Kentucky Derby 141 Odds Update - 4:15 pm (ET)

1 Ocho Ocho Ocho     24-1
2 Carpe Diem              7-1
3 Materiality               14-1
4 Tencendur                52-1
5 Danzig Moon           20-1
6 Mubtaahij                 13-1
7 El Kabeir                  SCRATCHED
8 Dortmund                 4-1
9 Bolo                         31-1
10 Firing Line              8-1
11 Stanford                 SCRATCHED
12 International Star   SCRATCHED
13 Itsaknockout          28-1
14 Keen Ice                40-1
15 Frosted                    9-1
16 War Story              40-1
17 Mr. Z                     31-1
18 American Pharoah 3-1
19 Upstart                   20-1
20 Far Right                37-1
21 Frammento             78-1

Kentucky Derby 141 Odds Update - 1:45 PM (ET)

1 Ocho Ocho Ocho     24-1
2 Carpe Diem              7-1
3 Materiality               14-1
4 Tencendur                53-1
5 Danzig Moon           20-1
6 Mubtaahij                 12-1
7 El Kabeir                  SCRATCHED
8 Dortmund                 4-1
9 Bolo                         31-1
10 Firing Line              8-1
11 Stanford                 SCRATCHED
12 International Star   SCRATCHED
13 Itsaknockout          28-1
14 Keen Ice                38-1
15 Frosted                    9-1
16 War Story              40-1
17 Mr. Z                     30-1
18 American Pharoah 3-1
19 Upstart                   21-1
20 Far Right                36-1
21 Frammento             94-1

Kentucky Derby Odds Update - 12 pm (ET)

1 Ocho Ocho Ocho     24-1
2 Carpe Diem              7-1
3 Materiality               14-1
4 Tencendur                56-1
5 Danzig Moon           20-1
6 Mubtaahij                 12-1
7 El Kabeir                  SCRATCHED
8 Dortmund                 4-1
9 Bolo                         33-1
10 Firing Line              8-1
11 Stanford                 SCRATCHED
12 International Star   SCRATCHED
13 Itsaknockout          29-1
14 Keen Ice                37-1
15 Frosted                    9-1
16 War Story              41-1
17 Mr. Z                     30-1
18 American Pharoah 3-1
19 Upstart                   21-1
20 Far Right                37-1
21 Frammento             94-1

Kentucky Derby 141 Odds Update - 10:45 AM (ET)

Good morning from Churchill Downs. We are now down to 18 horses for the Kentucky Derby so here are the current odds after the scratch of International Star.

1 Ocho Ocho Ocho     23-1
2 Carpe Diem              7-1
3 Materiality               14-1
4 Tencendur                58-1
5 Danzig Moon           20-1
6 Mubtaahij                 12-1
7 El Kabeir                  SCRATCHED
8 Dortmund                 4-1
9 Bolo                         34-1
10 Firing Line              8-1
11 Stanford                 SCRATCHED
12 International Star   SCRATCHED
13 Itsaknockout          29-1
14 Keen Ice                38-1
15 Frosted                    9-1
16 War Story              41-1
17 Mr. Z                     30-1
18 American Pharoah 3-1
19 Upstart                   21-1
20 Far Right                37-1
21 Frammento             99-1

Baffert - Still One of The Best

You can forgive trainer Bob Baffert for being disgusted and frustrated for another gut wrenching loss in the Triple Crown.

The Belmont Stakes, which Baffert has won once but has claimed victim to him on multiple occasions including three missed Triple Crown opportunities, is always one of the toughest races to win in the world. And before the Belmont, he thought he had a great chance with his entrant.

Paynter, a newcomer to the 3-year-old elite ranks, was a horse that Baffert thought very highly of but didn't think was ready to take on the best. But after an impressive win at Pimlico on Preakness Day, the  trainer decided Paynter was his Belmont horse.

Not long after Paynter won on Preakness Day, Bodemeister suffered his second straight nail biting defeat to I'll Have Another. The Preakness looked to be a perfect place for Bodemeister to turn the tables on the Derby winner as he was the lone speed but I'll Have Another proved to be too good.

The same scenario developed in the Belmont as jockey Mike Smith, who was also aboard Bodemeister in the Derby and Preakness, sent Paynter right to the lead and tried to slow down the pace as much as he could. It looked to be working as he looked comfortably in front for three quarters of the race. But, Union Rags, much like I'll Have Another did in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, wore down the Baffert trainee in the final strides.

“Is there a Triple Crown for seconds? I need a Triple Crown for second," Baffert said. "I really thought he was going to win today. He was doing so well. I just feel bad for [owner] Mr. [Ahmed] Zayat. The poor guy, he’s been tortured on this Triple Crown. Turning for home, I knew we had the horse to do it and that horse snuck up on him there. He’s still a young horse, still learning how to run. It’s over. When you get beat, you get beat.”

Upon reflection Baffert should smile widely about his Triple Crown performance. Any trainer in the world would be thrilled to have a chance to win any Triple Crown down the home stretch. It is very easy for a highly successful trainer to take that for granted but despite those tough defeats, Baffert's place among racing best all-time trainers is secure.

He already has won three Kentucky Derbys and five Preakness Stakes among many other elite races he has captured. And although he may have a restless night sleeping after suffering his third straight gut wrenching Triple Crown loss, he shouldn't want to trade places with anyone. Most trainer would want his "problems."

 

Belmont Post Race Quotes

BELMONT STAKES (G1) ALSO-RAN QUOTES

Bob Baffert, trainer of runner-up Paynter (No. 9): “Is there a Triple Crown for seconds? I need a Triple Crown for seconds. I really thought he was going to win today. He was doing so well. I just feel bad for [owner] Mr. [Ahmed] Zayat. The poor guy, he’s been tortured on this Triple Crown. Turning for home, I knew we had the horse to do it and that horse snuck up on him there. He’s still a young horse, still learning how to run. It’s over. When you get beat, you get beat.”

“[Jockey Mike Smith] will probably take a lot of heat for [letting Union Rags up the rail]. It’s a jockey thing. He didn’t want to give up the rail. But you know what, he did a tremendous job. The outside horse had that horse trapped. Johnny [Velazquez], you have to give him credit. He was patient and he just waited. He knew sometimes that happens in these big races.”

“There were no excuses. The first quarter was a little quick, but he had to use him a little bit to get him over because we wanted to get him on the lead and shut down the [No. 2] horse [Unstoppable U] immediately, because I figured he was in there as a rabbit for the other horse [Atigun]. Once he did that, he slowed them down and was in a perfect spot. He did all I could ask for. I had him ready. The crew did a great job, Jimmy Barnes and everybody. We had him ready, and we really thought today we were going to get it done. Unfortunately, we came up short, but we got beat by a nice horse.”

“He’s a really good horse. I really like this horse a lot. I wanted to win one of these races so badly, I’m telling you. My crew deserves it more than anything; they work so hard. And Mr. Zayat, he needed to win one of these. Poor guy. He really deserved it. It’s a shame. It looked like we had it. It looked like it was ours. I really felt like I was going to win the Belmont. It was snatched away again.”

“We were always really high on this horse. It just took him a little bit longer to come around. The horse is really green. He ran a hell of a race.”

“We’ll probably look at the Travers, something at Saratoga, something like that.”

Mike Smith, rider of runner-up Paynter (No. 9): “He ran tremendous. I’m such a perfectionist. [Union Rags] just shouldn’t have gotten through on me. I’d like to see what the outcome would have been if he wouldn’t have. I haven’t had the chance [to talk to Bob Baffert]. I’m sure he doesn’t want to speak to me right now.”

Ahmed Zayat, owner of runner-up Paynter (No. 9): “Heartbreaking defeat. A heartbreaking defeat. He ran his guts out. It’s just his fourth race. What do they call that race, the ‘Test of the Champion?’ To go a mile and a half the way he did, in only his fourth race, I am very lucky to have him. I’m very disappointed we opened the rail for [Union Rags].”

“Not only that, today Justin Phillip [second in the Grade 2, $400,000 Woody Stephens] was winning for fun in crazy numbers and got beat. Sometimes when you run a lot of seconds, they say you tripped, or you got lucky. But my horses are showing up and running big. Somehow we are not able to close the deal.”

Ken McPeek, trainer third-place finisher Atigun (No. 4), sixth-place finisher Unstoppable U (No. 2): “Both horses were in contention turning for home, but the gray horse [Unstoppable U] needed the race. He didn’t have enough bottom under him. Atigun, he ran super. I was real pleased. He’s just maturing; he’s figured it out. He knows when to kick. Mr. Anthony [John Ed Anthony, Shortleaf Stable Inc.] is real happy. He’s a good man, and he’s good for the business.”

Julien Leparoux, jockey aboard third-place finisher Atigun (No. 4): “It was a very good race. There was a clean race for everybody, so that’s very important. For us, as the jockeys, for the people watching the race, it’s great to see a clean race. I hope everybody had fun today. We had a good trip. We stayed inside most of the trip. I could get him out around the turn, I thought I had a good chance to win, he made a nice move. He ran a big race, so that was good.”

Chad Brown, trainer of fourth-place finisher Street Life (No. 1): “He was in the right spot and that is where the horse wanted to be. He made a run, and he was good enough to get up to be fourth, but that was probably was as good as it was going to be today. He’s a horse that needs some pace to run at and I thought that with the blinkers on he would lay a little closer. I think he is more focused with them on, but he is a horse that comes from behind that needs some pace. In a mile and a half race we really didn’t get the pace that we needed to make the big run. We’ll probably keep him at a mile and an eighth to a mile and a quarter.”

Dale Romans, trainer of beaten favorite and seventh-place finisher Dullahan (No. 5): “He said he felt comfortable all around the backside. He felt he was relaxing in the right spot. Turning for home he just got to spinning his wheels. He said the track was pretty deep and cuppy. I don’t know. The race unfolded like it looked on paper to me. Paynter ran a big race, they all ran big, Union Rags ran big; we just didn’t have a finishing kick. This is a good horse, a very good horse. I was sure he was going to run a really big one. It’s disappointing.”

Was it the track?: “I’m not going to make excuses for him. I said all along I thought he could handle the dirt. I think it puts Union Rags in the picture for an Eclipse Award, I would think. There’s a lot of year left, and with I’ll Have Another out, it’s definitely in his own hands.”

Javier Castellano, rider of beaten favorite and seventh-place finisher Dullahan (No. 5): “I don’t think he really liked the track today. He’s the type of horse who likes the turf or Polytrack more. The track was a little deep today and he kind of struggled a little bit. He was in a great position and not too far back. I was right in mid pack which is right where I wanted to be. I was in a full drive and he never got a hold of the track. He never gave me the power and kick like he did at Churchill Downs [in the Kentucky Derby]. He was spinning his wheels.”

Notable Stats from the 138th Kentucky Derby

Notable Stats from the 138th Kentucky Derby

I'll Have Another

• The first winner from Post Position 19 
• Sixth straight year a horse has won the Derby after running just twice as a 3-year-old (before 2007, only six horses had ever accomplished that.)
• 16th horse to win the Kentucky Derby after running in the Santa Anita Derby
• 9th horse to win both the Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby
• First horse to win both Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby since Sunday Silence in 1989
• First winner for trainer Doug O'Neill in his third attempt (his other two came in 2007)
• First winner for jockey Mario Gutierrez in his first Derby appearance
• First winner for owner J. Paul Reddam in three starts as a solo owner
• 45th Chestnut Colt to win
• 105th Kentucky bred to win

Bodemeister
Kentucky Derby runner-up set one of the fastest early paces in the history.

Here's a look at his near record times

• Quarter Mile - :22.32 (8th fastest)
• Half Mile - :45.39 (5th fastest)
• Three-Quarters of a Mile - 1:09.80 (4th fastest)
• One Mile - 1:35.19 (5th fastest)

Bodemeister nearly became the 23rd horse to win the Derby in wire-to-wire fashion

Trainer Bob Baffert now has 23 Kentucky Derby starters which is the fifth most all-time.

He ties Herbert "Dick" Thompson, Woody Stephens and Pete Coyne for the most second place finishes in the Kentucky Derby (3).

Others

Gemologist was the 23rd undefeated horse to start in the Kentucky Derby

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas now has 45 Kentucky Derby starters, most all-time.

Trainer Todd Pletcher now has 31 Kentucky Derby starter, second most all-time.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith moved into fifth place all-time with 19 Kentucky Derby mounts

Jockey Kent Desormeaux is now tied for sixth all-time with 18 Derby mounts. He is tied with Chris McCarron and Gary Stevens.

Kentucky Derby Odds Update - 2 p.m (ET)

Here's an update of the Kentucky Derby odds as of 2 p.m. (ET).

1) Daddy Long Legs - 23-1
2) Optimizer - 35-1
3) Take Charge Indy - 10-1
4) Union Rags -9-2
5) Dullahan - 10-1
6) Bodemeister - 7-1
7) Rousing Sermon - 35-1
8) Creative Cause - 11-1
9) Trinniberg - 39-1
10) Daddy Nose Best - 12-1
11) Alpha - 21-1
12) Prospective - 58-1
13) Went the Day Well - 26-1
14) Hansen - 13-1
15) Gemologist - 8-1
16) El Padrino - 26-1
17) Done Talking - 31-1
18) Sabercat - 33-1
19) I'll Have Another - 12-1
20) Liasion 53-1

Horse of the Year Clue?

Since the Horse of the Year voting is going to be very close, here is a look at the final NTRA poll which gives us some insight as to how voting might go but the key to remember is that there is a few weeks before the votes must be cast.

HORSE			A-S	STS-1-2-3	PTS	PVS
1. Havre de Grace  (15)			4-F	7-5-1-0	189	1
2. Game On Dude (1)			4-G	8-3-3-1	141	4
3. Royal Delta (1)			3-F	7-4-1-1	135	-
4. Tizway (1)			6-H	4-2-0-2	122	3
5. Drosselmeyer (1)			4-C	7-2-2-0	111	-
6. Acclamation (2)			5-H	7-5-0-0	88	6
7. Cape Blanco (1)			4-C	6-3-0-0	71	8
8. My Miss Aurelia			2-F	4-4-0-0	63	-
9. Flat Out			5-H	7-2-3-0	60	2
10. Caleb's Posse			3-C	10-5-1-1	49	-

Other Horses Receiving Votes: Hansen-27; Union Rags-26; Amazombie-23; Goldikova-18; St. Nicholas Abbey-16; Regally Ready-10; Ruler On Ice-9; Animal Kingdom-8; Blind Luck-8; Turallure-7; Plum Pretty-6; Turbulent Descent-5; Teaks North-4; Court Vision-3; Stephanie's Kitten-3; Musical Romance-2; Stacelita-2; Together-2; Rapid Redux-1; Secret Circle-1.    

Quick Look at the Breeders' Cup Classic

The 28^th running of the Breeders’ Cup should culminate with Goldikova going for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Mile victory and the best horses in the world fighting it out for the $5 million Classic.

The Classic is being built up as a potential duel between the talented Uncle Mo and this year’s “super filly” Havre de Grace but the race appears to be deeper than those two.

Here is a quick look at the Classic field:

1 – Prayer for Relief – Trainer Bob Baffert announced on Tuesday that he would scratch his colt because of a fever.

2 – Flat Out – He has been one of the most consistent horses all year and is very familiar with Churchill Downs as he spends part of the year under the Twin Spires. Oddly enough, he has yet to win in two starts at Churchill but will still be formidable if he can break through on Central Avenue.

3 – Drosselmeyer – He is best known for winning the Belmont Stakes in 2010 but has yet to recapture that glory. He has shown flashes this year including his runner up finish to Flat Out last month at Belmont. 

4 – Ruler On Ice – This year’s Belmont winner hasn’t repeated his stellar performance when he beat Animal Kingdom and Shackleford in the final leg of the Triple Crown. If the track comes up wet, that might serve as his best chance to upset this field.

5 – So You Think – The most well traveled horse in the field makes his U.S. debut after becoming a racing star in Australia in 2009-2010. His success continued in Europe this year but he will need to prove that he can run on dirt, which he has never done before.

6 – Ice Box – After showing tremendous promise with his 2010 Kentucky Derby runner-up finish, the Nick Zito trained colt returns to Churchill in hopes of showing that same brilliance. The son of Pulpit will need to repeat his Derby effort if he hopes for any chance to win.

7 – Rattlesnake Bridge – The lightly raced 3-year-old colt is improving with each start and his runner-up finish to Stay Thirsty in the Travers was his best effort to date. The question going into the Classic is how big of a step forward will he take when he faces older horses for the first time.

8 – Game on Dude - Trainer Bob Baffert’s best hope to win his first Classic rests with this son of 1998 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again. He has two big wins, both in Southern California, and now “the dude” must prove he can win two events like that in a row.

9 – Stay Thirsty – The hottest 3-year-old in the country was a disappointment earlier this year when he 12^th in the Kentucky Derby but rebounded with a runner-up finish in the Belmont. After he swept the two big sophomore races at Saratoga  (Jim Dandy and Travers) he finished third to Flat Out and Drosselmeyer in his last race. Now, the question will be can he win outside of New York, which he has yet to do.

10 – Havre de Grace – Last year, Zenyatta attempted to beat the boys for the second straight year in the Classic but fell just short to Blame. Now this super filly, who has won 5 of 6 this year, will try to look to become just the second female to win this event. He biggest Achilles heel could simply be the distance of the Classic – 1 ¼ miles. She has lost both times running that far (all against her gender) and now will have to do that against the boys.

11 – Headache – The other “local” horse in the field will need to improve off his fifth place finish in The Whitney to have any shot. He does have two big advantages though – He has three victories at Churchill Downs and has a win at the 1 ¼ miles distance.

12 – Uncle Mo – There were such high hopes for last year’s 2-year-old champion after he cruised to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He was expected to be the favorite for the Kentucky Derby but a rare liver ailment kept him out of the Triple Crown and away from the races from late April until August. After a runner-up finish at Saratoga in August, he cruised to an easy and impressive win at Belmont last month. His ability has never been in question but can Mo beat the best horses in the world at 1 ¼ miles?

13 – To Honor And Serve – Another colt that was expected to be formidable as 3-year-old but he yet to win a big race this year. His last race was impressive but it wasn’t even close to the level of horses he’s running against on Saturday.

Odds Update - 4 p.m.

1) Archarcharch - 13-1
2) Brilliant Speed - 26-1
3) Twice The Appeal - 10-1
4) Stay Thirsty - 16-1
5) Decisive Moment - 37-1
6) Comma to The Top - 35-1
7) Pants On Fire - 7-1
8) Dialed In - 5-1
9) Derby Kitten - 34-1
10) Twinspired - 29-1
11) Master of Hounds - 12-1
12) Santiva 35-1
13) Mucho Macho Man - 9-1
14) Shackleford - 24-1
15) Midnight Interlude - 8-1
16) Animal Kingdom - 22-1
17) Soldat 14-1
18) Uncle Mo - SCRATCHED
19) Nehro - 10-1
20) Watch Me Go - 27-1

12 Noon - Derby Odds Update

1) Archarcharch - 12-1
2) Brilliant Speed - 25-1
3) Twice The Appeal - 9-1
4) Stay Thirsty - 15-1
5) Decisive Moment - 37-1
6) Comma to The Top - 35-1
7) Pants On Fire - 7-1
8) Dialed In -5-1
9) Derby Kitten - 31-1
10) Twinspired - 27-1
11) Master of Hounds - 17-1
12) Santiva 32-1
13) Mucho Macho Man - 9-1
14) Shackleford - 22-1
15) Midnight Interlude - 10-1
16) Animal Kingdom - 20-1
17) Soldat 15-1
18) Uncle Mo - SCRATCHED
19) Nehro - 10-1
20) Watch Me Go - 27-1

Kentucky Derby "Stat of the Day"

With the 137th Kentucky Derby approaching, I have compiled a list of interesting stats and tidbits. I will add at least one per day via Twiiter (@lanegold) and below will be a list of all the nuggets I have posted so far.

If there's a stat you would like to see, please let me know.

• Uncle Mo is the only horse in this year's field with over $1,000,000 in earnings. He has $1,436,000 in earnings. The next closest is Dialed In ($879,206) and Archarcharch ($832,744).

• For those Master of Hounds fans, no horse since 1937 has won the Derby with just one start as a 3-year-old. The best finish was by Challedon (2nd) in 1939.

• Toby's Corner's father (Bellamy Road) and grandfather (Mister Frisky) were beaten Kentucky Derby favorites.

• Only two horses since 1937 have run worse than 4th in last pre-Derby start and went on to win Run for the Roses. Count Turf (5th, Wood Memorial) and Iron Leige - 1957 (5th, Derby Trial.

• There are 18 Derby winners starting with the letter "S", most ever. Of the 18, three won Triple Crown. (Sir Barton, Secretariat and Seattle Slew).

• The Lexington, which is set to run this weekend at Keeneland, has produced two Derby winners - Charismatic, 1999 &; Swale, 1984. Charismatic is the only horse to have won both races. Swale finished 2nd in the Lexington.

• Dialed In is looking to become first post-time favorite to win the Derby with four lifetime starts. The other horses who were favored - Coaltown (1948, 2nd. Note: - He was coupled with Triple Crown Winner Citation) and Indian Charlie (1998, 3rd).

• Dialed In will try to become just the third horse and first since 1918 to win Derby with just four lifetime starts. (Other winners - 1902 - Alan-a-Dale and 1918 - Exterminator)

• The Arkansas Derby has produced five Derby winners (1983, 1992, 1996, 2004, 2010). Only two horses won both.

• The Toyota Blue Grass has produced 23 Derby winners but only one has won both in last 31 years - Strike The Gold - 1991.

• There has been six horses that won the Derby after finishing 3rd in their last pre-Derby start.

A New Derby Favorite

A little over a week ago, it looked like we would have three solid favorites for the Kentucky Derby but now only one horse truly deserves that honor and the other two are questionable to be in the starting gate on May 7.

Dialed In prevailing over Shackleford in the Florida Derby

Dialed In, who won the Florida Derby over two weeks ago, will give trainer Nick Zito his best chance to win the Run for the Roses since his five horse entry back in 2005. The New York native has already won two Derbys (1991 and 1994) and will relish being back in the spotlight.

The son of Mineshaft will try to become just third horse to win the Derby with just four lifetime starts and first since 1918. Despite his statistical impediment, he will be sent off as the Derby favorite.

Meanwhile, Uncle Mo not only suffered his first career defeat in last week's Wood Memorial but his Derby status is still very much up in the air after trainer Todd Pletcher revealed this week that the 2-year-old champion had a GI tract infection. It certainly was questionable if Uncle Mo could have handled the Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles but with this latest malady, it seems that he the Derby odds are now stacked against him.

Trainer Bob Baffert, a Derby regular for a number of years, looked to be in great shape with The Factor going into the Arkansas Derby. Sent off as the prohibitive favorite, the colt uncharacteristically did not take the early lead and faded to seventh down the stretch. Baffert already was quoted as saying that he wasn't sure The Factor wanted to go the 1 1/4 miles so after his dismal performance on Saturday, it appears his Derby winning chances are pretty slim.

Fear not for Baffert as he still has Midnight Interlude and Jaycito as possible Derby starters.

There is a lot that can still happen with less than three weeks until the Run of the Roses but the one thing that does appear certain, Dialed In will be the post-time favorite.

(Photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire)

Wednesday's Breeders' Cup Classic Notes

Zenyatta – The undefeated, reigning queen of Thoroughbred racing had her first gallop over the Churchill Downs track at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, one day after arriving from California. A large crowd, including owners Jerry and Ann Moss, followed Zenyatta to the track and watched her gallop under regular exercise rider Steve Willard. Prior to the gallop, she was led to the back of the mile chute and allowed to stand and relax before her gallop.

“She did fine,” said trainer John Shirreffs with big smile on his face. “She seems very happy and really got over the track good.  They say that the Churchill track is a lot like the Oaklawn track. That’s what I’ve heard, but I’m from California. She seems to like it just fine.”

“I love seeing all the people come out to see her,” said Shirreffs. “I think that’s what makes her so special and how she will be remembered. Everyone that sees her becomes a fan. We’ve all become her fans.”

“She's terrific,” added Willard. “She couldn't be training any better. She loves the dirt. I knew it two years ago and I knew it going into Hot Springs (for the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park). She drives off it. It doesn't have the trampoline effect like the synthetics. The crowd was great. They were mostly quiet, a couple yelled, but for the most part very accommodating.”

 Zenyatta will school in the paddock with the horses running in the second race Wednesday.

Lookin At Lucky – The nation’s top 3yo contender got his first tour of the Churchill Downs track under exercise rider Jorge Alvarez on Wednesday morning after the renovation break, and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert declared it a “super good” trip.

“There’s ‘good,’ and then there’s ‘super good’,” Baffert said around 8:30 a.m., as the Smart Strike colt galloped once around. “I like it when it’s super good. He looks so different on dirt; he looks like he’s happier, he enjoys himself. He moves so much smoother over the dirt than he does on synthetics. He’s doing well.”

In spite of a sixth-place finish in the May 1 Kentucky Derby in his last visit to Churchill Downs, Lookin At Lucky has stamped his credentials in the division with his latest win in the Oct. 2 Indiana Derby, a score in the Haskell Invitational, and a Preakness victory earlier this spring. According to Baffert, he’s still going strong in the second part of the year.

“The Indiana Derby showed a dimension we didn’t know he had, of really having the worst of it and still coming through in such an easy manner,” Baffert said. “I thought for sure down the backside that he was finished, you know, there’s no way he’s going to run the way the track was playing that day. And he went around there and came back like it was nothing for him. Even in the Kentucky Derby after getting wiped out, he still was trying to get there. And that’s the thing about this horse – he has so much determination. So it’s exciting to come into the race the way he’s doing right now.”

Lookin At Lucky arrived at Churchill on the same Tex Sutton charter flight that brought the unbeaten Zenyatta. He’ll tangle with older horses for the first time in the Classic.   

“I think a lot of us trainers, we’re all in the same boat, none of us have ever faced this kind of competition before,” Baffert said of taking on Zenyatta. “But it’s still worked out to be one of those Breeders’ Cup Classics where all the good horses have shown up, and it’s going to be a good race. It’s hard to get really excited about it because the mare’s in there, so I don’t want to get too excited. I just want to see a good run. Turning for home, I’d like to be in a spot to get a good run because every time he gets a chance to get in a good run, he wins.”

Quality Road – The third betting choice on the morning line went out for a leisurely gallop Wednesday morning, and trainer Todd Pletcher said he was much more concerned by his star’s post position (1) than the memory of last year’s starting gate issues that resulted in a late scratch from the Classic.

“We haven’t seen any indications it will be a problem,” Pletcher said. “I would say as far as disappointments go you could rank that one pretty high, but he’s been great ever since. When we laid out a program last fall this is what we had in mind this year.  Other than finishing a head short in the Whitney, everything has gone exactly the way we planned.”

The son of Elusive Quality has lost twice at the Classic distance of 1 ¼ m, but Pletcher doesn’t believe his 4yo has distance limitations.

           

“This is the kind of race where you worry about everything,” he said. “If you watch his race in the Donn and the Florida Derby, I can’t see a mile-and-a-quarter being an issue as strong as he finished his mile-and-an-eighth races. Even at a mile and an eighth, you’d be concerned just with the quality of the field. There’s no margin for error. I think you have to be ready to run your best race.”

Pletcher said he has never lost confidence in the colt.

“We felt like all along we’ve got the best horse in training,” said Pletcher, who have the rare opportunity of winning the Kentucky Derby (Super Saver)  and Classic at Churchill in the same year. “I think the Donn is the strongest race any horse has run this year.”

Blame – The 9-2 second choice for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic took to the track Wednesday morning for an easy jog. Trainer Al Stall Jr. said everything was as it should be with the 4yo son of Arch, who will make the final start of his career against Zenyatta on Saturday before being retired to stud at Claiborne Farm.

Blame’s last work was turned in on Monday, an effortless 4f in 49 4/5 under jockey Garrett Gomez.

Espoir City – Jockey Tetsuzo Sato breezed the 5yo horse 4f in 49 3/5 Wednesday morning.

Rather than using the Japanese style of breaking off at the finish line and working around the first turn, as he had done Sunday, trainer Akio Adachi had Sato work the two-time Group 1 winner to the wire, the conventional approach in North America.

“Today was sort of the final touch-up,” he said through interpreter Mikki Tsuge, West Coast Representative for the Japan Racing Association, who has been serving as the connections’ liaison at Churchill Downs. “We had the jockey on him. There were no instructions, no specific fractions requested. I just wanted the jockey to feel how the horse was.” 

            Adachi was pleased with the work. 

“I’m quite satisfied,” he said, adding the son of Gold Allure can handle whatever develops in the Classic. 

 “Espoir City is quite versatile,” he said. “No instructions will be given to the jockey. We will leave it to him. If he breaks well, he can settle wherever. If he doesn’t break well, he can cover ground. I’m not concerned.” 

The Japan Cup Dirt and February Stakes winner drew post 11 in the 12-horse field. 

“I actually like it,” Adachi said. 

The trainer said his horse can deal with the American style of racing, with a quick early pace.

            “In his recent races, he has been up front,” he said. “I’m quite certain that he has the speed to keep up with the pace here. Also, I’m not concerned with the distance. This will be his first time going a mile-and-a-quarter, but I’m quite confident that he will handle the distance as well. I really don’t have any major concerns.”

Etched – The 5yo son of Forestry arrived at Barn 40 on the Churchill Downs backstretch at 3:30 Wednesday morning after leaving his Greentree Training Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. at 1 p.m. Tuesday. 

“Everything went well,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin from his Belmont Park base. “He just walked this morning and will train tomorrow.” 

Etched, who has won both his starts this year, will be making his Grade 1 debut while taking on Zenyatta and 10 other males in the Classic. 

“We have never run against Zenyatta. I have a great deal of respect for her. Obviously she’s the one to beat,” McLaughlin said. “It would be great for racing if she could retire undefeated, but for my family, I’d like to beat her. But if we don’t win, I’d hope she does win. If we do win, I can tell you I won’t feel bad for long.”

Alan Garcia has the mount on Etched.

First Dude/ Paddy O’Prado – First Dude galloped 1 ½ m on Wednesday and was then made to stand on the track “to get a good look at Zenyatta.”

The Dale Romans-trained First Dude enters the Classic off a runner-up finish in the Pennsylvania Derby and Romans feels that race was key to him finally reaching a level of maturity.

“He just needed the time to mature and I think he’s finally coming around,” said Romans. “I honestly believe he thinks he won that race because ever since that race, he’s been real cocky. He’s never been like that before." 

Paddy O' Prado, the El Prado colt who finished third in the Kentucky Derby, galloped 1 1/2 m over the main Churchill track on Wednesday in preparation for his return to dirt in the Classic after three wins and a second on turf.

“He's never trained better than he did this morning,” said Romans. “Both my horses are coming around at the right time. We're definitely not going to have any excuses if we lose.”

Both First Dude and Paddy O'Prado will gallop up to the Classic. 

Fly Down – The 3yo son of Mineshaft galloped 1 1/2m at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning under exercise rider Carlos Correa.

Fly Down, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last fall, has demonstrated a strong late kick that has powered him to victory in the Dwyer and second-place finishes in the Belmont Stakes and the Travers Stakes, which he lost by just a nose to Afleet Express.

“It’ll be an interesting race. I just hope the horses that are supposed to go…go, for our horse,” said Zito, obviously hoping that Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Haynesfield, Woodward victor Quality Road and others will set a strong early pace to complement his colt’s late-running effort. Zito acknowledged that Zenyatta would also be a beneficiary of a solid early pace.

“Naturally all eyes are on Zenyatta,” Zito said. “You are what your record is, and she has a perfect record. Obviously, this is her biggest test, win, lose, or draw.”

Julien Leparoux will be aboard Fly Down for the first time.

Haynesfield – In Saturday’s Classic, Turtle Bird Stable’s Haynesfield will attempt to become the first New York-bred to capture a Breeders’ Cup race. He has nine wins on his resume from 13 starts, with four of those coming against restricted company, but in his final start of 2009 the connections realized they might have something special. 

“His win in the Discovery last year showed us what he could be,” Asmussen said. “His Suburban victory this year, and in his Jockey Club (Gold Cup) after that, he showed us that he’s a top class horse.” 

Haynesfield has traditionally done his best running on the lead, or from just off the pace. A dry track that’s tough to close over would work to his advantage.   

“Speed holds if you’re fast,” Asmussen joked. “It’s a very fair racetrack. The track was very slow opening day (Sunday), but with racing the next few days, it should tighten up a bit.”

Musket Man – The 4yo colt stretched his legs with a 1m jog over the Churchill Downs main track Wednesday morning, going out for the first time since arriving late Tuesday. 

Trainer Derek Ryan, who arrived in Louisville at midnight, was on hand to supervise the colt’s training. Musket Man is stabled in Barn 41, in the same stall he occupied when he ran third in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and third in the Churchill Downs Stakes on Derby Day this year. Musket Man found traffic trouble in both races or he might have fared better. 

“He seems to get into trouble here,” Ryan said, “but he finds trouble everywhere. We need a clean trip in this race.”

This year, the son of Yonaguska, owned by Eric Fein and Vic Carlson, has won just once in six starts, with three seconds and two thirds. He was second to Quality Road in the Metropolitan Handicap and third behind Blame and Quality Road in the Whitney Handicap. 

Last out, Musket Man was the 1-2 favorite in the Monmouth Cup, but was beaten a neck by Etched, another Classic rival. 

“He should have won that race,” Ryan said. “I said he would only go to the Breeders’ Cup if he won, but I know he was much the best that day and unlucky to lose by a neck. I know he’ll run well here.” 

Musket Man gets another change of riders for the Classic, with Rajiv Maragh taking over again. Maragh rode the colt in the Whitney, when he was closer to the pace than usual. 

“Rajiv knows the horse,” Ryan said, explaining the switch from last out.  “He chased the speed in the Whitney because he didn’t want Quality Road to steal the race on the lead.”

Pleasant Prince – The 3yo son of Indy King galloped 1 1/2m on the main track after the mid-morning break and trainer Wesley Ward continues to be encouraged about the colt owned by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey.           

“He’s been training awesome for quite a while, and that’s why Mr. Ramsey paid the $100,000 to nominate him for the Classic,” Ward said Wednesday morning. “He’s just doing awesome and I think he’s going to run big enough to warrant that extra fee.”           

Pleasant Prince drew post 9 at Tuesday’s post-position draw, but Ward said he’s not concerned about that. “He’ll get good position up fairly close,” the trainer said.

Tuesday's Breeders' Cup Headlines/Notes

 Today's Breeders' Cup headlines and notes, courtesy of the Breeders' Cup...

• Arrivals Tuesday: A Tex Sutton charter from California arrived before noon in Louisville Tuesday with 11 horses that are scheduled to compete in the Breeders’ Cup. Included on the flight was the unbeaten defending Breeders’ Cup Classic champion Zenyatta for trainer John Shirreffs, along with Classic contender and leading 3-year-old Lookin At Lucky, trained by Bob Baffert.  

Also aboard the chartered flight were A Z Warrior (JF) and Gabby’s Golden Gal (FMS) for Baffert; Champ Pegasus (T) and Crown of Thorns (DM) for Richard Mandella; Awesome Gem (Mar) and Tropic Storm (TS/DM) for Craig Dollase; Unzip Me (TS) for Martin Jones; Jaycito (J) for Mike Mitchell; and J P’s Gusto (J) for David Hofmans.

Classic entrant Musket Man boarded a van in New Jersey at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday for the approximately 12-hour ride from Monmouth Park to Churchill Downs and was expected to arrive late in the afternoon.

Trainer Derek Ryan had horses entered at Parx Racing Tuesday and said he would drive to Louisville after the races at the Philadelphia track.

Musket Man, owned by Eric Fein and Vic Carlson, will be stabled in Barn 41 on the Churchill backside, taking the same stall he occupied when he ran third in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and third in the Churchill Downs Stakes this year on Derby Day.

Etched is taking the scenic route to Churchill Downs and the Classic, being shipped by van from his Greentree Training Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Tuesday into Wednesday morning. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin decided it was the best mode of transportation for the “difficult” Classic contender.

“It would have been a four-hour ride to Long Island, another hour at the airport and then the flight,” McLaughlin said. “He can be a bit difficult and he’s a very large horse, so it’s just better for him to head down there on a van.

McLaughlin estimated that Etched will arrive at Churchill Downs at 5 or 6 a.m. Wednesday after being loaded onto the van at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Etched’s stablemate Soldat, a Juvenile Turf contender stabled at Belmont Park, was scheduled for a quicker form of transportation to Louisville Tuesday aboard a Tex Sutton chartered flight from JFK International due at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The American-based horses from Godolphin arrived safe and sound from New York and had settled down in their stalls in Barn 36 at Churchill Downs on Tuesday morning after an uneventful van ride from Belmont Park.

Assistant trainer Henry Spiller said Breeders’ Cup Sprint contender Girolamo, Dirt Mile contenders Gayego and Vineyard Haven, and Filly & Mare Sprint starter Sara Louise all shipped well and will go to the track Wednesday morning at 6 a.m. to gallop 1 1/4m in preparation for their respective starts. Godolphin’s main assistant, Rick Mettee, is scheduled to arrive in Louisville Tuesday evening, while head trainer Saeed bin Suroor will arrive Thursday.

Winchester, winner of the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont last time out, will accompany stablemate and Mile starter Gio Ponti on the last Tex Sutton chartered flight from New York to Louisville Tuesday. The pair of turf specialists will be bedded down in Barn 40. Trainer Christophe Clement will arrive on Friday.

On Tuesday, Gio Ponti’s connections announced that the 5yo son of Tale of the Cat will bypass the Classic, which was listed as first preference in the pre-entries.

“He came out of the Shadwell Mile in great order. I’m very excited to run him in the Breeders’ Cup Mile,” Clement said Tuesday.

Also new on the grounds was Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf contender Fancy Point, who vanned in late Monday from trainer Will Phipps’ base in Ocala, Fla. The 2yo daughter of Point Given will jog 1m, gallop 1m, and school in the paddock Wednesday morning

The European horses were released from quarantine Tuesday morning with Goldikova (IRE) leading the way to the track for a first look at Churchill Downs.

   

The 5yo mare, trained by Freddy Head, is seeking an unprecedented third straight victory in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. She jogged over the main track Tuesday morning, just stretching her legs.

Other Europeans getting their first exercise on the dirt track Tuesday included Debussy (IRE), Dangerous Midge and Behkabad (FR), all entered in the Turf, and Filly & Mare Turf runners Midday (GB) and Plumania (GB).

• Epsom Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce (GB) is to be entered in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf, but a decision on whether he will actually run will be made later in the week, with the hope of rain softening the turf course.

Head lad Stuart Messenger sent both Workforce and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Dux Scholar to the track  for the first time on Tuesday morning, and after they jogged for a bit, gave them each an gallop on the turf.

With the lack of rain in Kentucky, firmness of the course has been a concern and heading back to the barn, a grim-faced Messenger said “It’s very firm. We’re going to have a very serious discussion on whether we will run.”

Messenger phoned trainer Michael Stoute, who was about to fly to the United States from his Newmarket base in England, and they decided to enter the horse and then monitor the course condition the rest of the week.

Workforce, by King’s Best, could return to run as a 4yo, which is a factor in the decision. It’s possible that Dux Scholar would also scratch if Workforce does.

• Trainer Akio Adachi said Espoir City (JPN) will work Wednesday morning at approximately 8:45 a.m. following the renovation break.

Jockey Tetsuzo Sato will be aboard for the breeze, which will likely be five or six furlongs, beginning at the finish line. Adachi said it was a typical training schedule for the horse, which has won 10 of 13 starts, including the Japan Cup Dirt and the February Stakes since being switched from turf to dirt in August 2008.

Espoir City worked 4f Sunday and will stay on his usual schedule with a second breeze the week of the race.

  

“It’s basically the style. Of course it depends on the individual horse,” Adachi said through interpreter said Mikki Tsuge, West Coast Representative for the Japan Racing Association who has been serving as the connections’ liaison at Churchill Downs. “With him, it’s pretty much sticking to his routine.”

Adachi said the horse will walk Thursday and jog Friday.

• Tuesday Workouts:

Pashito the Che - In his final major preparation for Saturday's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Sprint, Tuna Stable LLC and Off the Hook LLC's Pashito the Che worked 4f over a fast main track in 51 3/5.

With exercise rider Jennifer Stisted aboard, the 4yo son of Flatter ran splits of 14, 26 3/5, 38 3/5 and he galloped out in 1:07 2/5.

"The work was a little slower than I wanted, but I told my wife (Stisted) I'd rather have him go slow than fast," trainer Scott Lake said. “He passed another horse in the stretch and finished out good. He came back great. It's all systems go."

·         Tuesday Declarations:

Major Gain – Gary and Mary West’s son of More Than Ready came up with a temperature Tuesday morning and will not be entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“He will be fine in a few days but will not be well enough to run on Saturday,” trainer Wayne Catalano said. “It is disappointing, but these things happen sometimes.” 

By The Numbers

It was a sad Tuesday in the world of Thoroughbred Racing as super filly Rachel Alexandra retired and 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet passed away.

Both horses brought racing fans great memories during their racing career including record setting victories and memorable defeats.



I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the well known and not-so-obvoius statistical superlatives each horse achieved. And, the ironic part is that some of their stats are similar.



Rachel Alexandra's record win in the Kentucky Oaks



Rachel Alexandra

Career Record          
19 Starts - 13-5-0

Career Earnings         

$3,506,730

Number of Years Raced
3

Grade 1 Victories      
5 (Kentucky Oaks, Preakness, Mother Goose, Haskell and Woodward)

Number of Graded Stakes Victories
9

Number of Jockeys Used 
2 (Brian Hernandez, Jr. and Calvin Borel)

Number of Times Made Betting Favorite
15 (79% of career starts)

Longest Winning Streak
9 (Golden Rod - Nov. 2008 - Woodward - Sept. 2009)

Longest Losing Streak
2 (New Orleans Ladies - La Troienne - 2010)

Best Beyer Speed Figure
116 - 2009 Haskell Invitational

Number of Races Over 100 Beyer Speed Figure
12

Largest Margin of Victory
20 1/4 lengths - 2009 Kentucky Oaks

Career Debut
May 22, 2008 - Churchill Downs, 9th Race

Number of Tracks Run
8 (Churchill. Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Pimlico, Belmont, Monmouth and Saratoga)

Number of Trainers
2 (Hal Wiggins and Steve Amussen)

Average Margin of Victory
4.63 lengths

Average Odds
3.16-1
(Note: Her first two races, she was sent off at 26-1 and 12-1)

Average Field Size
7.16

Real Quiet

Career Record

20 Starts - 6-5-6

Career Earnings
$3,271,802

Number of Years Raced
3

Grade 1 Victories
5 (Hollywood Futurity, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Pimlico Special and Hollywood Gold Cup)

Number of Graded Stakes Victories
5

Number of Jockeys Used
6 (Joe Steiner, David Flores, Scott Stevens, Kent Desormeaux, Gary Stevens and Jerry Bailey)

Number of Times Made Betting Favorite
7 (35% of career starts)

Longest Winning Streak
2 (Kentucky Derby-Preakness, 1998)

Longest Losing Streak
6 (June 15, 1997-Sept. 5, 1997)
Best Beyer Speed Figure
115 - 1999 Hollywood Gold Cup

Number of Races Over 100 Beyer Speed Figure
11

Largest Margin of Victory
3 - 1997 Maiden Special - Oct. 18, 1997

Career Debut
June 15, 1997 - Churchill Downs, 1st Race - Finished 7th

Number of Tracks Run
11 (Churchill. Hollywood, Santa Fe, Del Mar, Santa Anita, Golden Gate, Pimlico, Belmont, Fair Grounds, Lone Star and Suffolk)

Number of Trainers
1 (Bob Baffert)

Average Margin of Victory
1.25 lengths

Average Odds
3.35-1

Average Field Size
8.6

Saturday's Speed Figures

On the biggest day of the Saratoga meet, here are some notable Beyer Speed Figures. (These are of course, courtesy of the Daily Racing Form.) I've also throw in a couple of Del Mar #'s as well.

The eye popping figure was the 2-year-old debut of Uncle Mo who earned a 102. He won his debut race by 14 1/4-lengths and was the fourth fastest figure of the day. Very impressive considering he is young and inexperienced..

Ballston Spa
Dynaslew         99

Victory Ride
Rapport            103

Ballerina
Rightly So        100

King's Bishop
Discreetly Mine  93

Travers
Afleet Express  105
Fly Down           105
First Dude           95
Afleet Again        93
A Little Warm     92

Del Mar

Pacific Classic
Richard's Kid        95
Crowded House    94
Dakota Phone       93

Pat O'Brien
El Brujo                 106
Crown of Thorns   105

Preakness Numbers & Thoughts

Here's just a few interesting stats and tidbits from Saturday's middle leg of the Triple Crown.

The Daily Racing Form's Beyer Speed Figures from the Preakness:

Lookin at Lucky 102

First Dude 101

Jackson Bend 101

Yawanna Twist 99

Dublin 93

Paddy O'Prado 85

Caracortado 85

Super Saver 84

Schoolyard Dreams 83

Aikenite 79

Pleasant Prince 73

Northern Giant 68

The horses listed in BOLD FACE are possible for the Belmont Stakes. Of that group, only First Dude is the most likely. The Belmont will have Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box and he should be one of the favorites for the 1 1/2 miles marathon.

This will be the second time in five years that neither the Derby or Preakness winner will venture to New York for the final leg of the Triple Crown. In 2006, the ill-fated Derby winner Barbaro, who suffered an near fatal injury in the Preakness before succumbing to his wounds months later, and Preakness winner Bernardini skipped the Belmont.

Trainer Bob Baffert's Preakness win now gives him nine Triple Crown victories which is tied for fifth best all-time. D. Wayne Lukas, who could send Dublin to the Belmont, is tied for the lead with 13.

Baffert tied Lukas for most wins in the Preakness with five. The all-time leader is R. Wyndham Walden with seven victories.

The list of Belmont contenders outside of the Preakness runners: Drosselmeyer, the talented colt who will have a new jockey; Fly Down, the Nick Zito trained winner of the Dwyer; Game on Dude, winner of the Lone Star Derby for Baffert; Make Music For Me, 4th in the Kentucky Derby; New Madrid; Setsuko, who was excluded from the Derby for insufficient Graded Stakes Earnings; Stately Victor; Stay Put; and Uptowncharlybrown, who is now in the barn of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin; 

On the under card, Blame took a big step in becoming one of the top horses in country when he made a successful debut in 2010 in the William Schaefer. His effort yielded him an 101 Beyer Speed Figure. His next race is expect to be the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs next month.

Finally.....

BALTIMORE - No sport may be more dependent on luck than racing and Lookin at Lucky didn't have much go right for him in the last six weeks. On Saturday, the aptly named horse finally had everything go his way and captured the 135th Preakness Stakes.

Early in the week, trainer Bob Baffert, who now has five Preakness victories, elected to change riders on the Lookin at Lucky for the first time. Garrett Gomez was given the boot and 25-year-old Martin Garcia, a former cook at a Northern California deli, got the assignment.

Garcia looked like a calm, cool veteran as he kept the colt out of trouble the entire race and guided him to the front as they turned for home. Then Garcia kept after "Lucky" nearly the entire stretch run and held off a stubborn pacesetter First Dude.

"He knows I have confidence in him," Baffert said. "I think the jockey knows that a trainer has confidence in him, you click...I think we've been clicking. I sent him all over the States. I just hope he shows up Monday to work my horses."

The irony of the Preakness is that Gomez, who got a new riding assignment aboard Dublin, got into trouble right from the start and dropped back to last. Dublin made a nice run and finished fifth.

As for Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, it just appeared he was tired. Jockey Calvin Borel kept Super Saver close to the front and the early taxing fractions took their toll as he started to fade before the final run down the home stretch.

"When they went to the far turn, you can see that Calvin was squeezing and asking him to get that horse (First Dude) and just couldn't do it," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "He hung in there. He kept fighting. He tried hard. It was back a little quick for him. Now we've got time to come back for a big summer."

Also, big credit to First Dude as he ran a gutty effort to hold on for second. He set a quick early pace and held off late challenges from Jackson Bend and Yawanna Twist.

The sad part for racing is that the Belmont Stakes will probably not get either Super Saver or Lookin at Lucky as both trainers seemed really uncertain about moving on to the toughest leg of the Triple Crown.

Looks like the most prominent horse at the Belmont will be Derby runner-up Ice Box. First Dude might also move on but that's still up in the air.

But it was great to see the best horse win as Lookin at Lucky proved that he still is one of the best 3-year-olds in the country.