Derby News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2006) - Sinister Minister gallops home under Garrett Gomez to a 12 3/4 length victory in front-running style in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (GI) at Keeneland, leaving several Kentucky Derby hopefuls in his wake. The Bob Baffert trained colt earned his way into the May 6th Derby with the $465,000 payday, and will add to what is certain to be a very fast early pace at Churchill Downs.

The speedy Sinister Minister came into the Blue Grass off a runner-up placing to Cause to Believe in the California Derby, a race where he repeatedly tried to jump the rail in the stretch. Baffert brought the colt to Keeneland figuring that his colt would appreciate the bias towards early speed that the track had displayed thus far this meet.

Those plans almost went astray when Sinister Minister broke a little awkwardly, but was rushed to the lead from post seven under Garrett Gomez. After the first quarter mile, he was two in front of Bluegrass Cat and Little Cliff, with First Samurai another half-length back in fourth. Half way down the backstretch, Gomez's mount had opened up a seven length lead, and the race was essentially for second from that point. Gomez shook the reins at Sinister Minister in the stretch, and he drew off for the easy victory, stopping the clock in 1:48.85.

Storm Treasure, trained by Steve Asmussen and owned by Mike McCarty, rallied from sixth to finish second. Those connections had a solid day, as their colt Private Vow finished third in the Arkansas Derby some 30 minutes after the Blue Grass. Another 4 1/2 lengths back in third was Strong Contender, who made a big middle move into second, but couldn't sustain it, tiring somewhat in the stretch. The top two choices, Bluegrass Cat and First Samurai were fourth and fifth, respectively, and really posed no threat during the race. Seaside Retreat, Sadler's Trick, Little Cliff and Court Folly completed the order of finish.

Owned by a partnership of Lanni Family Trust, Mercedes Stable LLC and Bernard Schiappa, Sinister Minister won for the second time in five starts. His lone win prior to Saturday was in a $62,500 maiden claiming race at Santa Anita this past January.

After the race, Baffert talked about why he and Schiappa decided to run, "We said "Let's see how he works," and Garrett worked him unbelievable. I called Schiappa and "Get the jet ready, we are coming.'

Todd Pletcher, trainer of Bluegrass Cat, was disappointed post-race, "Obviously, he didn't run the race we expected. We'll give it a few days and sort it (Derby plans) out."

Rafael Bejarano, who was aboard the favored First Samurai, indicated that his colt's Derby plans were much more in doubt. "I don't think he wants to go 1 1/8 miles. I think he's better at about a mile."

Going off at 8-1, Sinister Minister paid $19.40, $9.20 and $5.80. Longshot Storm Treasure was $47.80 and $16.00 to place, and Strong Contender was $4.20 to show. The big prices keyed a $601.40 exacta and a $4,412.40 trifecta.

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