It looks like Chelokee was just injured in the Alysheda. He dumped Ramon Dominguez in the stretch and it looked like he was hobbling after the fact. Dominguez got up but no word on Chelokee yet. Dammit.
Update: he was vanned off with a right front ankle fracture that did not break the skin. There should be more updates after the X-rays… ugh.
Churchill Downs (blake seely)
ESPN2 has the oaks under card! I had no idea, mind you, I can only wager on the Oaks online.
The weather is hideous at Churchill! I missed the Louisville Stakes, but they replayed the stretch run which featured winner Ginger Punch hopping over a puddle… impressive!
I didn’t handicap the Oaks (or much of anything yet), but I’ll be placing a little sloppy track exacta of Bsharpsonata & Little Belle.
As I’ve been looking over everyone more closely I’ve been fining myself thinking “that would be a surprise”… which begs the question, who do you think would be the BIGGEST surprise as Derby winner?
In the last poll, 20 thought it was fair to cross enter Eight Belles while 11 of you thought it was not. Of those in the “fair” camp, it was split down the middle 10/10 between “yes she can” and “no she can’t”.
Of the 11 in the “unfair” camp, 5 of you couldn’t blame them for doing it!
Next stop, race replays…
I feel crusty when I watch TV during the day, unless of course it’s the OTB channel, but I took a break from procrastinating to watch the Hennegan Brothers on Martha Stewart. I must say that there were the perfect foil for Martha!
The segment had them literally making a Derby pie with Martha, chatting about the film, the Derby in general and the importance of home made pie crust (which is what they lack in Dubai… link to segment when it’s available). If you missed it or didn’t DVR it, check for a re-run, you won’t be sorry!
With the work behind me, the store is launched, the site is updated and a freshly delivered pizza awaiting me, I’m going to do a little prep work tonight and spend the day handicapping tomorrow for Saturday’s Churchill card.
And you know what that mean, lots of procrastination posts!
The Hennegan Brothers will be on Martha Stewart tomorrow (Friday May 2nd) to discuss the film and help Martha make a Derby pie!
From MarthaStewart.com
Then, brothers Brad and John Hennegan join Martha to chat about their Kentucky Derby documentary, “The First Saturday in May,” and to make delicious derby pie, a classic recipe perfect for entertaining during the big race.
As you may or may not know, Martha likes the ponies… which is not say that she plays them (although, who knows, I bet she’d be a shrewd handicapper). Fellow TBA-er Fran features Martha’s farrier, which includes shots of her palatial stable.
No doubt it will be fun to see John & Brad on Martha (not literally y’all!), also keep an eye out for the Brothers Henn in ineffiable New York Post Gossip columnist Cindy Adam’s column tomorrow! J & B took Miss Adams, in her 80’s (and still faaabulous) to Aqueduct recently… should be a great read!
Get a hat while you’re at, and perhaps a shirt… don’t forget a poster!
Where? The First Saturday in May store, that’s where!
Mr. Umphrey and Divine Park in the Westchester, opening day at Belmont (~ RAYMOND)
Pardon my lack of posting today, because you know, this is the week when all bloggers are posting at least 6 posts a day… wait till Friday, I’ll be a posting machine!
Brief thoughts:
Belmont, yay!
Loving the ML odds of the Derby.
Love the parrot story, thanks SF!
Speaking of SF, look for Brooklyn Backstretch at Superfecta while SF is out of town and BB works out annoyance with blogger.
I heart Pyro.
Churchill Downs has the best sweet corn muffins.
I love my friend Joan and talking horses with her, she says “Tale of Ekati — I have this thing against Tale of the Cat offspring. I have this problem with the sire and cats in general.”
Looks like anyone wishing to play the Derby/Oaks under cards can do so at bricks-and-mortar simulcast facilities. (Phew, and thanks Jessica!).
Take a look at Big Brown’s feet for yourself.
David shares non-derby related a view from the inside.
And Franks shares some favorite Derby memories… glad to hear Pyro works for the “the system”.
Special Railbird correspondent “Blinkers Off” wins the best report from Churchill… even Ray Paulick thinks so!
Man, Jim Squires, owner of Two Bucks Farm in Versailles, Ky, is quickly becoming my favorite read over The Rail, or anywhere for that matter.
His current post, “Why the filly has a chance“, not only discusses both Eight Belles and Proud Spell, but shares some interesting insights into fillies & colts in general.
Forget that nonsense that intimidation is a male prerogative in the equine world, too. Young females often run the colts off their food in the pasture. And a lot of big handsome colts have had to be moved to safer quarters just to protect them from a dominant, mean-tempered little filly.
and
But there are two big obstacles for fillies facing colts for the first time, that could be easily overcome by experience in earlier prep races. When running against one another, fillies do a lot of talking in the gate, shrill whinnying for the most part. But the sound of colts in the gates is different, more slamming around, grunting and snorting. Colts seldom whinny in a race gate. This can be unnerving to fillies, who are often in a hurry to leave, sapping adrenaline as object of a chase.
And his post from Sunday entitled “The Last Winstrol Derby?” is still drawing some eye opening comments!
Churchill Downs (blake seely)
Note to self, “if you had more PTO you could theoretically take the week prior to the Derby off just to read all the reports coming out of Louisville”.
A few things caught my eye as I bounced around the internet today.
Cheers to glimmerglass for an excellent comment on fellow TBA-er Alan’s Rail Piece that speculates on the potential brouhaha if Eight Belles scratches.
Eight Belles is 4-0 this year; if one of the boys possibly “bumped” by her has accomplished that and earned as much graded money as she has, then they wouldn’t be on the outside looking in.
There are more then a couple colts going who haven’t a prayer but no complaints exists when they are still being entered.
And a special nod goes to commenter Joe for noting that there are already about 6 too many horses running anyway.
Over at fellow TBA-er Thoroughblog I noticed this quote from Asmussen about Pyro:
I’m not looking to run him on a synthetic track again.
Read no Breeders’ Cup for Pyro.
Steve Davidowitz reminds us to not overlook the Derby under card [DRF+]. That is, if we’ll be able to play it if we’re not literally at Churchill Downs.