Kentucky Derby 138 Barn Notes (5.3.2012)

ALPHA – Godolphin Stable’s Bernardini colt Alpha, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, went to the track Thursday morning for what is a routine piece of exercise under rider Rob Massey.

Bodemeister, Union Rags Vie for Favoritism in Kentucky Derby 138

Zayat Stables LLC and Southern Equine Stables’ Bodemeister, the smashing 9 ½-length winner of the Arkansas Derby (Grade I) in his most recent start, and Chadds Ford Stable’s Union Rags, winner of the Champagne (GI) and two other graded stakes, head an overflow field of 21 entered Wednesday for Saturday’s 138th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (GI).

Kentucky Derby 138 Post Draw Quotes

ALPHA (Post position 11, morning line 15-1) – Kiaran McLaughlin (trainer) – “We’re first in the gate. But he’s been great. It’s just going to make me more nervous. He’s fine. It’s a good position in gate, No. 11. It’s just that he has to load first. We didn’t really want that. It’s OK. We can’t do anything about it. He’s been great.

Kentucky Oaks 138 Barn Notes (5.2.2012)

AMIE’S DINI – Co-owner Mike Walker said the Fantasy Stakes (GII) runner-up Amie’s Dini had an easy jog this morning after the renovation break and will school in the paddock during Thursday’s program at Churchill Downs. The $3,000 sales purchase drew post 13 of 14 for the Oaks.

Kentucky Derby 138 Barn Notes (5.2.2012)

ALPHA – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin confirmed that Godolphin Stable’s Alpha will be ridden by jockey Rajiv Maragh in the Kentucky Derby. Maragh was aboard for the Bernardini colt’s sharp work (:59.40 for five furlongs) at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Get Stormy, Sassy Image Eye Derby Day Grade I Repeats On Star-Studded Kentucky Derby Day Undercard

LOUISVILLE, KY (Wednesday, May 2, 2012) – Defending Grade I Derby Day winners from 2011, Get Stormy and Sassy Image, plus the 1-2 finishers from last fall’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI), Musical Romance and Switch, top the list of marquee names that will be featured Saturday in races leading up to the 138th running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum!

Mark Valeski Withdrawn from Derby Consideration; Pletcher Duo, Take Charge Indy Arrive for Derby 138

Godolphin Stable’s Alpha visited the track at Churchill Downs for the first time this year on Tuesday morning when he galloped approximately 1 3/8 miles under exercise rider Rob Massey.

Mark Valeski Drills Bullet Five-Eighths; Creative Cause, Liaison, Asmussen Duo Work Toward Derby 138

Godolphin Stable’s Alpha had a very light exercise at Belmont Park Monday morning before being shipped by plane to Churchill Downs. He is scheduled to arrive at the track between 5 and 6 p.m.

Bodemeister Works Five-Eighths in :59.60; On the Bubble Optimizer Breezes Under Court

Godolphin Stable’s Alpha had a quiet morning at Belmont Park Sunday, a day after working five furlongs on the training track.

26,527 Watch Hierro Take The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial on Opening Night

– Stonestreet Stables LLC’s Hierro rallied four wide in the stretch to run down favored Paynter to win 88^th running of the $232,600 The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (Grade III) by 1 ½ lengths before a crowd of 26,527 on Opening Night presented by Stella Artois and Finlandia Vodka.

Union Rags Tops Busy Day of Derby Works at Churchill Downs

Godolphin Stable’s Alpha breezed five furlongs on the training track at Belmont Park in :59.40 under jockey Rajiv Maragh.

Working in company with stablemate Steele Road, the Bernardini colt was timed in splits of :11.60, :23.20 and :47. The Wood Memorial (Grade I) runner-up galloped out a sixth furlong in 1:15.

I'll Have Another Works at Hollywood Park; Saturday Drills Possible for Hansen, Union Rags, Dullahan

Godolphin Racing’s Alpha galloped 1¼ miles at Belmont Park Friday morning.

Take Charge Indy Works at Palm Meadows; Union Rags Arrives for Derby Bid

Godolphin Racing’s Alpha, second in his most recent start in the Wood Memorial (Grade I), is scheduled to work Saturday at Belmont Park according to trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Alpha is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs on Monday.

Paynter, Undefeated Bourbon Courage Headline Field of 11 for Opening Night The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial

Zayat Stables LLC’s Paynter, who finished fourth in the Santa Anita Derby (Grade I) in just his second start, and the undefeated Bourbon Courage headline a field of 11 entered Wednesday for the 88^th running of the $200,000-added The Cliff’s Edge Derby Trial (GIII).

Nineteen Chefs Confirmed for Third Annual 'Taste of Derby' on Thursday, May 3

The hottest new Kentucky Derby party continues to heat up as 19 top international chefs announce their menu offerings and wine pairings for the third annual Taste of Derby – the Official Kentucky Derby Party of Churchill Downs.

Liaison Works Six Furlongs; Isn't He Clever Withdrawn from Derby Consideration

Arnold Zetcher LLC’s Liaison worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 over a track labeled as “good” under Shaun Bridgmohan after the renovation break on a sunny and mild Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Bodemeister Works Five Furlongs; Liaison a Go for Derby 138

Zayat Stables LLC’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) contender Bodemeister, working in company with stablemate and Kentucky Oaks (GI) candidate Jemima’s Pearl, worked five furlongs in 1:00.80, the third fastest of 23 at the distance on a clear, brisk Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Two Baffert Hopefuls Work Toward Oaks; Strong Gallop for On Fire Baby

Mike Walker and Lou Sutterfield’s Amie’s Dini, runner-up in the Honeybee (Grade III) and Fantasy (GII) at Oaklawn Park for trainer Ron Moquett, walked onto the Churchill Downs track when it opened at 5:45 a.m. (all times Eastern) Tuesday and jogged once around the one-mile oval under Laura Moquett.

Grammy Award-Winner Mary J. Blige to Sing National Anthem at Kentucky Derby 138

Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling recording artist Mary J. Blige will sing the National Anthem prior to the 138th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 5 at Churchill Downs.