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Giant Finish crashes Fear the Kitten’s party// Carving not likely to be AE// Albarado to ride Golden Soul// No blow out for Itsmyluckyday


Summary:
Hopefully the connections of Fear the Kitten kept the receipts for their Derby hats as they may be of no use Saturday. In a near-last minute decision, owner Andy Cohen decided to throw Giant Finish, 3rd last time out in the Spiral (G3) at Turfway, into the Kentucky Derby mix. Giant Finish’s 10 points trump Fear the Kitten’s 6, which force the latter to enter as an also-eligible and hope for a defection before Friday. It appeared a second also-eligible was possible with the connections of Carving (2 points) showing interest to enter their colt during Wednesday’s scheduled draw. However, trainer Mike Puhich didn’t seem keen on the idea of waiting for two to drop out// It was also announced late Tuesday that Dallas Stewart has chosen Robby Albarado as the rider for Golden Soul. The team will be among the longest shots in the race, but if they happen to pull off a miracle get ready for the onslaught of stories on Albarado’s fairly recent transgressions// Somehow news that Ryan Moore was named to ride Lines of Battle was labeled “breaking” today but we actually knew that Friday. Lines of Battle arrived on the Churchill grounds early Wednesday morning// Eddie Plesa confirmed that Itsmyluckyday will not have a ‘blow out’ or short breeze between now and the Derby. Itsmyluckyday’s last work was Thursday and his overall time was a very slow 4-furlongs in 53 seconds flat// No serious workouts took place at Churchill Tuesday, but several people noted Falling Sky’s strong gallop. It is safe to assume he will be fairly aggressive in the early stages of the Derby. For gallop videos and interviews see the links below// Andrew Beyer theorizes that Todd Pletcher’s 1-for-31 record in the Kentucky Derby can be attributed to his training methods producing horses that perform better in races well spaced apart as opposed to the compact prep and Triple Crown schedules// Features on Kevin Krigger, Vyjack, Kelly Breen, Golden Soul, Joel Rosario, Orb, and much more below…



Articles:
Derby update 4/30 (Churchill Downs)
Derby Dreams: Mylute (Paulick Report)
No lack of buzz on Churchill Downs backside (Business First Louisville)


Videos:
Mylute gallops 4/30 [video] (Churchill Downs)
Vyjack gallops 4/30 [video] (Churchill Downs)


Rankings:
Haskin’s Derby Dozen 4/30 (Bloodhorse Blog)


Quotes and Tweets:
"Just got a text from Dallas Stewart naming Robby Albarado to ride Golden Soul in the Ky Derby"- Jay Privman via Twitter

“Trainer Eddie Plesa Jr. confirms Itsmyluckyday will not have a blow out before Derby. ‘No upside but downside if he went too fast’ ” - Mike Welsch via Twitter

4 ruled out of Kentucky Derby// Golden Soul, Fear the Kitten make the cut// Orb steals Monday workout spotlight// Oxbow posts bullet// Will Take Charge breezes

Summary:
Derby week kicked off Monday with a flurry of defections, additions, and workouts. Bob Baffert announced his Derby hand is empty after deciding Govenor Charlie is not ready and Code West will point for the Peter Pan (G2). Todd Pletcher quickly stated Lexington Stakes (G2) winner Winning Cause will bypass the Run for the Roses and the connections of Tiz a Minister also concluded it was too much to ask of their colt. Those decisions allowed Dallas Stewart’s Golden Soul and Mike Maker’s Fear the Kitten to take over the open spots #19 and #20 respectively. Alan Garcia was named to ride Fear the Kitten, while Stewart was still mum on the jockey for Golden Soul. Both colts will go off as big price long shots, but cases can be made for both to be part of the superfecta mix. Golden Soul should like the added distance and has closed well in most of his races. Fear the Kitten is undoubtedly bred for the grass, but has won at Churchill on the dirt and also closed strong in a majority of his contests// It’s no secret Daily Racing Form’s Mike Welsch favors Orb for the Kentucky Derby. After his official four-furlong breeze Monday he said it was “reminiscent of Barbaro and Street Sense” before they won the roses. Welsch wasn’t the only one heaping praise on the workout as the backside was abuzz over the potential favorite lighting up the track with ease// Oxbow’s bullet move in five-furlongs was overshadowed by Orb’s work, but the final time doesn’t tell his whole story. Apparently Oxbow bore out five or six wide when going through the turn, which was a cause for concern for Welsch. His stablemate Will Take Charge had an even more troubling breeze as he labored towards the end and was essentially “shut down” with no gallop out. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas didn’t seem too upset and was pleased the time was slow as opposed to fast so close to the Derby. For reports and video see below// Several handicappers are choosing Vyjack as their sleeper. If you can comfortably cross out his dull Wood Memorial (G1) effort, then a case can be made. However, I believe the Wood exposed him as a notch below Verrazano and Normandy Invasion// If you want to get excited about the potential of striking it rich Saturday, check out SB Nation’s chart on Derby payouts from the past twelve years// much more…



Articles:
Orb workout video 4/29 (Churchill Downs)
Oxbow workouts video 4/29 (Churchill Downs)
Frac Daddy gallop video 4/29 (Churchill Downs)
Derby Update 4/29 (Churchill Downs)
Haskin: A mud-dled Derby (Bloodhorse Blog)
The quest for winning your first (Horse Racing Nation)
How to handicap the big race (Horse Racing Nation)


Works:
Orb- CD- 4F- 47:80- B- 5/43 (Splits 12, 23.80, 35.80. Out 5F in 1:00.80 & 6F 1:14.60)
Oxbow- CD- 5F- 59:80- B- 1/34 (Splits 11.80, 23.40, 35.20, 47.40. Out 6F 1:14.80)
Will Take Charge- CD- 5F- 1.01:00- B- 12/34 (Splits 11.60, 23.20, 35.20. 6F in 1:17.40)

Code West overshadowed// Baffert may sit out// Features on Krigger, Stevens, Invasion, more

Articles:
Derby update 4/28 (Churchill Downs)
Code West workout video 4/28 (Churchill Downs)
Lukas on Oxbow [video] (Churchill Downs)
McGaughey on Orb [video] (Churchill Downs)
The Derby favorite (DRF Blog)

Works:
Code West- CD- 5F- 1.00:40- B- 6/42 (Splits 12.60, 24.80, 37.20, 48.80. Out 1:12.60 & 1:25.80)

10 contenders put in final works// Breeze videos and analysis// Goldencents arrives// more...


Articles:
Derby update 4/27 (Churchill Downs)
Verrazano workout video 4/27 (Churchill Downs)
Mylute workout video 4/27 (Churchill Downs)


Works:
Overanalyze- CD- 4F- 47:00- B- 1/70 (Splits: 12, 23.4, 35.2 out 59.6 & 1:13.4)
Palace Malice- CD- 4F- 47:20- B- 2/70 (Splits: 12, 23.6, 35.4 out 59.8)
Revolutionary- CD- 4F- 48:20- B- 6/70 (Splits: 24.80, 36.40, 48.20 out +1 1:00.60, 1:14.80)
Charming Kitten- CD- 4F- 48:40- B- 8/70 (Splits: 24.80, 36.40, 48.40)
Black Onyx- CD- 4F- 48:60- B- 12/70 (Splits 12.20, 24.20, 36.20. Out 5F 1:02.40)
Mylute- CD- 4F- 50:60- B- 59/70 (Splits 12.60, 25 & 37.60. Out 5F in 1:05.80)
Normandy Invasion- CD- 5F- 59:00- B- 2/52 (Splits 11.80, 23.20, 34.80 & 46.60. Out 6F 1:11.80
Verrazano- CD- 5F- 59:40- B- 6/52 (Splits: 11.80, 23.20, 35, 47. Out 1:13
Java's War- CD- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 32/52 (Splits: 12.40,  24.80 & 37, out in 1:16.60)
Frac Daddy- CD- 5F- 1.02:00- B- 32/52 (Splits: 12.40,  24.80 & 37, out in 1:14.80)

Falling Sky, Vyjack, Golden Soul breeze 5 panels// Ryan Moore to ride Lines of Battle// Training schedules altered// Standings still a mystery

Summary:
None of the three key workouts Friday impressed DRF clocker Mike Welsch. Both Vyjack and Falling Sky needed considerable encouragement late, while Golden Soul’s move was labeled simply “average”. Their times and splits can be found below. Orb had a stiff gallop along with gate schooling and “continued to impress” while Govenor Charlie had a troubling stride and difficulty changing leads. The McPeek pair of Frac Daddy and Java’s War meanwhile continue to thrive according to Welsch. His full report linked below// There’s been little news from across the pond on UAE Derby (G2) winner Lines of Battle. We finally know that Ryan Moore will retain the mount, but an arrival date and training developments have not been given// With the high probability of showers Saturday afternoon and evening, Todd Pletcher decided to move scheduled workouts for a majority of his likely Derby entrants from Sunday to Saturday. Falling Sky’s Friday work was also the result of trying to beat potential muddy conditions// Bob Baffert postponed his arrival to Kentucky a few days, so we will not hear the Derby status of Govenor Charlie, Code West, and Power Broker until at least Saturday. The latter two colts were not even mentioned by Jay Privman in his latest update so their chances don’t look good. Meanwhile, Privman also writes Tiz a Minister’s likelihood of shipping to Kentucky for the Derby after his stakes try Saturday is slim, which is different from what we heard just days ago// more…


Articles:
Trainer Todd Pletcher holding full house (Silicon Valley Mercury News)
Derby prom (Brisnet Blog)


Works:
Falling Sky- CD- 5F- 59:60- B- 1/32 (Splits 12.40, 23.80, 35.40, 47.20, 59.60 out 6F in 1:13 & 7F in 1:28)
Vyjack- CD- 5F- 1.00:40- B- 3/32 (Splits 12.20, 24.20, 36, 48. Out 1:14)
Golden Soul- CD- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 7/32 (Splits 12.20, 24.40, 36, 48. Out 1:14.40)


Upcoming Kentucky Derby Points Race
Derby Trial (G3)
Churchill Downs
1 Mile

Itsmyluckyday, Goldencents go slow// Velazquez on target// Videos, betting strategies, features, more…

Summary:
With just a little over a week to go until the Kentucky Derby, when every move and twitch your horse makes is crucial, the last thing you need is a tentative exercise rider. Trainer Eddie Plesa instructed his rider to take an easy 4-furlong breeze aboard Itsmyluckyday at Calder, but he didn’t mean to practically walk. The final time of 53 flat was unsurprisingly ranked the slowest time of the day. Now, Plesa will have to decide whether to give Itsmyluckyday a blowout just before the Derby// On the West Coast, Goldencents also posted a slow breeze, however trainer Doug O’Neill was pleased with the way he settled early and then picked up steam towards the end// Conditions were improved at Churchill Thursday with the track labeled as “good”. Mike Welsch noted Normandy Invasion looked “razor sharp” and other standouts included Orb and Falling Sky. He was also critical of Frac Daddy, noted improvement from Govenor Charlie, and said it was more of the same from the Pletcher contingent. His full report with video can be found below// A nice chart from the Courier Journal tracks the weather and track conditions of all previous Kentucky Derbies// Byron King lays out how he sees the Derby pace shaping up by placing likely entrants in four distinct groups: front-runners, stalkers, mid-pack closers, and deep closers// It’s that time of year when there’s too many features to mention in detail. Look below for stories on Kevin Krigger, Ken Ramsey, Rick Pitino, betting strategies, odds prognostications, the life of a clocker, and more…


Articles:
Kentucky Derby Update 4/25 (Churchill Downs)
2013 Kentucky Derby morning line (Zipse at the Track)





Works:
Itsmyluckyday- CRC- 4F- 53:00- B- 9/9
Goldencents- SA- 6F- 1.16:20- B- 7/7


Upcoming Kentucky Derby Points Race
Derby Trial (G3)
Churchill Downs
1 Mile


Rankings:
ESPN Top 10 (ESPN)

Kentucky Derby contenders deal with sloppy Churchill track// Derby Trial PPs and previews// Tiz a Minister set for Snow Chief// more…


Summary:
Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs was predominantly wet and cool. By the time the 8:30am special training session opened the track was sealed and sloppy. Orb, Vyjack, Black Onyx, Mylute, Oxbow, Winning Cause, Normandy Invasion, Falling Sky, and Charming Kitten beat the rain by galloping early, while Verrazano, Palace Malice, Revolutionary, Overanalyze, and Govenor Charlie all endured the sloppy conditions. It was Orb’s first steps on the Churchill surface and Mike Welsch said he looked strong. Revolutionary was another standout for him. For comments on all of the gallopers you can see the DRF Clocker Report article and video linked below plus find other links to the actual gallops from Churchill Downs// Todd Pletcher said it will be at least until Sunday before he makes a decision on whether to run Winning Cause in the Derby. Pletcher is planning on breezing all six of his Derby contenders that day// 9 are set for the Derby Trial Stakes (G3) this Saturday at Churchill Downs. As expected, Titletown Five is among the starters with hopes of wheeling back one week later in the Derby. Links to PPs and previews can be found below// Tiz a Minister, currently #22 on the Derby standings, was entered in the Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park. Trainer Paul Aguirre still maintains that Tiz a Minister will start in the Derby as long as he’s eligible// A reminder: there’s a separate page for the top 23 Kentucky Derby contenders that includes PPs, race replays, pedigree info, and more. Check out the “contenders” tab above or simply click here// more…


Articles:
Kentucky Derby update 4/24 (Churchill Downs)
Large hearts on the Triple Crown trail (Iron Maidens Thoroughbreds)
Wildcard for fillies (Bloodhorse Blog)




Upcoming Kentucky Derby Points Race
Derby Trial (G3)
Churchill Downs
1 Mile


Rankings:

Den’s Legacy, Super Ninety Nine out of Derby picture// Updated standings// Churchill activity from Frac, Java, Normandy// Derby Trial probables// more…

Summary:
Surprisingly, Bob Baffert did not allow the drama to build and wait until the last minute to announce his decision on Super Ninety Nine and Den’s Legacy. Tuesday, he told Churchill officials that both colts will not point to the Derby. All Baffert mysteries are not solved however, as we will have to wait a little while longer for his decision on Code West and Power Broker. That news should come later in the week when he’s on the Churchill grounds and looks over both horses, however even after that there will be lingering questions on the health of Govenor Charlie. The colt finally jogged around the Churchill track Tuesday- as opposed to just jogging (I erroneously reported yesterday he hadn’t yet made an appearance)- but Mike Welsch labeled his gallop just “average”// Welsch said Normandy Invasion was the “star of the show” before alluding to rumors the colt has lost weight since the Wood Memorial. Trainer Chad Brown didn’t seemed concerned and says, “I’m right where I want to be with him”// Frac Daddy continues to make a very good impression around the Churchill oval as does stablemate Java’s War// Vyjack was “sharp” but if you take note of trainer Rudy Rodriguez’s comments and the unconventional equipment they have to use, the colt is still a bit of a head case// Full reports and videos can be found below// As for upcoming official breeze announcements: Goldencents is scheduled for a 6-furlong breeze Thursday; Itsmyluckyday may or may not work Thursday; Java’s War and Frac Daddy will work Saturday; Palace Malice will work with blinkers and Mike Smith aboard Sunday// There are 8 or 9 probables for Saturday’s Derby Trial (G3), a race in which the winner receives 20 points towards the Kentucky Derby. Titletown Five is a definite starter, and his connections D. Wayne Lukas and Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung have every intention of going to the Derby if they get the requisite points. Other probables include Demonic, Officer Alex, Forty Tales, Ruble, Treasury Bill, and Zee Bros// Speaking of D. Wayne Lukas, there is a nice feature on him from the Courier Journal linked below// more…


Articles:
Kentucky Derby update 4/23 (Churchill Downs)


Rankings:
Derby Top 10 (Left at the Gate)
Top 15 (NY Daily News)