Master Of Hounds makes first training appearance, all eyes and ears on Friday Mo decision

Summary:

Master Of Hounds finally took his first steps on the Churchill track Thursday.  It was a very light effort that did not impress onlookers, however his appearance cannot be ignored.  Not only is he big, but he also has a compact yet powerful stride.  Uncle Mo put in a strong gallop, although the chances of him entering the Derby gate seem to diminish by the minute. A decision will be announced most likely early Friday.  Other horses that impressed Thursday morning were Mucho Macho Man (looking better each day), Shackleford (as always), Archx3 (I’m’ still not over the #1 draw), Animal Kingdom (another improver), and Twinspired (not a typo).  The recent reports on Soldat have been glowing, but I saw a horse that was fighting the bit and did not look comfortable// Robby Albarado, who suffered facial injuries from a Wednesday spill, will still be aboard Animal Kingdom in the Derby as expected// DRF does a rundown of where future wagers currently stand.  Decisive Moment leads the way with the best value at 186-1 from pool 1.  Dialed In, the favorite in the Derby, closed at 11-1 in one future pool, and Archarcharch was as high 50-1.  Don’t think futures are a smart bet, however, only 3 out of 110 horses from the Wynn Future Book in September actually made the Derby field// As we have seen during Derby week, the number of articles grows by the day.  Friday and Saturday CTD blog posts will be shorter due to the fact we’ll be at the races.  Be sure to still check out the site for our final Derby picks and wagers along with a unique new handicapping formula// more…

Archarcharch impresses in work// Decisive Moment so-so// Soldat ready to go

Summary:

Archarcharch was the star of the day for Friday April 29^th based on his lightning 5-furlong work. Mike Welsch claims the move was so good he now considers the colt to be among the top Kentucky Derby contenders// Decisive Moment did not fair as well.  Not only was the overall clocking mediocre, apparently he was switching leads several times down the stretch// Soldat put in his final work before the Derby in Florida.  There are no official clockers this time of year at Palm Meadows, but according to this trainer Kiaran McLaughlin Soldat worked a half in 49 and galloped out in 1.01:40.  McLaughlin was just short of exuberant// Mike Welsch commented that Santiva and Twice The Appeal did not leave a good impression during their gallops and jogs, while Uncle Mo continues to look strong.

As expected, Garret Gomez was given the mount on Master Of Hounds.  The rumor just last weekend was that Calvin Borel would get the job, but he apparently decided to go with a colt that was definite at the time in Twice The Appeal.  That decision caused a little drama between the connections of Twice The Appeal and his former jockey Santiago Reyes.  The LA Daily news reports Reyes’ agent was not pleased over the late announcement, not only because it’s the Derby, but also because they gave up six mounts at Hollywood thinking they would be in Louisville// more…

Zito Dialed In for Kentucky Derby// Master Of Hounds likely, Mr. Commons could sneak in

Summary:

Dialed In’s official four furlong workout time at Palm Meadows Thursday was a solid 48.40, but Mike Welsch at the Daily Racing Form claims he was “never asked to exert himself at any time”. While some question whether Dialed In’s light workout pattern and short four-furlong moves will have him ready for the mile and a quarter test May 7^th, Zito claims the horse is ultra fit, ready for the challenge, and won’t be short.  Soldat, also stationed at Palm Meadows, will have his final work Friday and then join Dialed In on the flight to Louisville Saturday// Master Of Hounds was officially withdrawn from Newmarket’s 2,000 Guineas, which means the Kentucky Derby is very likely.  Garrett Gomez is still considered the frontrunner to get the mount// Archarcharch and Decisive Moment are set to put in their final works Friday// With all of the recent movement and defections among the all important graded earnings list, lightly raced Mr. Commons now sits at spot #23.  What was once an unthinkable scenario for a colt with only $120,000 in earnings, qualifying for the Derby now doesn’t seem entirely far-fetched.  Trainer John Shirreffs decided to work the recent Santa Anita Derby third-place runner an extended seven furlongs at Hollywood Park just in case he stretches out to a mile and a quarter May 7th// TVG is reporting that Derby winning jockey Mike Smith will have the mount on Twinspired// I’ve always enjoyed reading the transcripts from the DRF chats just days before the Derby, seeing as it always provides valuable info from some of the game’s best handicappers.  Christmas came a little early as DRF laid out several Derby questions for their columnists. A must read// more…

Borel gets Kentucky Derby mount, will pilot Twice The Appeal// Anthony’s Cross the latest bubble horse

Summary:

After a whirlwind day of major Kentucky Derby developments, Wednesday proved to be much calmer: there were no official workouts or defections from the top 20. However, several important decisions were still made, lead by the announcement that Calvin Borel secured a Derby mount. He will ride a longshot colt who was born May 10th, once raced in the claiming ranks, and made his way to Louisville via the Sunland Derby route.  No, they’re not allowing five-year-old Mine That Bird to run again in the Derby, Twice The Appeal will get the honor. It was also reported that Borel was recently offered the mount on Illinois Derby winner Watch Me Go but passed on the opportunity// Bob Baffert confirmed Victor Espinoza would stay on Midnight Interlude, despite first-call jock Martin Garcia losing his Derby mount due to The Factor’s defection.  Baffert said Espinoza’s timely use of the whip was reason to stay the course// Silver Medallion, the next in line for a Derby spot, was declared out which puts Anthony’s Cross on the bubble// Upcoming works include Dialed In Thursday, Decisive Moment Friday, and eight or nine moves for the weekend// The Derby weather forecast seemed to get some attention Wednesday.  As of now forecasters are predicting cool temperatures and rain, but of course that is all subject to change//Brad Free at the Daily Racing Form discusses the potential pace (or lack thereof) for the Derby. He claims with a tepid pace, the race could suit Midnight Interlude and Soldat// As expected, Larry Collmus was named as the race caller for the Triple Crown.

For a little detour from the daily news on horses, jockeys, owners and trainers check out Sarah Kelly’s “ABC’s” of the Derby in the Louisville Eccentric Observer.  It offers a realistic-- if not entirely flattering-- picture of what to expect if you happen to attend// more…

Kentucky Derby field becoming clear, contenders migrate to Churchill

Summary:

Sunday was a day for planning and moving on.  The top two finishers from the Arkansas Derby (Archaracharch, Nehro) and Blue Grass Stakes (Brilliant Speed, Twinspired) appear headed to Louisville, where all but Twinspired are guaranteed a spot in the Derby gate.  Brilliant Speed will wait until just a week before, while the others will arrive this week.  As for the show horses and also-rans; The Factor, J P’s Gusto, Brethren, Dance City, Sway Away, and Santiva are also shipping to Churchill with only the first two being within the top 20 in graded earnings.  Bob Baffert is still undecided if he will enter The Factor based on his dull performance and the possibility of surgery for a displaced palate// Speaking of graded earnings, the all important official list was released late Saturday and a link is below// Archarcharch earned a 98 Beyer speed figure in the Arkansas Derby which is the highest of all last-round Derby preps, but still sub-100 which gives more support to the “less than mediocre” tag on this year’s crop// Decisive Moment appeared to relish the muddy track at Churchill by firing a bullet work. Stay Thirsty also breezed a quick four panels// Below are links to some nice blog postings on Saturday's preps and justified questions on the relevancy of the Blue Grass Stakes// more…

Graded Earnings List (Top 20 qualify for Kentucky Derby)

·       Official 4/16 (Churchill Downs)

First Derby horse arrives on Churchill grounds// Master Of Hounds may throw name in Derby hat// Dialed In better be on Saturday

Photo: Churchill Downs

Summary:

There’s probably not much buzz around the Twin Spires right now. It’s only one Derby horse. It’s only unheralded Decisive Moment. Nonetheless, his presence in stall 12 of Barn 41 this morning serves a reminder that the Kentucky Derby, less than 6 weeks away, is fast approaching.  Prep races from here out are serious, of the grade one variety. Jockeys (and their agents) are prepared to scratch, claw, and burn bridges for mounts. Trainers are racking their brains over timing, graded earnings, travel, surfaces, equipment changes, and all other matters related to squeezing their colt into the 20 horse field// Aidan O’Brien from across the pond didn’t make it easier for anyone as he announced the Derby is a possibility for Master Of Hounds, who finished 2^nd in the UAE Derby. His appearance on the crowded graded earnings list elbows out whoever will assume the #21 spot, plus adds another potential starter with real dirt questions// Matt Gardner makes a good point that Nick Zito possibly misjudged the campaign for Dialed In.  Seeing as the graded earnings mark to make the Derby is higher than usual, he will need a strong performance in the Florida Derby to make the gate in Louisville// In his weekly column, Steve Haskin makes a case for those horses who didn’t win last weekend’s preps but still showed promise: Elite Alex, Crimson China, Astrology, and Nehro.  Elite Alex and Nehro will have to run in the Arkansas Derby in order to get more earnings, while Astrology could end up there too, although only for fitness purposes// To Honor And Serve worked a bullet at Payson in preparation for this weekend’s Florida Derby. That field looks to be a relatively small 6 to 7 horses// Cris Collinsworth is this week’s celebrity top 10 for the Courier Journal// more…

Twice The Appeal caps unappealing weekend// Big Guns Uncle Mo and Soldat work

Summary:

Long shot Twice The Appeal crawled home in 40 seconds in the final 3 furlongs to win the Sunland Derby. He and Astrology earned enough to book a trip to Louisville, but like other winners from this weekend don’t figure to have many backers at the betting window// Many important workouts today:  Early Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo worked in company and took some dirt in the face.  Todd Pletcher was pleased with his response, but not thrilled with the work by his stablemate Stay Thirsty.  He seemed “intimidated” by struggling to never catch his older workmate. Pletcher is considering blinkers for the Florida Derby.  Soldat, another probable for the Florida Derby, impressed his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin in the manner he ran his 5 panels// The winners from yesterday’s Louisiana Derby and Spiral Stakes will race next in the Kentucky Derby. Pants On Fire, the winner in the Bayou, earned a 94 Beyer fig while Animal Kingdom gets a 92 from the Spiral.  2^nd and 3^rd place Nehro and Mucho Macho Man in Louisiana came out well and should go to the Derby.  Decisive Moment also earns a spot in the Derby gate with his second place money at Turfway// Mike Watchmaker from The Daily Racing Form sums up the weekend pretty nicely in the last article below// more…

Madman scared off by Uncle//Loads of cash placed on Runflatout in Future Wager// Odds set for wide-open San Felipe// Vinery Spiral Stakes takes shape// Rescind The Trade still headed to stakes// Gomez in a “situation” for Louisiana Derby

Summary:

Madman Diaries may scratch from the Timely Writer due to Mo presence// There is a video interview below with Todd Pletcher. The subject is choosing Johnny Velazquez as the rider for Uncle Mo.  Am I missing something? How is this news? He’s Pletcher’s first call jock, ridden Mo in all three starts, and regularly rides at Gulfstream// Odds set for San Felipe. With the favorite Jaycito at just 7-2 the payouts should be excellent// Apparently a sizable wager was placed today on Runflatout for the Future wager.  He’s now the favorite, but that’s not expected to be the case when the pool closes Sunday// Rescind the Trade, who was injured in the Whirlaway may go in the Sunland or Illinois Derby// Preachintothedevil also sustained an injury just before the Gotham, but may try the Spiral Stakes.  Decisive Moment may also head to Turfway for the race// Garret Gomez will be riding in Louisiana Derby, but on which horse is unknown.

San Vicente entries drawn, Baffert's tough choices, Uncle Mo makes new race nonexistent?

Summary:

As unpredictable as the road to the Derby can be, one thing is for certain- there will be drama.  The horseracing blogs and forums seemed to boil over today with several news items from earlier in the week or month: Baffert kicked Bejarano off The Factor, J P’s Gusto and Jaycito had trainer switches, and Uncle Mo may be entered in a race no one has heard of.  My take on some of this in the “thoughts” section below// The San Vicente drew 9 entries, Jaycito absent- another Baffert choice// Risen Star runners ready to roll// Nice background articles on major sites of ESPN (re; pedigree) and NY Times (re; Uncle Mo)

Entries:

San Vicente entries and a link to PPs can be found on the upcoming page here

Articles:

·       The Factor will face 8 others in San Vicente (Brisnet) (Bloodhorse)

·       Garcia replaces Bejarano on The Factor (Thoroughbred Times)

King Mo steps it up, bullets already flying for the El Camino, and more

CTD Daily Feed Summary:

Uncle Mo works nicely along with a slew of others including the likely two favorites for the Camino Real.  Nominations and some confirmations for the Camino. A coy response on Twinspired’s next race plans.