Chasing The Derby: Done Talking

Showing posts with label Done Talking. Show all posts

Liaison gets green light for Derby, Garcia to ride// Opinions mixed on Bodemeister work// Creative Cause goes 5

Most morning workouts are viewed closely by a clocker, trainer, and occasional owner. You can add a reporter or two when it comes to stakes caliber horses. However, the viewer and critic pool grows exponentially when a possible Kentucky Derby favorite breezes less than two weeks from the country’s biggest horserace- especially with the help of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Reaction from Bodemeister’s 5 furlong workout at Churchill Downs Tuesday ranged from “nice” “solid”, “good, not great” and “terrible”. Trainer Bob Baffert probably put things in perspective the best when he reminded everyone the colt is only 10 days past the biggest effort of his life in the Arkansas Derby and they weren’t looking to push him. Bodemeister will put in a final work ahead of the Derby either Sunday or Monday// Creative Cause, another top flight Derby contender, worked at Hollywood Park Tuesday without blinkers and will not race with them in the Derby. According to regular jockey Joel Rosario, Creative Cause relaxes more without the equipment. Creative Cause is tentatively scheduled to work at Churchill Downs next Tuesday. For today’s workout times, video, and reports see the links below// Baffert was also on-hand to watch Liaison train on the Churchill surface. He claimed the colt moved much better on the Louisville track than Santa Anita, where he finished out of the money in his last three races. With that vote of confidence, Liaison was confirmed for the Kentucky Derby, where he could be one of the highest prices on the board. Martin Garcia gets the call to ride the son of Indian Charlie// All five workers from Monday; Daddy Nose Best, Sabercat, Mark Valeski, Isn’t He Clever, and Optimizer were in good order the next day// Julien Leparoux seems anxious to get in the starting gate with Union Rags in the Derby. He’s put the much criticized ride in the Florida Derby behind him and has no concerns his mount will get the 10 furlong distance based on his strong gallop out from the race// The article list is growing every day as we get closer to the Derby. See below for features on Daddy Nose Best, Union Rags, Derby trends, Derby pace, overseas odds, and more…

Works

Bodemeister- CD- 5F- 1.00:80- B- 3/23 (12.80, 25, 36.80, 48.80. Out 1:13, 127.60)

Creative Cause- HOL- 5F- 1.00:20- H- 5/35

Workout Videos

Bodemeister video (Churchill Downs)

Bodemeister clips and interview with Bob Baffert (Courier Journal)

Workout Reports

Bodemeister puts in solid drill [plus info on Creative Cause & video] (DRF)

More on Bodemeister: Bloodhorse / TTimes / AP / Brisnet / DRF

More on Creative Cause: TTimes / Bloodhorse /

Kentucky Derby News and Opinion

Kentucky Derby barn notes 4/24 (Churchill Downs)

Derby Contenders at a glance [workout, shipping schedules] (Churchill Downs)

Creative Cause following Harrington’s plan perfectly (DRF)

Leparoux and Rags: A strong union (Bloodhorse)

Union Rags: An Amercian Love Story [full video] (Track Pack Pa)

Daddy Nose Best owner Bob Zollars minds his dollars (Courier Journal)

Mane character: Daddy Nose Best (Courier Journal)

Done Talking silencing critics (Bloodhorse)

Don’t forget about Hansen come Derby day (Bleacher Report)

The Trinniberg factor (Bloodhorse Blog)

Haskin’s Derby Trail: Gemologist a chip off the old block (Bloodhorse Blog)

Spiral Stakes and Sunland Derby: fractions and internal splits (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Kentucky Derby prep trends (Handicapper’s Corner)

Is a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile starter ready to wear the roses? (The Derby Post)

The 138^th Kentucky Derby pretenders (Miami Herald)

Odds from U.K. betting houses (Racing Post)

Tentative race schedule, post times, and TV information (And Down The Stretch They Come)

Kentucky Derby field loaded with talent (Philadelphia Daily News)

The toughest Kentucky Derby in years? I’d say so (Zipse at the Track Blog)

Oddities of 2012 Kentucky Derby contenders: A fan’s view (Yahoo!)

HRRN to air Triple Crown races (Bloodhorse)

Rankings

Down and Derby Sweet 16 (Zipse at the Track)

Contender Photos and Video

Liaison at Churchill Downs 4/24 (Churchill Downs)

Bodemeister at Churchill Downs 4/24 (Churchill Downs)

News and Quotes from Twitter

Kiaran McLaughlin says they'll wait until after weekend before deciding on Alpha's rider for #kyderby – Jennie Rees

Prospective & Dullahan both training strongly. Look right at home @ChurchillDowns #kyderby- Caton Bredar

Not thoroughly impressed with Bodemeister's trips over the track so far. Daddy Nose Best - another story. He moves into Top 10. #KyDerby- J.J. Hysell

The Lumber Guy moves to spot #25 with Jerome win// Reveron injured and out// Trinniberg a go// 3 key contender works

Updated Graded Earnings

Updated 4/21 (Churchill Downs)

Results

Lexington Stakes (G3)

Winner: All Squared Away

Chart: Equibase

Replay: YouTube

Wrap-up Articles: AP / DRF / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / TTimes

Jerome Stakes (G3)

Winner: The Lumber Guy

Chart: Equibase

Replay: YouTube

Wrap-up Articles: DRF / Bloodhorse / TTimes

Kentucky Derby News and Opinion

Trinniberg in, Reveron injured and out (DRF)

Done Talking workout reports: Courier Journal / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / TTimes

Went the Day Well workout reports: DRF / Bloodhorse / Brisnet / TTimes

Went the Day Well post workout video: John Velazquez / Graham Motion (Bloodhorse)

Rousing Sermon workout reports: Bloodhorse / DRF

Desormeaux eyes a 4^th win with Dullahan (DRF)

Derby hopeful Dullahan closing at right time (U-T San Diego)

Gemologist will be tough to beat (Bleacher Report)

Countdown to Derby #13 (Louisville.com)

Rankings

Derby Dozen (Lexington Herald Leader)

Works
Done Talking LRL- 4F- 49:60- B- 23/65

Reveron CRC- 1M- 1.46:00- B- 1/1 (Sloppy)

Rousing Sermon HOL- 7F- 1.27:20- H- 1/2

Went the Day Well KEE- 6F- 1.14:40- B- 2/3

Weekend Recap: Thoughts on Wood, SA Derby, IL Derby// Workout reports, next race plans, more...

While the word ‘chaos’ was thrown around quite a bit one week ago following Kentucky Derby preps in Florida and Louisiana, this weekend’s contests lived up to their billing as clashes of top contenders. A neck separated Gemologist and Alpha on the East Coast and it was a nose between I’ll Have Another and Creative Cause on the West Coast. All four will move onto Louisville where they will be well backed entries in the Kentucky Derby.

Alpha had the much more difficult trip in the Wood Memorial (G1) Saturday having to check early and deal with yanking to the inside and out frequently by jockey Ramon Dominguez. Alpha never quit though, and appeared as if he was going to pass the winner Gemologist in the final strides. Gemologist would have none of it however. The journey was a perfect outside, unhurried, and in-the-clear trip by Javier Castellano. In the end, it was Gemologist’s grit and determination that found a second wind once Alpha began breathing down his neck. It was a gutsy effort by both well-deserved Kentucky Derby entries. My Adonis, the third choice in the Wood field, disappointed his backers with a second-to-last finish ahead of only the vanned-off Casual Trick (who appears to be ok, but does have breathing problems). My Adonis now sits at #27 on the graded earnings list and needs a lot of dominoes to fall in order to make the Kentucky Derby.

Trip excuses were given for Creative Cause’s narrow defeat in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), however they were nowhere near the challenges Alpha faced. Jockey Joel Rosario believed if Creative Cause were on the outside down the stretch instead of in-between horses he would have got the better of winner I’ll Have Another. That’s possible, but really takes nothing away from the victor who beat his rival in a fair and square all out quarter mile dash down the stretch. Many felt I’ll Have Another was a prime candidate for a ‘bounce’ given his upset in the San Felipe (G2). Those same handicappers will probably look for a bounce in the Derby, but aside from one troubled effort in the slop back in September, I’ll Have Another has been a consistent top-level performer. The story obviously does not end here however. Creative Cause, much like Alpha, will get a rematch with his new rival on a much bigger stage in four weeks.

The Illinois Derby (G3) usually produces a long shot or two for the Kentucky Derby, and this year will be no different. Sent off at 12-1 odds, Done Talking will move onto his next race at Churchill Downs at about three times those odds. It was an impressive display Saturday as he began the race towards the back of the pack and slowly plodded his way to the front in the long stretch drive. The final time of 1.53:88 was the slowest Illinois Derby in recent history and the Beyer speed figure came back an 86, all of which suggest he’s a level below what he’ll face May 5^th. However, many don’t put much value in final time and speed figures, and could like a stone closer in a race that may have a lot of speed. There is the possibility the $311,000 in graded earnings may not be enough for entry into the Derby, however there will inevitably be defections that will help his case, regardless of the results of next weekend’s preps.

Trinniberg continued his solid 3-year-old sprint form with an easy win in the Bay Shore (G3) at Aqueduct Saturday. Although his connections indicated earlier in the week he could move on to the Derby, they back-pedaled after the race by giving the likelihood of a Derby bid at 15%.

Major contenders for next weekend’s Blue Grass (G1) and Arkansas Derby (G1) put in final serious preparations over the weekend. Hansen, Dullahan, Bodemeister, and Holy Candy all worked officially and times and reports can be viewed below// Bob Baffert suggested Liaison, a non-factor in Saturday’s Santa Anita Derby (G1), could still point for the Kentucky Derby if he sees improvement in his upcoming workouts. Liaison has shown absolutely nothing in all of his dirt tries this year and is ‘Exhibit A’ in making a case to change the current qualifying system for the Derby// Updated contender lists and graded earnings rankings can be found below// more…

Results:

Wood Memorial (G1)

Winner: Gemologist

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Javier Castellano

Chart: Equibase chart

Replay: YouTube

Wrap-up articles: Bloodhorse / DRF / Brisnet / TTimes

Beyer: 98 (Preliminary)

Santa Anita Derby (G1)

Winner: I’ll Have Another

Trainer: Doug O’Neill