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Kentucky Derby 132 Entrants Program # Silks Horse Morning Line Trainer Jockey 1 Jazil 30-1 Kiaran McLaughlin Fernando Jara 2 Steppenwolfer 30-1 Daniel Peitz Robby Albarado 3 Keyed Entry 30-1 Todd Pletcher Patrick Valenzuela 4 Sinister Minister 12-1 Bob Baffert Victor Espinoza 5 Point Determined 12-1 Bob Baffert Rafael Bejarano 6 Showing Up 20-1 Barclay Tagg Cornelio Velasquez 7 Bob and John 12-1 Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez 8 Barbaro 4-1 Michael Matz Edgar Prado 9 Sharp Humor 20-1 Dale Romans Mark Guidry 10 A.P. Warrior 15-1 John Shirreffs Corey Nakatani 11 Sweetnorthernsaint 10-1 Michael Trombetta Kent Desormeaux 12 Private...

Speed ratings: Sweetnorthernsaint 125 Brother Derek 125 Sinister Minister 124 Point Determined 120 A.P. Warrior 118 Bob and John 114 Showing Up 112 Jazil 111 Keyed Entry 111 Cause to Believe 110 Storm Treasure 105 Barbaro 105 Sharp Humor 105 Lawyer Ron 94 Bluegrass Cat 92 Deputy Glitters 91 Steppenwolfer 90 Flashy Bull 90 Private Vow 88 Seaside Retreat 76

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Something's gotta give. Whether it's the unbeaten record of Barbaro or Showing Up, the lengthy winning streak of Brother Derek or Lawyer Ron, or the front-runners that many trainers expect to set a blistering pace, something's gotta give in the 132nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. A full field of 20 was entered in this Derby, and it is one of the most compelling in years, not only because of the quality of this group of 3-year-olds, but also because of the myriad emotional story lines.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - O.J. Simpson wandered the Churchill Downs backstretch Thursday, shaking hands, laughing and soaking up the pre-Kentucky Derby atmosphere. His pick for Saturday's race? Lawyer Ron, natch. Former football star O.J. Simpson watched morning workouts at Churchill Downs Thursday. "I love lawyers, I know all about lawyers," he said, mentioning the late Johnnie Cochran, who helped Simpson avoid murder charges in the 1994 deaths of his wife and her friend.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Thursday provided one last opportunity to see the Derby contenders before making out the final clocker's report with the focus of attention on Sweetnorthernsaint and Point Determined, both of whom did not have the smoothest of gallops the previous morning. Sweetnorthernsaint appeared to go a little better Thursday although was still not striding out with the same extension observed prior to Saturday's work. He and Point Determined both failed to switch leads through the stretch and around the clubhouse turn during their routine gallops. Both Brother Derek and Barbaro had another good morning. Barbaro tossing in a...

Cecil Peacock's Brother Derek not only will have to defeat a full field of opponents but the California-bred colt by Benchmark also will have to overcome an outside post position to win the $2-million Kentucky Derby (G1) on Saturday at Churchill Downs. A capacity field of 20 three-year-olds were entered on Wednesday and are set to contest the 132nd running of the 1 ¼-mile Kentucky Derby, which will be highlighted by the presence of Brother Derek, Barbaro, Lawyer Ron and several other top colts from all over the country.

Baffert Has 3 to Get Ready, Going for 4. For nearly 20 years, three trainers have compiled an incredible record at the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). Two are in racing's Hall of Fame: D. Wayne Lukas, with four Derby wins from a record 42 starters, and Nick Zito, who has won it twice out of 19 entries. But only one, three-time winner Bob Baffert, has a chance to win this year's $2 million race. The white-haired trainer with 14 starts in the Derby, sends a potent trio of 3-year-old colts to the gates on Saturday -- Wood Memorial (gr. I)...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Flashes of lightning illuminated the twin spires when Churchill Downs opened at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, with the accompanying downpour turning the racetrack into a sloppy quagmire well before midmorning, when the skies finally cleared. As a result, training was either limited or nonexistent for the 17 Kentucky Derby hopefuls stabled on the grounds, many of whom were given what figures to be their final day off before Saturday's big event.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report: Sweet New Faces and More on the Way by Steve Haskin The biggest news of the day was the arrival Tuesday of Sweetnorthernsaint and Cause to Believe. With a lack of work activity once again, the talk of the morning was the cold and the unveiling of the new Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) saddle towels, which appear to be designed with the sole intention of going unnoticed. It was good to see some new faces Wednesday morning, with several others scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Cause to Believe arrived around 5 p.m. and...

Sinister Minister or no Sinister Minister, Sharp Humor is the one they'll have to catch on May 6, says the colt's trainer Dale Romans. And any horse who dares look Romans' gladiator in the eye early in the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) will pay the price.

Second unbeaten Derby contender could emerge from Lexington Stakes A second unbeaten Kentucky Derby (G1) hopeful could punch his ticket to the first race of the 2006 Triple Crown with a win in the $325,000 Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course.

The presence of runaway Rebel Stakes (G3) winner Lawyer Ron did not deter entrants to the $1-million Arkansas Derby (G2) Saturday at Oaklawn Park as the Hot Springs track attracted a full field of 14 three-year-old males for the 1 1/8-mile race. Lawyer Ron is undefeated in three stakes starts this year, including an 8 ¼-length victory in the Risen Star Stakes (G3) to begin the season and a three-length victory over stablemate and fellow Arkansas Derby-entrant Red Raymond in the Rebel.

First Samurai was installed as the 8-5 favorite when he drew post position five in the nine-horse field entered for Saturday's 82nd running of the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.

Undefeated multiple graded stakes winner Barbaro will attempt to pass one final test on the path to the Kentucky Derby (G1) when he takes on ten challengers in the $1-million Florida Derby (G1) on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

While everyone is justifiably outraged by America's relinquishment of six major ports to a Dubaian company, Dubai Ports (also, called DP World), the real outrage should be this: Where was the outrage in the last 4.5 years? Why has our country continued to maintain great relations with the governments of Dubai and its larger federation of emirates, the United Arab Emirates? Since we've never disciplined or even scolded either Dubai or the larger UAE, they have been free to operate as usual. And we've never treated or recognized both as anything but allies. It's hard to let this fester for...

Pamela Anderson is turning her animal rights activism against the Kentucky Derby, saying her opposition to animal cruelty in all its forms means she can never go back to the world's most famous horse race. ADVERTISEMENT "It makes me want to avoid Kentucky altogether, which is sad because there are so many great people there," the star of the sitcom "Stacked" said in a statement released Tuesday by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Anderson, a PETA member who attended the Derby in 2001 and 2003, has previously been involved in anti-fur ads and in a campaign to...

Smarty Jones Now a Father Derby and Preakness winner Smarty Jones now has another title: father. Three Chimneys Farm, Smarty's home, announced Tuesday that Smarty's first foal was born shortly after midnight. The bay filly, whose mother is Shoppingwithbetty, was born at Stone Farm, just outside Paris . "She's popped around, jumped around," said Arthur Hancock, owner of Stone Farm. "She's a very nice foal, and the mother's crazy about her. She just looks like a little athlete." Shoppingwithbetty, owned by Hancock and Tom Tatham of Oak Cliff Stables, was due to foal Jan. 19. Her father was Danzig, who...

Matching Giacomo's unbelievable victory in Saturday's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) at 50-1 was Christopher Hertzog's loss of his $864,253 Derby Superfecta ticket Saturday and then having it found 24 hours later at Turf Paradise racetrack in Phoenix, Arizona. "I never knew I had so many emotions," said Hertzog, 39, a 16-year veteran of the Phoenix Fire Department. "I couldn't believe I lost this once in a lifetime payday. It's unbelievable that it was found." The winning ticket was found by the very mutuel teller that had sold Hertzog his mutuel tickets. Brenda Reagan, a mutuel teller at Turf Paradise for...

It is Derby Day folks. "That horse belongs in the ring" Quote about Seattle Slew.

1 - Sort It Out Trainer - Bob Baffert 2 - Andromeda's Hero Trainer - Nick Zito 3 - Sun King Trainer - Nick Zito 4 - Noble Causeway Trainer - Nick Zito 5 - Coin Silver Trainer - Todd Pletcher 6 - High Limit Trainer - Bobby Frankel 7 - Flower Alley Trainer - Todd Pletcher 8 - Greater Good Trainer - Bob Holthus 9 - Greeley's Galaxy Trainer - Warren Stute 10 - Giacomo Trainer - John Shirreffs 11 - High Fly Trainer - Nick Zito 12 - Afleet Alex Trainer - Tim Ritchey 13 - Spanish...

There's nothing Yankees boss George Steinbrenner loves more than winning the World Series. Then again, he hasn't won the Kentucky Derby -- yet. That could change with the Boss' Bellamy Road, the record-setting Wood Memorial winner expected to be the early favorite for Saturday's $2 million Derby. "You just don't win the Wood by 17½ lengths and run that quick. It's unheard of," Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia said. "He will be the favorite, at about 3-1. But nothing less than that."

Middle to outside places were in vogue Wednesday when the connections of 20 starters selected post positions for Saturday's $2-million Kentucky Derby (gr. I), for which Bellamy Road was installed as the 5-2 favorite. The order in which the post positions could be selected was determined by a draw earlier in the day, and owner Michael Tabor used the first choice to select post position 15 for Toyota Blue Grass (gr. I) winner Bandini. Trainer Tim Ritchey quickly went to the middle for 9-2 second-choice Afleet Alex, the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner who will start from post 12. "I...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The trainers of Kentucky Derby favorite Bellamy Road and top contenders Afleet Alex and Bandini all opted for outside starting posts yesterday in hopes of avoiding being drawn into an early speed battle Saturday. Only one problem: Afleet Alex got stuck just to the left of Spanish Chestnut, the probable pacesetter they all wanted to avoid. That's why trainers and jockeys give so much credit to luck. The two-tier selection process starts with trainers drawing for order of post selection, and after that phase it appeared Afleet Alex was sitting pretty. Trainer Tim Ritchey drew the right...

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world. A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in...

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 1 - Beneath its twin spires, Churchill Downs has completed a sparkling $121 million makeover in time for the 131st running of the Kentucky Derby, America's most famous horse race. But this year's Derby, which will be Saturday, may be best remembered for the plainclothes investigators roaming the dusty barn areas and for testing the horses for illegal performance-enhancing drugs before and after the Run for the Roses. After decades of rumors about "juiced" thoroughbreds and ineffective attempts at regulation, the horse racing industry has acknowledged that it has a drug problem. "It's a very serious problem,...

Thunder Over Louisville is the Kentucky Derby Festival's annual kickoff to the two week long celebration leading up to the Kentucky Derby. Each year KDF and it's sponsors-Chase Bank, Caesar's Indiana, Ford and UPS-put on an airshow and the largest fireworks display in the United States, dwarfing even New York's July 4th fireworks show. As part of the airshow, military aircraft from all branches of the Armed Forces demonstrate their capabilities. This year these included the F-16, F-15, F-18 fighters, Blackhawk helicopters, and B-2 and B-52 bombers among others. It's typical of airshows across the nation to include military aircraft...

Jockey Held In York County PrisonKentucky Derby winning jockey Stewart Elliott has been arrested in Philadelphia and sent to a York County prison. He is being detained by federal immigration officials because of a guilty plea to felony assault four years ago. Elliott is a Canadian citizen who won the Derby and Preakness aboard Smarty Jones last year. The Department of Homeland Security says in a statement he was taken into custody Tuesday and arrested by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents at the Philadelphia International Airport. The 39-year-old Toronto native is being held at the York County Prison. Elliott's...

Hear ye! Hear ye!This is the Official Free Republic Kentucky Derby Thread. Get those mint juleps mixed now, my friends, because the race will start in about an hour and 45 minutes.http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2004/This site will provide all kinds of information on the race today - the horses, the odds, the hats, the history, the celebrities, a multimedia slide show on today's race, a store, etc.

Looks like a muddy slog today, I'll take Lionheart wire to wire with a late charge from Quintons Gold Rush.

We are having a tailgate here at FR to celebrate the Kentucky Derby. Please share your stories & recipes for Derby food and drink with us. Have fun and visit the great pre-race thread started by Threat Matrix. Enjoy!

Jockeys hint at Kentucky Derby boycott By BETH HARRIS, AP Sports Writer April 28, 2004 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Jockeys John Velazquez and Jose Santos said Wednesday they might not ride in the Kentucky Derby if a federal judge bars them from wearing ads during the race. A group of jockeys challenged the state law banning them from wearing any advertising, promotional or cartoon symbols. The jockeys argued the law violates the First Amendment. In a second suit, the jockeys argued they should also be allowed to wear a patch with the name of their union, the 1,100-member Jockeys' Guild....

Time for the Run for The Roses again. For all the horse lovers , here's a list of some of what's on TV this week and some web sites for more info. My favorite program, "The Works" shows the horses going through their work outs in the morning at Churchill Downs. It has the most up to the minute news and explains the various aspects of horse racing: It's on every day- thru 4/30 .at the following times and stations: TVG Network 9 AM (PT) & 5 PM (PT)Fox Sports South- 7:30 PM (ET) On 4/30 @ 8:00 PM (ET)Fox...

Ignoble End for Derby Champ It was recently learned that Ferdinand, who won Kentucky Derby in 1986, died last year in Japan slaughterhouse after failed stud career. By Bill Christine Times Staff Writer July 23, 2003 DEL MAR — Perhaps no one in U.S. horse racing was more saddened to hear about Ferdinand's ignoble death than Bill Shoemaker. "It's terrible," said Shoemaker, who was 54 when he won the Kentucky Derby with Ferdinand in 1986. "It's hard to believe that the horse couldn't have been brought here to live out the rest of his life." Ferdinand, who was 20, died...

Lukas rips grueling spring rite The trainer thinks the Triple Crown races are too taxing. By Joe Logan Inquirer Staff Writer BALTIMORE - OK, Triple Crown fans, how about a quick test: Other than Funny Cide, upset winner in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, name the nine other horses in tomorrow's 128th Preakness. Can't do it? Can't name even four or five? You're not alone. "Call the best guy you know in racing and ask him to name the 10 horses running here," D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Scrimshaw (5-1) and Ten Cents a Shine (15-1), said yesterday, throwing...

May 12, 10:53 AM EDT Source: No Evidence of Derby Cheating By By RICHARD ROSENBLATT AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Churchill Downs stewards pored over scores of photos and videotape of jockey Jose Santos this weekend, but were unable to find any evidence he cheated in winning the Kentucky Derby aboard Funny Cide, a racing official said Monday on condition of anonymity. The stewards also searched the racetrack and turf course where Funny Cide and Santos crossed for postrace ceremonies and did not find any illegal device, the source said. Santos met 90 minutes Monday morning with stewards...

Santos Cleared of Wrongdoing in Derby Win By RICHARD ROSENBLATT, AP Racing Writer LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jose Santos was cleared Monday of wrongdoing in his Kentucky Derby victory aboard Funny Cide after track officials found he had nothing in his hand besides his whip. AP Photo   Three Churchill Downs stewards determined Santos followed the rules of racing, ending a controversy that had threatened to tarnish thoroughbred racing and disrupt the Preakness Stakes. "We are confident that Jose Santos carried nothing more than a whip in his right hand as Funny Cide won the Kentucky Derby," chief steward Bernie Hettel...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Stewards were looking into questions raised about winning Kentucky Derby jockey Jose Santos, who is shown in a photo possibly carrying something in his hand besides his whip as he crossed the finish line aboard Funny Cide. Besides Jose Santos' whip, Derby officials are wondering what other 'suspicious' object he was holding as he crossed the finish line. Churchill Downs stewards scheduled a meeting for Saturday and another one for Tuesday, which will include Santos, Funny Cide owner Jack Knowlton told The Associated Press. One steward called the photo "very suspicious.''

129th Kentucky Derby : Live Thread (Post Time: 3:04 pm PST) Derby favorite Empire Maker runs with exercise rider Jose Cuevas aboard at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 2003. Trainer Bobby Frankel is preparing the horse which will race in the 129th Kentucky Derby on May 3. Photo by Peter Jones/Reuters Kentucky Derby hopeful Indian Express is ridden by exercise rider Mick Jenner as he runs the track at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 1, 2003. Trainer Bob Baffert is preparing the horse for the 129th Kentucky Derby which will be run on May 3. REUTERS/Peter Jones...

Fireworks soared over the Ohio River, seen from Jeffersonville, Ind., last night during Thunder Over Louisville. Photo by Durell Hall Jr Thunderous salutes Patriotic displays carry the day at wartime show By Chris Kenning The Courier-Journal Thousands of revelers lined the waterfront last night for the 14th annual Thunder Over Louisville air and fireworks show, a celebration saturated with wartime patriotism. Under cloudless skies, flag-waving spectators dressed in red, white and blue watched about 50,000 multicolored shells shoot skyward to stirring music -- impressing first-timers and those who attend the Kentucky Derby Festival kickoff every year. Before the pyrotechnics,...

<p>Prince Ahmed and Espinoza celebrated after the jockey guided War Emblem to victory. Prince Ahmed, who heads the Thoroughbred Corp., is the first Arab to win the Kentucky Derby.</p> <p>For Saudi Arabian Prince Ahmed bin Salman, winning the Kentucky Derby was a longtime dream. It also was a matter of national and Arab pride.</p>

Post Position Horse Trainer Jockey Sire Morning Line 1 Johannesburg Aidan O'Brien Gary Stevens Hennessy 6-1 2 Wild Horses Todd Pletcher Rene Douglas Saint Ballado 50-1 3 Perfect Drift Murray Johnson Eddie Delahoussaye Dynaformer 15-1 4 Lusty Latin Jeff Mullins Glenn Corbett El Prado 30-1 5 War Emblem Bob Baffert Victor Espinoza Our Emblem 20-1 6 Ocean Sound (Ire) James Cassidy Alex Solis Mujadil 50-1 7 Request For Parole Steve Margolis Robby Albarado Judge T.C. 20-1 8 Essence Of Dubai Saeed bin Suroor David Flores Pulpit 15-1 9 Medaglia d'Oro Robert Frankel Laffit Pincay, Jr. El Prado 6-1 10 Buddha...