Kentucky Oaks To Remember

As Kentucky Derby is at hand, it is easy to forget about the Kentucky Oaks and the filly who won the race but this year's running will leave an indelible memory.

Former Kentucky Governor Brereton Jones has been involved in Horse Racing for a number of years and had a great deal of success. Recently he has started to name horses after getting requests from employees at one of his favorite hotels in Florida. 

Kentucky Oaks winner Lovely Maria was named after a young lady in Florida with several disabilities after a request was to made to Governor Jones by an employee. The story seemed difficult to tell and even forced 56-year-old winning jockey Kerwin Clark to fight back tears when the story was mentioned.

In addition to the nice gesture than Gov. Jones made, trainer Larry Jones is just over a year removed from falling off a horse and lapsing into a coma. The doctors thought he would need brain surgery but it turned out the bleed in his brain has miraculously stopped and he left the hospital a few days later.

Fast forward to just over a year later, and Jones is not just back to his old self and winning a good deal of races, he captured two major Grade 1's in the past month - The Ashland at Keeneland and now the Oaks.

And finally there is Clark, the journeyman jockey who never really mad it big in 40 years in riding. But in the span of a month, he won two major races and simply said on Friday. "This is the best day of my life."

 

So this year's Kentucky Oaks turned out to be a memorable event with three unique stories that carry on the memory of this running for many years to come.

Kentucky Oaks Breakdown

On a spectacular day at Churchill Downs, it promises to be one of the more exciting Kentucky Oaks Days on record. We will see Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra look to regain her glory in the La Troienne and then, four hours later, the Fillies will run for the Lillies.

A full field of 14 will run in the Kentucky Oaks and here's a breakdown of the field.

#1 It's Tea Time (Career Record - 3-1-2-0) - The inexperienced filly ran great in Keeneland's Ashland as she was narrowly beaten by fellow Oaks competitor Evening Jewel. She's a talented horse but the big question about her is will she handle dirt as her races have only been on turf and polytrack.

#2 Jody Slew (Career Record - 10-4-0-3) - The daughter of Slew City Slew has been tough to figure out. She started of her three-year-old season with two straight wins but then threw in a clunker last time with a seventh place finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She will need her best effort to have any chance here.

#3 Quiet Temper (Career Record - 8-3-4-0) - The Dale Romans trained filly seems to be getting better with each this year. She won the Fair Grounds Oaks last time and the fact that she was able to stay behind the speed. If she does that again today, she'll have a great chance.

#4 Age of Humor (Career Record - 5-2-2-1) - This is another filly that is getting a little better with each start but she will need to improve a lot to be a factor today. She finished second last time at Turfway Park but was a soundly beaten third behind Jody Slew and Quiet Temper in the Silverbulletday.

#5 Blind Luck (Career Record - 9-6-1-2) - Trained by Northern California kingpin Jerry Hollendorfer, she is a deserving favorite. Her last start was a very impressive win in the Fantasy at Oaklawn Park and that race gave her valuable experience on the dirt. If she repeats that performance, she will be tough to beat.

#6 Beautician (Career Record - 8-1-4-0) - Her last place finish in Ashland at Keeneland a month ago is a bit of a concern. You could just simply write the race off because it was Polytrack but you never like seeing a horse enter the biggest race of her life off such a bad effort. She does have one win at Churchill Downs and does prefer dirt to the artificial kind.

#7 Crisp (Career Record - 5-3-0-1) - Off since early March, the John Sadler trained filly has been one of the best in Southern California. Her only subpar effort was a fourth place finish to Blind Luck and Evening Jewel in mid February. She should laying just behind the early speed and, if she likes the dirt, will be a major factor.

#8 Tidal Pool (Career Record - 10-3-2-1) - Her running style will be crucial for her today. In her last race, the Fantasy, she went right to the lead but couldn't hold off Blind Luck. With other speed horses in the Oaks, she would be better suited by dropping back a bit. Jockey Calvin Borel is in the saddle which should be an added benefit.

#9 Bella Diamante (Career Record - 7-2-3-0) - The daughter of Lost Soldier has never fared well against the quality of this field and would appear to be up against it. If you are looking for a positive, she finished second to Quiet Temper last year.

#10 Champagne d'Oro (Career Record - 8-1-2-1) - She will be the speed of the race and likely the only way she'll win the race is if she can slow everything down up front. She tired that tactic in her last, the Fair Grounds Oaks, and finished a close second to Quiet Temper.

#11 Evening Jewel (Career Record - 8-3-4-0) - This filly is one of the most consistent in the field. She hasn't been worse than second in seven straight starts and finished only a nose behind Blind Luck in February. The big question mark is will she like dirt. She's only ever run on artificial dirt and she didn't even workout on the dirt at Churchill. Big question mark but big potential.

#12 Ailalea (Career Record - 6-2-0-1) - After trained Todd Pletcher entered Devil May Care into the Kentucky Derby, this become his only Oaks hope. Her two races in 2010 were subpar with two sixth place finishes and she will need to return to her 2009 form is she has any chance in the Oaks.

#13 Amen Hallelujah (Career Record - 9-4-2-2) - After she captured the Davona Dale in late February, she put herself on the map as a prime contender for the Oaks. She followed up that performance with a runner-up finish to Devil May Care but drawing the 13 post could present a problem as she tends to be near the lead. Her jockey must avoid getting floated wide on the first turn if she has a chance to win.

#14 Joanie's Catch (Career Record - 18-2-8-6) - The most experienced member of the field but doesn't win very much. Her best effort was a third place finish to Devil May Care and Amen Hallelujah in the Davona Dale. With her post position and not so stellar record, it will take a herculean effort for her to wear lillies.

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.

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.

My, my how quickly things change....

Just a few days ago, superstar filly Rachel Alexandra was targeting a run in the Acorn at Belmont Park next week. Their owners and trainer said that running against the boys was not in the cards.

In a blink of a Wednesday night eye, that all may have changed.

Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Farm, best known for owning the majority of 2008 Horse of Year Curlin, purchased Rachel Alexendra for a reported $10 million. That's a lot of zero's and means trainer Hal Wiggins will likely lose the brilliant filly to Steve Asmussen. (Daily Racing Form is reporting the move will happen.)

That's not a bad tradeoff but Wiggins did a phenominal job but it's a pity he won't able to oversee the rest of her career.

Now, there are two huge questions:

1) Does Kentucky Oaks & Derby hero jock Calvin Borel get to keep the mount on Rachel Alexandra?

2) Will her new owner decide to pay the extra $100,000 and run her against the boys in the Preakness and/or Belmont?

My take:

1) Borel has been great for her and he has said on many occasions that she's the best horse around. There is no better face for racing right now than Borel (see Sports Illustrated cover this week) and it would be fitting for him to stay aboard. He's earned that right.

I am afraid that Asmussen will pull Borel in favor one of his regular riders (i.e. Robby Albarado). Borel rarely rides for Asmussen (only 10 rides in the past year and only 52 total throughout their respective careers). I wouldn't blame Asmussen for putting someone on a horse that he is more comfortable with, but it would make more sense to give the mount to the only person outside of Wiggins who knows her best.

2) The Preakness or Belmont. After Mine That Bird pulled the huge upset in the Derby, some people began to speculate that Rachel would have been able to win the Derby. That certainly is debatable based on the track conditions but there is no doubt she is a star. I think the temptation will be too great to pass up for Jackson. Putting up $100,000 extra is small potatoes for Jackson and if she does win, the gamble will pay off in spades.

The Preakness might be a little too close in time but my hunch is she will pop up in one of the final two Triple Crown races.

Either way, this could spice up the remaining legs of the Triple Crown and give a little shot in the arm to racing.

Oaks Day at the Downs

Under a gray, dreary sky in Louisville, Oaks Day racing is underway at Churchill Downs.

To no ones surprise, the track is sloppy and the turf is Yielding.

The biggest disappointment already is the scratch of champion Zenyatta. Trainer John Sherriffs elected to play it safe with his prized pupil and not run her on a wet racetrack. The shame is that the trainer could have waiting a little longer in the day to see if the rain held off and the track dried out. The fans will miss out in a seeing a superstar run today.

She will make her next start at Hollywood Park on May 23.

With the first four races in the books, there has not been any big bias to the track.

The first big stakes race is the 6th race, the Aegon Turf Sprint and, of course, the highlight of the day is the 135th running of the Kentucky Oaks. That race is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. It will be broadcast on the Bravo Cable Network for the first time.

Will be back later to provide updates on the big races.

Derby Bound Thoughts

Some quick thoughts right before boarding a plane to Louisville:

The forecast for gloomy skies and rain for the next two days will radically alter a lot of the great racing that's on tap. It will be a shame if the track is sloppy on both days as we may not see the best effort of all the horses and/or having horses scratch due to off track conditions.

One of those horses is Zenyatta, the filly who was Horse of the Year runner-up last year. That would be such a shame as it would provide one of the greatest stages for the 5-year-old mare to make her 2009 debut and deprive the fans from seeing a special horse.

If the track is sloppy for the Kentucky Derby, my prediction is that Friesan Fire will become the post-time favorite as he won his last race very impressively in the slop.

After looking at the Ragozin Sheets for the Kentucky Oaks last night, Rachel Alexandra is not the lock I suspected she would have been. Could be a great race with Justwhistledixie.

They are boarding my flight. I am outta here. Next report will be from the Derby City. Doesn't get much better than that!!!

Bluegrass Bound

Heading out the door to attend one of the greatest days in racing...The Toyota Blue Grass.

By no means does it compare to the Breeders' Cup, Kentucky Oaks or Derby but to see a racetrack full of people is a wonderful sight. When you walk through the gates at Keeenland, especially on a day like today, it's like going back in time. People dressed well, a large crowd and the people in Kentucky really appreciate horse racing for more than just the gambling aspect.

More from Keeneland shortly.

Friday Night

On the eve of the one of the biggest pre-Derby racing days, here's some things to look forward to tomorrow.

On my radio show (The Kentucky Winner's Circle with E.J. Clark and Molly Rosen), we will have Daily Racing Form's David Grening to talk about the Road to the Kentucky Derby and a close look at the horses running in the Wood Memorial in New York. If you are in Louisville, the show is this and every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon and WKJK- AM (1080). Tune in.

All horses are a go for the big three races (Wood Memorial, Illinois Derby and Santa Anita Derby). The horses to watch in those races.

Wood Memorial - I Want Revenge and Imperial Council. For those betting on the race, don't take a very short price on I Want Revenge. He may well "bounce" after his dazzling win last month in the Gotham Stakes and Imperial Council needs the victory to assure himself a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.

Illinois Derby - The whole field. Although Musket Man won the Tampa Derby last month, this group of 11 horses is very evenly matched and is not a very strong field. An upset here is likely and be wary of any horse who wins this race.

Santa Anita Derby - Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse. The two West Coast heavyweights have yet to meet head-to-head but they both have swept all the major 3-year-old races in Southern California. This should be a great race and a lot of people have knocked these horses in part because their times haven't been that fast and they are running on an "artificial surface" in SoCal .They should be taken seriously for the Derby if they live up to their billing Saturday.

And for those who following the road to the Kentucky Oaks, the sister race to the Derby, two of the big favorites are running this weekend.

Stardom Bound, the reigning 2-year-old champion, is the big favorite in Saturday's Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. Meanwhile, the white hot Rachel Alexandra scared off a lot her rivals as she only faces four others in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas on Sunday. Not worth betting those races but should be fun to watch.

I will be at Aqueduct tomorrow and will be writing updates throughout the day.

Good night and "May the Horse Be With You."