the last four years, the Rebel winner has gone on to win the Arkansas Derby and two of those horses won three Triple Crown races.
For this one day, thoroughbreds are a welcome diversion from trying to identify the No. 11 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament. On Wednesday, that just happened to be Arkansas in one man's opinion.
Like the NCAA, the Rebel has had a bubble horse. His name is Denis of Cork, and he's officially out of the race. Ever since he won the Southwest at Oaklawn on Feb. 9, there has been some waffling on the next race for the unbeaten colt.
On Tuesday, trainer David Carroll told a teleconference that Denis of Cork's only race prior to the Kentucky Derby would be in either New York or Illinois on April 5, a week before the Arkansas Derby. His horse is on the skinny side, one of those that has trouble maintaining his weight, and this way he'll have 28 days prior to Louisville instead of 21.
Until recently, such a sparse campaign would have been viewed as insufficient preparation. But last year, Street Sense won the Kentucky Derby with only two prep races - a victory on the dirt at Tampa and a second-place finish on that stuff at Keeneland.
Despite the departure of Denis, the Rebel is significant because Z Fortune is in the field.
He is the No. 2 Derby prospect in the barn of Steve Asmussen. No. 1 is Pyro, who is at the top of the most recent poll by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
Pyro won the Louisiana Derby by three lengths last week. In his three previous races, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he finished behind War Pass, No. 2 on the list and winner of a race last month in Florida.
Following the Louisiana Derby, Asmussen said he would send Pyro to Keeneland. He cited the all-weather track, but such a move would avoid another head to head like the one in early February when Pyro bested Z Fortune by two lengths.
Nick Zito, who trains War Pass and Cool Coal Man, is likely to try and get a line on one of his lesser lights and Z Fortune by entering a horse in the Rebel. Todd Pletcher might do the same.
"This is that time of year when they all start coming out of the woodwork," Zito assistant Tim Poole said recently.
Z Fortune is an intriguing sort, particularly in light of assessments by the record-setting Asmussen and Garrett Gomez, the Eclipse Award-winning jockey who went through the eighth grade at Lake Hamilton High School and is returning to Hot Springs to ride the colt.
Asmussen sent Z Fortune to Oaklawn last week.
"I want him to have confidence on that track, so I want him to have his final work there," the trainer told Jay Privman of the Daily Racing Form.
Mentally, Pyro is far ahead of Z Fortune, Asmussen said. The latter, he said, "has no idea how good he's going to be."
In early February, after Z Fortune took the lead and then was run down by Pyro, Gomez compared the colt to a big kid. We've all seen athletes like that, those who put it on cruise when their team goes in front with a few minutes to play.
If Z Fortune can be as good as Asmussen thinks, the maturation process should begin Saturday at Oaklawn Park.
Copyright © Arkansas News Bureau, 2003 - 2006
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