The 136th Derby: Pretenders, Maybes and Contenders - by Greg Melikov

Handicapping the Kentucky Derby isn’t an easy task. You must have a battle plan. I start by eliminating runners, based on credentials and recent form, plus some variables each year.

Speed that often produces outstanding performances in Derby preps figures in the mix prominently. For example, Bellamy Road roared to a 17 ½-length victory in the ’05 Wood Memorial, equaling the Aqueduct record of 1:47 for 1 1/8 miles on the main track set by Riva Ridge as a 4-year-old back in 1973. Big Brown scored by five lengths in the ’08 Florida Derby.

Both horses led their final two preps at every call and won by big margins. Bellamy Road averaged 16 ½ lengths while Big Brown averaged more than 8 ¾ lengths.

Both horses were favored over 19 others at Louisville, but the results were quite different. Bellamy Road never got the lead, gained second in the stretch, but faded to seventh. Big Brown came from sixth to put his head in front after a mile and won by 4 ¾ lengths.

Some horses can’t change their running style while others with tactical speed can.

So as ring announcer Michael Buffer aptly puts it before a boxing match: Let’s get ready to rumble.

In this corner, we have the pretenders. They include one-hit wonders. Horses with only one triumph in their career seldom score in the Derby. So say goodbye to:

Paddy O’Prado, runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes that only visited the winner’s circle once and that was on grass.

Make Music for Me, with a lone triumph at a mile on the turf, only hit the board once in four tries at 1 1/16 miles or longer – all on synthetic surfaces.

Only four 3-year-olds in the past 48 years smelled the roses after failing to finish in the money in their final prep. So long Noble Promise, fifth in the Arkansas Derby, and Discreetly Mine, fourth in the Louisiana Derby. However, Noble Promise has a shot at 12-1 to hit the board as he did in seven other outings for a 3-3-1 record.

How about those runners that haven’t won or performed well on dirt?

Adios, Dean’s Kitten, successful twice on turf, and Stately Victor, the Blue Grass victor that never scored in three attempts on dirt.

Stamina is important for a horse going 10 furlongs. That’s why I’m dropping those that indicate they don’t want to travel further than a mile:

Backtalk, with a victory in the slop at a mile, was beaten 14 lengths in the Illinois Derby on a fast Hawthorne track in a slow time.

American Lion, winner of Hawthorne’s showcase race, won’t get the lead at Churchill Downs because there are a slew of wanna-be-front-runners. His time was three seconds slower than several major preps. In addition, his other two triumphs were at a mile on grass.

Conveyance, who likes to be in front, won twice at eight furlongs, but couldn’t hold up at 1 1/8 miles in the Sunland Derby.

Dublin could run a big race off three preps in which he finished no worse than third, but hasn’t won a single route in five trips.

Homeboykris hasn’t raced since February, last won at a mile in October and finished fifth in his only attempt at nine furlongs.

In this corner, we have the Maybes, who could hit the board despite an “if” or two:

Devil May Care was impressive in her only route victory, but it was against five girls. Taking on a full field of boys is a tall order.

Jackson Bend chased the scratched Eskendereya home twice this year, but last won in December at 1 1/16 miles. However, he has hit the board in all nine starts.

Line of David, victorious in his debut on dirt in the Louisiana Derby, needs an equally game effort a furlong longer. He’s best with the lead from the break that includes two victories on the grass. However, only two winners went wire-to-wire in the last 22 years.

Mission Impazible hasn’t raced since capturing the Louisiana Derby on March 10. The time was very slow and the 13-horse field sends only the fourth-place finisher to Louisville.

In this corner, we have the major Contenders:

Awesome Act won the Gotham, but digressed a bit in the Wood, running third in his third outing at an American track. The son of Awesome Again, among several bred to get the distance, breezed six furlongs in a bullet 1:12 3/5 on April 20.

Ice Box could become the third Florida Derby champ in five years to triumph. The No. 2 post shouldn’t hinder this come-from-behind winner with two route victories breaking from the rail.

Sidney’s Candy was unbeatable in three stakes this year at Santa Anita and led at every call. But the early 5-1 second choice is making his first start on dirt breaking from the outside 20^th post. Last Saturday’s bullet 1:11 3/5 in the slop for six furlongs shows he can handle an off track. The big question is -- can he handle a contested pace?

Super Saver, with a firm foundation as a juvenile like my top selection, can stick with a hot pace off his in-the-money performances in two preps beaten less than a total of three-quarters of length. Post 4 is fine – he won by seven lengths from there in the slop at a mile as a 2-year-old. The price is right: 15-1.

Favored Lookin at Lucky is the class of the 136^th Derby despite several troubled trips. The early morning 3-1 odds may not go down since he drew the dreaded inside hole, but he has won twice from there. The son of Smart Strike is not only as game as thoroughbreds come, but has tactical speed and the correct running style to win – and will. He’s also my key horse in exotics along with Super Saver.

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Exotic Bettors Reap Big Bucks on Derby Day - by Greg Melikov

Exotic wagers on Kentucky Derby Day often reward horseplayers with big payoffs. The last decade has been out-of-sight by any standards. The average return on a successful $2 exacta bet was $1,547.

Compare that to the median payout at the fall Churchill Down meeting during the first 28 days of November: $117.

A couple of major tracks that just ended their meets had even lesser return on a $2 investment, according to Brisnet.com. Gulfstream Park’s exactas from Jan. 3 to April 18 averaged slightly more than $107. Aqueduct’s payoffs from Dec. 26 through April 21 fell short of $67.

Naturally, when the favorite wins the exotics aren’t as lucrative. The lowest Derby exacta the past 10 years came in 2000 when 2-1 favorite Fusaichi Pegasus combined with sixth choice Aptitude for $60.

Ah, but in ’05 when longshots Giacomo and Closing Argument ran 1-2, the exacta was the highest in a decade: $9,814.80. Last year’s return wasn’t bad, thanks to Mine That Bird and Pioneer of the Nile: $2,074.80.

Derby Day trifectas during the same time span averaged a whopping $22,263. Last fall during most of November the average return at Churchill Downs was $1,075.08.

This season at Gulfstream winning trifectas averaged less than $436 while Aqueduct was a bit better -- more than $475.

D-Day in 2003 was exceptionally rewarding for me. It started March 16 when I placed a $2 futures bet on Funny Cide.

On May 3, I started out having a good afternoon with exotic wagers on the Churchill Downs card viewing the races at Retama Park a brief gallop north of San Antonio. I hit several exactas.

Since I was rooting for Funny Cide in the Derby, I put him on top in a $1 trifecta with Empire Maker and Ten Most Wanted. Underneath in the second slot I included Funny Cide and Empire Maker with two others, plus Peace Rules and a couple in third. The cost: $23. I also bet $2 to win on Funny Cide.

Funny Cide rewarded me with $27.60 that afternoon. My futures bet paid $120.80. The $23 trifecta returned $332.40.

The smallest $2 trifecta this century was in ’00: $435. Next lowest was in ’07 when winner Street Sense and runner-up Hard Spun combined for $440. The largest payoff: $133,134.80 in ’05.

When it comes to superfectas on D-Day, the rewards are startling, stunning, stupendous. They averaged $192,863.

Large fields have produced the enormous payoffs. The number of starters over the past 10 years is 18.7. Four times there were 20-horse fields. The least number of starters was 16 in ’03.

Another contributing factor is most everyone loves to wager on the Derby, and many are uniformed and bet on names, numbers and even colors.

Last November at the Kentucky track, superfectas averaged half-a-buck more than $10,055. Compare that to this year’s $3,573.66 at Aqueduct and $2,584.40 at Gulfstream.

Catch these mammoth numbers for a $2 Derby tri: $864,253.30 in ’05 and $557,006.40 in ’09.

Even when the favorite wins, the payoff is quite good. Though top choice Big Brown was on top in ’08, the superfecta returned $58,737.80.

No matter what type of exotic wager you make, the road to success often hinges on a key horse. Recent form is a significant ingredient of any betting formula in selecting the winner.

When the Derby field is 20, you probably will have to select two or three horses to include in trifectas and superfectas.

Why exotics? Well, a creative reporter that attributed these words to prolific bank robber Willie Sutton when asked why he robbed banks supplies the answer: “That’s where the money is.”

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2010 Kentucky Derby

This coming Saturday, May 1^st, the 2010 horse racing season is officially underway as all eyes will be focused on Churchhill Downs for the running of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the 136^th Kentucky Derby. The most exciting two minutes in sports is sure to draw a who’s who of celebrities and other VIP’s fortunate enough to hold a ticket for the highly anticipated event. We can be sure that the gallery will be filled with bold faced names looking to be seen and hoping that their favorites will come out victorious.

Dozens of horses and owners were hoping to participate but not all could and the field is now set. Below is a list of this year’s entrants.

American Lion
Awesome Act
Conveyance
Dean’s Kitten
Discreetly Mine
Dublin
Endorsement
Homeboykris
Ice Box
Interactif
Jackson Bend
Line of David
Lookin At Lucky
Make Music for Me
Mission Impazible
Noble’s Promise
Paddy O’Prado
Rule
Setsuko
Sidney’s Candy
Stately Victor
Super Saver Jockey Calvin Borel

Notably absent from the list is the horse regarded by many experts to be this year’s favorite, Eskendereya.
Eskendereya was scratched over the weekend due to what trainer Todd Pletcher calls a non career-threatening calf injury. As a result of the pullout, the race is open to a whole host of other contenders. Leading the new pack of hopefuls is Bob Baffert’s prized pupil, Conveyance. According to a statement on Baffert’s own website, his entries are “At Lucky, Bob Baffert’s pair of contenders, looked razor sharp as they turned in impressive workouts at Churchill Downs on Apr. 21. Both colts went to the track at approximately 8:30 a.m., during a period when the track is restricted to only Derby or Kentucky Oaks horses. Southwest (G3) winner Conveyance, whose runner-up finish to Endorsement in the Sunland Derby (G2) was his only career loss, worked five furlongs in a swift :58.60, which was the best of 22 at the distance and the only work timed faster than one minute. Jockey Calvin Borel was in the saddle aboard Conveyance.

Lookin At Lucky, America’s reigning 2-year-old champion, was strong in a six-furlong work over “fast” footing in 1:12. Regular exercise rider Dana Barnes was up for the move, which was also the fastest at the distance.”

As post time approaches, check back often for updated lines, storylines and background information.

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Kentucky Derby Fact Sheet - by Brobury Sports

Churchill Downs
Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Inaugurated 1875
Race type - Thoroughbred
Sponsor Yum! Brands

Distance - 1¼ miles (10 furlongs)

Track - Dirt, Left-handed
Qualification - 3-year-old
Weight Colt/Gelding: 126 lbs (57.2 kg)
Filly: 121 lbs. (54.9 kg)
Purse - US$2 million

Fastest Time

1:59.40 - Secretariat (1973)

Longest shot to win the Derby

$92.40 to 1 - Donerail (1913)

Jockeys with Most Derby Wins

5 - Eddie Arcaro (1938, 1941, 1945, 1948, 1952)

5 - Bill Hartack (1957, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1969)

Most Trainer Wins

6 - Ben A. Jones (1938, 1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952)

Winningest Owners

8 - Calumet Farm (1941, 1944, 1948, 1949, 1952, 1957, 1958, 1968)

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Churchill Downs Rules - by Brobury Sports

The Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in one of the longest running sporting events in the world, sporting a 136 year history. Each year, thousands come to watch the event and most leave with lifelong memories. Much like the Master in golf, the Kentucky Derby has a set of rules and guidelines, further distinguishing it from any other racing event. Below is a list of rules and regulations that all visitors to Churchill Downs must follow.

Dress Code

Part of the allure of attending the Kentucky Derby is that it is a place to be seen, the event is a place where the attire makes almost as many headlines as the action itself. Women sporting fabulous hats and dresses and men looking their absolute best is commonplace. Below is a description of their strict dress code.

Spectators in the Jockey Club, Finish Line suites Aristides & Stakes rooms, and the Turf Club are required to dress as business casual. Don’t even think about showing up wearing any type of denim, jeans, shorts or tennis shoes as all are strictly prohibited. According to Churchill Downs, business casual is all of the following:

Jackets and Blazers
Vests, collard shirts, and sweaters
Dresses
Pantsuits
Slacks

The more well-heeled patrons may find themselves watching the festivities from

Millionaires Row, Matt Winn Dining Room and premium indoor box seats. Their clothing restrictions are somewhat eased as they are asked to dress in casual attire. Churchill Downs describes casual attire as follows:

Jackets optional, Blazers
Vests, collared shirts, and sweaters
Dresses, Pantsuits
Slack, golf shorts, dress shorts, dress jeans, and capris

Race Day Times

For the featured races, the gates for Churchill Downs open at 8:00 a.m. with the first race taking place at 11AM. The Kentucky Derby begins at 6:04 p.m. and the last race is at 7:27 p.m.

Rules and Guidelines

As previously mentioned, Kentucky Derby spectators are required to follow several rules and regulations or risk expulsion from the grounds. All bags brought in are subject to search by security staff.

What you can bring

Baby Bags
Binoculars, cameras and camcorders
Blankets
Cellular Phones
Chairs
Packed lunches and food items in clear plastic bags or containers
Purses
Strollers
Small Radios, TV’s, CD players
Tarpaulins

What you can’t bring
Alcoholic beverages
Briefcases, backpacks, luggage pieces, or duffel bags
Bottles and cans (beverages and lotion containers)
Coolers
Grills
Thermoses
Umbrellas
Weapons (of any kind, including scissors and knives)
Wagons

The rules are simple and straightforward. Adhere to them and you will enjoy your time at the event without a hitch.

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How Much Kentucky Derby Trivia Do You Know? - Greg Melikov

A little Derby trivia music please: “The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky Home.”

With more than 13 decades to draw upon, here are 13 multiple-choice questions to test your Kentucky Derby knowledge. Get 10 or more correct and you go to the head of the class. Answers are at the end.

1) Which of these famous horses didn’t win the Derby?

a) Seattle Slew

b) Whirlaway

c) Gallant Fox

d) Seabiscuit

2) Who was the only president to attend the Derby while in office?

a) John F. Kennedy

b) Lyndon B. Johnson

c) Richard M. Nixon

d) Franklin D. Roosevelt

3) In what years were the Derby and Preakness staged on the same day?

a) 1898 and 1900

b) 1906 and 1908

c) 1917 and 1922

d) 1942 and 1943

4) Who was the oldest jockey at age 54 to win the Derby?

a) Eddie Arcaro

b) Bill Shoemaker

c) Earl Sande

d) Charles Kurtzinger

5) Who was the first woman to ride in the Derby?

a) Patricia Cooksey

b) Julie Krone

c) Diane Crump

d) Rosemary Homeister Jr.

6) How many winners have gone wire-to-wire?

a) 20

b) 22

c) 30

d) 37

7) How many fillies have captured America’s Race?

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

d) 5

8) How many horses finished the 1 ¼ miles under two minutes?

a) 2

b) 3

c) 4

d) 5

9) In what year did the largest win payoff of $184.90 occur?

a) 1913

b) 1918

c) 1923

d) 2005

10) When was the Derby first televised?

a) 1948

b) 1950

c) 1952

d) 1953

11) In what year did the largest on-track crowd of 163,628 show up?

a) 1973

b) 1974

c) 1978

d) 1979

12) Who was the only winning horse disqualified?

a) Dancer’s Image

b) Forward Pass

c) Francie’s Hat

d) T. V. Commercial

13) What was the smallest win payoff for $2?

a) $2.60

b) $2.80

c) $3.20

d) $3.40

Answers to Derby trivia questions follow:

1) d: Seabiscuit never ran in the Kentucky Derby or other legs of the Triple Crown.

2) c: Seven presidential candidates that were elected watch the race in person, but only Richard Nixon was in Louisville as a sitting president – ‘’68 and ‘’69.

3) c: On May 12, 1917 and May 13, 1922.

4) b: Bill Shoemaker was 54 when he rode Ferdinand to victory in ’86.

5) c: Diane Crump was aboard Fathom in ’70 and finished 15th in a 17-horse field.

6) b: War Emblem in ’03 was the latest of 22 wire-to-wire winners.

7) b: Winning Colors, last of three winning fillies in ’88.

8) a: Secretariat in ’73 and Monarchos in ’01.
9) a: Donerail rewarded backers the year before World War I broke out.

10) c: CBS broadcast the first network-televised Kentucky Derby on May 3, 1952, which was won by Hill Gail.

11) b: In ’74 when Cannonade triumphed.

12) a: Dancer’s Image was placed 14^th and last behind runner-up Forward Pass in ’68 when traces of phenylbutazone, known as bute, were found in his post-race urinalysis. The drug was legal at some tracks, but not at Churchill Downs at the time. The anti-inflammatory drug is now legal in Kentucky.

13) b: Count Fleet in ’43 and Citation, coupled with runner-up Coaltown, in ’48 returned $2.80 on the front end. Both won the Triple Crown.

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Making the Derby Is a Game of Numbers Across the Board - Greg Melikov

Horses are waiting in the wings for D-Day -- April 28. That’s when the post-position draw for the 136^th Derby is scheduled.

However, No. 21 on the graded stakes earnings list will be waiting on the sidelines. Uh Oh Bango, fourth in the Arkansas Derby, came out of the race with a fractured

left-front cannon bone, will have surgery this week and be out of action from four to six months.

Jackson Bend with $230,000 advances to next in line. All interested parties in his camp were awaiting word from trainer Ken McPeek about his Noble Promise, No. 2 on the list. A maximum of 20 horses can run in the Kentucky Derby, but graded stakes determines who makes the field.

The son of Cuvee, fifth at Oaklawn Park on April 10, endured a horrible trip. “He came out of it with several cuts and scrapes (on both front legs),” McPeek said shortly after the race, plus a “slight lung infection.”

He was treated with antibiotics and how long it takes to heel will determine his status, McPeek said. Apparently, the horse is a quick healer.

On Monday, the Derby chances of Noble’s Promise were 50-50. On Tuesday, Kelly Colliver, one of the managing partners of Chasing Dreams Racing, told BloodHorse.com, “Some of the cuts were significant, but not as deep as we originally thought.”

In fact, she and other members of the racing syndicate were “overspoiling him with mints” and giving him lots of attention at McPeek’s farm. “He’s feeling well and he spent some time in the round pen today with the sunshine on his back,” Colliver said. “He’s healed up nicely.”

Nicely, indeed, and the colt is being shipped to Churchill Downs.

That’s bad good news for Backtalk, No. 22 on the earnings list with $225,916, who finished third in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne on April 3.

Last year, the No 20, Nowhere to Hide, got in with only $55,500. He ran 17^th out of 19 runners to Mine That Bird.

In 2008, Denis of Cork was the last horse to make the race with $165,000 despite a few late defections. He ran third to Big Brown in a 20-horse field. Imawildandcrazyguy drew in with $104,000 in ’08 when 20 also ran, finishing fourth to Street Sense.

Back in ’03, Ten Cents a Shine slipped in with a meager $46,240 and only 16 were entered. He ran eighth behind Funny Cide.

The largest field came more than a decade before starters were limited to 20 in ’86 when Ferdinand roared home in front. In ’74, favored Cannonade was the winner in a 23-horse field.

There have been 20 starters nine times, including four consecutive years ending in ’08. There were 19 in the race six years, including five times since ’95 when Thunder Gulch scored.

Winners the past 22 years are 11 each breaking from post 9 and in as well as post 10 and outward.

Only two post positions have failed to produce the Derby champ – 18 and 19.

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Greg Melikov’s Horses to Watch

Horses worth watching, a list of runners compiled by handicapper/turf writer Greg Melikov that should improve significantly or do well next time out, won eight times, finished second once and ran third twice since Feb. 27. These thoroughbreds are worth considering when developing your wagering strategy for online betting or at your favorite track.

AQUEDUCT

O’sotopretty: Raced sixth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, swung four wide from fifth into stretch, rallied to make up 2 ½ lengths and gained second by a nose at six furlongs on April 8; ran final quarter in 24 seconds.

Star of New York: Settled 1 ½ lengths behind dueling leaders after a half-mile, lost ground entering stretch, rallied inside eighth pole to make up 2 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at a mile and 70 yards on the inner track March 19. (Pressed the pace three wide in third two lengths behind after a half-mile, took the lead in stretch and drew clear to win by 1 ¼ lengths at a mile on April 7.)

Western Deed: Bumped at break, stumbled, repeatedly exchanged bumps with rival to first turn, raced 7 ½ lengths behind in seventh after a half-mile, dropped to eighth and last after six furlongs, rode rail into stretch, closed from sixth to make up 2 ½ lengths on second place foe and gained place by a neck at a mile and 70 yards on Feb. 4.

Chaysen’ Alex: Raced fifth early, dropped to sixth more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung wide for drive and gained third by a head at six furlongs on the inner track March 6. (Broke a bit slowly sixth and last, swung four wide into stretch and rallied from fourth to gain second by a neck at six furlongs on a sealed muddy surface on April 17.)

Kissa Melissa: Broke seventh and last, raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, circle four wide to third in stretch and closed steadily to win by a head at six furlongs on Feb. 21. (Prompted pace two heads behind in third after a hall-mile, roused in stretch, gained lead and drew off in hand to win by 2 ¼ lengths at six furlongs on a good surface March 12.)

EVANGELINE DOWNS

I Fly: Raced seven lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, rallied from fifth in stretch to make up more than four lengths and finished second beaten a half-length at six furlongs on April 9.

Blondie’s Meadow: Raced 6 ½ lengths behind in fifth after a half-mile, advanced entering stretch and gained second by a half-length at 6 ½ furlongs on March 17 at Delta Downs. Pressed pace a half-length behind in second after a half-mile, dueled with leaded down the stretch and won by a half-length at a mile and 70 yards on April 7; returned $10.40 on front end.)

GULFSTREAM PARK

En Fuego: Raced more than 4 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, bumped and steadied between rivals entering far turn, closed well in stretch to make up more than 2 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten three-quarters of a length and a nose at 1 3/8 miles on a good turf course March 31.

It’s About Image: Raced more than three lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced four wide around turn to fourth in stretch, rallied to make up nearly two lengths and finished second nosed out at a mile on March 31. (Bumped rival at break, chased pace three wide in second four lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied to take over lead leaving turn, drew clear in stretch and won by two lengths at a mile on April 15.)

Manhattan Fox: Broke slowly seventh and last, trailed by more than five lengths after a half-mile, swung out for stretch run, then angled in between rivals to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at a mile on the turf; zipped final quarter in 22 3/5. (Stalked pace 4 ½ lengths behind in third after a half-mile, eased out on far turn losing ground, staged mild rally in stretch and gained third by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 10.)

Alluring Power: Broke on top, set pace two lengths in front after a half-mile, dug in game in mid-stretch leading by a head and weakened, but held second by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf Feb. 22. (Stalked pace a length back in second after a half-mile, caught leader at eighth pole and edged away to win by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 9.)

HAWTHORNE

Next Adventure: Ducked out early, bumped third place finisher, dropped to sixth and last more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, saved ground along rail into stretch, railed to make up nearly two lengths and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on March 17; ran final quarter in 23 3/5.

Wild Expectations: Broke inward bumping rival, raced eighth early, advanced to seventh more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, swung six wide for the drive, rallied from sixth to make up three lengths in stretch and finished second beaten a neck at six furlongs on Feb. 13; ran final quarter in 23 seconds. (Tracked pace in fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, responded to left handed urging turning for home and closed to win by a neck at six furlongs on March 6.)

KEENELAND

Grassy: Raced seventh more than six lengths behind after a half-mile, dropped to ninth and last after six furlongs, split rivals in mid-stretch, angled out from seventh for a clear path, closed fast to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished second beaten three-quarters of a length at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 8.

Guys Reward: Raced more than 8 ½ lengths behind in eighth after a half-mile, advanced to fifth after six furlongs, lost ground going five wide into stretch, rallied to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a neck and a nose at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 2.

LONE STAR PARK

Onacat: Raced sixth early, lost ground on first turn, dropped to eighth more than 8 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied and blocked at top of stretch to the eighth pole, moved inside, made up more than two lengths, dueled and finished second beaten a head at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 10.

PHILADELPHIA PARK

Naughty and Bold: Raced sixth early, dropped to seventh more than 3 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, moved up between rivals to fifth in stretch, closed gamely along rail to make up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at seven furlongs on March 15.

PIMLICO

Robey’s Choice: Raced more than 18 lengths behind in 10^th after a half-mile, moved up between rivals making up more than 9 ½ lengths after six furlongs, swung five wide entering stretch, rallied from seventh to make up more than 4 ¼ lengths and gained second by 1 ¾ lengths at 1 1/16 miles on the turf April 18.

SANTA ANITA PARK

Lookin at Lucky: Bothered at break, raced fifth early, jumped heels of rival when runner-up came out nearing a half-mile, dropped to sixth more than 4 ½ lengths behind after four furlongs, advanced four wide turning for home and closed fast in stretch to win by a head at 1 1/16 miles on March 13. (Raced third early, squeezed back entering first turn, raced fourth more than two lengths behind after a half-mile, steadied and shuffled back again midway on far turn, looked for room in stretch, split rivals in mid-stretch, angled in and finished third by 1 ¼ lengths at 1 1/8 miles on April 3 in worst trip of Kentucky Derby preps.)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

Tarva: Raced 7 ½ lengths behind in sixth after a half-mile, blocked through far turn and into stretch losing a bit of ground, slipped through inside from fourth and finished a game third beaten a neck and 1 ¼ lengths at about 1 1/8 miles on the turf April 2.

Debbie’s Fast Girl: Raced more than 6 ½ lengths behind in ninth after a half-mile, blocked in far turn dropping to 10th and last, swung outside for the drive, rallied from eighth to make up more than 3 ½ lengths in stretch and gained third by a half-length at 1 1/16 miles on a good turf course Jan. 30. (Raced eighth more than five lengths behind after a half-mile, angled outside leaving far turn, closed fast from fourth in stretch and won by three-quarters of a length at 1 1/8 miles on a good turf course Feb. 27; returned $15.20 on front end.)

TURF PARADISE

Lucky B Lou: Raced eighth more than 7 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, eased out in upper stretch, closed late to make up more than 3 ¼ lengths and finished third beaten a nose and three-quarters of a length at a mile on April 2.

Danzip: Went right to the front, led by a length after a half-mile, drew off in stretch by 5 ½ lengths and cruised to 13 ½-length victory under mild hand urging at six furlongs on Jan. 31; covered distance in 1:08 2/5. (Went to front, led by a length after a half-mile, increased margin to 2 ½ lengths in stretch and drew off under mild urging to win by five lengths at six furlongs on March 12.)

WOODBINE

Medidocihospisurg: Raced sixth and last more than 4 ½ lengths behind after a half-mile, rallied wide in stretch, made up 4 ½ lengths and finished second beaten a neck at five furlongs on April 9.

Stormy Cruise: Raced more than three lengths behind in eighth after three-eighths of a mile, rallied six wide into stretch, made up more than two lengths and finished third beaten a half-length and a neck at five furlongs on April 2.

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