by William Nack

Posted: Wed April 29, 1998

At a gap in the fence leading from the stable area to the Churchill Downs racetrack, the 3-year-old colt named Indian Charlie stopped and raised his head as though posing for the cameras that were clicking all around him. Holding the end of a lead shank clipped to the horse's bridle, trainer Bob Baffert stepped back and looked admiringly at his tall, striking bay colt. "He's the man, and he knows it," said Baffert, a few days before this Saturday's Kentucky Derby. "He's brilliant. And he loves this track. Believe me, this horse is the man."

That's saying a lot for a horse with only four career starts. But in his last race, the nine-furlong Santa Anita Derby, on April 4, Charlie easily defeated his talented stablemate, Real Quiet, by 2 1/4 lengths in 1:47, equaling the record for the race. Charlie has the pedigree to go the mile and a quarter, the tactical speed to stay close to the pace and the maneuverability of a polo pony in heavy traffic. And he has connections: Baffert and Charlie's rider, Gary Stevens, teamed up last year to win the Kentucky Derby with Silver Charm.

Still, the 124th renewal must be considered a wide-open race, rendered slightly weaker by injuries to Event of the Year and Lil's Lad. Nick Zito has trained two Derby winners this decade, Strike the Gold (1991) and Go For Gin ('94), and this year he could win his third with Halory Hunter, a stretch-running chestnut owned by Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino. Another chestnut, a well-bred colt named Old Trieste, scorched through a six-furlong workout in 1:09 flat last Sunday, one of the fastest training runs ever by a Derby contender at the Downs. Hanuman Highway, an Irish-bred bay, has his chance as a long shot. Last year's Horse of the Year, Favorite Trick, probably lacks the bloodlines to sustain him through 10 furlongs.

It says here that Baffert is right. Indian Charlie is the man.

Issue date: May 4, 1998