The fact that Big Brown will break from post 20 doesn't change my perception of his chances in the Derby. Richard Dutrow Jr. is putting his colt out there for all to see. No excuses now; he can't get pinched between horses coming out of the gate, and chances are quite good that he won't get touched at all with the speedy Gayego, who breaks just inside, figuring to go quickly forward rather than sideways....
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Graham Motion, a great guy but not exactly a human quote machine, has one good line this week for reporters about Adriano and he's sticking to it: "I must be the only trainer in the world with an A.P. Indy that can't run on dirt."......
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Barclay Tagg was in his full-blown cantankerous but with a smile mode this morning at his barn, sparring with anyone who was trying to be nice to him. Both Nick Zito and D. Wayne Lukas have been touting Tagg's horse Big Truck as Derby contender....
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By Tom Pedulla , USA TODAY LOUISVILLE — Cuban-born Thoroughbred owners Carlos Juelle and Jose Prieto are living the American dream. They left behind heartache and hardship in their native land — including a death sentence against Prieto for anti-communist activities — to find opportunities beyond their wildest imagination. One of those comes into focus this week as impressive Arkansas Derby champion...
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By David Geier David “Buc” Geier helps run a tavern in the horse racing hinterland of Kansas City, Mo. I had planned on sparring with my favorite sportswriter, Joe Drape, on our annual disagreement on the East Coast slant to the Derby. Every year, I contend, the media always holds the horses from the Eastern block in an inflated regard. There are always several horses a cut above the rest of the country...
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By Joe Drape , NYTimes.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. - This is a confusing Kentucky Derby, but aren’t they all? It’s draw day here, and we want you to start thinking about how you’re going to pick the winner of the only race in America that bestows bragging rights on the correct prognosticater. So with no further adieu, here’s Dean Keppler, the author of Betting The Kentucky Derby: How to Wager and Win on America...
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By Alex Brown Today marks what would have been Barbaro’s fifth birthday. Fans of Barbaro (FOBs) celebrated Barbaro’s fourth birthday in style, attending racetracks across the country to honor their champion. At Delaware Park, where many of Barbaro’s connections were in attendance, including his owners Roy and Gretchen Jackson, more than 700 people celebrated Barbaro’s life . During the festivities...
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By Jim Squires If a filly is to ever again win the Kentucky Derby — which Fox Hill Farm ’s Eight Belles will apparently get the opportunity to do come Saturday — nothing could be more fitting than for her to be trained by Larry Jones , the friendly guy with the big hat. Eight Belles at Churchill Downs, with the trainer Larry Jones aboard. (Garry Jones/Associated Press) Thanks mostly to the exploits...
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By Joe Drape , NYTimes.com LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Only one horse mattered here this morning, the Big Horse, the Big Bay, the one and only early Derby favorite: Big Brown . He drew a crowd all morning at Barn 22, and there must have been 100 people trailing him as his exercise rider Michelle Nevin navigated him through the backside onto the Churchill Downs racetrack for the first time. Now, this is where...
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