Recapturetheglory

It’s 900 wins under the Twin Spires of Churchill Downs and counting for jockey Larry Melancon, who reached the mark Thursday when he guided A.P. Xcellent to a front-running victory in the eighth race.

“He won like a 3-5 shot should,” said Melancon, who rode A.P. Xcellent for trainer Niall O’Callaghan. “It felt good (to reach 900) and it’s quite an accomplishment and it was nice to do it for people I ride a lot for.”

Only two riders have more victories at Churchill Downs than Melancon; Pat Day with 2,481 and Don Brumfield with 925.

Melancon first began riding at Churchill Downs in the spring of 1974, and two years later found himself in the first four Kentucky Derbys in which he has ridden.

“I was on Amano, and he was third at the head of the stretch,” Melancon said of the James Padgett runner who finished fourth in the field of eight. “The horse that ran third, Elocutionist, I told them they ought to go on to the Preakness because LeRoy (Jolley) was going to send Honest Pleasure after Bold Forbes and that’s what he did and Eloucutionist ran by them both.”

In 1986, Melancon was back in the Kentucky Derby with Blue Grass Stakes winner Bachelor Beau for Phil Hauswald.

“We came out of the tunnel right behind Snow Chief and the crowd roared and he got real rank,” Melancon said. “Groovy was in the Derby that year and I thought he was going to run over the top of Groovy.”

O’Callaghan gave Melancon a leg up on his other two Kentucky Derby mounts with Smilin Singin Sam in 1996 and Keats in 2001. And, it was O’Callaghan who gave Melancon a leg up on what the rider considers his biggest Churchill Downs win.

“I won the Stephen Foster (in 2001) on Guided Tour,” Melancon said. “He beat Captain Steve that day. But it is kind of hard to pick one top horse. I rode a horse named Rapid Gray and I also rode Weekend Surprise (the dam of 1992 “Horse of the Year” A.P. Indy who was the sire of A.P. Xcellent).”

Now 52, the native Breaux Bridge, La., has no plans to hang up the boots in the immediate future.

“As long as I stay healthy and keep my weight, it’s a good thing to keep me getting up in the mornings,” Melancon said.

The quest for 1,000 began Friday afternoon with two mounts, both for trainers for whom he has ridden for years, Steve Penrod and Bill Mott.

RECAPTURETHEGLORY EYES SECOND CHURCHILL DOWNS PAY DAY -- When last seen racing under the Twin Spires, Recapturetheglory ran a respectable fifth in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (GI) behind Big Brown, earning a $60,000 check in the process.

On Friday morning, Recapturetheglory was back on the Louisville track, galloping a mile and a half under regular morning exercise partner Lara Van Deren in preparation for Saturday’s $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII).

“He really likes it here and he galloped great this morning,” said Van Deren, who was here with the Louie Roussel III trainee all through the run up to the Kentucky Derby.

After the Derby, Recapturetheglory came down with a fever that knocked him out of a run at the Preakness. And, there was another issue.

“He had a bruised foot that didn’t show up until a week after the Derby,” Van Deren said. “The fever he spiked the day after he got it and was OK, but there was no way he could have run in the Preakness. There is no telling how long that would have knocked him out.”

Recapturetheglory, who is co-owned by Roussel and Ronnie Lamarque, returned to Chicago on May 12 but did not return to the track for nearly a week.

“We started jogging him six days after we got back there, and since then he has been doing great,” Van Deren said.

Jockey E.T. Baird, who rode Recapturetheglory to victory in the Grade II Illinois Derby and also in the Kentucky Derby, will have the mount Saturday in the Northern Dancer and break from the rail in the seven-horse field that also includes Kentucky Derby runners Pyro (eighth) and Visionaire (12th).

“JOCKEY TALK” FEATURES LEPAROUX, LANERIE – Jockeys Julien Leparoux and Corey Lanerie will be the featured guests Saturday for “Jockey Talk” – a Churchill Downs program that allows horse racing fans to mingle with their favorite riders.

“Jockey Talk” takes places in the paddock area from 11:30 a.m.-noon (all times Eastern) each Saturday throughout the remainder of the Spring Meet that closes July 6. The program gives fans the chance to meet, visit, receive autographs and take pictures with selected riders.

Entering Friday’s card, Leparoux was third in the rider standings with 37 victories. Lanerie has ridden nine winners.

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 the races in the Stephen Foster Handicap (GI). Host Peter Lurie, who is making his first visit to Churchill Downs, will be joined by Caton Bredar to report on the latest developments surrounding Stephen Foster Super Saturday.

ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR MONDAY HORSEMEN’S POKER TOURNAMENT – Playing spaces are still available for a charity Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament set for Monday, June 16 in the Triple Crown Room of the Jockey Club Suites at Churchill Downs. The tournament, which offers a grand prize of $10,000, is scheduled to feature racing celebrities that include Hall of Fame trainer and four-time Kentucky Derby winner D. Wayne Lukas and Hall of Fame jockeys Don Brumfield and Gary Stevens.

Registration is scheduled to begin Monday at 5 p.m. (all times EDT) and the tournament starts at 6 p.m. Cash prizes will be paid to the top 10 finishers and a special prize of a clubhouse box to the 2009 Kentucky Derby is available without playing.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the lifestyle and substance abuse programs at Churchill Downs. The event is sponsored by Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and the Churchill Downs Racing Committee.

The tournament is limited to 250 players with a tax-deductible buy-in of $225. Information is available by calling the Kentucky HBPA office at (502) 363-1077 or the Churchill Downs Horsemen’s Lounge at (502) 636-4830.

BARN TALK – Tom Amoss grabbed the advantage in the race for leading trainer at the Spring Meet when Cardinal Stables’ Tovah ($5.40) won the fourth race on Thursday’s card. The victory gave Amoss 22 victories through 34 days of the 52-day meet and one more than Ken McPeek. … Four jockeys posted riding doubles Thursday, including the meet’s top two riders, Robby Albarado and Miguel Mena. Albarado holds a 45-41 lead in victories over Mena. Other riding doubles were completed by Calvin Borel and Jamie Theriot. …Nominations close on Saturday, June 14 for the $100,000-added Debutante Stakes (GIII) at six furlongs for 2-year-old fillies. The Debutante will be run on June 28. Information is available by calling Churchill Downs Racing at (502) 636-4470 or nominations made be made via fax at (502) 636-4479.

WORK TAB (Track: FAST) – IEAH Stable, Lewis Lakin and Pegasus Holding Group Stables’ Pure Clan breezed an easy three-eighths in :39.60 over a fast track before the renovation break for trainer Bob Holthus in preparation for Saturday’s $200,000-added Regret (GIII). … Gary and Mary West’s Keep the Peace, runner-up in the Forward Gal (GII) and La Troienne (GIII) worked a half-mile in :49, the sixth fastest of 42 at the distance, for trainer Eddie Kenneally.

2008 SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through Thursday, June 12 Jockeys Starts 1-2-3

 

Robby Albarado 168 45-21-23

Miguel Mena 226 41-30-30

Julien Leparoux 208 37-38-39

Calvin Borel 219 33-33-33

Shaun Bridgmohan 143 29-27-18

Jamie Theriot 161 27-25-13

Jesus Castanon 176 21-15-19

Brian Hernandez Jr. 126 11-20-14

Elvis Trujillo 71 10-10-18

Corey Lanerie 133 9-19-15

Larry Sterling Jr. 71 9-8-9

Trainers

Tom Amoss 52 22-7-9

Ken McPeek 51 21-7-4

Steve Asmussen 76 16-14-12

Dale Romans 94 11-21-16

Mike Maker 40 11-7-4

Ian Wilkes 34 10-6-5

Eddie Kenneally 41 8-8-8

Greg Foley 51 7-9-7

Cody Autrey 43 7-8-8

Steve Margolis 33 7-6-6

Wesley Ward 26 7-5-5

Paul McGee 33 7-5-2

Nick Zito 19 7-5-1

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

Owners

Ken and Sarah Ramsey 40 12-6-8

Maggi Moss 20 10-3-3

Zayat Stables, LLC 35 7-7-7

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

Eight (8) owners tied with three (3) wins

 

Stonestreet Stable and Midnight Cry Stable’s reigning “Horse of the Year” Curlin heads a star-studded roster of veteran racing stars nominated to the 27th running of the Churchill Downs’ $750,000-added Stephen Foster Handicap (Grade I) on Saturday, June 14 at Churchill Downs.

The 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds and up is the main event on a schedule of six stakes races on “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” and could carry a record purse of $1 million if the field includes one or more winners of a previous Grade I stakes event. Churchill Downs has offered to supplement $250,000 from its marketing account to the Stephen Foster purse if at least one Grade I winner starts in the race.

Curlin, a 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, won the $6 million Dubai World Cup (GI) on March 29 at Nad Al Sheba and last fall’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (GI) at Monmouth Park. The Steve Asmussen-trained chestnut finished third to Street Sense in the 2007 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) at Churchill Downs, but avenged that setback in the Preakness (GI) and also won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (GI) at Belmont Park during the campaign in which he also earned an Eclipse Award as 3-year-old champion.

Curlin, who has won eight of 11 races and earned $8,807,800, opened his 4-year-old campaign with a pair of victories in Dubai highlighted by his 7 ¾-length romp in the Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest race.

Other Grade I winners among the 29 older stars nominated to the Stephen Foster Handicap include Stonecrest Farm’s homebred Perfect Drift, who upset eventual “Horse of the Year” Mineshaft to win the 2003 Foster and has career earnings of $4,699,321; Millennium Farms’ Student Council, the winner of the recent Pimlico Special (GI) and last year’s Pacific Classic (GI) who has career earnings of $1,307,731; Fred Bradley’s homebred Brass Hat, a career earner of $1,761,814 who won Donn Handicap (GI) at Gulfstream Park in 2006; J. Paul Reddam’s Great Hunter, who won the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland in 2006; and Midnight Cry Stable’s Einstein, winner of the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (GI) and two-time winner of the Gulfstream Park Turf (GI) who has earned $1,107,931.

Other notables nominated to the 2008 Stephen Foster Handicap include the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust’s A.P. Arrow, winner of the 2007 Clark Handicap (GII) at Churchill Downs; Stronach Stable’s Giant Gizmo, winner of the Alysheba (GIII) at Churchill Downs and the Lone Star Park Handicap (GIII) in his last two starts; William S. Farish and E.J. Hudson’s Grasshopper, winner of the Mineshaft Handicap (GIII) and runner-up to Street Sense in the 2007 Travers (GI); Michael Langford’s Jonesboro, winner of the Razorback Handicap (GIII); Mike Willman’s McCann’s Mojave, winner of the Berkley Handicap (GIII) at Golden Gate Fields and a career earner of nearly $1.5 million; and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Zanjero, winner of the 2006 Indiana Derby (GII) and West Virginia Derby (GIII) who has earned more than $1.3 million.

The five major stakes races that share the spotlight with the Stephen Foster Handicap on the “Stephen Foster Super Saturday” racing program also attracted strong rosters of nominees.

The 34th running of the $300,000-added Fleur De Lis (GII) for fillies and mares ages 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles boasts Stronach Stable’s Ginger Punch and Rancho San Miguel, George Todaro and Jerry Hollendorfer’s Hystericalady among its 18 nominees. Ginger Punch capped a stellar 2007 campaign with a victory in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (GI) at Monmouth Park. She also won the Ruffian (GI) and Go for Wand (GI) on her way to an Eclipse Award that honored her as America’s top older filly or mare. She won the Louisville Stakes (GII) at Churchill Downs in her most recent start.

Hystericalady burst to prominence last year with a victory in the $300,000-added Humana Distaff (GI) at Churchill Downs and finished a close second to Ginger Punch in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Other major stakes winners nominated to the Fleur De Lis include Bear Now, Leah’s Secret, Spring Waltz, Tough Tiz’s Sis and Tessa Blue.

Thirty-two 3-year-olds were nominated to the 31st running of the $200,000-added Jefferson Cup (GII) at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Prominent members of that roster of nominees include Michael Cooper and Pamela Ziebarth’s Tizdejavu, winner of the $150,000-added Crown Royal American Turf (GIII); Ashbrook Farm’s Wicked Style, winner of the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity (GI) at Keeneland; Sarah and Jon Kelly’s Calder Derby (GIII) and Palm Beach (GIII) winner Sporting Art; Arlington Classic winner Meal Penalty; and Cradle winner Old Man Buck.

The 39th running of the $200,000-added Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course includes the versatile Pure Clan among its nominees. Owned by IEAH Stable, Lewis Lakin and Pegasus Holding Group, the daughter of Pure Prize finished third to Proud Spell in the 134th running of the $500,000-added Kentucky Oaks (GI). Trainer Robert Holthus plans to make the Regret a return to the grass for Pure Clan, who won her first two races on turf before she switched to the dirt to win Churchill Downs’ $250,000-added Golden Rod (GII) and $100,000-added Pocahontas (GIII).

Others nominated to the Regret include Zayat Stables’ Edgewood winner Zee Zee; Koolmen Racing Stable’s A to the Croft, a recent allowance winner on turf at Churchill Downs who ran seventh in the Kentucky Oaks and was Grade I-placed on the dirt at two; Absolutely Cindy, who ran 10th in the Kentucky Oaks, but defeated males in the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park for owner/trainer Keith Kinmon; Charles Laloggia’s Clearly Foxy, winner of Woodbine’s Natalma (GIII) as a 2-year-old; Sands Point (GII) and Calder Oaks runner-up Life is Sweet; and celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s Hollywood Starlet (GI) runner-up Grace and Power.

At least two horses that chased unbeaten Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI) are expected to compete in the seventh running of the $175,000-added Northern Dancer (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Louie Roussel III and Ronnie Lamarque’s Recapturetheglory, who was fifth in the Kentucky Derby, and Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Pyro, who was eighth in the “Run for the Roses,” are among the 26 3-year-olds nominated to the Northern Dancer.

Other Derby veterans on the roster of Northern Dancer nominees include Cool Coal Man (15th in the Derby) and Visionaire (12th). Coolmore Lexington (GII) winner Behindatthebar; Louisiana Derby (GII) runner-up My Pal Charlie; Hollywood Prevue (GIII) winner Massive Drama; Racecar Rhapsody, the fourth-place finisher in the Preakness; and Gotham (GIII) runner-up Texas Wildcatter are also nominated.

Thirty-eight older fillies and mares were nominated to the 32nd running of the $150,000-added Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (GIII) at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Major stars in that group include Frank Calabrese’s multiple turf stakes winner Dreaming of Anna, the champion 2-year-old filly of 2006; Jacks or Better Farm’s Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile (GIII) winner Bayou’s Lassie; Joseph Allen’s Kentucky Cup Distaff (GIII) winner Danzon; Lawrence Goichman’s My Charmer (GIII) winner J’ray; and IEAH Stable and WinStar Farm’s Lake Placid (GIII) winner Sharp Susan.

IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Big Brown had his presence announced on the track shortly before 7 a.m. Sunday with a loud clap of thunder.

Unfazed, Big Brown went about his morning activity, jogging one mile with Michelle Nevin up accompanied by a pony.

Heavy overnight rain had left the Churchill Downs racing surface “muddy” and trainer Rick Dutrow, as he had done two days last week, opted to jog the Kentucky Derby winner rather than gallop him.

With his Kentucky Derby victory eight days ago, Big Brown put Nevin in some elite company in being the regular morning exercise rider of a classic winner.

“I first got on him when he came to Florida in November,” Nevin said. “Rick was telling me ‘you’re gonna love this horse’ and the first time I took him to the track he went out there like an old pro and nothing bothered him. After I galloped him, I thought ‘this is a classy horse.’”

TRES BORRACHOS GALLOPS IN BLINKERS – Less than two hours after Big Brown jogged under cloudy skies and on a muddy track, bright sunshine and a harrowed track that was drying out because of high winds greeted Tres Borrachos.

The third-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby (GII) galloped 1 ½ miles under Andy Durnin and was outfitted in blinkers for the first time.

Trainer Beau Greely, who owns Tres Borrachos in partnership with John Greely IV and Phil Houchens, explained the experiment.

“In his races, horses would come up to him and he’d back up a little and then come again,” Greely said. “I want to see what Andy thinks about them, but it looks like he was relaxed galloping today. He may have them on when he works Tuesday and then we’ll make a decision (about whether the blinkers will stay on for the Preakness).”

RECAPTURETHEGLORY IMPROVING, MAY LEAVE MONDAY – Assistant trainer Lara Van Deren said that fifth-place Kentucky Derby finisher Recapturetheglory was doing much better Sunday morning, a day after running a 102-degree temperature.

“Yesterday was real tough,” Van Deren said. “He will probably leave tomorrow for Chicago and miss three or four days of training.”

Owned by trainer Louie Roussel III and Ronald Lamarque, Recapturetheglory was on track to leave Churchill Downs on Saturday night for Baltimore and a start in the Preakness before the fever hit.

ROUTINE MORNING FOR PREAKNESS HOPEFULS AT CHURCHILL – The three remaining Preakness hopefuls training at Churchill Downs had uneventful mornings Sunday.

Robert LaPenta’s Stevil galloped 1 ½ miles under Dylan Armstrong for trainer Nick Zito. Stevil is scheduled to work four furlongs Monday morning.

West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again walked the shedrow at Barn 35 after working a half-mile in :50.80 the day before. Trained by Dallas Stewart, Macho Again will be ridden in the Preakness by Julien Leparoux, who rode Macho Again to victory in the April 26 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs.

Macho Again will be attempting to give West Point a second major victory in as many weekends. On Saturday at Lone Star Park, El Gato Malo prevailed in the Lone Star Derby (GIII) for trainer Craig Dollase.

Also walking the shedrow was Jerry Carroll, Stan Kaplan, Ronald Plattner and Mark Guilfoyle’s Racecar Rhapsody. The Ken McPeek trainee had worked five furlongs in 1:01 on Saturday.

LING LING QI, SILVER EDITION & ST. JOE TO MATT WINN – Convincing opening week sprint winners Ling Ling Qi and Silver Edition as well as third-place Iroquois (GIII) finisher St. Joe are considered as definite starters for Saturday’s seventh running of the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes for 3-year-olds going six furlongs on the main track.

Lansdon Robbins III’s Ling Ling Qi scored by 2 ¾ lengths as the 7-5 favorite on April 29 for trainer Ken McPeek. Silver Edition, owned by Thomas Van Meter II and Phillip Maloof, was a 4 ½-length winner as the 9-5 peoples’ choice on May 2 for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Silver Edition, runner-up in the Grade II Hutcheson in January at Gulfstream Park, worked a bullet half-mile in :47.60 over a sloppy track Sunday morning.

Silverton Hill Farm’s St. Joe is coming off a ninth-place finish in the Coolmore Lexington (GII) at Keeneland on April 19. St. Joe is trained by Darrin Miller.

Nominations for the Matt Winn closed May 7 with 18 nominations. Entries will be taken Wednesday.

BARN TALK – There was a new exercise rider Sunday morning in the barn of Dallas Stewart: Hall of Fame nominee Randy Romero. “I just got here from New Orleans,” said Romero, who retired from riding in 1999. “I’ve been working out and swimming and I’ve lost 10 pounds.”

Romero, who had a kidney removed in February and continues to battle chronic liver disease, scored what likely was his most memorable victory at Churchill Downs when he guided undefeated Personal Ensign to the 13th victory of her career in the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Distaff over 1988 Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors and 1988 Kentucky Oaks champ Goodbye Halo.

Romero, who also has worked as a jockey agent, has been involved in another project.

“I’ve been working on a script for a movie on my life,” said Romero, who was seriously burned in a hotbox accident at Oaklawn Park in 1983. “It’s called ‘Cat On A Horse.’ Look for it in about a year and a half.”

For someone who apparently has more than nine lives, the title is appropriate.

WORK TAB – Uptown Racing’s Boss Lafitte, winner of the Central Bank Transylvania Stakes (GIII) on April 12 at Keeneland, worked a half-mile on a track labeled “sloppy” in :50.20 for trainer Tom Amoss. Lawrence Carroll’s Old Man Buck, winner of last summer’s Miller Lite Cradle Stakes at River Downs, worked a half-mile in “muddy” conditions in :48.80 for trainer Ken McPeek. The work was the third fastest of 28 at the distance.

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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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TODAY'S TOP STORIES:

• DERBY WINNER BIG BROWN RETURNS TO THE TRACK
• PREAKNESS CONTENDER TRES BORRACHOS WORKS
• RACECAR RHAPSODY POSSIBLE FOR PREAKNESS

DERBY WINNER BIG BROWN RETURNS TO TRACK – With Michelle Nevin up, IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr.’s Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown jogged a mile alongside a pony Wednesday morning shortly before 7 o’clock at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, feeling much better after being under the weather since the weekend, liked what he saw and said Big Brown would gallop in the morning.

The two weeks between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness continues to be Dutrow’s biggest concern.

“Coming back in two weeks, he is stacked up against it,” Dutrow said. “He’s not a robot. He has run fast races and fast numbers and two weeks is not ideal timing. You need time to regroup, and we haven’t got that kind of time.”

One fast number that particularly intrigued Dutrow was Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby performance.

“I heard that he ran the fastest Ragozin Sheets number of a Kentucky Derby winner,” Dutrow said. “It was a minus-1.”

So, what does that portend for the Preakness?

“He’s got to react to it, but he is not going to need to run a minus-1 again,” Dutrow said. “He’s not going to need it. The other horses going into the race, their numbers don’t match up with his. They don’t even come close. So, I am figuring he can run a 5 and still win the race.”

The fact Big Brown has scared off practically all of his Derby rivals is fine with Dutrow.

“I hope there is no one over there that is going to run big,” Dutrow said. “I felt that half of them didn’t belong in the Derby anyway.

“We only have two weeks. There is nothing I can do. I just have to hope that he stays good. There is no serious training involved. There is not a whole lot that depends on me. He has come out of the race good, eaten every oat since he has run. I just have to decide if I am going to give him a little breeze or not before his next race.

“We leave on the 14th, which is three days out, which is beautiful with me. I like that. He would not breeze here. It would be very, very minor.”

TRES BORRACHOS TUNES UP FOR PREAKNESS – With Andy Durnin up and trainer Beau Greely looking on from the grandstand, third-place Arkansas Derby (Grade II) finisher Tres Borrachos worked five furlongs in :59.60 Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.

The work, the second fastest of 30 at the distance in the morning over a fast track, was accomplished after the morning renovation break. Fractions for the work from Churchill Downs clockers were :12, :23.40, :35.20, :47.20 and out six furlongs in 1:14.

Greely, who owns the gelded son of Ecton Park in partnership with his brother John Greely IV and Phil Houchens, was happy with the work.

“It looked like he didn’t get out of a gallop,” Greely said. “I had him in 59 and two and out in 1:13. He went beautiful. I will breeze him next Tuesday, probably an easy half, and then ship to Pimlico on Wednesday.”

Tyler Baze, who rode Tres Borrachos in the Arkansas Derby, will retain the mount in the Preakness.

Wednesday’s work was the third at Churchill Downs for Tres Borrachos. His first work after arriving in Louisville on April 14 was a three-eighths move on April 22.

“I worked him three-eighths just in case he got in the (Kentucky) Derby,” Greely said. “Then it did not look like he would run which, after watching it, it turned out better that he didn’t.

“I watched the race in California. It was a tough run race. Other horses look like they kind of got bundled up and I was kind of glad I wasn’t in there. Then you had Big Brown, who was absolutely amazing. That horse looks like a superstar.”

Greely is eagerly looking forward to the Preakness challenge.

“I think the Preakness will probably suit this horse better than the Derby would have,” Greely said. “The turns are a little tighter and it looks like it carries speed, or it has in the past. Hopefully, it will suit him well and it gives him five weeks in between the Arkansas Derby and Preakness.”

Tres Borrachos would be Greely’s second Preakness starter. He saddled Borrego in the 2004 Preakness to a seventh-place finish after running 10th in the Kentucky Derby two weeks earlier.

“That was a hard race, the Derby that Borrego ran in,” Greely said. “Smarty Jones obviously turned into a phenomenal horse. When we ran that day, the track was washed out and it seemed to kind of suit a speedy type horse like him. We had run against him in the Arkansas Derby and run second, so we were just trying to throw the track out at that point and try the Preakness.

“At the end of the day, Borrego developed into a nice horse and won some major races for older horses, but it feels better going into the Preakness with a fresh horse.”

STEVIL RETURNS TO TRACK; VELAZQUEZ TO RIDE IN PREAKNESS – Robert LaPenta’s Stevil, fourth in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Grade I) in his most recent start, galloped a mile Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs under Megan Smillie.

It was the first day back at the track for the Nick Zito trainee since working a half-mile in :48.60 on Monday.

John Velazquez, who made his Preakness riding debut last year when he piloted Circular Quay to a fifth-place finish, will have the mount on Stevil according to Zito.

“John has ridden for me a lot of times,” Zito said. “In fact, he worked Strike the Gold for me at Saratoga when he was a little 18-year-old apprentice.”

Stevil is scheduled to work again early next week and then ship to Baltimore on Tuesday.

RACECAR RHAPSODY ENTERS PREAKNESS PICTURE – Jerry Carroll, Stan Kaplan, Ronald Plattner and Mark Guilfoyle’s Racecar Rhapsody, fourth in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (Grade II) at Keeneland on April 19 in his most recent start, is headed to the Preakness, according to trainer Ken McPeek.

“I have been talking it over with Mr. Carroll and we feel like he will like the added distance,” McPeek said. “Maybe we will just be running for second, but that’s not all bad.”

A Kentucky-bred son of Tale of the Cat out of the A.P. Indy mare Reflect the Music, Racecar Rhapsody has compiled a record of 6-1-1-1 with earnings of $148,391. Racecar Rhapsody opened 2008 with a fourth-place finish in the Lane’s End Stakes (Grade II) at Turfway Park on March 22.

Robby Albarado, who has ridden the colt in six of his starts, will have the mount as he shoots for his second consecutive Preakness victory. He piloted Curlin to victory in last year’s Preakness.

Racecar Rhapsody galloped Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs under Jose Castanon and McPeek said the colt would work sometime this weekend. Since the Coolmore Lexington, Racecar Rhapsody has worked once at Churchill Downs, a five-furlong move in 1:01 on May 2.

RECAPTURETHEGLORY RETURNS TO THE TRACK – With assistant trainer Lara Van Deren up, Louie Roussell III and Ronnie Lamarque’s fifth-place Kentucky Derby finisher Recapturetheglory jogged a mile and galloped a mile before the renovation break Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.

“He went great this morning,” said Van Deren, who is playing the waiting game here as owners Ronnie Lamarque and Louie Roussel III decide on whether to go on to the Preakness.

“They wanted to see how he went this morning and Ronnie has already called me three times,” Van Deren said. “I know they are also considering the Ohio Derby (Grade II on May 31).”

NO DECISION ON MACHO AGAIN – “Hey,” yelled Dallas Stewart. “I heard on the radio that I am going to the Preakness.”

So, are you?

“I don’t know. We haven’t made a decision yet,” said Stewart, who trains Derby Trial winner Macho Again for West Point Thoroughbreds.

Macho Again galloped Wednesday morning.

WORK TAB – Oak Crest Farm’s Sutra, winner of the 2006 Frizette (GI), worked a half-mile in :48.80 for trainer Mike Stidham. The move was the fifth fastest of 31 at the distance. … Fred Bradley’s millionaire Brass Hat drilled five furlongs in 1:01.40 for trainer Buff Bradley. The move was the seventh fastest of 30 at the distance.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, still fighting a heavy cough, was back at the track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs supervising his 12-horse string in Louisville headlined by Big Brown winner of last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I).

“I’m doing all right; it’s just all that dirt that Big Brown kicked up in my lungs,” Dutrow said with a laugh.

Big Brown, owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., is scheduled to return to the track in the morning to jog and resume galloping on Thursday.

“That’s the plan right now,” Dutrow said. “Looks like he came out of the race real good. He will ship to Pimlico next Wednesday the 14th.”

The victory in the Kentucky Derby was the fourth in as many races for Big Brown, who boosted his career bankroll to $2,114,500 with his 4 ¾-length victory in the mile and a quarter Kentucky Derby.

PLANS FOR RECAPTURETHEGLORY REMAIN ON HOLD – Co-owner Ronnie Lamarque said from New Orleans on Tuesday morning that he and trainer and co-owner Louie Roussel III were “still thinking about the Preakness.”

Lamarque’s main concern is the potential size of the field that figures to include Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown and up to possibly seven other new shooters on the Triple Crown trail.

Lara Van Deren, assistant trainer and exercise rider for Recapturetheglory, said the Cherokee Run colt is doing well after his fifth-place finish behind Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and would return to the track in the morning to jog.

Plans call for Recapturetheglory to remain at Churchill Downs until a decision is made on the colt’s next start.

TRES BORRACHOS TO WORK WEDNESDAY – Third-place Arkansas Derby (Grade II) finisher Tres Borrachos galloped a mile and five-eighths after the renovation break at Churchill Downs Tuesday morning with Andy Durnin up.

Trainer Beau Greely, who owns the Ecton Park colt in partnership with John Greely IV and Phil Houchens, was scheduled to arrive in Louisville later Tuesday with Tres Borrachos scheduled to work Wednesday morning.

Tres Borrachos arrived at Churchill Downs from Oaklawn Park on April 14, and Wednesday’s work will be his third under the Twin Spires.

Tres Borrachos likely will ship to Pimlico on May 14.

“I may have had my wires crossed a bit yesterday, and it wouldn’t be the first time,” Durnin said with a laugh. “But I think he is going to ship next week after he works. Beau did the same thing with Borrego (after Borrego ran 10th in the 2004 Kentucky Derby) and stayed here until the Wednesday before the Preakness.”

Borrego ran seventh in the Preakness that year behind Smarty Jones.

MELANCHOLY MORNING FOR STUTTS – Shortly before 7 a.m. Tuesday, a solitary figure made his way toward the fence near the 5 ½-furlong gap on the backstretch.

It was Bennie Stutts Jr.

“I just wanted to give the Twin Spires one last look and breathe some of this Kentucky air,” said Stutts, 70. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get back.”

Stutts had been here for a little more than two weeks with Mount Joy Stables’ Smooth Air, who ran 11th in the Kentucky Derby.

“My horse leaves at 10 this morning going back home to South Florida and I will fly out after he leaves,” Stutts said. “Being here has been a humbling experience.”

Smooth Air came out of the Derby in good shape according to Stutts.

“Dr. (Phil) Tripp went over him and everything is fine and I don’t think everybody (that ran in the Derby) can say that,” Stutts said. “There are plenty of Derbies out there. Pete Anderson had a horse last year that couldn’t get in the Kentucky Derby (Delightful Kiss), but he still won Derbies in Ohio and Iowa. There’s nothing wrong with $500,000 races.”

A bit later, Stutts made one more walk to the track, but he was not alone. His companion was Carl Nafzger, trainer of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and recent inductee into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

BARN TALK – Trainer James Baker said Tuesday morning that he would like to run Tom Walters’ Elite Squadron in Churchill Downs Aristides (GIII) at six furlongs on May 31. “That’s if I still have him,” Baker said. “There have been a lot of offers.”

Elite Squadron won the seven-furlong Grade II Churchill Downs Stakes last Saturday, an effort that came on the heels of a runner-up effort in the Grade II Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland in April. …

Trainer Neil Howard said that the May 16 Black-Eyed Susan (GII) at Pimlico remains under consideration for Briarwood Stable’s Highest Class.

Third in the Bonnie Miss (GII) in her most recent start on March 29, Highest Class has worked twice at Keeneland and twice at Churchill Downs in the interim, the most recent being a five-eighths work in 1:02 last Friday.

WORK TAB – Maggi Moss’ top sprinter Indian Chant worked a bullet five-eighths in :58.60 for trainer Tom Amoss on Tuesday morning. The move was accomplished over a “fast” track. … Also working five furlongs was Bruce Lunsford’s dual graded-stakes winner Tessa Blue, who covered the distance in 1:01.80 for trainer Frank Brothers. The move was the 18th fastest of 36 at the distance.