Derby News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 22, 2005) - Bruce Lunsford and Lansdon Robbins III’s First Samurai, winner of the Fountain of Youth (Grade II) via disqualification and a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands, returned to Churchill Downs on Wednesday to continue his preparations for the 132nd "Run for the Roses."

The Frank Brothers-trained son of Giant’s Causeway, winner of Saratoga’s Hopeful (GI) and Champagne (GI) at two, arrived at Churchill Downs around 11 a.m. (all times Eastern). First Samurai arrived in Louisville following a flight from Florida.

"Everything’s fine," said Brothers. "We’ll go from there."

The surroundings at Churchill Downs are familiar to First Samurai, who launched his racing career at the historic track last July with a 5 ½-length victory in a six-furlong maiden race. He returns to Churchill Downs with a record of 5-1-1 in seven races and earnings of $892,575.

The colt is expected to make his final pre-Derby start in the $750,000-added Toyota Blue Grass (GII) at Keeneland on April 15. Brothers said the colt would likely work over the Churchill Downs surface during the coming weekend, if weather permits.

First Samurai is one of two Kentucky Derby hopefuls on the grounds at Churchill Downs. The other is Itsallboutthechase, the runner-up in Gulfstream Park’s Aventura.

The son of Devil His Due, who is owned by Northern Kentucky attorney Burr Travis and trained by Garry Simms, is coming off a ninth-place finish in the Fountain of Youth. He has a career record of 1-1-0 in six races with earnings of $62,205. His lone win came in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race last fall at Churchill Downs.

DERBY’S LATE NOMINATION DEADLINE LOOMS - The deadline for late nominations to the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown is drawing near. Those nominations are due by midnight on Saturday, March 25 or must be mailed by then and carry the postmark of that date.

Churchill Downs’ Senior Vice President of Racing Don Richardson is in Florida this week to collect late nominations, which must be accompanied by a fee of $6,000. The nominations may also be made by contacting Triple Crown Productions at (502) 636-4400 or by contacting the racing offices at Churchill Downs, the Maryland Jockey Club or the New York Racing Association.

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