Monthly Archives: February 2013

Long known as one of the most famous racetracks in the world – if not the most famous – Churchill Downs has been hosting the Kentucky Derby since 1875.

Since then, the race has become both a sporting and cultural institution, earning itself one of the most unique standings in the entertainment genre as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”.

This year, the 2013 Derby – the 139th in the race’s storied tradition – will be one of the first races of the season run at Churchill, set to go on Saturday, May 4.

While almost all the eyes of the horseracing community will be open for early May, Churchill itself actually sees its first action on Saturday, April 27 with the $175,000 Derby Trial (GIII).

It’ll be curious to see what kind of shape The Downs will be in the weekend before the Derby. The one mile oval (with a one mile chute) has always been highly regarded and, in its latest ratings, the Hoseplayers Association of North America ranked Churchill Downs No. 4 on its list of 68 racetracks in North America.

Churchill Downs is perhaps best known for its dirt surface on the main track. It’s a composite of three inches of sandy loam cushion, five inches of compacted sandy loam cushion, a 12-inch clay base and another 25 of sandy loam and natural soil.

How this will hold up in the weather? That remains to be seen. Many recall the 2012 Kentucky Derby and the pre-race thunderstorms that led to two significant developments – the cancelation of morning training for riders and, shortly thereafter, an early-morning (8:00 AM ET) “sloppy” designation for course conditions.

That said, the weather improved enough so that conditions were upgraded to “fast” by race time, the best conditions for a dirt track.

Historically speaking, wet and sloppy conditions haven’t been an issue at Churchill. The wettest Derby on record happened in 1918 – 2.31 inches of rain fell that day – with seven of the last 10 Derbys recorded as fast tracks (the other three came in as sloppy.)

As for other Churchill Downs news…

— A new on-track simulcast area has been developed and will be in operation for the 2013 Derby. Dubbed “The Parlay”, Churchill’s latest endeavor is a virtual media empire – a 14,000 square foot facility that boasts walls of 42 televisions with 70-inch high-definition screens. The area reportedly has a capacity of 600 and features a 24-foot bar, complete with an Elite Gold Room for VIP members.

— NBC Sports Group (both NBC and NBC Sports Network) announced a sort of partnership with Churchill Downs, in that the network will be airing the “Road to the Kentucky Derby”. Included are a series of stakes races, featuring races throughout March and April. NBC will also show half-hour specials focusing on the Triple Crown trail the last two Saturdays in March and the first two Saturdays in April.

With the Run for the Roses now just a few months away, let’s take a look at how the field is shaping up, and which contenders are doing what.

There are a number of big prep races ahead and the new points system is in play, so the excitement level grows – as does the competition – as jockeys and trainers look to be a part of the two most exciting minutes in sports at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Itsmyluckyday

Bred in Kentucky and trained under the watchful eye of Edward Plesa Jr., Itsmyluckyday has been a big riser amongst the contender set lately. He beat Shanghai Bobby in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on the last weekend in January, which was a big result. Itsmyluckyday is now two-for-two in 2013 and looks to be in peak form as he preps for the Grade 1 Florida Derby on Mar. 30. That’ll be his final prep race prior to the Kentucky Derby, so sharps will want to pay close attention to his form and see if he’s ready to run at Churchill.

Titletown Five

This horse has gained a lot of notoriety leading up to the Derby thanks in large part to his co-owner – former Green Bay Packers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung. (“Titletown” refers to Green Bay.) The Derby season started well for Titletown – he scored a win on October 28 – but has since had a knee chipped removed and has been out of action.

Four-time Kentucky Derby victor D. Wayne Lukas told USA today that Titletown’s comeback effort will be difficult, but noted he’s a “very talented horse”.

Frac Daddy

Like Titletown Five, here’s another horse that’s struggling with injury at the wrong time. He finished sixth to Itsmyluckyday at the Holy Bull on January 26, fading down the stretch due to a “grabbed quarter”. (The horse grabbed its front hoof with a rear hoof, tearing skin and tissue.) How quickly Frac Daddy can return to training is the huge wildcard here. If he’s able to recuperate and get back into the Fountain of Youth (again, at Gulfstream Park) on February 23, he could turn his pre-Derby season around. If not, it could be trouble.

Dewey Square

Dewey Square finished behind Frac Daddy at Holy Bull despite not having any of the same injury issues; it was a total disaster of a performance. While it hasn’t completely derailed his Derby lead-up campaign, Frac Daddy is going to need to bounce back at the Fountain of Youth or the Florida Derby because he simply cannot have two bad performances leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

That said, jockey Dale Romans has high hopes for Dewey Square in his next two races.

“I think he’s developed mentally more than anything,” Romans said. “He seems to have more confidence out there.”

The annual Run for the Roses is set for Saturday, May 4 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY – and while that might seem like an awfully long ways away, it doesn’t mean pundits aren’t already busy handicapping the ponies in advance of the most exciting two minutes in sports.

This weekend, there are three important pre-Derby events:

— Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, CA)

— Grade III Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (Tampa, FLA)

— Grade III Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack (Jamaica, NY)

Most eyes will be on the Robert B. Lewis and a pair of entries from trainer extraordinaire Bob Baffert – Flashback and Den’s Legacy. Both are considered strong runners that should be major players in the Derby field. In 2012, this race was notably won by jockey Mario Gutierrez and I’ll Have Another who – you may recall – won the first two legs of the Triple Crown (looking great at both the Derby and Preakness) before pulling out of the Belmont in dramatic fashion.

Over at the Sam F. Davis – a race that’s part of the new points system being utilized by Churchill Downs to determine the 20-horse field for May 4 – a pair of horses currently atop the points standing will show down. Other Derby preps in the Sam F. Davis include Speak Logistics (who hasn’t run since finishing seventh behind Derby favorite Shanghai Bobby at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile), along with the dual Mark Casse-trained entry of Dynamic Sky and Northern Lion.

Finally, there’s the Grade III Withers Stakes at the famed Aqueduct in Jamaica (the New York version, of course.) Named for David Dunham Withers – a famous owner and breeder who gained fame with his colt, King Eric – this race is an important one on the three-year-old circuit with its classic left-handed dirt track.

This year’s Withers features three horses that are definitely worth watching. First is Revolutionary, who wowed onlookers with a solid performance back on December 28 to get into the “one to watch” category for the Derby. The next is Escapefromreality, who many have tagged as the fastest thoroughbred in the field. The third is Siete de Oros, a bit of a sleeper who came onto the scene via a second place finish at the Jerome Stakes back in early January. In that race, Siete de Oros pushed pre-race favorite Vyjack throughout and nearly scored the upset victory. Many figure Siete did a lot of “learning” in that race which should bode well for the Withers.

All in all, this promises to be an exciting, entertaining and informative weekend as the Kentucky Derby draws near. The points are at a premium and with just 20 horses eligible to qualify for this year’s field, you can guarantee that the Lewis, Davis and Withers will be heavily watched as we’re now just four months away from the Running of the Roses.