News

Rachel holds off Mine That Bird to make Preakness history

kellie.reilly — Sat, 16 May 2009 19:51:30 -0400

The legend of RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro) continued to grow on Saturday as the fantastic filly held off the game late rally of Mine That Bird (Birdstone) by a length to become just the fifth filly, and the first since Nellie Morse in 1924, to take the Preakness S. (G1) at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore.

Mine That Bird bound for Preakness

kellie.reilly — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:37:37 -0400

KENTUCKY DERBY NOTES

Monday, May 4, 2009

§ MINE THAT BIRD BACK ON TRACK, PREAKNESS BOUND

§ PREAKNESS POSSIBLE FOR GENERAL QUARTERS

§ EINSTEIN LOOKS TOWARD DIRT IN STEPHEN FOSTER

Mine That Bird's former owner/trainer David Cotey is thrilled

kellie.reilly — Sun, 03 May 2009 19:14:01 -0400

David Cotey, the former owner and trainer of Mine That Bird, spoke with the Woodbine press office about the gelding's Kentucky Derby (G1) triumph:

“I am so happy for him,” Cotey said, moments after the stunning upset, while watching the race from Woodbine Racetrack. “I’m ecstatic. I’d love to be down there to give him a big kiss.

Mine That Bird's connections pay tribute to Barbaro

kellie.reilly — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:07:25 -0400

Kentucky Derby (G1) fans who visited Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum on the day after the 135th Run for the Roses got a surprise gift from the team behind MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), the 50-1 longshot that won the 1 1/4-mile classic on Saturday.

Mine That Bird's Preakness status expected soon

vance.hanson — Sun, 03 May 2009 15:05:15 -0400

The morning after the stunning victory in the $2,177,200 Kentucky Derby (G1) by MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) was a busy one for his owners and trainer -- and for the three-year-old gelding that won the roses with his last-to-first rally along the rail on Churchill Downs' one-mile dirt oval.

Scully's Derby Recap

james.scully — Sun, 03 May 2009 12:12:30 -0400

Double Eagle Ranch and Bueno Suerte Equine's MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), a New Mexico-based gelding who lost his first two starts this year in the Borderland Derby and Sunland Derby, rallied from last to win the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). And it wasn't even close.

Crowd of 153,563 witness Mine That Bird win Derby 135

jennifer.caldwell — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:10:51 -0400

A crowd of 153,563 witnessed history on Saturday as Double Eagle Ranch and Buena Suerte Equine's MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) scored a stunning upset at odds of 50-1 to capture the 135th Kentucky Derby (G1) by 6 3/4 lengths in a field of 19.

Kentucky Derby 135 Quotes

jennifer.caldwell — Sat, 02 May 2009 20:10:08 -0400

BENNIE “CHIP” WOOLLEY JR. (Mine That Bird, winner) – “Yeah, it’s wonderful, it hasn’t sunk in. I just can’t say enough. I’m feeling like I never have before. I was thinking Calvin Borel is the best, he just rode a huge race, and everybody around him did a great job and we just were lucky to get here. They’ll know me now.

Mine That Bird soars to 50-1 Derby shocker

kellie.reilly — Sat, 02 May 2009 18:38:32 -0400

When Calvin Borel guided 1-5 favorite Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d'Oro) to a 20 1/4-length romp in Friday's Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, few could have imagined that triumph would be the first half of a shocking Oaks/Derby double for the Louisiana-born rider, who guided the unheralded 50-1 shot MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone) to a stunning 6 3/4-length victory in Saturday's $2,177,200 Kentuck

I Want Revenge scratched due to ankle

james.scully — Sat, 02 May 2009 08:48:46 -0400

I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even), the 3-1 morning-line favorite, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday morning after an undiagnosed problem was detected in the left front ankle of the Jeff Mullins-trained colt.

Friesan Fire ranks as 9-2 choice in advance Derby wagering

kellie.reilly — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:49:46 -0400

Louisiana Derby (G2) romper FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy), who started off as the 5-1 fourth choice on the morning line, has been bet down to 9-2 favoritism for Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1), as of 7 p.m. (EDT) on Friday.

BRISnet's Derby Preview

kellie.reilly — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:44:47 -0400

A strong field has been assembled for the $2 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on Saturday, in what is undoubtedly one of the best casts put together in recent years. A full field of 20 has been entered, as seems customary this century, and post position left little drama for the favorites.

Daily Activity Report (May 1)

kellie.reilly — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:21:33 -0400

KENTUCKY DERBY 135 NOTES

Friday, May 1, 2009

§ PLETCHER HOPES TO AVOID MUDDY DERBY

§ JONES SEEKS TO PEN PERFECT SCRIPT FOR DERBY 135

§ STUTE TO AVOID ‘FULL DISCLOSURE' ON WALK OVER

Daily Activity Report (April 30)

kellie.reilly — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:03:17 -0400

ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE - The Todd Pletcher Derby trio of Advice, Dunkirk and Join in the Dance were out early, exercised and back in Barn 38 before 7 a.m. Thursday, missing the rains that splashed down on Louisville a bit later in the morning.

Papa Clem sizzles in a bullet :34

kellie.reilly — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:27:35 -0400

Just before 7 a.m. on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, Arkansas Derby (G2) winner PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) blew out three furlongs in a bullet :34.

The move, with Kentucky Derby (G1) jockey Rafael Bejarano in the saddle, was easily the fastest of 13 at the distance on the fast track. The second-fastest works were timed in :37 2/5.

James Scully's Derby Report (April 30)

james.scully — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:41:54 -0400

KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT

APRIL 30, 2009

By James Scully

I Want Revenge is solid favorite in 135th running of Kentucky Derby

jeremyb — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:31:24 -0400

David Lanzman, IEAH Stables & Puglisi Racing’s I Want Revenge<

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I Want Revenge installed as 3-1 favorite; Dunkirk, Pioneer listed as co-second choices

james.scully — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:43 -0400

Wood Memorial (G1) winner I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) has been installed as the 3-1 favorite on the morning line for Saturday's 135th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). With first-time Derby rider Joe Talamo, the Jeff Mullins-trained colt will break from post 13 in the 20-horse field.

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Daily Activity Report (April 29)

jennifer.caldwell — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:00 -0400

WIN WILLY WITHDRAWN FROM DERBY FIELD
NOWHERE TO HIDE JOINS DERBY 135 CAST
ATOMIC RAIN ARRIVES FROM MONMOUTH

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Wednesday Morning Notes (4/29)

james.scully — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:32:48 -0400

Morning Report

By James Scully

A large crowd assembled Wednesday morning on the backstretch as Kentucky Derby (G1) momentum continued to build, and a huge throng awaited DUNKIRK (Unbridled's Song) as he took his first visit to the track around 7 a.m. (EDT). The Florida Derby (G1) runner-up looks ready to fill the favorite's role.

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Win Willy won't run in Derby

james.scully — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:43:28 -0400

Rebel S. (G2) winner WIN WILLY (Monarchos) is out of Saturday's 135th running of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Trainer Mac Robertson announced Tuesday morning that the gray colt could have the start of a small fracture in his left front ankle. Win Willy exits a fourth in the Arkansas Derby (G2).

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Wizard Derby Profiles

james.scully — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:28:09 -0400

INTRODUCTION

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I Want Revenge records bullet in final work

vance.hanson — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:45:14 -0400

Just after the renovation break and minutes before torrential rains fell at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning, I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) took good advantage of a fresh and fast race track during a four-furlong workout in :47 1/5 under jockey Joe Talamo.

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Take the Points withdrawn; Atomic Rain now in

james.scully — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:13:22 -0400

It now appears trainer Todd Pletcher will start three horses in Saturday's Kentucky Derby 135 -- ADVICE (Chapel Royal), DUNKIRK (Unbridled's Song) and JOIN IN THE DANCE (Sky Mesa).

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Tuesday Morning Notes (4/28)

james.scully — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:37:36 -0400

Morning Report

By James Scully

It started lightly raining around 7 a.m. (EDT), but the heavy stuff didn't come down until I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) completed his four-furlong drill in :47 1/5 after the renovation break. Any doubts about the Wood Memorial (G1) winner's current condition were eliminated Tuesday morning.

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Square Eddie out of Derby

james.scully — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:53:33 -0400

Grade 1 winner SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby (G1) due to a shin problem.

Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed that the same shin that forced him to the sidelines earlier this year acted up following the colt's Sunday workout, and he said owner J. Paul Reddam decided to err on the side of caution and give the chestnut the opportunity to completely heal.

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Friesan Fire blazes five furlongs in a bullet :57 4/5

kellie.reilly — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:23:27 -0400

It was a frenetic Monday morning at Churchill Downs, with no fewer than nine Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls turning in their final major moves in advance of Saturday's Run for the Roses.

Trainer Larry Jones had said he did not expect FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) to work as fast in his final Derby drill as Hard Spun did two years ago.

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Daily Activity Report (April 27)

kellie.reilly — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:11:26 -0400

KENTUCKY DERBY 135 NOTES

Monday, April 27, 2009

§        FRIESAN FIRE DRILLS ‘BULLET' FIVE FURLONGS

§        ‘PIONEER' AMONG EIGHT OTHER DERBY WORKERS

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Monday Morning Notes (4/27)

james.scully — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:05:56 -0400

Morning Report

By James Scully

Monday morning was busy as seven Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders worked under ideal conditions at Churchill Downs. Two big guns - PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) and FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) - were the focus of attention.

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Quality Road out of Derby

kellie.reilly — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:05:55 -0400

QUALITY ROAD (Elusive Quality), who was expected to be one of the favorites for Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1), will miss the race because of continued problems with a quarter-crack on his right front hoof, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Monday morning at Belmont Park.

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Hold Me Back, Square Eddie, Mr. Hot Stuff work

kellie.reilly — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:07:08 -0400

On Sunday morning, three contenders worked in advance of Saturday's Kentucky Derby (G1). Lane's End S. (G2) winner HOLD ME BACK (Giant's Causeway) and Breeders' Futurity (G1) romper SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) tuned up at Churchill Downs, while Santa Anita Derby (G1) third MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow) drilled at Santa Anita.

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Daily Activity Report (April 26)

kellie.reilly — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:22:51 -0400

KENTUCKY DERBY 135 NOTES

Sunday, April 26, 2009

§        HOLD ME BACK WORKS 5/8THS ON CHURCHILL DIRT

§        SQUARE EDDIE BREEZES HALF-MILE OVER DIRT

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