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.”

The Filly In Front

Havre de Grace cruising to win in Belmont's Beldame

In what has been a very up and down year with racing’s elite horses, we may have finally seen the best rise to the top this past weekend but we still don’t have a unequivocal “horse to beat.”

A lot of attention, and justifiably so, will be focused on Havre de Grace (right) who not only has emerged as the best filly in the country but perhaps the best horse. She left little doubt about who the top female is after cruising to an easy win in Saturday’s Beldame at Belmont Park. That victory was on the heels of her breakout performance on Labor Day Weekend when she beat males in Saratoga’s Woodward Handicap.

Her trainer, Larry Jones, indicated her next race will be in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and with a victory would lock up Horse of the Year. She would become the third female in a row to capture that title, marking a first in racing.

With her resume and the fact that a girl is racing against the boys, she will likely be the favorite for the Classic at Churchill Downs next month.

Another former star that has returned to some semblance of glory is 2-year-old champion Uncle Mo.  He was all set to be racing’s next “big thing” but a mysterious liver infection knocked him out of the Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown. The colt didn’t return to the races until late August when he finished second but  he rocketed to an impressive victory in the Kelso at Belmont in a very quick final time.

You can certainly make a case, as some have, that Uncle Mo and his late resurgence will make him the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. There is no question that he does have more mainstream name recognition than all of his potential competitors but it’s hard to see a horse who has yet to beat any of the top caliber athletes become the betting choice next month.

Another horse that will likely take significant money at the betting windows include Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Flat Out (left) who has been finished only worse than second once all year. But, that off the board finish came at Churchill Downs in the June’s Stephen Foster Handicap. What could be more troubling is that he is 0-for-2 at Churchill.

Also Uncle Mo’s stablemate, Stay Thirsty, has improved dramatically since his 12^th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. He has racked up wins in the Jim Dandy and Travers and will need to prove to everyone that he can run well and win outside of New York.

The top two horses from the West Coast will be Acclamation and Game on Dude. Both have had up and down years but Acclamation got white hot during the summer as he reeled off four wins in a row including the Pacific Classic. Game on Dude, from the barn of trainer Bob Baffert, has two big wins in ’11 including last weekends Goodwood and the Santa Anita Handicap back in March.

Who will be favored for the Classic will be an interesting story to watch but all signs point to the hottest girl in the country by the name Havre de Grace.

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)

Rachel - Day After Thoughts

Some random thoughts after Rachel Alexandra's powerful and historic win in Saturday's Woodward at Saratoga.

• Rachel's final Beyer figure of 109 was probably the only negative of her performance, if you can call it that. It takes nothing away from her effort but you almost might have expected a little faster number. (Thanks to DRF for the Beyer).

• Credit to owner Jess Jackson for not being afraid of any big competition and running Rachel against some of the best handicap horses in the country. Most owners would have taken the safe route and entered her against her own gender but the Woodward gave the 31,000 fans on track plus countless others a trackside seat to history.

• Jockey Calvin Borel, who is one of the nicest guys in racing, didn't give Rachel the best ride by any means. Getting into a speed duel was not optimal against a field of older boys but she was gutsy enough to turn back every challenge. And as jockey Robby Albarado told me after the race, that's what makes a champion. Could not have said it any better myself.

• The scene yesterday at Saratoga was incredible. A lot of the fans that were in attendance came out specifically to see Rachel run. There is rarely anticipation to see any one horse so to walk in the crowd and feel "the buzz" was a nice change of pace.

• We should not forget about the tremendous job Rachel's former trainer Hal Wiggins did. Wiggins trained the superfilly up until early May when Jackson purchased her for a reported $5 million (but that number was never officially disclosed.) Wiggins sent Rachel postward for the most impressive and decisive Kentucky Oaks victory ever.

• Speaking of $5 million, Rachel could well have been the biggest multi-million bargain in history. Even if she never runs again, you have to figure she's worth at least $10 million.

• Let's hope Jackson is a man of his word and does bring her back to the races next year. If she runs again this year, it's likely only one more time but racing would a well needed "shot in the arm" if she runs in 2010. He did bring his star of 2007-08, Curlin, back as a 4-year-old and was rewarded with another banner year.

Overhyped Rachel?

Rachel Alexandra. What does that name mean to you?

For those who have seen her run whether live or on TV, words such as "incredible" "unbelieveable" have no doubt been uttered.

There are countless analogies, superlatives, and comparisons to other great horses (fair or otherwise) that have been made ever since she burst onto racing's big stage after her Kentucky Oaks victory heard "round the world" in early May.

Now she has a chance to join an elite club on Saturday at Saratoga when she takes on older males in the Woodward.

Racing insiders have been following Rachel closely for months but ever since she captured the Preakness, a mainstream crowd has begun to follow her. Since last week when her connections announced she would take on the "big boys" in the Woodward, Rachel attracted even more mainstream attention.

So much so that Sports Illustrated is sending one of its reporters to Saratoga despite the College Football season kicking off. In addition, the race is being broadcast on a regional cable sportschannel (MSG Network). You can also expect a large crowd on hand Saturday. Everyone wants to see what could be one of the greatest horses of all-time add another feather in her cap.

But is all of this growing attention overhype or well deserved?

In my mind, it's a bit of both. Racing never gets enough good coverage and when there is a potential superhorse, you want as much publicity as can be. It might be a bit over hyped but if she is able to win on Saturday, then it's no longer over hype. (Perhaps an SI cover will be in the offing?)

With a victory, what will undoubtedly happen is a growing call to run Rachel in the Breeders' Cup, racing's year end championship. Her owner, Jess Jackson, has continually said that he doesn't want to run his star on the artificial dirt of Santa Anita.

Racing will be done a disservice if Rachel is kept out of the Breeders' Cup but that's a debate that will rage out of control if she wins on Saturday.

In the meantime, let all the over hype and hyperbole continue. It's just what racing needs.

Another Bad Ride Costs The Bird

In Saturday's West Virginia Derby, Mine That Bird was looking to regain some of his star status but a self-admitted bad ride by Mike Smith cost the Kentucky Derby winner that chance.

For the second time this year, I begin to wonder if Calvin Borel's absence on Mine That Bird cost the gelding a victory.

In the Preakness, Smith was unable to keep Mine That Bird out of trouble and then was forced to go seven wide on the final turn. He lost to Rachel Alexandra by just a length.

Fast forward to Saturday and Smith watched Big Drama jump out to a huge early lead and the Hall of Fame jockey grew impatient and began to ask the Derby winner for run on the backstretch to close the gap between himself and Big Drama. The move backfired as Mine That Bird was out of gas in the stretch and could not pass Big Drama and eventual winner Soul Warrior.

"It was just total rider error," Smith said. "I don't like the way I rode him at all....He needs that one short run and I used too much of him on the backstretch."

Kudos for Smith to owning up to his mistake. It's a breath of fresh air.

But now what next for "Team Bird?" Do they stick with Smith, who they have a two-race commitment from? Or do they search for another rider? (Garrett Gomez is available with the injury to Pioneerof the Nile.)

Apparently, Mine That Bird has to be ridden in a very specific way. Keep him along the inside with another horse to his outside in the back half of the field. Then, when the time is right, cut him loose for his one big run. Borel executed the plan perfectly in the Derby but no one has since.

The Travers is the next race on Bird's docket but it appears that only a near perfect ride will lead him back to the winner's circle.

Star Studded Saturday

With the Triple Crown firmly in the rear view mirror, the focus of racing has become more scattered until next month when the star-studded race meets of Saratoga and Del Mar get underway.

At least for one day, that changes when the two best fillies in the country put their hooves back on the track Saturday. (Ironically, their respective races will run within 15 minutes of each other.)

Leading off the action is Rachel Alexandra, who is making her long awaited journey to New York. The trip to Belmont is three weeks later than some were hoping as many fans were hoping to see the Preakness winner run in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

She will face four others in Belmont's Mother Goose (5:17 pm EDT, Broadcast on MSG+) and will be one of the biggest favorites we will see all year. It is undoubtedly her race to lose and for the few fans that will show up at Belmont, it will be a chance to see a superstar.

On the West Coast, the unbeaten Zenyatta makes her second start of 2009 when she squares off against seven others in the Vanity Handicap (5:30 EDT) . The competition apparently isn't afraid of her lofty 10-for-10 record.

On a teleconference Wednesday, Rachel's owner, Jess Jackson, said his star will not run in this year's Breeders' Cup, which is slated to be run at Santa Anita. Jackson said he does not care for Santa Anita's "artificial dirt" surface and does not want to risk diminishing her star status.

He cited his two-time Horse of the Year Curlin's struggles in California last year as a prime example of why not to run at the Breeders' Cup.

It's another potential black eye for the sport as one of the best horses in the country is being kept on the sidelines during racing's championship weekend. It also likely deprives fans the only chance of seeing Rachel battle Zenyatta.

If you have a chance to go to Belmont or Hollywood on Saturday, go for it. Seeing horses of this caliber is rare and there are likely just a few races left in their respective careers.

Belmont News....What there is of it....

Jockey Calvin Borel continues to spend lots of time in the national spotlight this week as he has done a slew of television interviews from his home base in Louisville, including the Today Show this morning.

However the picture is still fuzzy about who he might ride in the Belmont Stakes. Borel's first choice is still super filly Rachel Alexandra but there has been no decision made yet about her next start.

Meanwhile, the connections for Derby winner Mine That Bird insist that they will make a decision in the "next couple of days." If they are true to their word, that may keep Borel off Mine That Bird.

Of course, there is still the possibility that the "Bird Crew" could follow the same scenario as they did before the Preakness; give Borel the chance to ride Mine That Bird while waiting out Rachel Alexandra's fate. At the same time, they would have a "backup rider" ready if Rachel does try the one-mile-and-a-half "Test of Champions."

Mine That Bird was back on the Churchill Downs oval training for the first time since the Preakness and Rachel will follow suit tomorrow morning.

The only other news was a definite decision for Belmont contender Charitable Man will come on Wednesday. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin indicated that his colt is likely to run but would confer with the owners again to make their final choice.

The son of 1999 Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid has won 3 of 4 starts including the Peter Pan Stakes two weeks at Belmont. His only loss came on the "artificial dirt" at Keeneland in April and is a perfect 2-for-2 at Belmont.

Preakness...Where are We Now?

With all the crazy Preakness news over the past few days, it is easy to lose focus on the the big picture with less than five days until the race. Here's a quick recap on who is running and a note on each.

The two big stories:

Rachel Alexandra - The superstar filly and Kentucky Oaks winner appears to be "all systems go" to be become the first female to run in the Preakness in 10 years (last - Excellent Meeting). After all the back and forth two owners trying to keep her out of the Preakness, sanity and fairness prevailed. She is set to fly to Baltimore on Tuesday and her new owner, Jess Jackson, will make the final decision to enter Rachel once she is safe and sound at Pimlico. Calvin Borel will ride and she will be the post-time favorite.

Mine That Bird - After co-owner Mark Allen smartened up and gave up blocking Rachel from running in the Preakness, it was back to business for the Derby winner on Monday. The son of Birdstone (pictured left) had an semi-unplanned workout at Churchill Monday morning (1/2 mile - 49.20) under Borel. If Rachel goes, then Mike Smith will take the reigns from Borel. Mine That Bird could be the longest priced Derby winner of all time based on the field that's set to run on Saturday.

The rest of the field (no disrespect intended):

Big Drama - One of the unheralded horses in the field as he has a record of 5-1-1 in seven starts. Jockey John Velazquez will ride him for the first time and should be keeping Rachel Alexandra occupied on the front end of the race. He will be one to watch.

Flying Private - The last place finisher (19th) in the Derby will take another shot at a Triple Crown. Trainer D. Wayne blamed the sloppy track for his bad finish in the Derby and gets star rider Alan Garcia to take the mount. Not sure that will help much.

Friesan Fire - The Derby favorite, who beat only Flying Private in the "Run for the Roses," will work Tuesday morning and then a final decision will be made to run him. If recovered from his Derby injuries, he could be very tough and will be a decent price.

General Quarters - The great story of the Derby has bounced back from his 10th place Derby finish and is set to arrive in Baltimore Tuesday afternoon. Tough to know how he will run but hard not to root for again.

Hull - Trainer Dale Romans pulled the plug on running this unbeaten colt in the Preakness with the presence of Rachel Alexandra.

Luv Guv - The namesake of former NY Governor Elliot Spitzer, who has just one win to his credit, will be a longshot. Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas said this horse has a bright future and will be their Belmont horse. I think Lukas is giving you a hint...don't bet him here.

Musket Man - The third place Derby finisher, who has been training back at his home base at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, will wait until the morning of the race to ship to Pimlico. (A little bit of a concern for me. Why wait that long?) He will workout on Tuesday but his record is one of the best in the field - 5-0-2 in seven starts.

Papa Clem - The Arkansas Derby winner, who currently is only one of two Preakness runners at Pimlico, is looking to better his fourth place finish in the Derby. A dry track should help him and being just off the lead during the Preakness should be to his advantage.

Pioneerof the Nile - With trainer Bob Baffert on hand, the Derby runner-up (right) worked great at Churchill on Monday morning - 1/2 mile in :47.60. The colt will fly to Baltimore on Wednesday and will be one of the horses to beat.

Take The Points - Trainer Todd Pletcher, who is still in search of a win in the Derby and Preakness, will take his shot at the Preakness with this lightly raced colt. He skipped the Derby with this race in mind. His career highlight was second to The Pamplemousse at Santa Anita in February. Not quite sure what to think of him yet but getting Edgar Prado to ride is a huge help.

Terrain - The well bred son of Sky Mesa, who's been idle since a fourth in the Toyota Blue Grass, will head to Baltimore on Wednesday from Louisville. He hasn't won since being placed first via DQ in the Arlington Washington Futurity in September. Not a good sign that he's 0-for-2 this year.

Tone It Down - The true local horse of the field, finished third last time out in the Federico Tesio at Pimlico. He would appear to be overmatched but it always seems like a local horse always is a danger.

These Are The Days of Our Lives....

This week on the Triple Crown Trail has turned into one of the biggest soap operas in quite a while. In essence, the episode began after Rachel Alexandra won the Oaks in dominating fashion.

The next day, after pulled a huge 50-1 upset in the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, jockey Calvin Borel said if he were confronted with the choice of which horse to ride, he would choose the filly.

Meanwhile, little did almost all of us know that there were secret negotiations ongoing to sell Rachel Alexandra to a consortium headed up by Jess Jackson, best known for owning superstar Curlin and the Kendall-Jackson Vinieries.

On Wednesday, Jackson completed the deal for the superstar filly (the final sales price will probably news be known but it's been reported at $10 million and that sounds about right.) Once the deal was announced, the speculation hit warp speed (that's for you Star Trek fans) about Rachel running in the Preakness. Jackson apparently already gave the idea serious thought but he wasn't tipping his hand quite yet. Entering his filly in the Preakness would cost him $100,000 as she wasn't nominated to the Triple Crown.

On Thursday morning, around 5:15. Rachel Alexandra walked out of trainer Hal Wiggins' barn for the final time and walked into the barn of Steve Asmussen.

“She’s a tremendously fast filly,” Asmussen said. “Hal (Wiggins) and his team did a tremendous job with her. We just got her today and we have no timetable or any plans to announce at this time.” Asmussen kept his mouth shut about the future for his new star pupil but that didn't the rest of us from talking about it. Through all of this, no one quite knew where this put Borel. The jockey who had been aboard for so many of Rachel Alexandra's victories could suddenly be left out in the cold. Borel and Asmussen have not teamed up much over their lengthy careers - just 52 times.

A lot of people assumed that Asmussen and Jackson would choose the jockey that delivered so many times aboard Curlin - Robby Albarado. But, there was no news all day on Thursday. That all changed on Friday when Jackson announced he would all but enter Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness and her regular pilot would remain in the saddle.

“It came down the fact that he knows and loves this horse, that he knows how to get the most from her and he knows how to win,” Jackson said “We think this is a perfect match of rider and horse.” Borel, who has called Rachel Alexandra the best horse he's ever ridden, could not have been happier with the news.

“We’re very happy to have the opportunity to continue to ride Rachel Alexandra,” said Borel. “I’ve had the chance to ride some great horses, but she is one of the most special horses I’ve ever been around. I appreciate the faith that Mr. Jackson and Mr. McCormick have shown in me, and we can’t wait to be there wherever she runs next.”

So, what about the little ol' Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird? Trainer Chip Woolley had been preparing for the worst all week and had been in touch with other jockeys. Rumors swirled that Mike Smith would take over for Borel but he too was tight lipped about it. Once the news come out on Friday about Rachel Alexandra, Woolley was not giving up on Borel. He said that he will still name Borel on Mine That Bird on Wednesday when he enters the Derby winner into the Preakness. The only thing that could stop him: Jackson ponying up the $100,000 fee.

Preakness Week could turn into racing’s version of sweeps week if Rachel runs: she’s a great story and, though she’d spoil another Triple Crown, a win for her in the Preakness, would bring untold amounts of publicity.

This soap opera will undoubtedly continue over the next few days but all of this attention is a great shot in the arm for racing.

One Trick Pony

Horse racing was searching for a good and heartwarming story after Jeff Mullins, who trains likely Kentucky Derby favorite I Want Revenge, was caught by New York racing officials giving a horse cough medicine. The search ended in Lexington as a man with just one horse, General Quarters, in his barn captured the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

Tom McCarthy, a 75-year-old retired high school principal, acquired General Quarters for just $20,000 out of race at Churchill Downs last May. After a very ordinary 2008, the gray colt gave his owner/trainer the ultimate lottery ticket in 2009 - winning two of four starts including two major Kentucky Derby prep races.

And, oh by the way, the horse was earned $641,375 in his career. Not bad.

The racing world was introduced earlier this year to McCarthy when he won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa on Valentine's Day. Now McCarthy and his one horse will take center stage in Louisville as one of the major contenders for the Run for the Roses.

The Blue Grass served another important purpose - eliminating some of the Derby pretenders. Looks like only three horses will move on to Louisville: General Quarters, Hold Me Back and Terrain. The big question mark is European import Mafaaz. He ran 8th but the owner and trainer were non-committal as to his next race. (Mafaaz has a guaranteed spot in the Derby as he won the Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes in England last month.)

The Arkansas Derby proved to be a weak race as Old Fashioned, once on top of many Derby contender lists, couldn't hold off Papa Clem. The loss marked the second straight defeat for Old Fashioned after being rattling off four straights wins to begin his career.

The interesting side note to Papa Clem beat I Want Revenge in February at Santa Anita. Papa Clem is the second high profile Southern California based horse to make a successful transition from the artificial "pro ride" surface to conventional dirt.

Only one more prep race to go - The Coolmore Lexington next Saturday at Keeneland. A full field is expected headed by Derby contender Square Eddie.

Sunday Follow-up

The racing world is abuzz about I Want Revenge's win in Saturday's Wood Memorial. The visually impressive performance will make him the Kentucky Derby favorite pending a blowout by someone in next week's Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland or the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn.

I Want Revenge (shown on far right) will get plenty of time to adjust to life under the Twin Spires as he leaves for Churchill Downs on Monday. Not that spending nearly a month training at Churchill Downs guarantees a victory but trainer Jeff Mullins is doing the right thing.

I Want Revenge has already made two round trips from Los Angeles to New York so limiting his travel is a smart move for a young horse. Be curious how many days trainer Jeff Mullins will spend in Louisville but he is not a Derby rookie.

"He came out of the race real well," Mullins said from Aqueduct this mornning. "We had him out this morning, went over him from head to toe and everything looks good."

For those who love numbers (like me), the Daily Racing Form has their trademarked Beyer Speed Figures. There haven't been many 3-year-olds on the Road the Derby with Beyer Figures over 100.

I Want Revenge ran a 113 in the Gotham last month so I wondered if he could top that lofty figure. Meanwhile, Pioneerof the Nile, who won Saturday's Santa Anita Derby, had never broken 100 in any race. After going to drf.com, here are the Beyer numbers for yesterday.

I Want Revenge's - 103
Pioneerof the Nile - 96

That's good news for both horses. The 96 for Pioneerof the Nile is his career best and I Want Revenge dropped 10 points from his Gotham victory but that should bode well for him in the Derby.

The interesting part to keep in mind is that Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge went head-to-head twice in California and Pioneerof the Nile won both matchups. Keep in mind the racetracks in California are the artificial kind while Aqueduct and Churchill Downs have the
"traditional dirt."

When Pioneerof the Nile starts in the Derby, it will be his first start on "traditional dirt." That will bear close watching.

The mystery race of Saturday was Musket Man in the Illinois Derby. He is getting hot at the right time and quietly has posted an impressive career record of five wins in six starts. Win or lose in the Kentucky Derby, their owners got a bargain when they bought the colt at auction at Keeneland for just $17,000.

(Photo Courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire)

Super Impressive Win For I Want Revenge

Every once in a while at the track, you see a performance that takes your breath away and leaves you shaking your head saying to yourself "how did he do that?" Saturday at Aqueduct, I saw one of those incredible feats in horse racing.

I Want Revenge, the big favorite in the Wood Memorial, gave the field a nice head start as the race began but overcame the adversity at the starting gate (on the far right) and through a rough stretch run to win the $750,000 Kentucky Derby prep race in New York.

Most times when a horse is "left at the gate", the horse gets discouraged and doesn't run or the horse make his or her run and then tires. I Want Revenge's trainer, Jeff Mullins, summed it up perfectly.

"When he missed the break, I was already heading back to the barn at that point....I thought we were done. I didn't know we had a chance."

When you see the final margin of victory of 1 1/2 lengths and the final time of 1:49.49, it doesn't seem very impressive. But, much like a box score of a basketball game when a player doesn't score a lot of points but did all the intangibles to help the team win, jockey Joe Talamo and I Want Revenge did what they had to do to win and then some.

After falling behind at the start, Talamo guided I Want To Revenge along the inside and started to make up ground slowly and steadily. Then, as the field began its turn for home, I Want Revenge made his way to fifth and then had to wait for the wall of horses in front of him to clear. Once the hole opened, Talamo bulled his way through and took the lead just before the finish line.

An impressive win to be sure.

"He had every trouble you could have in a race and still overcome it," Mullins said. "It tells me he's a pretty nice horse. That's as good as it gets right there. We've got one more show to go and if he can win that one, he's a pretty special animal."

Also smiling after the race were owners David Lanzman and IEAH Stables. IEAH just purchased 50% of the horse earlier in the week and must have had a little "deja vu." IEAH was one of the owners of 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown when the colt overcame starting in the 20th position in the gate to post one of the most impressive wins in the Derby.

Oh by the way, in case you care, the complete order of finish for the Wood was: I Want Revenge, West Side Bernie, Just a Conicidence, Atomic Rain, Imperial Council, Cellar Dweller, Lord Justice and Lime Rickey.

The biggest disappointment of the day was Imperial Council's fifth place finish. Although the horse flipped over in the paddock before the race, trainer Shug McGaughey made no excuses and said "There's no chance he's going to the Kentucky Derby."

Looking at the overall Kentucky Derby picture, the list of legitimate contenders is shrinking rapidly. Pioneerof the Nile won the Santa Anita Derby but was not impressive. Musket Man captured the Illinois Derby but beat a very, very weak field.

This day belonged to I Want Revenge and he will be your Kentucky Derby favorite and my choice for the "Run for the Roses."

(photo courtesy of Eclipse Sportswire)

Saturday 1:00 p.m.

In the Aqueduct Press Box for Wood Memorial Day....a Press Box that is about three-quarters full in a nice and rare site. Normally, there is just a small group of people here.

Plus the dulcet tones of track announcer Tom Durkin, the best in the game, are back from his winter hiatus. New York racing is not the same without Durkin.

It is a windy day and the clouds do not appear to want to go away. But, after a cold winter, it's in the 50's so not a bad day.

All the horses in the big races around the country are still slated to run including the four stakes races here at Aqueduct.

Will be back later as the big races get rolling.

Thursday Night - Derby Future Wager

All is relatively quiet in the racing world. But since the final Kentucky Derby Future Wager is open, let's take a quick look at that.

The wager is open until Sunday night and you can be sure the odds will swing after Saturday's big races.

As of Thursday night, Quality Road is the 5-1 favorite. He's been running great but stay away if the odds remain close to that. You might be able to do better on Derby Day.

The horses to watch closely in the future wager are Pioneerof the Nile (currently 22-1), Imperial Council (currently 19-1) and I Want Revenge (currently 11-1).

A few horses that I would stay away from are the Dubai based colts (Regal Ransom and Desert Party) as well as Mafaaz, the British horse who run in the Toyota Blue Grass next week. Foreign horses notoriously have not run well in the Kentucky Derby so betting the horse now isn't worth the risk.

Good night and "May the horse be with you."