Churchill Downs Notebook

CHURCHILL DOWNS NOTEBOOK

MAY 11, 2006

by Bernard T. Moore

The excitement that envelops Churchill Downs during Derby week is amazing. All of the hoopla and fanfare leading up to the Kentucky Derby (G1),

one of the greatest sports events in the world, builds momentum during the

week, reaching a fever pitch on Derby Day. The actual event

surpassed the anticipation, as the 132nd running of the world's most

recognizable Thoroughbred race is in the books.

Here's a recap of all the great graded stakes racing last week, including a

brief overview of the great race itself.

THURSDAY

The complexion of the Kentucky Breeders' Cup S. (G3) was altered dramatically

once Sequoia King (Forestry), the 2-1 race favorite, decided to take a left hand

turn leaving the starting gate. He was expected to be an integral part of the

early pace, but, as a result of this incident, would now have to do his best

running from the back of the pack.

Because of this unfortunate occurrence, DATRICK (Favorite Trick) and Sentry

(Silver Deputy), both trained by Steve Asmussen, slugged it out on the front

end. The former dueled his barnmate into defeat, and then slowly edged away in

deep stretch to win by 1 1/4-lengths. Pro Pink (Touch Gold), who raced in midpack early on, overcame a wide trip while reducing his deficit in the stretch to

get the place. Sentry bobbled a bit shortly after start, and was then hustled

along to dictate the pace. He eventually paid the price for his early efforts,

as be began weakening under pressure in deep stretch. Sequoia King did

remarkably well all things considered, finishing a respectable sixth. Who knows

if he could have won with a clean getaway?

FRIDAY

In the Aegon Turf Sprint S. (G3), MAN OF ILLUSION (Aus) (Encosta de Lago) was

all out to overtake Justice for Auston (Lit de Justice), but did eventually wear

down that rival to post a hard-earned neck decision. Making just his second U.S. start for trainer Patrick Biancone, the Australian-bred

five-year-old rated

off the pace before making his stretch bid. He was resolute in his pursuit of

the leader, outfinishing his rival late to win by a neck. What else can you say

except that Justice for Auston was simply an unlucky loser. A rank outsider in

the race at odds of 38-1, he hit the front in the vicinity of

the sixteenth pole, but just failed to last in an ultra-game performance. Atticus

Kristy (Atticus) finished with interest along the inside part of the course in

the stretch, but could not reach the top two finishers while suffering his

initial defeat over the Churchill Downs turf course.

Neither a modest early pace nor a bit of slow start served as a meaningful

deterrent for OONAGH MACCOOL (Giant's Causeway) in the Louisville Breeders' Cup

H. (G2) on Friday, as she solidified her status as one of the top fillies in the

country with an impressive 3 1/4-length victory. Once again, the Todd

Pletcher-trained runner failed to break alertly from the gate and raced in

fourth position down the backstretch. She began to level off nicely around the

far turn and with an eye-catching burst of speed, she engaged the pacesetting Capeside Lady (Cape Town) shortly after entering the stretch. She ran away from

that rival with a couple cracks of the whip by jockey Rafael Bejarano, and won

as much the best. La Reason (Labeeb [GB]) closed with good energy to complete

the Pletcher exacta, with Gallant Secret (Menifee) rallying to get third.

Capeside Lady tired to finish a well-beaten fifth. Sweet Symphony (A.P. Indy)

was one-paced throughout, and finished next-to-last in a dull effort.

The Crown Royal American Turf S. (G3), for three-year-olds at 1

1/16 miles on the grass, generated another heart-pounding finish when STREAM CAT

(Black Minnaloushe) rallied strongly from last to reel in 6-5 race favorite

Go Between (Point Given) and win by a neck.

Returning from an extended layoff, Stream Cat broke a tad slowly and then

appeared to bobble a bit breaking from the gate. He then took up residence at

the back of the pack, and subsequently found his best stride under the red-hot

apprentice rider Julien Leparoux leaving the far turn. As the field turned for

home, Go Between displaced the pacesetting Gaelic Storm (El Prado [Ire]) on the lead,

and appeared on his way to victory. However, Stream Cat was relentless in his

pursuit of the eventual second-place finisher, and outgamed that rival to

register his first graded stakes victory on turf. Gaelic Storm finished a

respectable third in his first start against winners.

An extremely quick early pace set the table nicely for a closer in the

Kentucky Oaks (G1). LEMONS FOREVER (Lemon Drop Kid), saddled with a tough outside

post, raced in 14th early on after breaking from her extreme

outside post. She commenced picking up horses one by one until she had finally

passed them all, registering a stunning upset in the Oaks.

With Miss Norman (Artax) carving out sprint-like fractions in the 1 1/8 mile

contest, you just knew that a come-from-behind type runner was going to have a

say in the outcome in the race. However, it was a bit difficult to land on

Lemons Forever. Regardless, Lemons Forever proved to be a worthy winner,

emerging victorious by 1 1/2 lengths. Ermine (Exchange Rate) closed from far

back as well to take down the place by 1 1/4 lengths over Bushfire (Louis

Quatorze), who was a prominent pace factor from the outset.

After the sophomore fillies had crossed the finish line, a stewards' inquiry

was conducted concerning the stretch run. They were particularly interested in

the actions of Bushfire in the stretch. Replays revealed that Bushfire had bumped Red Cherries Spin

(With Approval) several times, in addition to lugging

in under pressure. As a result of her actions in the stretch, Bushfire was

placed sixth. Wait a While (Maria's Mon) was a beneficiary of the disqualification,

being elevated from fourth to third.

Balance (Thunder Gulch), the 8-5 favorite, was a major

disappointment. She raced within striking distance down the backstretch, but had

to be ridden along by jockey Victor Espinoza to maintain her position

approaching the far turn. She offered little response and finished 11th.

Trainer David Hofmans stated that she was kicked in the race, thus stopping her

from performing at her best. While such an incident would certainly account for

her poor showing, this is her second consecutive disappointing finish since venturing

away from the friendly confines of Southern California. This is where I allow

you to draw your own conclusions.

SATURDAY

TRICKEY TREVOR (Demaloot Demashoot), who was beaten in an optional claiming

contest the last time he was entered in a sprint, relished a cutback in distance

in addition to rating tactics to score an upset in the Churchill Downs H. (G2).

Breaking alertly with regular ride Russell Baze in the saddle, the California-based runner

raced behind With Distinction (Storm Cat) and Battle Won (Honour and

Glory) as these two rivals knocked heads while dueling for the lead. Baze sent

the Jerry Hollendorfer-trained runner to the fore in the stretch, and eventually

drew clear to score by three lengths. With Distinction held on gamely once

displaced on the lead to finish second by a neck over a rallying Level Playingfield (Level Sands). Battle Won tired to fifth. Charging Indian

(Indian Charlie), bet down to 3-1, flashed brief speed and tired badly in a

disappointing effort.

JOINT EFFORT (Runaway Groom), whose recent form was nothing to write home

about, woke up in a big way on Saturday as she spoiled the return of Adieu (El

Corredor) in the La Troienne S. (G3). Saddled by Dale Romans, Joint Effort

rallied along the rail to get the lead in the stretch, and then drew clear to

win by 3 1/4 widening lengths. The aforementioned Adieu, who was shelved after

an abysmal performance in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last October,

closed from off the pace to finish second, with Smart n Pretty (Elusive Quality) 2

3/4 lengths farther behind in third.

The Churchill Distaff Turf Mile S. (G3) featured a rematch between Wend (Pulpit) and

MIRABILIS (Lear Fan). The two butted heads in the Jenny Wiley S. (G2) at Keeneland last month, with Wend getting the best of the California-based runner.

That would not be the case in the Distaff, as Mirabilis exacted her revenge upon

the even-money favorite, winning by a hard-fought length. Sitting just off of a

pedestrian pace, Mirabilis swept to the front leaving the far turn to amass a daylight

lead by midstretch. Under constant pressure from jockey Pat Valenzuela, she clung to her

advantage in deep stretch, as Special Grayce (Smart Strike) closed strongly

from the back-off-the-pack while racing wide to get the place by a neck over

the rallying More Than Promised (More Than Ready).

Wend raced one-paced

throughout and wound up a non-descript fourth. Lock and Key (Ire) (Key of Luck) was

wrangled back and forced to steady around the first turn. She dropped back into last, racing well behind a slow pace. The Irish-bred had

little choice but to rally widest of all in an attempt to improve her position

around the far turn and into the stretch. Understandably, she lacked the

necessary response late due to her wide trip and very questionable tactics by

jockey Alex Solis.

Trainer Bob Baffert sent out two runners in the Humana Distaff H. (G1),

4-5 favorite Behaving Badly (Pioneering) and PUSSYCAT DOLL (Real

Quiet), who was dispatched at 4-1. Who do you think won? I don't why, but the racing adage is to bet the

trainer's horse at the higher odds. That certainly was the

case on Saturday, with Pussycat Doll rallying smartly in the stretch to overhaul

the front-running Behaving Badly by a length. After disposing of pace nemesis

Bending Strings (American Chance) shortly after entering the stretch, Behaving

Badly was able to secure a one-length advantage. However, her barnmate was

beginning to close strongly and was going a bit better of the two, edging

away with a determined late surge. Bending Strings stalked the early pace and

continued on well in the stretch to finish third. Splendid Blended (Unbridled's

Song) showed speed while attending the early pace, but began to drop back

after a half-mile and ultimately checked in sixth as the 3-1 second choice in

the betting. Malibu Mint (Malibu Moon) suffered an awkward start, unseating jockey Leparoux as a result.

The apprentice rider returned to

ride later in the card.

In the race before the Kentucky Derby, ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike) stamped himself

as one the top grass horses in the country with a gritty head victory in the

Woodford Reserve Turf Classic S (G1). After tracking a soft early pace, English

Channel was able to wrestle the lead away from Cool Conductor (Stravinsky) in

deep stretch. He then held gamely on the lead, finishing three-quarters of a length in

front of Cacique (Ire) (Danehill). The second-place finisher also enjoyed a good

trip rating off the pace and had every chance to win once securing running room

in the stretch. He was slow to find his best stride, and never really

accelerated as anticipated, settling for second. Milk It Mick (GB) (Millkom

[GB]) finished a troubled third, lacking racing room while attempting to rally in

deep stretch. He was beaten 1 1/4 lengths and would have been closer, or

possibly won, with clear sailing. Gorella (Fr) (Grape Tree Road [GB]), a filly sent off at

5-1, raced in heavy traffic in the stretch while looking for a clear lane.

She never got it and finished fifth by a nose over the pacesetting Cool

Conductor.

If you did not witness the 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby in

person or on television, too bad. You missed was one of the greatest

performances in Kentucky Derby history as BARBARO (Dynaformer) kept

his unbeaten record intact with a smashing 6 1/2-length victory.

Since I believe that most everyone either saw the race live or on tape, I

feel that words simply will not do justice to Barbaro's performance. I will only

say that his race on Saturday was simply awesome. Returning from a five-week layoff, he left the competition for dead in the stretch. His ability to

carry out the task at hand, no matter what circumstances he is confronted with, continues to be mind-boggling.

As for the others, Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat), who had fallen out of favor

with handicappers after a very subpar effort in the Blue Grass S. (G1),

finished with good energy to take down the place at odds of 30-1 in a much

improved effort. Steppenwolfer (Aptitude) closed well for the show, with Jazil

(Seeking the Gold) and Brother Derek (Benchmark) finishing on even terms to

dead-heat for fourth. Sweetnorthernsaint (Sweetsouthernsaint), the 5-1 lukewarm

favorite in the wagering, made a bold move along the inside down the backstretch

to reach contention, but lacked any further response and finished seventh.

Speed ruled over the main track when racing returned on Tuesday. Off the pace

runners held a slight edge on Wednesday, with the track returning to normal on

Thursday. The track continued to play uniformly on Kentucky Oaks Day and Derby

Day.

The inside paths held an advantage on Tuesday, with the track playing fairly

the rest of the week. There did not appear to be any discernible running style

bias over the turf course all week.

Leparoux, a five-pound apprentice rider, has gained the top spot in

the jockey standings. He leads Rafael Bejarano by six victories, with

Rene Douglas and Garrett Gomez tied for third in the standings.

Romans and Pletcher share the top spot in the trainer standings, with Biancone rounding out the top three.

HORSES TO WATCH

Tuesday (5/2)

1ST – JUST GLISTEN (GLITTERMAN) finished a good third returning to a sprint

off the shelf.

Finished with interest over a track favoring speed. Can improve off this

comeback effort.

9TH – FIRST ENCORE (More than Ready) failed to sustain her rally into the

stretch after enduring a bit of a wide trip in her start against winners.

Appears to have the ability to show progress off her initial effort over the

Churchill Downs main track.

Wednesday (5/3)

4TH – SIDE SPLITTER (Distorted Humor), who dropped in class off the layoff,

turned in an improved showing.

He was able to carry his speed much farther while vying for the lead over a track

playing favorably to runners from off the pace. Fits well at this new claiming

level and should have gained valuable conditioning from this effort.

5TH - REIGNING COURT (Glitterman) was a bad actor prior to the start.

Exhibited surprise speed to contest a lively pace and held well late for second.

Will need time to recoup from this taxing effort, but showed marked improvement

returning to Churchill, where he broke his maiden at first asking.

Thursday (5/4)

5TH – DARE (More Than Ready) dictated a very enterprising pace adding

blinkers off a brief respite. Gave way readily when displaced on the front end,

and would benefit from some class relief and a cutback in distance.

9TH - Sequoia King lost all chance at the start when he veered

sharply toward the inside rail. Dropped back to last as a result of this

incident and did well to finish in midpack. Might be equipped with blinkers in

his next start to combat his lack of seasoning.

Friday (5/5)

2ND – SISTER BAY (Acceptable) turned in a decent third-place finish off the shelf.

Rallied to loom a dangerous presence in the stretch, but failed to kick in it

late. Should definitely have gained beneficial conditioning from this effort and

prefers to sit closer to the front end.

5TH - KITTY HAWK (GB) (Danehill Dancer) lost valuable early position after an eventful start. She was then hindered by a wide trip when rallying and did well

to finish fourth in her first race off a layoff. Remains eligible for much

softer competition and both of her victories have come at a flat mile.

10TH - Balance has flopped badly in both starts outside of

California. Raced in good position early, but came up empty when asked to

improve her position.

Saturday (5/6)

6TH - Adieu offered a fine comeback effort off a long layoff. Raced

farther off the pace than usual and closed with good energy to grab the place in

a swiftly run race. Probably is most effective sprinting while racing on or near

the lead.

7TH – Lock and Key may have been best when compromised by a troubled

trip and an inexplicable ride. Forced to rally widest of all from last place off

a pedestrian pace. Did well to finish fifth in an effort than is better than it

appears on paper.

10TH – SHOWING UP (Strategic Mission) finished an extremely creditable sixth despite his lack of seasoning and experience. Chased a lively pace and held well

until midstretch in a race that finished up well late. Can continue to show

progress, especially if given time to recoup from this strenuous showing.