Horse Racing

[VIKING163]

Derby field

1 Sedgefield 50-1 Julien Leparoux Darrin Miller Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton

2 Curlin 7-2 Robby Albarado Steve Asmussen Jess Jackson
Padua Stable
George Bolton
Midnight Cry Stable

3 Zanjero 30-1 Shaun Bridgmohan Steve Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC

4 Storm in May 30-1 Juan Leyva Bill Kaplan Teresa and David Palmer

5 Imawildandcrazyguy 50-1 Mark Guidry Bill Kaplan Lewis Pell
Michael Eigner

6 Cowtown Cat 20-1 Fernando Jara Todd Pletcher WinStar Farm

7 Street Sense 4-1 Calvin Borel Carl Nafzger Jim Tafel

8 Hard Spun 15-1 Mario Pino Larry Jones Fox Hill Farms, Inc.

9 Liquidity 30-1 David Flores Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam

10 Teuflesberg 30-1 Stewart Elliott Jamie Sanders Gary Logsdon
Donnie Kelly
Jamie Sanders

11 Bwana Bull 50-1 Javier Castellano Jerry Hollendorfer Mark DeDomenico
Mark Jelladian
Dan and Jerry Todaro


12 Nobiz Like Shobiz 8-1 Cornelio Velasquez Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando

13 Sam P. 20-1 Ramon Dominguez Todd Pletcher Starlight Stable
Donald Lucarelli

14 Scat Daddy 10-1 Edgar Prado Todd Pletcher James Scatuorchio
Michael Tabor

15 Tiago 15-1 Mike Smith John Shirreffs Jerry and Ann Moss

16 Circular Quay 8-1 John Velazquez Todd Pletcher Doreen and Michael Tabor

17 Stormello 30-1 Kent Desormeaux Bill Currin Bill Currin

18 Any Given Saturday 12-1 Garrett Gomez Todd Pletcher WinStar Farm
Maverick Racing
Padua Stable

19 Dominican 20-1 Rafael Bejarano Darrin Miller Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton

20 Great Hunter 15-1 Corey Nakatani Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam

[Watney99]

132 Hong Kong horses have herpes

HONG KONG (AP) -- A total 132 Hong Kong race horses have been infected with equine herpes in the territory's worst outbreak of the disease, a year before the city is due to host the equestrian event of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the local jockey club said.

The horses fell sick since Feb. 9, showing symptoms of mild fever, blood problems and swelling in the legs, and among them five horses pulled out of races Monday, Hong Kong Jockey Club spokesman Wilson Cheng said.

Cheng said the equine herpes virus isn't new to Hong Kong but the latest outbreak is the territory's biggest in history.

"We've never had an outbreak involving so many horses," he told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

The horses also fell sick despite being vaccinated against the herpes virus, but Cheng said that wasn't a dangerous sign.

"Even if you're vaccinated against the flu, it doesn't mean you're totally immune. You may get mild symptoms, but they can be quickly controlled," he said.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a statement the sick horses recovered within a few days and most returned to training within a week.

It said Hong Kong's strong surveillance and disease control measures helped limit the impact of a "potentially serious" outbreak.

Cheng said Jockey Club officials suspect the herpes spread by shared horse equipment.

News of the outbreak comes three weeks before the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Cup race on April 29 and a year ahead of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, whose equestrian event will be held in Hong Kong.

After Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Games, it received permission to move the equestrian events to Hong Kong because of concerns about equine diseases on the mainland.

Hong Kong has a horse racing tradition and experience working with the animals.

A spokesman for the Olympic equestrian event in Hong Kong said organizers aren't worried about the equine herpes virus outbreak because it has ordered stringent quarantine measures.

Christopher Yip said competing horses must be quarantined for a week before they depart for Hong Kong and another 10 days after they arrive here, and that they will be separated from the local horse population.

"We will not be affected," Yip said.

The herpes outbreak is the second major horse safety scare in Hong Kong in recent weeks.

On March 21, Jockey Club workers discovered a 40-feet long hose that branched out into metal tubes embedded in a race course, a device police say may inflict serious injury to horses.

Asked about the apparent sabotage attempt, Yip said, "Security is very tight for every Olympic games."

[Nemer]

Triple possiblities for this year don't appear too high to me as the entire group of three yr olds is farily well matched and especially the top ten or so are very competitive

[Watney99]

good post! thanks!

[VIKING163]

Record 460 horses eligible for Triple Crown
Tuesday, April 3, 2007

By Jay Privman
Daily Racing Form

An additional 10 horses were made eligible to the Triple Crown races at the secondary deadline Saturday, bringing the total number of 3-year-olds nominated this year to the May 5 Kentucky Derby, May 19 Preakness Stakes, and June 9 Belmont Stakes to a record 460, Triple Crown Productions announced on Tuesday.

The late nominees include several horses slated to race in major Derby preps this Saturday, including Court the King and Medici Code, who are scheduled to run in the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, and Catman Running and Love Dubai, who are expected to race in the Grade 2, $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. Also nominated was Reptilian Smarts, who is scheduled to run in the Grade 1, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on Saturday.

Those five horses, and five others, all were made eligible with a payment of $6,000. Another 450 horses were made eligible at the first deadline, Jan. 20, for $600. The 460 total nominees eclipses the record of 454 set in 2003.

The other five nominees are Etude, who won the Private Terms Stakes at Laurel on March 24, along with Cristobal, Delightful Kiss, Quite Acceptable, and Vow to Greatness.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Watney99]

Kentucky Derby Odds from Bodog Horseracing
Odds to win the 133rd Kentucky Derby - May 5th, 2007

Competitor Odds
Adore the Gold 30/1
Any Given Saturday 11/1
Arcata 60/1
Belgravia 30/1
Birdbirdistheword 35/1
Bold Start 60/1
Boutrous 50/1
C P West 40/1
Chelokee 40/1
Circular Quay 10/1
Cobalt Blue 28/1
Cowtown Cat 60/1
Curlin 20/1
Day Pass 50/1
Drums of Thunder 30/1
E Z Warrior 50/1
First Defense 40/1
Flying First Class 30/1
Forefathers 60/1
Great Hunter 10/1
Hard Spun 15/1
Holy Roman Emperor 60/1
Imawildandcrazyguy 50/1
Jalil 50/1
Joe Got Even 50/1
King of the Roxy 30/1
Kong the King 60/1
Lawrence The Roman 50/1
Les Grands Trois 60/1
Liquidity 30/1
Minefield 50/1
Nobiz Like Shobiz 12/1
Notional 18/1
Officer Rocket 50/1
Our Sacred Honor 50/1
Out of Gwedda 50/1
Pirates Deputy 50/1
Ravel 8/1
Saint Paul 60/1
Sam P. 40/1
Scat Daddy 15/1
Soaring By 45/1
Soldiers Dancer 50/1
Storm in May 50/1
Stormello 18/1
Street Sense 7/1
Summer Doldrums 15/1
Teofilo 50/1
Teuflesberg 30/1
Times Squared 40/1
Unbridled Express 40/1
Xchanger 50/1
Zanjero 30/1
Field (Any other horse) 5/1

[VIKING163]

KENTUCKY DERBY FUTURE WAGER POOL 1 WAGERING INTERESTS
Pgm#
Wagering Interest
ML odds
1 Adore the Gold 20-1
2 Any Given Saturday 20-1
3 Belgravia 20-1
4 Buffalo Man 30-1
5 Circular Quay 15-1
6 Day Pass 15-1
7 Dreaming of Anna (f) 15-1
8 Drums of Thunder 30-1
9 E Z Warrior 15-1
10 Exhale 20-1
11 Forefathers 30-1
12 Great Hunter 30-1
13 Hard Spun 20-1
14 Lawrence the Roman 30-1
15 Liquidity 20-1
16 Nobiz Like Shobiz 8-1
17 Notional 15-1
18 Out of Gwedda 30-1
19 Ravel 15-1
20 Scat Daddy 30-1
21 Stormello 20-1
22 Street Sense 12-1
23 Zanjero 30-1
24 All Other 3YO’s 7-2
(f) – Filly


Morning Line Odds by Mike Battaglia

[fuagf]

Like the horse can't get the green
and had a biggie Thursday night but,
other than that FANTASTIC, thanks.

Alabama - Happy Holidays #msg-15130709

[SkeBallLarry]

I'm fine, fuagf .... How you been .... ??

[fuagf]

This one hauled too much, like your pic was ..


"Schezzz, too much ass .. what's up?"

[VIKING163]

They are actually going make Bernadidni run in the classic?! They should just give him the Trophy, he is light years ahead of the rest of the entries including Lava Man and Discreet cat!
Bernadini in a romp and horse of the year!



<Not including Discreet Cat, the Classic field is Bernardini (Javier Castellano the rider), Brother Derek (Alex Solis), David Junior (Jamie Spencer), Flower Alley, George Washington (Mick Kinane), Giacomo (Mike Smith), Invasor (Fernando Jara), Lava Man (Corey Nakatani), Lawyer Ron, Perfect Drift (Garrett Gomez), Premium Tap (Edgar Prado), Suave (Kent Desormeaux), Sun King (Rafael Bejarano), and Super Frolic (Victor Espinoza). Pletcher said John Velazquez will ride either Flower Alley or Lawyer Ron. Pletcher had not decided on a jockey for the other horse>

[fuagf]

ahahahahahaa, i know it's easy, and still haven't got there, yet ...
today, actually, is a big race day and next wee, the Caulfield Cup, even bigger

Hey that horse looks familiar ... think it cost me years, ago, when, that was my problem ...

[SkeBallLarry]

Last time I bet a Horse he was really haulin'azz .... !!! . >>

[VIKING163]

BERNADINI wins again! Can anyone say MACHINE!

Breeders cup victory next!

[fuagf]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?????????? ...runnin' me in circles for a reason???

[SkeBallLarry]

Churchill completes sale of Ellis Park to businessman Geary

By Gregory A. Hall
[e-mail]
The Courier-Journal



Kentucky's summer home for thoroughbred racing switched hands yesterday as Churchill Downs Inc. completed the sale of Ellis Park in Henderson to Louisville businessman Ron Geary.

"To me it's a very thrilling day because it's now truly the beginning of a new and exciting future, I think, for Ellis Park," Geary said yesterday.



The new owner said he's shooting for the end of the year to make some changes at the Western Kentucky track.

"We're still working on our plans and thoughts about kind of rebranding Ellis Park and … what that's going to look like," he said.

At that point, Geary said, he likely would switch the track from Churchill's customer reward program, the Twin Spires Club, "to get an independent rewards program that we think is tailored to our type patron."

The Ellis sale was announced in July, just before its summer meet started. Geary managed the track for Churchill throughout the meet, which concluded Labor Day.

Louisville-based Churchill bought Ellis in 1998 from Racing Corp. of America, beginning an expansion era that took it from a two-track operation to one of the largest racetrack companies in the country.

The sale leaves Churchill with five tracks in five states: the flagship in Louisville, Arlington Park near Chicago, Calder Race Course near Miami, Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans and Hoosier Park in Anderson, Ind.

Financial terms of the Ellis sale were not disclosed.

Geary retired this year as chief executive of Louisville-based ResCare, although he remains its chairman.

This week, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority approved a 46-day summer meet for Ellis.

During it, Ellis will play host to the 2007 Claiming Crown, a Breeders' Cup-like event for claiming-horse owners.

The dates include a five-day overlap with Churchill's spring meet.

The overlap, which gives both tracks racing during the week of July 4, was negotiated as part of the sale.

Also under the deal, Ellis' races will continue to be part of the Churchill Downs Simulcast Network.

Reporter Gregory A. Hall can be reached at [phone].

[Nemer]

Barbaro is THE HORSE to beat

his race to lose, and I can only "slightly detect" two verrrrrry minor chinks in his armor ......
a) late arrival to Pimlico
b) HIS speed in the KD was "possibly" a draining factor and took a tad bit too much out of him

that said ....
Matz is, on solid evidence, a trainer who knows his horse .. the moods, the exercise needs, the drive, demeanor, etc ... all his handling of Barbaro shows vast expertise, and more especially ..... how to handle this horse...

that said ....
I hate to bet a horse below 3-2,
so, I'm gonna shoot at a large payout with practically no expenditure on my part ....

here is my bet

part wheel exacta ONLY .. no w/p/s

Like Now and Bernardini on top of Like Now-Barbaro-Bernardini-Diabolical
1 and 8 over 1 and 6 and 8 and 9

should Barbaro win the Preakness, he should be a shoo in for the Belmont and the Triple Crown.... as I feel this race will be tougher for him than the longer Mile and a half Belmont, even though the competition here is MUCH weaker than it will be in the Belmont.

[NovoMira]

Yep, they often go awry, Nemer.

But isn't it fun to try? ;)

[SkeBallLarry]

Goood morning ... !! The way that Horse ran, he deserved it .... !! . Soooo strong .... !!

[Nemer]

ah well,

the best laid plans of mice and men ...... sigh

two weeks and maybe I can recoup the lost rubles

N

[NovoMira]

Nemer....1/2+3....

...is one of Hubby's wagers.

The others are...

17/11+20 and

19/6+10

[NovoMira]

Nemer....I've decided to stay with my original selection....

Trifecta

l. Lawyer Ron

2. Flashy Bull

3. Sweetnorthernsaint

We have some very unstable weather 'round here right now...I can hear thunder in the distance. My power keeps going out so I can only hope I'll be able to watch the race. Hubby has already left for Retama to place my bet.

Good luck to all. ;)

[Nemer]

2006 Kentucky Derby

can't recall that I've ever done it this away before, but ..
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1-7-17 on top of 1-3-4-7-8-9-11-12-13-16-17-18
--------------------------------------------------------------------
HEY ... PocoDinero wagered
and
ANY payoff from THIS ticket
will be DineroMagnifico

[Nemer]

current odds live from Churchill ....

can't cut and paste for some reason ... maybe due to website restrictions ...

here are horse below 14-1

14-1 APWarrior and StepenWolfer

10-1 Bob and John and Lawyer Ron

8-1 Sinister Minister *(YEP no misprint here) and Point Determined

6-1 Barbaro and SweennorthernSaint


current race is on the turf, so it won't help me, but the dirt speed is holding pretty well ....

haven't seen any deepcloser make the top ..
stalkers and early speed
with the fractions a weeeee bit on the slow side late,
with bit faster during first three fl ...

[NovoMira]

Nemer....Thanks for the info! I was going to do an exacta in this order:

1. Lawyer Ron

2. Flashy Bull

3. Sweetnorthernsaint

However, I printed your post and have given it to Hubby to peruse...will see what he has to say before I hand over my money.

I'll let you know my final decision and the reasons for my selections. I think you'll find them amusing. ;)

Thanks again!

[Nemer]

don't let me talk you away from the Lawyer ... Holthus can stretch a pony out nicely beyond his natural ability and this one is winning at a rapid clip ...

I was asked via email to post my thoughts on ALL entries ...
so, to oblige, here is a short, concise evaluation of strong and weak areas of each ....

1 Jazil
+++ l/o was below 13 final fl and getting better
--- post position and lotsa horses in way down the stretch

2 Stepenwolfer
+++ l/o was decent
--- not as good as Jazil, who is also a deep closer

3 Keyed Entry
+++ fast early with a great Texas trainer
--- distance

4 Sinister Minister
+++ fast early and Baffet will try wiring it like WarEmblem
--- suspect he's a rabbit for the other two

5 Point Determined
+++ stalking racing style fits this race
--- might be tired as Garret definitely picked B&J

6 Showing UP
+++ wins 3of3
--- BUT mdn, alw and Lex won't develop a sufficient "bottom"

7 Bob and John
+++ can be rated, doesn't need the front and getting stronger
--- slightly suspect speed

8 Barbaro
+++ two great graded races in Fla last two outs
--- I think he'll be better on grass than dirt

9 Sharp Humor
+++ Guidry will get the best from him
--- too fast early

10 A P Warrior
+++ changed trainer and jockey (for better) this year
--- distance

11 Sweetnorthernsaint
+++ early speed and can handle it pretty well
--- not too well bred

12 Private Vow
+++ dual qualifier from Exp Free and can run like the wind
--- condition is highly suspect

13 Bluegrass Cat
+++ Pletcher knows what he's doing with this colt here
--- appears outmatched

14 Deputy Glitters
+++ has showed a little bit of flash
--- appears outmatched

15 Seaside Retreat
+++ favorable running style for here
--- most likely will retreat

16 Cause to Believe
+++ favorable running style
--- way outgunned

17 Lawyer Ron
+++ colt know how to win and win nicely
--- far outside post and his demand for early speed

18 Brother Derek
+++ Exp Free- fast- in shape- Solis- class- got everything
--- I suspect the distance will kill his chances

19 Storm Treasure
+++ heck of a good trainer
--- no way

20 Flash Bull
+++ good breeding
--- flashed too long ago

there it is
any questions or comments .... fire away

[NovoMira]

Nice board, Nemer!

Hmmmm...I may have to change my pick which was Lawyer Ron.

[Nemer]

well, time to pitch out some more ponies into the dustbin

as far as WIN ... these are gone

2 Stepenwolfer
5 Point Determined
6 Showing Up
15 Seaside Retreat


here are the remaining contenders for WIN

1 Jazil ==== danged if I don't HATE the one hole for this colt .... only redeeming factor of this dreaded starting position is Jazil will have to wend his way through a whole lot of bodies anyway, as he is gonna close, most likely down the middle .... and on top of that ... he CAN win without a whole lot of luck, but I factor him to be no worse than third, or second ... or maybeeeeeeee a win ..... but he will be a loooooooooong shooter, for sure

7 Bob and John === this youngster is a steady plodder, not electric and exciting as some of the other entries ... but, make no mistake, the way I see it he should be the ultimate winner Saturday .... and at decent odds, too .... most likely above 8-1

11 Sweetnorthernsaint === I don't see much "value" here .... Desormeaux definitely knows the horse, and how to ride him to a win, and the saint can win, just not easily, and not a good price .... I see him being bet to about 7-1 and I think his realistic chances are more in the 12-1 .... lightly bred, early speed from him AND a goodly number in the field will compromise his chance ... but I still can't chunk him out of the win circle yet

12 Private Vow === IF Asumussen has him in top condition in spite of being verrrrrry lightly raced (hard as heck to do that, tho) AND he can up his speed by about seven or eight lengths --- not as hard to acheive, btw ... PV can have his pic taken tomorrow

17 Lawyer Ron === will attempt to go wire to wire, but others .. and I mean a LOT of others will be up there too ... Sinister Minister is gonna be the rabbit for Baffert and don't know that the Lawyer will rate at all ...... still, he has the ability, but honestly, I look for him to fade in the stretch ... if he makes the lead last that deep .....

[RonnieD]

check out NYNY board
Mohawk Casino being built at the location of the Monticello Raceway harness track.

[dropdeadfred]

I see you have taken out sinister and bluegrass cat

this is what I posted this am on Derf's Board


I like in this order... I think

Lawyer Ron
Sinister Minister
Steppenwolfer
Private Vow
Bluegrass Cat

Taking Brother Derek out

[Nemer]

comments on remaining contenders ----

1 Jazil === long odds --- realllllly long ods -- horrible post position (absolute worst in modern derby history) BUT do not leave this Seeking the Gold half bro to Bob and John out of any exotic wager ==== and he CAN win coming from waaaaay back == this one will remain on my win list

2 Stepenwolfer === a closer, like Jazil ... but doesn't have much chance to be there at the wire .... he's on the short list to be chunked out next elimination later this morning

5 Point Determined === danged if doesn't seem like just yesterday his daddy wasn't running in this race --- one of 3 Baffert is sending out, but this one has two places in graded stakes last two outs ... I'm fearing he might be tired a bit and not be able to repulse the determined bids from others --- still on my list, tho

6 Showing Up === last out Lex win is about the only really good thing I can see here ... he's on the elem list

7 Bob and John === got to be the worst name in the race ... connections shouda been able to come up with better moniker from a Seeking the Gold/Deputy Minister bred colt === he is MY best bet to win right now

11 Sweetnorthernsaint === weak breeding for this race against these, BUT .. last few months show he doesn't know he's outclassed .... five races and only beaten in G3 Gotham by less than a length ... 4 others are wins ....still I feel he will be overbet as far as his actual chances here

12 Private Vow === only dual qualifier via the Exp Free Hcp ... LOVES this track -- win and place out of two ... flaw I see === too FEW races this year and it was apparent in ArkDerby with the weakened stretch effort ... however Asmussen is a fab trainer and a repeat effort of the G2 win here at Churchill make him a big factor in this derby

15 Seaside Retreat === nice effort in the Landend and that is all .... short list to go off next

17 Lawyer Ron === Holthus only runs this one to win, and golllleeeee, win he does ... perhaps breeding will keep him from getting the distance .... but he's sure gonna be trying ... plethora of early speed in THIS derby is a major difficulty for this gutty colt

[Nemer]

2006 KD

the way I see it mid morning day before the race

here are the first ones removed from MY winner list

gone ====

3 Keyed Entry
4 Sinister Minister
8 Barbaro
9 Sharp Rumor
10 A P Warrior
13 Bluegrass Cat
14 Deputy Glitters
16 Cause to Believe
18 Brother Derek
19 Storm Treasure
20 Flashy Bull

that is 11 gone, so I don't look for them to be in the winner circle

[Nemer]

I'll start with a tout report on the 2006 Kentucky Derby in just a bit