Request For Parole Breezes; Bailey To Ride For O'Brien
April 17, 2002

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 17, 2002) - Sam and Jeri Knighton's Request For Parole, the winner of the John Battaglia Memorial and a close third in the Lane's End Spiral (GII) at Turfway Park, worked five furlongs Wednesday at Churchill Downs in preparation for the 128th Kentucky Derby on May 4.

The 3-year-old son of Judge T C, who is trained by Steve Margolis, breezed the distance in 1:02.40 over a "fast" track under jockey Loren Diego. Churchill Downs clockers caught the colt in fractions of 25.20 and :49.60 and he galloped out six furlongs in 1:16.40. It was the second breeze for Request For Parole since his narrow loss to Perfect Drift in the March 23 Lane's End Spiral.

"It looked like the track was a little on the deep side, but he handled it good and the boy felt like he galloped out good and strong - so we're in good shape," said Margolis. "We'll work him back one more time, maybe going three-quarters in eight or nine days, and then we'll lead him over there (for the Derby)."

Margolis elected to skip last week's Toyota Blue Grass (GI) at Keeneland and train Request For Parole up to the Derby - a plan that will give the colt a six-week gap between the races. Request For Parole bounced back slowly from his front-running effort at Turfway, but Margolis said he's doing well now.

"He's eating good and back in his tub," said Margolis. "The way the race set up wasn't the way he's used to running. He kind of had to run from the get-go and I think it took a little more out of him than his other races."

Request For Parole is the first Kentucky Derby horse for Margolis and the opportunity comes in just his second year as a public trainer. He likes his chances with an extremely honest colt who will bring a career record of 4-3-2 in 10 races and earnings of $343,812 into the Kentucky Derby.

"He always tries and I think that's the biggest asset he has," Margolis said. "The horse has a tremendous amount of heart and 'try' in him. I know it's a good group of horses and there's no superstar this year and it's kind of a guessing game. But he always shows up and whether he's good enough or not, we'll just have to see."

Baffert Works Delayed - Planned Wednesday works by Thoroughbred Corp's Kentucky Derby contender War Emblem, winner of the Illinois Derby (GII), and Kentucky Oaks (GI) hopeful Habibti, winner of the Hollywood Starlet (GI), were rescheduled for Thursday by trainer Bob Baffert when travel problems delayed the arrival of workout rider Dana Barnes.

Flight problems stemming from severe weather in Texas grounded Barnes' flight to Louisville, but she is expected to arrive today.

Meanwhile, Baffert left open the slim possibility of a Kentucky Derby bid by the Thoroughbred Corp's Officer, who returned from a long layoff to snap a three-race losing streak with a win in the recent Zany Tactics Stakes at Santa Anita. Officer will attempt to score his first victory at a two-turn distance in Saturday's Coolmore Lexington (GII) at Keeneland.

Baffert said Officer would have to win impressively in that 1 1/16-mile race in order to be considered for a Derby bid.

"He would have to look like he did going one turn," Baffert said. "It's possible - but not probable."

Baffert said he's as anxious as anyone to see whether Officer can pass his test at two-turns after failures at similar distances in the California Cup Juvenile and the Hollywood Futurity (GI). His trainer said that efforts to change tactics and take Officer off the pace did not help in either of those races and Baffert said he would not be taken back in the two-turn Coolmore Lexington.

"I know he likes one (turn)," said a smiling Baffert, "but I know as much as you guys (the media) know - unfortunately. That's not a lot."

Bailey To O'Brien Team - Britain's Racing Post reports that trainer Aidan O'Brien said he will "very likely" send 2001 U.S. juvenile champion Johannesburg and stablemate Castle Gandolfo to Churchill Downs to run in the Kentucky Derby. The report also said that American star Jerry Bailey will ride one of O'Brien's colts. Mick Kinane has ridden Johannesburg in all of his races and O'Brien said last week that he would likely remain with that colt. Bailey has two Kentucky Derby victories: Sea Hero (1993) and Grindstone (1996).

Kentucky Derby & Oaks Notes: The plane carrying the Kentucky Derby & Oaks hopes for Godolphin arrived at Louisville International Airport Wednesday at approximately 12:45 p.m. (EDT). UAE Derby winner Essence of Dubai and UAE Oaks 1-2 finishers, Imperial Gesture and Tempera will van to Keeneland to quarantine and should return to Churchill Downs Friday....The Santa Anita Oaks (GI) winner You, a contender for the Kentucky Oaks, worked six furlongs handily in 1:12.80. The move was the best of seven at the distance...Trainer Ken McPeek said Ashland (GI) winner and possible Kentucky Oaks favorite Take Charge Lady will breeze on Friday, April 19. McPeek said the next work for Toyota Blue Grass (GI) and Florida Derby (GI) winner Harlan's Holiday is scheduled for April 24...Ocean Sound, third in the Toyota Blue Grass (GI) is expected to arrive at Churchill Downs on Thursday (April 18). Trainer James Cassidy told Churchill Downs officials that the colt would work at Keeneland Thursday morning and ship by van to Churchill later in the day...Trainer Wilson Brown told Churchill Downs officials that It'sallinthechase would ship to the track on Thursday to continue preparation for the Kentucky Derby. He finished third in the Louisiana Derby (GII) and in his most recent start was ninth in the Arkansas Derby (GII).

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