Kentucky Derby Watch
Posted: Wed April 22, 1998 at 2:06 p.m. EDT
A weekly update on 10 top contenders for the 124th running of
the Kentucky Derby on May 2nd:
Halory Hunter
Staying closer to the leaders than is usually his style, this
stretch-running colt posted a victory in the Blue Grass Stakes
over a pair of top-notch three-year-olds, Lil's Lad and Cape
Town, to vault to the top of the rankings. Owned by Boston
Celtics coach Rick Pitino, the colt had done no better than a
show finish when going up against the big boys in the Florida
Derby and the Fountain of Youth Stakes. Gary Stevens was aboard
for the Blue Grass but he committed to Indian Charlie, so Corey
Nakatani will be up for the Derby. Worked five furlongs on
Monday in 1:01 1/5.
Indian Charlie
The undefeated colt remained perfect with a record-tying jaunt
in the Santa Anita Derby, becoming the first colt to be entered
-- let alone win -- the Santa Anita with just three lifetime
starts on his resume. Part-owner Hal Earnhardt has a pair of
aptly-named children -- Derby and Dream --- possible connection?
With only four lifetime races under his belt, inexperience could
pose a problem. The last time a horse with four or fewer starts
won the Derby was in 1915, when Regret took the trip to the
winner's circle. Enjoys the benefit of Hall-of-Famer Gary
Stevens on his back. Worked five furlongs in 1:01 4/5 on
Sunday.
Event of the Year
This California-bred Remained perfect with his fourth straight
trip to the winner's circle in the Jim Beam Stakes. The son of
the 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew may be hurt by lack of
racing experience, see Indian Charlie. Galloped 1 5/8 miles on
Tuesday.
Favorite Trick
The reigning Horse of the Year tasted defeat for the first time
in his 10-race career with a third-place finish in the Arkansas
Derby against competition could be considered no better than
modest. Tabbed by some to be the Derby pre-race favorite before
the Arkansas, trainer Bill Mott will have his work cut out for
him as he prepares Favorite Trick to become the first the
Breeders' Cup juvenile winner to capture the Derby, while
gunning for his first trip to the winner's circle at Churchill
on Derby day himself.
Real Quiet
The San Felipe and Santa Anita Derby bridesmaid has won just two
of 12 lifetime starts. This stablemate of Indian Charlie made
Eclipse Award-winning Bob Baffert just the second trainer to
ever capture the top two spots in the Santa Anita Derby.
Cape Town
Coming off a third-place finish in the Blue Grass Stakes, Cape
Town gives trainer D. Wayne Lukas a Kentucky Derby starter for
the 18th consecutive year and not much more, although securing
Jerry Bailey to ride definitely helps. Three-year-old season
includes a disqualification victory in the Florida Derby.
Worked five furlongs on Monday in 1:00 3/5.
Victory Gallop
Alex Solis rode Victory Gallop to a win over previously unbeaten
Horse of the Year Favorite Trick in his first time on the colt.
The Rebel Stakes winner and son of Cryptoclearance worked five
furlongs on Monday in 1:02 and will jog today.
Artax
Won the San Felipe and Santa Catalina Stakes before finishing
third in the Santa Anita Derby. Part of a strong west-coast
contingent, which includes Indian Charlie and Real Quiet.
Worked six furlongs in 1:14 on Monday and will jog today.
Chilito
Turned in a surprising win in the Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah.
This late Derby nominee will give English-born trainer Graham
Motion his first Kentucky Derby starter. The Derby has not been
kind to Flamingo Stakes' winners as none have won the Derby
since Spectacular Bid in 1979. That string should remain intact
this year also. Worked six furlongs in 1:17 3/5 on Tuesday.
Parade Ground
Winner of the Tampa Bay Derby and third in the Wood Memorial.
Trained by Neil Howard, who may also start Louisiana Derby and
Risen Star Stakes winner, Comic Strip. Worked five furlongs
over a muddy track on Sunday in 1:02 1/5
THE WEEK THAT WAS: Smolderin' Heart captured the Lone Star
Derby and in the process earned himself a run for the roses.
Baffert's Shot of Gold finished second and will be heading for
the Illinois Derby. Classic Cat won the Lexington Stakes and his
connections were non committal towards the derby but runnerup
Voyamerican will be at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.
Third-place finisher Grand Slam is still on the fence. Thomas Jo
took the Federico Tesio Stakes but the Kentucky Derby is not in the
colt's future.
COMING UP THIS WEEKEND: The Derby Trial, which lately has been a
prep race for the Preakness Stakes, will be run on Saturday and
Souvenir Copy is the big name there.
One week until the "Run for the Roses."
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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