Europe -- Irish-based Hold That Tiger, who finished a troubled third behind champion Vindication in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (Grade I), may be working himself back into the picture for the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby (GI).

Co-owner Michael Tabor had on more than one occasion all but ruled out a trip to Kentucky for Hold That Tiger, noting that the Storm Cat colt's main target for 2003 would be England's Epsom Derby in June. But the Thoroughbred Times reports that trainer Aidan O'Brien said on Friday that Hold That Tiger is training with an eye toward Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

But he cautioned that it is too early to know if any of his talented 3-year-olds will make it to Kentucky. Along with Hold That Tiger, who is a half-brother to 1996 Belmont Stakes (GI) winner Editor's Note, possible Kentucky Derby and Visa Triple Crown contenders in O'Brien's care include: Van Nistelrooy, a $6.4 million yearling purchase who was fifth in his dirt debut in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile; Tomahawk, eighth in the Juvenile; and Delacroix, a full brother to 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch.

"So far, they're going grand," O'Brien said. "They have been working away and their fitness is not bad."

O'Brien confirmed that one or more of those contenders could be sent to the United States for a prep race before the Kentucky Derby, but cautioned that the prospect was "a possibility, but not definite."

Hold That Tiger, Tomahawk and Delacroix have been nominated for the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes (GII) at Turfway Park on March 22. O'Brien told the Thoroughbred Times that Delacroix could travel to Dubai to run in the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby at Nad Al Sheba on March 29. The 1 1/4-mile race is the only prep for the race at Churchill Downs that is run at the Kentucky Derby distance.

West -- Trainer Bob Baffert made a last-second decision to enter unbeaten Rojo Toro in Saturday's $200,000 San Rafael (GII) at Santa Anita and it paid off handsomely.

Rojo Toro battled Our Bobby V. for the early lead, drew clear in the stretch and then held off his Baffert-trained stablemate Spensive to win by a length under Jerry Bailey in 1:35.89.

Baffert had not planned to run Rojo Toro in the San Rafael, but changed his mind when he heard that the speedy Omega Code would miss the race because of a bruised foot. The San Rafael was the first start for Rojo Toro since Nov. 17, when he defeated Holy Bull (GIII) winner Offlee Wild in a Churchill Downs allowance race.

"Sometimes 'what the heck' will win you a lot of races," said Baffert. "We were just taking a shot. I wasn't sure he could go that far. He showed us another gear."

Rojo Toro, who is owned by Phoenix auto dealer Hal Earnhardt III, has been a challenge for his handlers since his arrival in Baffert's barn. He never made it to the winner's circle after he won his debut last fall at Kentucky's Turfway Park because he dumped his rider and ran loose for several minutes. He has been a challenge for exercise riders in the morning and also provided Bailey with an interesting journey on Saturday as Rojo Toro raced for the first time at a two-turn distance.

"He kind of didn't know what the first turn was about and I had to give him his head to make the turn and then he kind of ran off with me," Bailey said. "This was his first time going two turns and he is still undefeated, so I can't knock him too much."

Crowned Dancer finished third. Trainer Bobby Frankel scratched Peace Rules from the San Rafael in favor of a run in the Louisiana Derby (GII) at the Fair Grounds on March 9.

Heiligbrodt Racing's Mr. Decatur dueled with odds-on favorite Excessivepleasure through the stretch and scored a narrow upset victory in Sunday's $100,000 Borderland Derby at New Mexico's Sunland Park.

Sal Gonzalez, Jr. rode the Steve Asmussen-trained winner, who was the second choice in the field of eight 3-year-olds. The winner covered the one-mile distance in 1:36.23.

Central -- Lloyd Madison Farm's Champali, who is named in honor of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, seemed to employ one of his namesake's most famous strategies in winning Saturday's $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park.

Ali was known late in his career for the "rope-a-dope," a strategy in which he would cover up and conserve energy while his opponents weakened as they landed relatively harmless punches. Ali would call on his energy reserves in the late rounds to win -- a style very reminiscent of Champali's effort in the Battaglia.

The Greg Foley-trained son of Glitterman opened a clear lead in the upper stretch of the muddy track, but was collared by the stretch-running Chicken Soup Kid near the sixteenth pole. But Champali reached down, turned back that rival and drew away under jockey Jason Lumpkins to win by an expanding 3 1/4-lengths.

"I thought it was pretty much over," Foley told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "Then at the eighth pole - you know, we'd missed some training (because of weather) - and I thought, man, maybe he's going to get tired. But then he just hit another gear."

That gear carried Champali to his sixth win in seven races -- with the only setback being a fifth-place finish in the Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) in November at Churchill Downs. He has earned $250,474 and looms as a major contender for Turfway's $500,000 Lane's End Stakes (GII) on March 29.

"He's a good horse," said Foley. "He does things the rest of them can't. Best one I ever had."

Silverton Hills Farm's Great Notion, who lost to Champali by a nose in the Prevue Stakes at Turfway Park in early January, stamped himself as a contender for the Arkansas Derby (GII) with an emphatic nine-length victory in the $75,000 Southwest Stakes on Saturday at Oaklawn Park.. Alke was second and favored Comic Truth finished third as the Elusive Quality colt covered the one-mile distance over a "good" track in 1:38.96.

"He did everything so easy," said jockey Terry Thompson of the Darrin Miller-trained colt. "When the favorite came to him he opened up five lengths so quickly that I just put my whip up."

East -- Foard Wilgus and Dave Picarello's Cherokee's Boy grabbed the lead at the top of the stretch and drew away to an easy 7 1/4-length victory over previously unbeaten Foufa's Warrior in Saturday's $75,000 Deputed Testamony Stakes for Maryland-bred 3-year-olds at Laurel Park.

The win was the third in stakes company for the son of Citidancer who is trained by Gary Capuano, who narrowly missed winning the 1997 Kentucky Derby with Captain Bodgit, who lost by a neck to Silver Charm.

Capuano said Cherokee's Boy will now have to step out of the ranks of Maryland-breds and prove himself.

"He's got to prove he can beat top-class type horses," said Capuano. "If he's got any chance to run in the Derby, he's got to prove himself against open company."

Ryan Fogelsonger rode the winner, who covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:46.35 on a "fast" track.

Southeast -- California invader Runnin' On Nitro scored an easy five-length victory in a seven furlong allowance race on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The Wesley Ward-trainee was followed past the finish line by Private City, Champion Ri and Affable.

« Back To Derby Updates