star-telegram.com: Gary West

Gary West: El Gato Malo gives the best Lone Star Derby field ever a lickin

Sun, 11 May 2008 09:33 CDT

Gary West

GRAND PRAIRIE — For an instant, a few strides from the finish, three horses lined up, side-by-side, across the racetrack. They had run more than a mile, but the outcome was going to come down to these final yards; it was like a long baseball season going down the to the final day, even to the last out.

But that wasn’t the only reason Saturday’s was the best Lone Star Derby ever. It was best because of the quality on the racetrack, from the top trio all the way back to the 13th horse. And, in the end, The Bad Cat proved to be best of the best.

Rallying from fifth, El Gato Malo got up in the final strides to win Saturday’s $400,000 Lone Star Derby by a half-length over Leonides, who put his nose in front of Samba Rooster at the finish. El Gato Malo completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1 minute, 43.04 seconds, which was a rather flashy clocking for the day.

To put the time in context, two races earlier, Snug gave the performance of his life to win the Stymie division of the Texas Stallion Stakes in 1:44.33 for the 1 1/16 miles. And Formal Flyer won the Pan Zareta division in 1:45.67.

El Gato Malo, in other words, ran many lengths faster. And he got through some traffic and overcame a little bumping at the top of the stretch to seize the victory.

"Going into the race, there were two questions," said El Gato Malo’s trainer, Craig Dollase, from California. "Would he travel outside of California and run well? And would he like the dirt? I think he answered both questions and passed all the tests."

Until Saturday, El Gato Malo had raced exclusively on California’s synthetic surfaces. When he won the San Rafael Stakes, he put himself among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. Even when he finished second in the Sham Stakes, where he had a journey more troublesome than Marco Polo’s, El Gato Malo remained a prominent Triple Crown candidate.

But then he ran fifth as the favorite in the Santa Anita Derby. Dollase blamed the effort on The Big Cat’s pre-race behavior. Still, El Gato Malo had to prove himself again; he also had to prove he wasn’t some sort of synthetic freak. And he proved all that and more Saturday.

Samba Rooster, as expected, shot to the lead immediately, taking the field through an opening half-mile in 46.27 seconds. His jockey, Garrett Gomez, said the speed-loving colt was rank and overly eager but still not as headstrong as he had been other races.

Leonides stalked the leader, with El Gato Malo three-to-four lengths back in fifth. At the top of the stretch, jockey Rafael Bejarano angled The Bad Cat to the outside, but they actually had to push their way through an opening to find sufficient room to launch a bid.

"When I found a position clear," Bejarano said, "he started running. He showed a big kick."

Leonides and Samba Rooster held on, but neither could resist El Gato Malo’s surge. Limestone Edge, coupled in the wagering with Samba Rooster, finished fourth.

With the victory, El Gato Malo earned $225,000 for his owners, West Point Thoroughbreds. Dollase said he has not made any plans for El Gato Malo’s next start.

And shortly after The Bad Cat pranced into the winner’s circle, Dollase must have realized that although Texas might be known for its oil and gas, he had found a gold mine at Lone Star. Two weeks ago, he sent Monterey Jazz here from California to win the Texas Mile.

Week in Review: Hard to tell if recent trends are a mirage

Sun, 11 May 2008 09:36 CDT

By Gary West

Josh Hamilton looked up into the Oakland sky and saw nothing but... well, I don't know what he saw: Dennis Eckersley's moustache flying by, or perhaps Foamy The Squirrel, or maybe the ghost of native son Buster Crabbe, aka Tarzan. But the Texas Rangers' center fielder sure didn't see the ball.

He lost it in the sun, or the glare, and with that, he set the tone for the entire week. Here we are more than a month away from the first day of summer, and already we're sun-baked and confused, losing things in the glare; already we can't see what's coming right at us.

The Dallas Stars, for example, nearly lost their Western Conference semifinals series with the Sharks, and had to watch their 3-0 lead nearly melt away in the sun, like an abandoned popsicle. After the Stars lost Game 5, blowing a comfortable advantage in the final 14 minutes, their series lead melted down to 3-2. And then goalie Marty Turco commented that he "didn't really have any thought at the end of the day."

Of course he didn't. He lost his thought in the sun.

But Brenden Morrow, the Stars' captain and playoff hero, isn't the sort of guy to surrender to a sunny trend. He provided the needed insight, pointing out that the Sharks "still need to win two" and the Stars only "need one." And so who said athletes aren't smart?

But the Stars' imminent collapse was, as it turned out, a mirage and all the fears nothing but feverish delusion. The Stars beat the Sharks on a Morrow power-play goal in the fourth overtime of Game 6. And so it's on to the West Finals against Red Wings of Detroit, where the sun rarely shines.

But it was the same everywhere. Fred Davis, a second-round draft choice from USC, missed the third day of the Redskins' minicamp because he overslept. He lost track of time, as if it were a fly ball in Oakland and he a center fielder.

Mike D'Antoni was doing a great job in Phoenix, right? The Suns were averaging 50 wins a year under D'Antoni, but job security in the NBA is a mirage (see Avery Johnson), and now he's reportedly going to the Knicks. And D'Antoni is so Suns-addled, he probably thinks the Knicks' job is a good one.

Did the Rangers lose Ben Broussard in the sun, or did he lose his swing in the glare? After the Rangers cut the first baseman, general manager Jon Daniels said he thought Broussard was better than he had shown here.

Well, I hope so. I hope Daniels didn't knowingly trade for a .159 hitter, all of which brings up this question: How many former Rangers are playing first base for other MLB teams? But maybe that's a question that should just be allowed to evaporate.

But in this week of coaching shifts, lost balls and oversleeping, the most remarkable turn of events just might involve the Rangers. Friday night, while shutting out Oakland 4-0, they pushed their streak of scoreless innings to 31. The pitching staff's ERA this month is -- you might want to mix yourself a potent refreshment and have a seat -- 1.71.

Nobody could have seen that coming. I just hope it's not a mirage.

Lone Star Derby could find challenger for Big Brown

Sat, 10 May 2008 04:41 CDT

By Gary West

GRAND PRAIRIE -- When the pundits and ersatz pundits jumped forward this week to tell horse racing what it needs, their suggestions ran the gamut from the hopeful to the fanciful to the absurd. But they all overlooked, as far as I can tell, a glaring and immediate need: more good horses.

Horse racing needs a few more quality horses, especially in its most glamorous division, which, for the moment, has only one shining star. More specifically, horse racing needs to find a big horse to challenge Big Brown, or perhaps join him in the spotlight.

Big Brown's dominating victory in the Kentucky Derby not only showcased his talent but also exposed a division that's as thin as gruel. The sport needs to find him some competition. And today's $400,000 Lone Star Derby could be a rewarding place to start looking, along with the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.

Samba Rooster and El Gato Malo are obvious candidates. Samba Rooster, the 9-5 favorite for the Lone Star Derby, could be, quite simply, one of the fastest 3-year-olds in the country. A headstrong colt, he has a simple approach to the game: He runs as fast as he can as far as he can. He so loves to run he requires little encouragement: When he finished second in the Lexington Stakes, his jockey, Garrett Gomez, didn't even carry a whip.

"He's a big, powerful horse," said his trainer, Bob Baffert, pointing out that Samba Rooster's own willfulness might be the only obstacle to his development. "I'd like to see him relax a little bit. He needs to learn to relax."

Before he ran fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, El Gato Malo was among the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. But that day, he got "raddled" in the paddock at Santa Anita, said his trainer, Craig Dollase. After that, The Bad Cat just didn't perform.

But he has trained very sharply since then, Dollase said, with the addition of blinkers.

"He's a lot more focused now," Dollase said about El Gato Malo, the 2-1 second-choice in the Lone Star Derby. "And we're looking to get him back on track."

A less obvious possibility is Limestone Edge, who's coupled in the wagering with Samba Rooster. When Limestone Edge rallied strongly to score his maiden victory in November, he looked like a horse who could soon put himself on the Triple Crown trail.

After that, however, he became very ill, his trainer, Bob Hess Jr., explained. In February, when Limestone Edge returned to competition, he finished ninth, coming out of the race "real sore all over," Hess said.

The cause wasn't readily apparent. But eventually he was found to have an undescended testicle causing him considerable pain. When that was removed, he became, well, a new horse, or, to be more specific, a new ridgeling. And then a month ago, at Keeneland, he won his first race back.

"He's a much better horse now," Hess said. "He's happy, and he's training well. This is a very tough race, but he looks the part and acts the part [of a horse with quality]. We like him a lot."

And in New York today, in the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park, Casino Drive makes his American debut. Could this upstart from Japan possibly represent a challenge to Big Brown?

Casino Drive has raced but once, but what he lacks in experience he makes up for with potential. Purchased as a yearling for $950,000, he won his debut by more than 11 lengths.

From Japan, he was sent to New York specifically for the Belmont Stakes, the final event in the Triple Crown, and for good reason. His sister (actually, three-quarters sister), Rags To Riches, won last year's Belmont, and his half-brother, Jazil, won the race in 2006.

And if one of these horses, or another, steps forward today with a sparkler to declare himself a major player in the sport's most glamorous division -- now, that could be just what the sport needs.

Baffert appearance usually means race worth savoring

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:35 CDT

By GARY WEST

GRAND PRAIRIE -- He generally regards a trip to Texas as a semi-vacation, a couple days of Texas burgers and two-stepping, with a roller coaster and a stakes victory usually somewhere in the mix.

But I generally regard his visit as something else altogether, as an auspicious sign and a reliable indicator that a moment worth savoring is in the offing.

When Bob Baffert shows up at Lone Star, a good horse race can't be far behind. And the white-headed, silver-tongued, California-based trainer will be here Saturday, with Samba Rooster, for the $400,000 Lone Star Derby.

Yes, his presence has been a sure-fire sign. Baffert, of course, won the inaugural Lone Star Derby with Anet, and he has been making annual trips, with only a few exceptions, to Grand Prairie ever since. In Lone Star Stakes over the years, he has sent out 28 horses, and they've delivered 13 victories.

He has brought Congaree, Isitingood, Preachinatthebar and Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet. In 2006, with Wanna Runner, Baffert won his second Lone Star Derby. Last year, he brought Bob And John to finish second in the Texas Mile and, later, to win the Lone Star Park Handicap.

And Baffert returns Saturday with Samba Rooster for what's probably the best Lone Star Derby in many years.

Also among those entered are El Gato Malo, the San Rafael winner who finished fifth as the 9-5 favorite in the Santa Anita Derby; Texas Wildcatter, the runner-up in the Gotham at Aqueduct; Leonides, the winner of the Palo Verde Stakes; and My Pal Charlie, the runner-up in the Louisiana Derby.

"He's extremely fast," Baffert said about Samba Rooster, who ran second in the recent Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. "He's one-dimensional. He's a front-runner, and you just have to hope he holds on."

In each of his six races, Samba Rooster seized the early lead, and although he has won but once, he has finished close to some major stakes winners, such as Behindatthebar and Harlem Rocker, who are both aimed at next weekend's Preakness. The Rooster sometimes gets distracted when he's out there all by himself on the lead, and so Baffert said he'll put blinkers on the colt for Saturday's race.

And in his four one-mile races at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Samba Rooster faced a long run to the turn as soon as the latches of the starting gate opened, and that straightaway encouraged the colt to draw on his speed immediately. But Saturday's two turns, Baffert said, should force the Rooster to moderate his speed, if only for a moment.

Most of all, though, it'll just be left to Garrett Gomez, the Eclipse Award winning jockey of 2007, to slow the big horse down and persuade him to distribute his speed and energy over the 1 1/16 miles.

Either way though, Samba Rooster will be the one to catch in the Lone Star Derby, and the white-headed sign points to an outstanding race.

Big Brown-Preakness

Playing oddsmaker during a teleconference Thursday, Richard Dutrow put the odds of Big Brown's sweeping the Triple Crown at even-money, or 50-50. Dutrow, of course, trains the Kentucky Derby winner.

He said Big Brown's romp at Churchill Downs didn't leave the colt any worse for the experience. Having returned to the track for training Wednesday, Big Brown, Dutrow said, is eating and happy and ready for the Preakness in eight days at Pimlico in Baltimore.

"Looking at the Preakness," he said, "I'm pretty confident. He's not hooking the best horses."

Dutrow said the only horse he has "any respect for" in the Preakness is the "white horse," Harlem Rocker. Dutrow said he expects Big Brown to have his most serious challenge in the Belmont Stakes on June 7 in New York, where he could take on "fresher and better horses."

My Three Sisters is the reliable choice

Fri, 09 May 2008 04:35 CDT

By GARY WEST

POST TIME 6:35 p.m.Star-Telegram horse racing writer Gary West highlights his picks for today's races. Odds are provided by Lone Star Park, with program number, post position (where different), jockey, trainer and weight. The thoroughbred racing season continues through July 27.

NINTH RACE My Three Sisters, a multiple stakes winner of $265,416, gave a big effort in the recent Irving Distaff. Despite some traffic trouble in the second turn, she rallied strongly and finished second.

Basically, she gave a winning effort, but she didn't get a win because she ran up against a very sharp filly named Tears I Cry. But My Three Sisters could get what she deserves in today's featured ninth race.

Also entered are Emma Grace, who ran third in the Irving Distaff; Jenz Benz, who won the San Jacinto Stakes at Sam Houston; and Speed Fest, who won by six lengths in her most recent outing. But My Three Sisters, who's consistent and reliable, appears ready for a top effort.

SEVENTH RACE Horses, like people, can be judged by the company they keep. And last year at Lone Star, Dandy Too kept some good company, even though it wasn't entirely clear at the time.

He began the season by finishing second behind Gyrovagi, who went on to win three consecutive races before finishing third in a stakes at Remington Park. And Dandy Too completed the season by running second to Euroears, who's unbeaten after six races, including three stakes.

Well, Dandy Too returns in today's seventh race to make his seasonal debut, and unless somebody has been wearing a convincing disguise, I don't see a Euroears in the field. Or even a Gyrovagi.

Dandy Too could be a key to multi-horse investments with Marco Blanco, who ran second despite a troubled trip in his debut and has been training sharply; Whiskey Bound, who has been close in both of his starts; and Chrome Plated, a speedy sort who could be the early leader.

EIGHTH RACE C D Cash has run only four times, with two victories and two seconds, and he's still learning. In his last outing, he battled through rapid fractions to gain the lead, only to lose it in the final yards to a horse making a powerful run down the stretch.

When C D Cash learns a little more patience, he'll be better for it. In the meantime, though, a little less distance could suffice to put him back in the winner's circle. His last outing was at 6 furlongs, and he returns tonight at 5 1/2 furlongs, which just happens to be the distance of his two winning races.

TODAY'S RACES

1st 6:35 p.m. $11,500, Maiden Claiming $30,000, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, mile, turf

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Weekend Thunder	J Guzman	M Whitton	116	5-2
2	Bold Touch	M Berry	M Stidham	116	8-5
3	Hunting Bag	J Figueroa	M Knox	122	15-1
4	Judys Favorite Son	L Quinonez	A Milligan	122	6-1
5	General Parks	A Lovato	M Davidson	116	20-1
6	Mycityboy	F Rodriguez	C Carter	116	20-1
7	Stockbroker	E Martin Jr.	P Murphy	122	6-1
8	King's Medley	J Shepherd	M Willis	116	30-1
9	Kris's Ego	B Morales	R Bird	122	30-1
10	Suave Quest	T McNeil	C Asmussen	116	20-1
11	Gold Street	R Eramia	D Duncan	116	30-1
12	Fastenyourseatbelt	E Tejera	R Schultz	116	20-1

2nd 7:03 p.m. $8,000, Claiming $7,500, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, mile

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Round Rock Road	A Lovato	C Autrey	119	7-5
1a	Motel Princess	M Berry	J Lara	116	7-5
2	Bellagamara	I Arellano	R Pickard	111	20-1
3	My Gray Angel	B Walker Jr.	S Barker	116	15-1
4	Sweet Appeal	J Chacaltana	M Davidson	114	12-1
5	Magic Pleasure	J Guzman	J Bausch	116	6-1
6	Sly Devil	E Tejera	B Morris	116	10-1
7	Seekingthemoon	B Morales	L Wisdom	116	20-1
8	Sis Got Game	Q Hamilton	D Pish	119	8-5

3rd 7:31 p.m. $10,500, Maiden Claiming $25,000, 2-year-olds, 4 1/2 furlongs!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Our Expectation	B Morales	C Bronstad	118	30-1
2	Tummy Tickle	J Chacaltana	B McBride	113	7-2
3	Lone Star Ditty	Q Hamilton	D Pish	118	6-1
4	Valid Message	E Martin Jr.	W Calhoun	118	6-1
5	War Hymn	M Berry	W Calhoun	118	8-5
6	Zydeco	T Collier	J Caldwell	118	30-1
7	Authentic Flyer	E Tejera	J Locke	118	12-1
8	Aggie Cadet	L Taylor	J West	118	10-1
9	Single Blossum	T McNeil	C Asmussen	118	5-1

4th 7:59 p.m. $10,000, Maiden Claiming $20,000, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, 6 furlongs

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Gemspeed	L Taylor	L Rosenwasser	122	20-1
1a	Grand Lad	J Figueroa	L Rosenwasser	116	20-1
2	Our Truck	J Shepherd	J Bruner	116	8-5
2b	Dee Tone	J Shepherd	J Bruner	116	8-5
3	Tuckers Buddy	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	116	2-1
4	Workslast	B McNeil	J Garren	116	20-1
5	Scotts Bisquit	T Collier	S Akin	122	5-1
6	Like a Bullet	A Lovato	M Davidson	122	20-1
7	Festive Dancer	F Rodriguez	J Johnston	122	6-1
8	Royal Expectations	J Collier	M Lovell	116	12-1
9	New Trieste Flyer	R Eramia	A Konkoly	116	20-1

5th 8:27 p.m. $11,000, Claiming $10,000, 4-year-olds and up, 5 furlongs, turf

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Dr. Mojo	F Rodriguez	K O'Quinn	116	30-1
2	Hickory Grove Road	J Guzman	J Bausch	116	20-1
3	Random Gold	M Escobar	C Hartman	116	4-1
4	Mercy Me	T Collier	J Caldwell	119	15-1
5	Storm Sizzle	A Lovato	M Mareina	116	3-1
6	Jer Dandy	J Collier	H Pullins	116	15-1
7	James Ready Magic	E Tejera	J Locke	116	12-1
8	Cold Dawn	E Martin Jr.	T Edison	116	30-1
9	Southern Humour	T McNeil	C Asmussen	116	8-1
10	Ranger B.	M Berry	C Autrey	116	7-2
11	Dad's Lessons	C Garner	T Garner	116	30-1
12	Charles Edwin	R Eramia	R Schultz	116	6-1

6th 8:55 p.m. $7,500, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, mile

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Cotton Pickin'girl	C Fletcher Jr.	R Grimes	122	30-1
2	Diva de Amante	B McNeil	J Garren	122	30-1
3	Capotetta	M Berry	C Haydel	122	10-1
4	Liza Vara	E Martin Jr.	B Evans	116	8-1
5	My Adversary	E Tejera	R Morris	122	4-1
6	Little Ms Cozzene	T McNeil	C Asmussen	122	20-1
7	Betazone	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	116	7-2
8	Spring of Life	J Figueroa	M Davidson	116	5-1
9	Princess Itron	J Guzman	P Lopez	122	30-1
10	Two Jays Mallory	M Escobar	B Jenkins	116	8-1
11	Awe N Destruction	Q Hamilton	D Pish	116	8-1
12	Hurry Home Drops	R Eramia	J Locke	116	10-1

7th 9:23 p.m. $21,000, Maiden special weight, 3- and 4-year-olds, 6 furlongs

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Head Waiter	Q Hamilton	D Pish	116	20-1
2	Chrome Plated	E Martin Jr.	W Calhoun	116	5-2
3	Masterson	R Eramia	J Offolter	116	12-1
4	Riddle Stone	C Fletcher Jr.	C Colbath	116	30-1
5	Marco Blanco	M Berry	J Petalino	116	4-1
6	Foolish Flyer	J Shepherd	R Arnold Jr.	116	12-1
7	Dandy Too	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	122	2-1
8	Ima	C Rodriguez	T Kagel	122	30-1
9	Whiskey Bound	T McNeil	C Asmussen	122	6-1

8th 9:51 p.m. $22,000, AOC $18,000, 4-year-olds and up, 5 1/2 furlongs!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Cipher	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	116	3-1
2	Wilby's Ray	M Berry	R Schultz	122	8-1
3	C D Cash	Q Hamilton	W Calhoun	119	2-1
4	Mary's Gray Boy	R Eramia	A Konkoly	116	15-1
5	Private Vendetta	A Crandall	J Lara	119	12-1
6	Steal the Sticks	E Martin Jr.	J Offolter	122	6-1
7	Kaceynthemoonlite	C Garner	T Garner	116	20-1
8	Precious Colony	D Pettinger	D Pish	116	20-1
9	Leeway	B Walker Jr.	R Mayfield	116	4-1

9th 10:19 p.m. $31,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, mile, turf

King Of Speed is an oldie but a goodie

Thu, 08 May 2008 04:39 CDT

By GARY WEST

EIGHTH RACE At an age when most horses have slowed down considerably or else retired, King Of Speed appears to be in top form. The 9-year-old has won four of his last five races and just keeps adding to his thick bankroll of $354,180.

Despite having to race a little wide because of his No. 10 post position, King Of Speed won his most recent outing at Lone Star, and when he returns tonight, he'll be facing some of those same horses he just defeated, namely Diggy Fresh and Objective.

King Of Speed will be carrying six more pounds tonight. Still, the old guy has proven in the past that he's unfazed by weight, and he's so sharp at the moment that he remains the one to beat and a possible key for multi-horse investments, with Diggy Fresh, Objective and Ernesto.

FOURTH RACE Spoonerism rallied from 10th to finish third in his seasonal debut nearly three weeks ago. And the effort was even better than it appears because the turf course that day, April 19, was very biased in favor of speedsters. All three races on the grass that day were won by horses that led from the start, and all three were upsets.

With his late-running style, Spoonerism did well just to finish third. And the effort suggests that he should step forward in his second start of the season, in tonight's fourth race.

FIFTH RACE First Stage won the first two races of her career. Cuvee won the first two races of his career, back in 2003, when he should have been the year's juvenile champion. And their son, Border Cuvee, will run in the first race of his career in tonight's fifth. If precocity runs in the family, as it seems to, he should be tough to beat.

TODAY AT LONE STAR PARK

1st 6:35 p.m. $7,500, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/16 miles !,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Proper Course	J Chacaltana	M Davidson	117	30-1
2	Port Light	E Martin Jr.	B Evans	122	9-2
3	Whizville	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	116	12-1
4	Red Rush	F Rodriguez	M Whitton	122	10-1
5	Magic Mick	E Tejera	C White	116	20-1
6	Burrito Bandit	Q Hamilton	D Pish	116	7-2
7	Only Man in Town	M Berry	J Locke	116	4-1
8	Truhawk	J Figueroa	M Carter Jr.	122	20-1
9	Sunny Experience	J Guzman	A Hedary	122	8-1
10	C Jake	B Morales	C Haverkamp	122	12-1
11	Suprized Me	J Shepherd	A Ali	122	20-1
12	Snifters Spirit	M Escobar	A Konkoly	122	15-1
13	Ole Lucky	L Taylor	C Detiege	122	20-1
14	Rack of Black	R Eramia	C Smith	116	20-1

2nd 7:03 p.m. $10,500, Claiming $20,000, 3-year-olds, mile!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Waco Hug	Q Hamilton	D Pish	120	6-1
2	Twindian	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	120	7-2
3	Rare Flyer	A Lovato	M Davidson	120	6-1
4	Peaceful Prospect	B Walker Jr.	S Barker	120	12-1
5	Brendyn Jo	E Tejera	V Foster Sr.	120	2-1
6	A P Texas	R Eramia	B Jackson	120	5-2

3rd 7:31 p.m. $7,000, Claiming $5,000, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, 6 furlongs !,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Send 'm Roses	J Collier	D Poteet	122	20-1
2	Setacourseforhome	J Chacaltana	R Pickard	117	3-1
3	Sheba's Spirit	F Rodriguez	J Ray	122	6-1
4	Anita Xanax	B McNeil	J Offolter	122	8-5
5	Sweetsally	B Morales	J Kays	122	15-1
6	Miss Mint Julep	T Collier	L Lebrun	122	5-1
7	Sue's Melody	J Guzman	K Brown	122	15-1
8	Pretty Josette	J Shepherd	V Belvoir	122	10-1

4th 7:59 p.m. $13,000, Claiming $25,000, 3-year-olds and up, mile, turf!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	De Ice Cat	E Tejera	B Morris	122	10-1
2	Honor Mr Peck	C Lambert	D Pish	122	6-1
3	Axel Pegasus	M Berry	J Locke	122	5-2
4	Spoonerism	Q Hamilton	D Pish	122	2-1
5	Ride the Whiz	R Eramia	C Hartman	116	5-1
6	Little Scout	J Guzman	K O'Quinn	122	20-1
7	Two Jays Secret	F Rodriguez	B Jenkins	122	12-1
8	De Toby	T Collier	L Lebrun	122	12-1

5th 8:27 p.m. $21,000, Maiden special weight, 2-year-olds, 4 1/2 furlongs!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Laredo Silver	I Arellano	W Adair	113	30-1
2	Delm	B McNeil	T Edison	118	10-1
3	Valid Vision	Q Hamilton	R Young	118	8-1
4	Border Cuvee	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	118	2-1
5	Lucky Raja	J Chacaltana	M Davidson	113	12-1
6	Byars Kiss	L Taylor	G Doege	118	15-1
7	Prestamos Dinero	R Eramia	W Buehrer	118	30-1
8	Katesexpectations	T Collier	B Jenkins	118	5-2
9	Chasenthejoneses	J Figueroa	M Cansler	118	9-2
10	Mojoelafave	B Morales	R Bird	118	12-1

6th 8:55 p.m. $22,000, Allowance, 4-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, mile, turf!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Crib Kicker	R Eramia	J Locke	122	5-2
2	Meggiebigbucks	J Guzman	J Bausch	116	8-1
3	Rock Steady	L Taylor	H Bell Jr.	116	15-1
4	Lady Teabing (IRE)	L Quinonez	S Asmussen	116	3-1
5	Miss Killian	J Chacaltana	R Morales	111	20-1
6	Proud Return	S Judkins	C Haydel	116	20-1
7	Gone Campin	E Martin Jr.	M Nicks	116	2-1
8	Freedom Eagle	Q Hamilton	C Dodson	119	10-1

7th 9:23 p.m. $8,500, Claiming $10,000, 3-year-olds and up, 6 furlongs!,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Runnin Branch	L Taylor	G Winn	122	15-1
2	Shine Sonny Shine	R Eramia	M Lovell	122	8-1
3	Holy Angelo	M Berry	J Locke	122	9-5
4	Beanie Duke	Q Hamilton	R Young	122	10-1
5	One Sleet Deal	E Tejera	J Bausch	116	5-1
6	Irish Tumbleweed	A Lovato	C Autrey	122	8-5
7	Mexican Jazz	J Shepherd	A Ali	122	15-1
8	Bold Exceder	T Collier	V Foster Sr.	122	30-1

8th 9:51 p.m. $24,000, AOC $35,000, 4-year-olds and up, 7 1/2 furlongs, turf !,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	King of Speed	M Berry	W Calhoun	122	8-5
2	Greenhill Charlie	J Figueroa	M Stidham	122	12-1
3	Prince Krimmer	L Taylor	C Detiege	116	15-1
4	Ernesto	Q Hamilton	D Pish	116	8-1
5	Objective	L Quinonez	R Rampellini	116	8-1
6	Diggy Fresh	A Crandall	M Kennedy	116	3-1
7	Precision Strike	E Tejera	J Bausch	116	4-1

9th 10:19 p.m. $7,500, Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, fillies and mares, mile !,

No.	Horse	Jockey	Wt.	Odds
1	Talk Wild	F Rodriguez	J Johnston	122	30-1
2	Spill the Wine	M Berry	A Milligan	116	7-2
3	Pam's Good Deed	E Martin Jr.	M Mareina	116	5-1
4	Roxy Star	B Walker Jr.	B McBride	116	10-1
5	You'remy Glory	J Guzman	C Carter	122	15-1
6	Graeme's Mint	B Morales	J Kays	122	30-1
7	Smiling Time	L Taylor	A Dupuy	116	8-1
8	Pine Derby	E Tejera	J Locke	116	8-1
9	Stormin Kris	B McNeil	T Morgan	116	30-1
10	Sunlit Treasures	R Eramia	C Hartman	122	2-1
11	Goldie Gold	D Shepherd	W Hastings	117	30-1

Gary West: Moralists' reaction to Eight Belles' death is rush to judgment

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:05 CDT

By GARY WEST

PETA responded predictably, and rabidly. On Sunday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals encouraged the irrational treatment of jockeys. PETA called for the suspension of Gabriel Saez, who was on Eight Belles when she went down after her runner-up finish in the Kentucky Derby.

She fractured the ankles of both forelegs and had to be euthanized, inspiring, of course, a cacophonous reaction from the nation's armchair moralists. Not to be outdone in conspicuous indignation, Wayne Pacelle, the president and CEO of The Humane Society, issued a statement Monday denouncing horse racing. He said if the sport does not deal with its problems, then "animal advocates" will no longer give it a "free pass."

This rush to blame and these outcries of moral outrage ignore, as usual, the facts of the situation. The armchair moralists ignore the video and the photos that suggest Eight Belles was in no distress immediately following the Kentucky Derby; they ignore the comments of the filly's trainer, Larry Jones, who blamed neither the jockey nor the track condition for the tragedy.

Most of all, though, in somehow blaming an entire sport, the armchair moralists willfully ignore that sport's habitual benevolence. The Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation, for example, annually allocates more than $750,000 in grants ($1.1 million in 2007) for research in veterinarian medicine.

The Barbaro Fund, the Equine Research Foundation, the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation, The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit are all dedicated to equine health. And they're largely funded by the owners, trainers and breeders of racehorses.

In 2005, Robert Orth of New Orleans bought Lightening Ball for $5,000 with one purpose in mind: to retire the 9-year-old gelding. Lightening Ball, a stakes winner at Lone Star Park in 2000 and a Texas-bred champion, had fallen on hard times and poor performances, and so Orth, who originally had owned him, retired the old horse to the LOPE farm in Cedar Creek near Austin.

LOPE is for ex-racehorses. A few, like Lightening Ball and Wooden Phone, who won the 2001 Strub Stakes, are permanent residents, but most are just passing through, on their way to a new career as a riding horse or a family pet. Since it opened in 2004, 135 ex-racehorses have gone to LOPE.

"We've had a huge outpouring of support from the horse industry," said Lynn Reardon, the director of LOPE, pointing out that the organization is largely supported by donations from people in horse racing. "We're very pro-racing."

Most people in racing are dedicated to horses. That's why they support LOPE and many other farms just like it, why they willingly give to the Grayson Foundation and others and why they're grieving today.

Last year, 72,966 Thoroughbreds raced in the United States and Canada. Without racing, not one of those horses ever would have been born.

Yes, Eight Belles' death was tragic. But don't blame horse racing.

Gary West: Just contemplate how much Big Brown outran a bad field

Sun, 04 May 2008 09:03 CDT

By GARY WEST

Maybe Big Brown will be the next cover boy superhorse, and perhaps he's on his way, with his victory Saturday in the Kentucky Derby, to a sweep of the gemstones. Or maybe his competition represents the biggest collection of losers since Jeff Spicoli was at Ridgemont High.

But either way, this Kentucky Derby was, and always will be, difficult to accept. Not because I was wrong, but because Big Brown's trainer, Richard Dutrow, approaches horse racing like a worm to an apple and because Eight Belles lost her life among the roses. And so how can anything good emerge from something so tragic?

Saturday's events at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., didn't defy expectations so much as they knocked harmony and orderliness off their bicycles.

But maybe I should look at this Derby as if it's a koan -- you know, something Zen Buddhists contemplate to raise their awareness and reconcile life's contradictions. After Kentucky Derby 134, I could use some mysticism.

Could Big Brown be so good, so uncommonly and extraordinarily talented, that he could overcome his No. 20 post position and his inexperience to win the most difficult of all races, the Kentucky Derby? Or could these other 3-year-olds be so mediocre, such congenital lumpen, that they would allow an inexperienced horse from post position No. 20 to beat them?

And not just beat them, but embarrass them: Big Brown drew clear subito in the stretch to finish nearly five lengths ahead of Eight Belles. After the most celebrated 1 1/4 miles in America, Big Brown stopped the teletimer at 2:01.82, which was a solid but hardly dazzling time for the day.

In other words, Big Brown's performance was more visually than actually impressive, and was that because he was running against a bunch of losers who would have had a tough time keeping pace at the petting zoo?

Think about it. Yes, that's it, contemplate the koan, meditate upon it, inhale the mystical aroma, hear the vina, and then arrive at this reconciliation: Big Brown is indeed quite talented, the other 3-year-olds are, for the moment anyway, woefully pedestrian, and the sum of those two realities can only mean Triple Crown.

Big Brown couldn't have beaten Smarty Jones or Afleet Alex or Alysheba, but he could very well run the table on this pitiful group of 3-year-olds. He's already the best, as the Brown Derby showed Saturday, and he's getting better.

Big Brown, after all, has run only four times. And he just won the world's most famous race despite missing a month of training with foot problems. He couldn't have been at his best Saturday.

And so how good will he be in two weeks for the Preakness, the second of the Triple Crown's jewels, at Pimlico in Baltimore? The Derby winner's saurian trainer wouldn't speculate except to say that if he doesn't "do anything stupid," then Big Brown "will run like that again."

Big Brown's jockey, Kent Desormeaux, praised colt's intelligence, saying that's what separates him from crowd and, of course, what enables him, somewhat amazingly, to cruise unhurriedly behind Saturday's modes pace. "That's what makes him the best I've ever ridden," Desormeaux said about the Big Brown smarts after winning his third Kentucky Derby.

And Big Brown, Desormeaux said, responds to every request. "Every time I ask him," the jockey explained, "it's like he's leaving the starting gate again."

Or could it be it that his rivals are so slow and plodding and dilatory that Big Brown only gives an impression that he's accelerating? Yes, contemplate and meditate, reconcile the differences and see what coalesces, and it's the image of a crown, isn't it, or could that be a jelly doughnut?

Don't be surprised if Pyro is smokin' at Derby finish line

Sun, 04 May 2008 09:03 CDT

By GARY WEST

Before a boisterous throng of 150,000, they'll run farther than they've ever gone before, and they'll find themselves in the largest crowd of horses they've ever seen. The dash to the first turn will be frenetic, for it always is, and when these 20 horses round the second turn, they'll first confront a tsunami of noise, then one of the sport's longest runs to the wire and then, at some point, their own weariness.

Nothing's like it. And in a horse's experience, nothing's even close.

What's most remarkable about the Derby is that despite its unique confluence of circumstances, the best horse usually wins: not the best horse in March or April, and not the horse destined to be best in October, but the horse that strikes this very moment, this first Saturday in May.

And, from here, Pyro appears to be that horse for today's 134th Kentucky Derby.

"My confidence is as good as it can be going into the Derby," Pyro's trainer, Steve Asmussen of Arlington, said Friday afternoon from Churchill Downs. "But having been to the Derby with Curlin, I know a lot of things have to fall in place to win it."

Although third in last year's Derby, Curlin went on to become Horse of the Year. Superlative horses, even great horses, can lose the Derby, horses such as Afleet Alex, Point Given, Risen Star, Nashua and Damascus. Native Dancer lost one race in his entire career, and it was the Derby.

And so Asmussen has a profound respect for the race and for the difficulty of hitting the moment perfectly.

With a scintillating stretch run, Pyro won the Risen Star Stakes in his first outing of 2008. And then he won the Louisiana Derby. But those were just lessons, steps leading to the first Saturday in May. Before each race, Asmussen told jockey Shaun Bridgmohan to teach Pyro whatever the colt needed to learn.

There were lessons in paddock decorum, starting gate efficiency, patience and, most important of all, winning. Of course, Pyro cut class in the Blue Grass Stakes, where he finished 10th, refusing to run a step on Keeneland's synthetic Polytrack.

But since then, everything has gone well for the colt. And he's ready to strike today.

"He's doing beautifully," Asmussen said. "A lot of things have to fall in place to win the Derby, but if he gets the trip, he's good enough to win."

It's nearly impossible to predict a trip -- who's going to be forced wide or get stopped in traffic. But with such speedsters in the field as Big Brown, Recapturetheglory and Bob Black Jack, the pace should be lively. In other words, they'll run fast early, which only enhances the chances of those that can run fastest late, horses such as Pyro, Colonel John and Monba.

And that's how the finish of the 134th Kentucky Derby looks from this corner, with Pyro wearing the roseate blanket at the end of day.

Derby Day

Derby Day is one of the year's best days for racing, and not just because of the Kentucky Derby. Five other major stakes will be run today at Churchill Downs.

In the Churchill Downs Handicap, Steve Asmussen will send out Noonmark, who could provide an indication of how the day will go. On April 21, Noonmark worked six furlongs at Keeneland in the company of Pyro. The fog was so thick that morning that no official time was recorded, but Asmussen said they finished together and worked well. Also among those entered are Junior College, Thousand Words and Elite Squadron.

Alina, who's owned by Brenda and Philip Robertson of Dallas, is among the favorites in the La Troienne Stakes. Also among those entered are Game Face, Keep The Peace and Secret Gypsy, who's owned in partnership by former Lone Star president Corey Johnsen.

Dreaming of Anna, who was the champion juvenile filly two years ago, has become even better since moving to the turf, where she has won seven of nine. She stands out in the Distaff Turf Mile.

Hystericalady, Miss Macy Sue and Miraculous Miss meet in the Humana Distaff. And the Woodford Turf Classic has stake winners including War Monger, Einstein, Thorn Song and Artiste Royale.

Kentucky Derby picks

Big Brown is Derby favorite, but is he up for challenge?

Fri, 02 May 2008 12:27 CDT

By GARY WEST

Big Brown won't win the Kentucky Derby.

Having said that, I realize I could be sticking my mug out there in the path of an oncoming pie. I could be setting the table for a crow feast, for Big Brown, I concede, is enormously talented, unbeaten as he is in three races, with his superiority totaling 29 lengths.

But not since Arazi in 1992 has a Kentucky Derby favorite been so unready for the challenge he's about to confront. Big Brown is the 3-1 favorite in the morning line for Saturday's 134th roseate run at Churchill Downs.

As a 2-year-old, Arazi had a sensational campaign, stringing together seven victories, including the visually stunning Breeders' Cup Juvenile, where he rallied from last. The next year, after knee surgery, he had a single outing, a one-mile turf race in France, to prepare for the Kentucky Derby.

At Churchill Downs, I remember, in the week leading up to the 118th Derby, Arazi's trainer, Francois Boutin, spoke about the advantage of having a fresh horse for the race. On the other hand, Lynn Whiting, who was going to send out Lil E. Tee, spoke about the necessity of having a seasoned horse, one steeled by tough competition.

Lil E. Tee won, of course, and Arazi finished eighth as the 4-5 favorite.

And now, with accolades strewn like rose petals in his path, Big Brown enters the Derby as the favorite. His jockey, Kent Desormeaux, who has won two Derbies, says Big Brown is the best horse he has ever ridden.

His effervescent trainer, Richard Dutrow, says he's confident that, quite simply, Big Brown is "going to win the race." The Derby, after all, isn't such a tough race, he says in The Daily Racing Form. In fact, it's a "mismatch" because Big Brown is that good.

He's so good that he only has to have clear running room, which is why Dutrow chose the extreme outside post position in the field of 20.

The sensitive might interpret Dutrow's comments as insulting, might even think the trainer's selection of post position No. 20 smacks of arrogance. But Dutrow often veers in the direction of thoughtless ebullience. At the very least, though, his comments seem naive.

Although a masterful horseman, Dutrow obviously doesn't understand the Kentucky Derby or what's necessary to win it. He doesn't know how demanding and difficult it is or how many great horses it has humbled. Like Boutin in 1992, Dutrow never before has saddled a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

Not since the great filly Regret in 1915 has a horse won the Derby after only three races. Not since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929 has a horse won the Derby breaking from post position No. 20.

And then there's the pace situation. Big Brown never has been farther than a length off the early lead. Gayego, Bob Black Jack, Cool Coal Man and Recapturetheglory all have sufficient speed to ensure a lively pace in the Derby. Will Big Brown, who hasn't shown he can control his speed, be content to tuck in behind them? Or will he use his natural speed to clear them and avoid a wide trip around the first turn, and if he does that, will he have anything left to meet the inevitable challenges in the stretch?

It's a reasonable question since Big Brown, who has a sprinter's pedigree, ran the final three furlongs of the Florida Derby in 38.08 seconds, which hardly augurs success at 1 1/4 miles.

Big Brown could very well be the most talented horse in the Derby. But many supremely talented horses have lost in this first event of the famed Triple Crown, and in the losing their trainers have learned to respect the Kentucky Derby as the most difficult race in America to win.

ONLINE: www.churchilldowns.com

134th Kentucky Derby

Saturday, Churchill Downs, Louisville, Ky.

10th race: Post time: 5:04 p.m.

No.	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
1	Cool Coal Man	Leparoux	Zito	20-1
2	Tale of Ekati	Coa	Tagg	15-1
3	Anak Nakal	Bejarano	Zito	30-1
4	Court Vision	Gomez	Mott	20-1
5	Eight Belles	Saez	Jones	20-1
6	Z Fortune	Albarado	Asmussen	15-1
7	Big Truck	Castellano	Tagg	50-1
8	Visionaire	Lezcano	Matz	20-1
9	Pyro	Bridgmohan	Asmussen	6-1
10	Colonel John	Nakatani	Harty	4-1
11	Z Humor	Douglas	Mott	30-1
12	Smooth Air	Cruz	Stutts Jr.	20-1
13	Bob Black Jack	Migliore	Kasparoff	20-1
14	Monba	Dominguez	Pletcher	15-1
15	Adriano	Prado	Motion	30-1
16	Denis of Cork	Borel	Carroll	20-1
17	Cowboy Cal	Velazquez	Pletcher	20-1
18	Recapturetheglory	Baird	Roussel III	20-1
19	Gayego	Smith	Lobo	15-1
20	Big Brown	Desormeaux	Dutrow Jr	3-1

Owners (by post position): 1. Robert LaPenta. 2. Charles Fipke. 3. Four Roses Thoroughbreds. 4. IEAH Stables and WinStar Farm. 5. Fox Hill Farms Inc. 6. Zayat Stables LLC. 7. Eric Fein. 8. Team Valor International and Vision R. 9. Winchell Thorougbreds LLC. 10. WinStar Farm LLC. 11. Zayat Stables LLC. 12. Mount Joy Stables Inc. 13. Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparaoff. 14. Starlight Lucarelli and Saylor. 15. Courtlandt Farms. 16. Mr. & Mrs. William Warren. 17. Stonerside Stable. 18. Louie Roussel III and Rona Lamarque. 19. Cubanacan Stables. 20. IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.