Final Comments

Tuesday - April 28, 2009

For the 1st time since we arrived on Saturday the weather has taken a turn to wet and isn't supposed to change anytime real soon for the next few days. This really didn’t affect anything on the track as it stayed fast for the most part during the training hours of the Derby contenders. One addition for yesterdays report was a 5/8's drill for Take The Points and Todd Pletcher's grey who is now in the Derby if he chooses to run. The workout was fine as the stride, time and movement of the colt allowed him to dispose of his stable mate inside the 1/8 pole with a comfortable winning margin of 2 lengths near the wire. As for today, Regal Ransom the leading graded stakes earner of the field was 1st out and galloped an energetic mile with a noseband and martingale on to contain the high spirited runner once he was let loose from the pony. Next, his stable mate Desert Party exuded class with his neck arched and 2 rear legs off the ground momentarily as he was let loose for his routine gallop.

Papa Clem made his 1st appearance since his final breeze a healthy one with nothing out of place for his gallop. General Quarters continues to add to the intrigue as he does appear ready to finish the right way with some extra size and dimension to him that he has developed at the right time. I was present at Churchill when he broke his maiden for a tag and I only wish I had a picture to flash the amount of body and weight he has put on since the summer.

Musket Man looks just so so again. Hold Me Back appears well named as he required that from his rider to be contained as he is razor sharp still today. Westside Bernie appeared to be a bit sluggish at times but he is made of iron as I saw him train for the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita without taking much down time at all. He is well put together physically. Mr Hot Stuff was ponied for a mile jog on the fence and his ears were pricked with plenty of bounce to him right off the plane. The final worker for the Derby was I Want Revenge and he went a 1/2 in 47.1 with a final 1/4 of 23.2. Joe Talamo was the pilot and he didn’t ask the colt at all at any point which pleased his trainer Jeff Mullins who was right down from me timing the workout. The only missing piece now is Dunkirk who arrives on the grounds at lunchtime. We will try to catch as much of him in the next couple days as possible but I have been told that there wont be much for us to see so if you like this colt I would say stick with him as he is a major fit off his races. Derby Draw is tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. local time.

Hold Me Back worked 5/8's with Kent D. in the saddle and toyed with his stablemate Flying Warrior going the last 3/8's in 35.2 the right way.  Square Eddie went a light 1/2 in 50.1 with the out time of 103.3 and Doug Oneill was in the stands to view the work with his brother Dennis.  For the Oaks-----Rachel Alexandra brings chills to anyone who lays eyes on her right now and Gabbys Golden Gal looks to give her a threat off a solid 5/8's with a huge head low gallop out in 100.2.  We have a huge next couple of days and will be on the scene when the track opens here at Churchill Downs on Monday morning at 6:00 a.m.

Saturday - April 25, 2009

Perhaps the only thing missing from legendary Churchill Downs today on my 1st day back to Louisville in a year to the day was the voice of my friend Luke making the announcements as he so cordially did on a daily basis under the Twin Spires year after year.

Mark Johnson is now behind the microphone and his first couple of calls were spot on here today so he is off to the right start as the new announcer for 2009 and beyond.  We were on hand this morning for all the Derby and Oaks contenders who trained for their respective races during training hours beginning at 6:00 a.m.  The action is starting to heat up with the contenders so lets hope we have arrived in time to help ya all Case The Race come Friday and Saturday. First, Rachael Alexandra looks nothing short of brilliant on the track and best wishes trying to beat her in the Oaks.  Gabbys Golden Gal will try to do just that for Bob Baffert as she might be ready for the race of her life based on her body language over the track today.  Now, for your Kentucky Derby candidates who worked and galloped today, based on all the variables that go into a huge workout lets say that the Dubai shippers both kind of stole the show here Saturday morning.  Regal Ransom went in the cover of darkness making it a bit difficult to fully see his finish visually but lets say that 59.1 on a tiring track finishing with high energy was perhaps the 2nd best work of the day only to be eclipsed by Desert Party who worked a couple of hours later.  The latter was brillaint timewise as he went the last 1/4 in 22.2 on my watch and it will be a surprise if we see a faster finish for 5/8's completed also in 59 flat.  We have busy mornings ahead of us for the upcoming week and look forward to trying to point the arrow up and down for all handicappers out there on the remaining contenders who are all lined up to work and school in the paddock in the next few days.