Grasshopper

Arindel Farm's Wait a While, who has not run since winning the San Gorgonio Handicap (GII) on Jan. 14 at Santa Anita, is headed to Saratoga for the July 26 Diana Handicap (GI) at a mile and an eighth on the turf according to Mike McCarthy, assistant trainer to Todd Pletcher.

The champion 3-year-old filly of 2006, Wait a While developed a callous on her left front tibia in March while training at Santa Anita. She came to Churchill Downs in the spring with McCarthy when Pletcher shipped his winter California contingent east.

The 5-year-old daughter of Maria's Mon reappeared on the work tab for the first time since the injury on June 15, when she breezed three furlongs in :37.20 on the main track. She has followed that move with :49.80 main track works on June 22 and June 29.

"We are going to be shipping horses back and forth (to Saratoga)," McCarthy said. "I imagine we would ship her up right before she runs. She will work here and then ship."

Wait a While finished third to longshot Lemons Forever in the 2006 Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) at Churchill Downs, but stakes on turf in the American Oaks (GI) and Yellow Ribbon (GI) and Davona Dale (GII) on dirt earned Pletcher's filly the Eclipse Award as the champion 3-year-old filly.

She has a career record of 10-3-4 in 20 races with earnings of $1,819,917.

'VACATION' ALMOST OVER FOR VETERAN BRASS HAT - Fred Bradley's millionaire gelding Brass Hat is slated to return to the track "in a couple of weeks" according to trainer William "Buff" Bradley.

Brass Hat has been at the family farm in Frankfort, Ky., for a break after finishing fifth in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI).

"He will have had about three weeks at the farm," Buff Bradley said. "He has been doing great, spending a lot of time outdoors. It hasn't been too hot like it usually is this time of year."

Bradley said the next major objective for Brass Hat is the Sept. 20 Massachusetts Handicap at Suffolk Downs with a prep race at Mountaineer in August to serve as Brass Hat's return to the races.

The 7-year-old Prized gelding has a career record of 8-5-1 in 26 races with earnings of $1,790,314.

The horse that finished just head of Brass Hat in the Stephen Foster, W.S. Farish, Edward Hudson Jr. and James Elkins III's Grasshopper is headed to Saratoga according to trainer Neil Howard.

"He's doing fine," Howard said of the Mineshaft Handicap (GIII) winner who has been back on the work tab since the Stephen Foster. "I am looking at an overnight handicap on Aug. 9 for him."

Grasshopper won the Mineshaft Handicap (GIII) at Fair Grounds earlier this year and has a career record of 4-51 in 12 races with earnings of $685,352.

RAMSEYS MAKE RUN AT HISTORY - With their 13th owners title safely secured at Churchill Downs, Ken and Sarah Ramsey are basically running against themselves in the historic track's record book.

The Ramseys have 19 winners through the first 49 days of the 52-day Spring Meet that closes on Sunday. The record for victories at a Spring Meet of 57 days or fewer is 21, established by the Ramseys in 2006.

Along with the Ramseys' reshaping of the Churchill Downs record book, the Artemus, Ky., natives earned the Eclipse Award that honored America's top breeder in 2004. That was the season their 3-year-old homebred Kitten's Joy earned an Eclipse Award as the nation's champion turf runner. They own Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., where they stand Kitten's Joy and Catienus, the sire of the Grade I winner Precious Kitten.

The all-time single season record for wins by an owner in the Churchill Downs Spring Meet is 27, set by A.J. Foyt Jr. in 1984. The year before, Cal Partee won the owners title with 25 victories, but both of those meets were extended sessions that covered 93 days.

The Ramseys have no horses entered on Friday's card, but have four each on the Saturday and Sunday programs that will wrap up the Spring Meet.

BARN TALK - Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas' first two-win day of the Spring Meet on Thursday raised his career victory total to 4,498. Lukas has one horse scheduled to run Friday, but not at Churchill Downs. That would be Silver Edition in the Grade III Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park. Lukas has three horses entered at Churchill Downs on Saturday in his bid to hit the 4,500 mark. The win total by the four-time Kentucky Derby winner ranks as sixth best all time. ... Calvin Borel's victory aboard Edmund Gann's You and I Forever in Thursday's 10th race raised his career win total to 4,494. Borel is named on eight mounts Friday in his bid to become the 34th North American rider with 4,500 victories. ... The race for leading trainer remained unchanged Thursday with Tom Amoss retaining a two-victory advantage over Steve Asmussen (31-29) with Ken McPeek third with 26 wins. Amoss has five horses entered on Friday; Asmussen and McPeek have two each. Asmussen lost what would have been his 299th Churchill Downs victory when That's a Good Thing was disqualified for interference in the stretch of the fourth race. ... Miguel Mena gained a little more ground on Robby Albarado in the race for leading rider by picking up two wins on Thursday's card to one for Albarado. Albarado holds a 67-63 edge on Mena entering Friday's card in which Albarado has nine mounts and Mena 10. ... Jockey Kent Desormeaux picked up career victory No. 4,995 on Thursday at Belmont Park. The three-time Kentucky Derby-winning rider has five mounts at Churchill Downs on Friday, including a ride aboard Zayat Stable's Thorn Song in the $200,000-added Firecracker Handicap (GII). A total of 22 North American jockeys have reached the 5,000-win plateau.

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through Thursday, July 3

Jockeys (Starts 1-2-3)

1. Robby Albarado (262 67-41-35)
2. Miguel Mena (337 63-48-45)
3. Julien Leparoux (298 54-55-49)
4. Jamie Theriot (268 48-36-36)
5. Calvin Borel (277 45-41-38)
6. Shaun Bridgmohan (210 42-39-27)
7. Jesus Castanon (251 27-25-30)
8. Corey Lanerie (216 19-30-28)
9. Brian Hernandez Jr. (188 16-29-20)
10. John McKee (145 12-21-20)

Trainers

1. Tom Amoss (78 31-15-12)
2. Steve Asmussen (132 29-24-19)
3. Ken McPeek (77 26-13-8)
4. Mike Maker (66 20-13-9)
5. Dale Romans (139 16-27-24)
6. Ian Wilkes (51 15-12-7)
7. Eddie Kenneally (62 12-10-10)
8. Cody Autrey (56 10-9-11)
-. Greg Foley (64 10-9-8)
-. Paul J. McGee (50 10-8-6)
-. D. Wayne Lukas 60 10-2-5)
Two (2) trainers tied at nine (9) wins

Owners

1. Ken and Sarah Ramsey (67 19-10-13)
2. Maggi Moss (29 12-7-4)
3. Zayat Stables, LLC (51 8-12-11)
4. Richard, Elaine & Bert Klein (36 7-7-7)
5. Heflin & Driver Racing (29 5-5-6)
-. Jay Em Ess Stable (22 5-4-2)
-. Heiligbrodt Racing Stable (17 5-1-0)
Six (6) owners tied at four (4) wins

The countdown to the opening of the second half of the 2008 campaign by Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin is now down to hours, and trainer Steve Asmussen is ready to see the imposing chestnut colt run in Saturday’s $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I).

            The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike drew the rail post in a field of 10 older stars in the 27th running of the 1 1/8-mile Stephen Foster, which is carded as the 10th of 11 races on the “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” program at approximately 5:51 p.m. (all times EDT).  Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia has installed the winner of the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (GI) and the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) at Nad Al Sheba as the 3-5 morning line choice in a talented group that also includes Brass Hat, the winner of the 2006 Donn Handicap (GI) and the track record-holder for 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs;  Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) winner Einstein, a three-time Grade I winner on the turf; and Grasshopper, a narrow loser to 2007 Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Street Sense in last year’s Travers (GI) at Saratoga.

            Curlin was scheduled to school in the Churchill Downs paddock during Thursday’s fifth race.

            “I’m very anxious to run him,” Asmussen said at his Churchill Downs barn on Thursday.  “He’s a very exciting horse to be around, and this is his purpose.  He’s very dialed-in.  He schooled well last week, he schools again today.  I think he’s an absolutely gorgeous animal, but I’m biased.” 

            The race will be Curlin’s first since he cruised to a 7 ¾-length romp in the Dubai World Cup on March 29.  Curlin will attempt to become the second horse to complete the World Cup-Stephen Foster double.  Godolphin’s Dubai-based Street Cry dominated both races in 2002.

            Asmussen vividly remembers Street Cry’s 6 ½-length victory in the Stephen Foster and said that he planned Curlin’s trip to Dubai for the World Cup, which consisted of a six-week stay at Nad Al Sheba and a prep race over the track a month before the World Cup, with the Godolphin runner in mind.

            “He (Street Cry) had a prep before the World Cup and then ran dynamite in it,” Asmussen said.  “I was here that day for his Stephen Foster – and wow! I witnessed it and thought, ‘Oh, my goodness.’  So that form influenced us in going over there and spending the time, because I thought that horse had the best performance off winning the World Cup.”

            Curlin has worked strongly at Churchill Downs in preparation for the Foster, including a brilliant seven-furlong work in 1:24.60 on June 2.  Asmussen believes his champion is ready, although he has “normal” concerns over the colt’s draw of the rail post at a 1 1/8-mile distance that is probably a bit short of his best. Curlin is one-for-two at the Foster’s 1 1/8 miles, but has won four of five races at 1 ¼ miles – with his third-place finish to Street Sense and Hard Spun in last year’s Kentucky Derby being his only setback at that distance.

            “He’s not a ‘juvenile’ as he was when I think (post position) came into play,” he said.  “He’s a very seasoned animal.  I’m very pleased with how comfortable he is with his surroundings, but he needs to run.  The test is going to be how fast you are.  Reputation doesn’t win races – how fast you’re going does.”

            Curlin has been very fast in his career and brings an 8-1-2 record in 11 races and earnings of $8,807,800 into Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap, trailing only Cigar’s $9,999,815 and Skip Away’s $9,616,360 on the North American all-time earning list.  With his two victories in Dubai to start the year, Asmussen’s first “Horse of the Year” is off to a grand start on 2008 – but his trainer knows there are still six important months remaining in the year.

            “I think that this is exactly the beginning of the second half of it, and I think you want to savor it as much as possible,” Asmussen said.  “That being said, I think the first half was decided and that went perfectly.  So I think this is very exciting and this is the second half.  We broke it up the same as last year, into two separate campaigns.”

            Asmussen was outspoken about his unhappiness with the 128-pound impost assigned to Curlin for the Stephen Foster.  He said that concern was both for the champion’s comeback in the Stephen Foster and for what the colt could face in handicap races down the road should he be as successful as Asmussen hopes on Saturday.

            “You plan on having success, that’s why you do this,” he said.  “I think most all of the time everybody’s walking over there thinking they’re going to win – that’s why they’re walking over there.  But where do you go from here?  Also, it’s quite substantial to be giving 10 to 15 pounds to this quality of older horses.  How much is enough?  Weight matters, and how much matters.  Everything has a point where it’s not worth it.”

            Two other horses with Dubai World Cup experience competed in the Stephen Foster.  Victory Gallop, the winner of the 1998 Belmont Stakes, finished third in the 1999 World Cup and followed that effort with a Stephen Foster romp in which he established Churchill Downs’ track record for 1 1/8 miles (1:47.28).  Captain Steve won the 2001 Dubai World Cup, but was runner-up to longshot Guided Tour in that year’s Foster.

EXERCISE RIDER ROSAS RIDING HIGH WITH CURLIN – Mornings with Curlin would be a dream for any rider, but it is a dream that Carlos Rosas lives every day.

            Rosas has been the regular exercise rider Curlin since the reigning “Horse of the Year” arrived in trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in February 2007.

            “There have been maybe two or three times that I haven’t been on him in the morning since the day he came to the barn,” Rosas said. “It is a great feeling to be on him every morning. It is awesome to be part of it and awesome to be part of his life.”

            Rosas, who has worked six years for Asmussen, remembers the first time he got on Curlin.

            “I felt like he was a good horse. Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) told me how much they had paid for him and I thought that was a lot of money,” Rosas said of the seven-figure purchase. “After I galloped him, I could understand why they paid as much as they did.”

            The ride has included last year’s Triple Crown series, the triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Monmouth Park and a six-week stay this year in Dubai where Curlin won two races, including the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) in his most recent start.

            Saturday’s Stephen Foster will mark Curlin’s first start in 11 weeks and carrying 128 pounds against nine rivals.

            “He has to show up,” Rosas said. “People have said that horses sometimes have a tough time coming back from Dubai, but, to me, it seems like he’s back.”

CLEARLY FOXY RACING FOR OVERBROOK IN THE REGRET – Last fall, Charles Laloggia owned a trio of 2-year-old fillies who were putting together banner campaigns. The three, all trained by Mark Casse, were dubbed “Charlie’s Angels.”

            However, one of the Angels has new ownership and soon may have a new home.

            Clearly Foxy, winner of the Natalma (GIII) at Woodbine in September, will race in Saturday’s Regret (GIII) in the colors of Overbrook Farm.

            “He has had a lot of offers before, but this is the first time he has sold one,” said Norman Casse, son of Mark Casse, who oversees his father’s Kentucky string. “I am glad we are going to be able to keep her for Saturday and it is an honor to train for Overbrook.”

            The other “Angels” are graded stakes winner Officer Cherrie and graded stakes-placed Lickety Lemon.

            Casse is not sure how much longer Clearly Foxy will be in his barn.

            “It depends on how we do Saturday,” Casse said with a laugh. “If she runs badly, they may take her.”

ALBARADO WIDENS LEAD IN RACE FOR LEADING RIDER – Robby Albarado rode two winners on Wednesday’s card to boost his lead to four over Miguel Mena in his quest for his first riding title at Churchill Downs.

            After 33 days of the 52-day Spring Meet, Albarado has ridden 43 winners. Albarado’s victories came in the fourth aboard Little Somethin ($7.60) for trainer Jason Cook, and in the eighth aboard I’m So Lucky ($6.80) for trainer John Ward.

            Mena secured his 39th victory of the meet when he took the opener aboard In Orbit ($2.80) for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

BARN TALK – Frank Calabrese’s champion Dreaming of Anna was scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs on Thursday afternoon for her run in Saturday’s $150,000-added Early Times Mint Julep (GIII). The 2006 Eclipse Award winner will be housed in Barn 33. … 2006 Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Michael Matz was scheduled to arrive Friday morning from Fair Hill (Md.) with his two runners for the Stephen Foster Super Saturday card. Matz will send out Visionaire for Team Valor International and Vision Racing in the $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII), and Hidden Creek Farm’s Street Sounds in the Early Times Mint Julep. Those horses will be stabled in Barn 17. … Idoitmyway, the first foal from 2000 Golden Rod winner Miss Pickums, broke her maiden on her ninth try Wednesday in winning the fifth race. Paul McGee trained Miss Pickums and in addition to the 4-year-old Idoitmyway also trains her 3-year-old half-sister Sheltered and has a Miss Pickums 2-year-old in the barn.

LEPAROUX. LANERIE HEADLINE ‘JOCKEY TALK’ – Jockeys Julien Leparoux and Corey Lanerie will be the featured guests during this Saturday’s “Jockey Talk” – a new program at Churchill Downs that allows horse racing fans to mingle with their favorite race riders.

Each Saturday throughout the remainder of the Spring Meet fans will get a chance to meet, visit, receive autographs and take pictures with select Churchill Downs jockeys from 11:30 a.m. to noon (all times Eastern) in the paddock area.

Leparoux, a 24-year-old native of France, began Thursday as the third-leading rider at the meet with 37 victories. He won last year’s Spring and Fall meet riding titles. Louisiana-born Lanerie, 33, had nine wins at Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet, good for 10th in the standings.

HRTV ONSITE FOR STEPHEN FOSTER SUPER SATURDAY – HorseRacing TV (HRTV) will be at Churchill Downs on Saturday for ‘Horse of the Year’ Curlin’s return to action in the $1 million Stephen Foster Handicap (GI). Host Peter Lurie will be joined by longtime TV racing personality Caton Bredar to report the latest developments surrounding “Stephen Foster Super Saturday.”

WORK TAB – Hobeau Farm’s Delightful Kiss tuned up for his run in Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap by working three furlongs in :36.40 on a fast main track for trainer Pete Anderson. The move was the seventh fastest of 20 at the distance. … Maggi Moss’ Indian Chant, winner of the Aristides (GIII) in his most recent start on May 31, worked a half-mile in :47.80 for trainer Tom Amoss. The move was the second fastest of 56 at the distance. … Elizabeth Lavin’s multi-stakes winning Junior College worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 for trainer Tony Reinstedler for the seventh fastest work of 13 at the distance. …Whirlie Bertie, a two-time winner at the Spring Meet, breezed five furlongs for trainer Steve Margolis in 1:00 – the second fastest of 13 works at the  distance.  (Turf: FIRM, Dogs Up) – Phoenix Stakes (GIII) winner Off Duty breezed five furlongs 1:03.60 for trainer Lynn Whiting. …Cowtown Cat, winner of the 2007 Illinois Derby (GI) and 20th in last year’s Kentucky Derby for trainer Todd Pletcher, breezed four furlongs in :54.20.  …Aegon Turf Sprint (GIII) winner Mr. Nightlinger breezed four furlongs in :52.40.

 

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

          Through Thursday, June 11

 

Jockeys                          Starts   1-2-3

Robby Albarado                  162  43-19-22

Miguel Mena                       220   39-28-28

Julien Leparoux                  205   37-37-38

Calvin Borel                        214  31-33-32

Shaun Bridgmohan             143   29-27-18

Jamie Theriot                     153   25-22-12

Jesus Castanon                   173   21-15-19

Brian Hernandez Jr.            121   11-20-13

Elvis Trujillo                        68   10-10-18

Corey Lanerie                    131    9-19-14

Larry Sterling Jr.                 69       9-8-9

                                  Trainers

Tom Amoss                       50    21-7-8

Ken McPeek                        50     21-7-4

Steve Asmussen                  76   16-14-12

Mike Maker                         40    11-7-4

Dale Romans                       91   10-19-16

Ian Wilkes                           34    10-6-5

Eddie Kenneally                   40   8-8-8

Cody Autrey                        43     7-8-8

Greg Foley                          49     7-8-6

Steve Margolis                     33     7-6-6

Wesley Ward                       25     7-5-5

Paul McGee                         32    7-5-2

Nick Zito                             19     7-5-1

  Three (3) trainers tied with six (6) wins

                       Owners

Ken and Sarah Ramsey         39     12-6-8

Maggi Moss                         20     10-3-3

Zayat Stables, LLC                34      7-6-7

Richard, Elaine & Bert Klein   28      6-7-3

Heiligbrodt Racing Stable       11     5-1-0

Padua Stables                       7       4-1-0

Eliah and Lisa Kahn               4       4-0-0

 

 

Stonestreet Stables and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin is scheduled to make his first start since his emphatic Dubai World Cup (Grade I) victory on March 29 when he faces nine rivals in the 27th running of the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI) on Saturday at Churchill Downs.

The Stephen Foster, which will carry a record purse of $1 million, serves as the centerpiece of the “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” card that features six graded stakes races with total purses of $2,025,000. First post time for the 11-race card in 1:15 p.m. (all times EDT), with admission gates opening at 11:30 a.m.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Curlin will be ridden by Robby Albarado and carry 128 pounds. The 3-5 morning line favorite will concede between 10-15 pounds to his opposition in the 1 1/8-mile race under the historic Twin Spires. He will break from post position one. Albarado will bid for his second straight Foster victory after he guided Flashy Bull to victory in last year’s renewal, while Asmussen seeks his first Foster win.

Since achieving Grade I status in 2002, the Foster has produced two horses that went on to earn “Horse of the Year” titles: 2005 race winner Saint Liam and 2003 runner-up Mineshaft. In 1998, Awesome Again and Silver Charm ran 1-2 in the Grade II Foster and then came back in less than five months to duplicate the finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. In 1991, when the Stephen Foster was a Grade III event, Black Tie Affair won the race, the first of six consecutive victories in a “Horse of the Year” campaign that included a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI) at Churchill Downs.

Saturday’s Stephen Foster will be Curlin’s second start at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old son of Smart Strike ran third to Street Sense in last year’s Kentucky Derby. That setback was his first defeat after he had opened his career with three victories.

He followed his Derby effort with the first of his four Grade I wins by taking a memorable rematch with Street Sense in the Preakness before he closed out 2007 with victories in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (GI). He opened 2008 by winning the Jaguar Trophy in Dubai under 132 pounds before he romped by 7 ¾ lengths in the Dubai World Cup under 126 pounds.

Chief rivals to Curlin include three-time Grade I turf winner Einstein (Brz), Mineshaft Handicap (GIII) winner and Travers (GI) runner-up Grasshopper, and millionaire Brass Hat, who won the 2006 Donn Handicap (GI) at Gulfstream Park.

Einstein, owned by Patricia Cunningham and Melissa Green, Lessees, and trained by Helen Pitts, enters the Stephen Foster off victory in the May 3 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. Slated to carry 118 pounds and be ridden by Julien Leparoux, Einstein ran sixth in the Grade I Donn Handicap in his lone main track start since 2006, but he notched his first career victory in only start over the main track at Churchill Downs.

W.S. Farish and E.J. Hudson Jr.’s Grasshopper will carry 117 pounds and be ridden by Garrett Gomez for trainer Neil Howard. The 4-year-old son of Dixie Union ran fifth in the mud as the favorite in the Pimlico Special (GI) in his most recent start. He has won two of three starts over the Churchill Downs main track.

Fred Bradley’s homebred Brass Hat returns to the main track after finishing fourth in the Louisville Handicap (GIII) on May 24 and third in the April 25 Elkhorn (GIII) at Keeneland, both 1 ½-mile events on grass. Trained by William “Buff” Bradley, Brass Hat will be ridden by Calvin Borel and carry 116 pounds. The 7-year-old gelding ran second in the 2007 Clark Handicap (GII), but finished fifth in his only previous Foster bid in 2006. Borel won the 2006 Stephen Foster aboard 91-1 longshot Seek Gold.

Also in the field is Starlight Stable, LLC and Donald Lucarelli’s Sam P., who finished ninth in last year’s Kentucky Derby but scored a recent victory in an allowance race at Churchill Downs. Sam P. will be ridden by three-time Kentucky Derby winner Kent Desormeaux, who took the 2000 Stephen Foster Handicap aboard Golden Missile.

The 27th Running of the $1 Million Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I)

#

Horse (weight)

Jockey

Trainer

Owner

ML Odds

1

Curlin (128)

Robby Albarado

Steve Asmussen

Stonestreet Farm & Midnight Cry Stable

3-5

2

Delightful Kiss (114)

Miguel Mena

Peter Anderson

Hobeau Farm

20-1

3

Sam. P. (113)

Kent Desormeaux

Todd Pletcher

Starlight Stable, LLC & Donald Lucarelli

30-1

4

Einstein (118)

Julien Leparoux

Helen Pitts

Cunningham & Green

5-1

5

Grasshopper (117)

Garrett Gomez

Neil Howard

Farish, Hudson, Edward and Inwood St.

5-1

6

High Blues (113)

Corey Lanerie

Rusty Arnold

Dixiana Stable

30-1

7

Red Rock Creek (113)

Shaun Bridgmohan

Steve Asmussen

Steve Asmussen

30-1

8

Jonesboro (114)

Jamie Theriot

Randy Morse

Mike Langford

20-1

9

Barcola (113)

Jesus Castanon

Mark Hennig

J. Paul Reddam

20-1

10

Brass Hat (116)

Calvin Borel

William Bradley

Fred Bradley

8-1

Ronald Lamarque and Louie Roussel III’s fifth-place Kentucky Derby finisher, Recapturetheglory, has had his Preakness plans put on hold by a fever.

“We took his temperature last night,” assistant trainer Lara Van Deren said. “He just wasn’t acting right. He was backing up against the gate in the stall and he never does that.

“This morning his temperature was over 102. He’s definitely not shipping (to Pimlico) tonight. We pulled blood on him and gave him some anti-inflammatories. The blood work will tell us everything and we should get that back this afternoon.”

Van Deren said Recapaturetheglory was still eating and not coughing and that the temperature began to drop later in the morning.

MACHO AGAIN BACK IN PREAKNESS PICTURE – A day after being taken out of consideration for the Preakness, West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again was back in the picture according to trainer Dallas Stewart.

“Last night we sat down and really looked at the field,” Stewart said. “There is one superstar in there (Big Brown) and I feel he can be competitive with the rest of them. He has never been doing better than he is now.”

Winner of the Derby Trial on April 26 in his most recent start, Macho Again worked a half-mile in :50.80 before the renovation break over a fast track Saturday morning at Churchill Downs with Kenny Bourque up. The move was the 52nd fastest of 59 at the distance.

“The decision was not based on his work this morning,” Stewart said. “He never has been much of a work horse. But we will see how he is in the morning, and we are seriously considering it. It’s a once in a lifetime chance and Terry (Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds) has left the decision up to me.”

Macho Again has compiled a record of 8-3-2-0 with earnings of $143,761. His two worst races came on synthetic surfaces and his only off-the-board finish on dirt was a sixth-place effort in the LeComte (GIII) at Fair Grounds in which he raced wide and was coming off a seven-week layoff.

About a dozen horses are likely for next Saturday’s $1 million Preakness Stakes (GI) at Pimlico Race Course: Behindatthebar, Big Brown, Giant Moon, Hey Byrn, Icabad Crane, Kentucky Bear, Macho Again, Racecar Rhapsody, Riley Tucker, Stevil, Tres Borrachos and Yankee Bravo. Harlem Rocker and Recapturetheglory are considered possible starters.

RACECAR RHAPSODY DRILLS FIVE-EIGHTHS FOR PREAKNESS – Jerry Carroll, Stan Kaplan, Ronald Plattner and Mark Guilfoyle’s Racecar Rhapsody worked five furlongs in 1:01 after the morning renovation break at Churchill Downs under Jose Castanon. The move was the third fastest of 29 at the distance.

“He worked well,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “He laid off another horse and finished strong.”

Robby Albarado, who has ridden Racecar Rhapsody in all six of his starts, has the call for the Preakness.

Racecar Rhapsody never has been worse than fourth in his career and the most he has been beaten was four lengths in the Lane’s End (Grade II) at Turfway Park on March 22 in his 2008 debut.

“He’s a nice horse, but he’s a horse that comes from behind and needs a clean trip,” McPeek said. “He needs plenty of ground.”

He will get that extra ground in the Preakness with the 1 3/16 miles being the longest he has run. Racecar Rhapsody is scheduled to ship to Pimlico on Wednesday.

BIG BROWN GALLOPS AFTER BREAK – With the sun out and a fast track, Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown galloped for the first time since taking down the first leg of the Triple Crown last Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“God is good,” trainer Rick Dutrow said with a smile as he glanced up at the clear skies, a commodity that had been absent the previous two mornings.

With Michelle Nevin aboard Big Brown and an NBC film crew monitoring every move, the colt went to the track at 8:30 a.m., jogged around to the front side and then galloped a little more than a mile.

“I was looking for what I saw,” Dutrow said after Big Brown returned to Barn 22.

Big Brown had jogged the past three mornings, the previous two because of wet track conditions.

Big Brown is scheduled to train at Churchill Downs the next four mornings and ship to Pimlico on Wednesday afternoon.

PREAKNESS HOPEFULS GALLOP UNDER TWIN SPIRES – With Dylan Armstrong up, Robert LaPenta’s Stevil galloped 1 ½ miles before the renovation break at Churchill Downs as he continued his preparations for next Saturday’s Preakness.

Heather Stark, assistant to trainer Nick Zito, reported all was well with the son of Maria’s Mon who is scheduled to work Monday.

The last of the Preakness hopefuls at Churchill Downs to go to the track Saturday morning was Tres Borrachos, who traveled a little less than 1 ¼ miles with a combination of jogging and galloping under Andy Durnin shortly after 9 a.m.

Trainer Beau Greely, who owns the Ecton Park gelding in partnership with John Greely IV and Phil Houchens, plans to work Tres Borrachos on Tuesday and ship to Pimlico on Wednesday.

Tres Borrachos has been bothered recently by a minor skin irritation on the left side of his neck.

“He had a little ringworm that showed up last week,” Greely said. “It has dried up now, but at the moment he wouldn’t win any beauty contests.”

BARN TALK – Veteran jockey Bill Troilo won two races on Friday’s card, scoring with Blackpool ($9.60) for trainer Joe Woodard in the first and Colin’s Princess ($12.40) for trainer Troy Newton in the 10th. The victories gave Troilo 250 for his career at Churchill Downs.

“Maybe in another 30 years I can catch Pat Day,” the 47-year-old Troilo said with a laugh, referring to the Hall of Famer who is Churchill Downs’ all-time leading rider with 2,481 wins.

WORK TAB – The 1-2 finishers from the March 8 New Orleans Handicap (GII), Circular Quay and Grasshopper worked over a track rated as “fast” on Saturday morning. Circular Quay, owned by Michael and Doreen Tabor, worked a half-mile in :49.80 for trainer Todd Pletcher. The move was the 38th fastest of 59 at the distance. Grasshopper, owned by Will Farish, E.J. Hudson and James Elkins, covered the same distance in :48.60 for trainer Neil Howard. The move was the 14th best at the distance. Also working a half-mile was Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith’s Passion. Third in the Grade II Stonerside Beaumont in her most recent start, Passion covered the distance in :48 flat, fifth-best time of the morning at the distance.

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