129th Kentucky Derby : Live Thread (Post Time: 3:04 pm PST)

Various ^ | May 3, 2003 | nwrep

[nwrep]

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

From the Washington Post:

LOUISVILLE -- Empire Maker is the cynosure of the 129th Kentucky Derby, its only entrant with an aura of glamour and the race's heaviest favorite in more than a decade. Many of his admirers talk as if the outcome of the Derby is a foregone conclusion and are already speculating whether the regal colt can win the Triple Crown.

From Reuters:

EXCLUSIVE CLUB

The Triple Crown remains one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sport with just 11 members, including some of the greatest names in equine history, War Admiral in 1937, Citation in 1948, Secretariat in 1973, Seattle Slew in 1977 and the last winner Affirmed in 1978.

It was 25 years between Triple Crown champions Citation and Secretariat and now another 25 years have passed between the last champion Affirmed and the winner of this year's Kentucky Derby, leaving many to believe stars have aligned for the emergence of the next great thoroughbred.

Many think that could be Empire Maker, a horse with an impeccable pedigree and a Hall of Fame trainer and jockey.

The odds makers are convinced that Empire Maker, trainer Bobby Frankel and jockey Jerry Bailey form an unbeatable trifecta for the mile and a quarter test, installing Khalid Abdullah's three year-old colt as the 6-5 early morning favorite for the mile and a quarter test.

Not since French invader Arazi was put at 6-5 in 1992 have punters seen such unexciting odds. In fact, only four horses have been at shorter morning odds, two of them Secretariat and Seattle Slew going on to claim the Triple Crown.

^_____ Kentucky Derby Field ^_____

Field for Saturday's 129th Kentucky Derby, with post position and odds:

1. Supah Blitz (50-1)
2. Brancusi (30-1)
3. Sir Cherokee (15-1)
4. Atswhatimtalknbout (12-1)
5. Peace Rules (8-1)
6. Funny Cide (15-1)
7. Offlee Wild (30-1)
8. Buddy Gil (8-1)
9. Indian Express (12-1)
10. Lone Star Sky (50-1)
11. Domestic Dispute (30-1)
12. Empire Maker (6-5)
13. Eye of the Tiger (50-1)
14. Ten Cents a Shine (50-1)
15. Outta Here (50-1)
16. Ten Most Wanted (6-1)
17. Scrimshaw (15-1)

Trainers (by post position): 1, Emanuel Tortora. 2, Patrick Biancone. 3, Michael Tomlinson. 4, Ron Ellis. 5, Bobby Frankel. 6, Barclay Tagg. 7, T.V. Smith. 8, Jeff Mullins. 9, Bob Baffert. 10, Tom Amoss. 11, Patrick Gallagher. 12, Bobby Frankel. 13, Jerry Hollendorfer. 14, D. Wayne Lukas. 15, William Currin. 16, Wally Dollase. 17, D. Wayne Lukas.

Owners (by post position): 1, Bee Bee Stables and Jacqueline Tortora. 2, Michael Tabor. 3, Domino Stud of Lexington. 4, B. Wayne Hughes and Biscuit Stables. 5, Edmond Gann. 6, Sackatoga Stable. 7, Azalea Stables. 8, Desperado Stables, McFadden, Merrill Stables, et al. 9, Phil Chess. 10, Walter New. 11, David Bienstock and Chuck Winner. 12, Juddmonte Farm. 13, John Gunther. 14, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. 15, William Currin and Al Eisman. 16, Horizon Stable, et al. 17, Robert and Beverly Lewis.

Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 1 ½ miles. Purse: $1,115,200 if 17 start. First place: $815,200. Second place: $170,000. Third place: $85,000. Fourth place: $45,000. Post time: 6:04 p.m. EDT.

[nwrep]

My favorite sporting event of the year.

[ken5050]

You forgot the mixologist's guide to making the perfect Mint Julip.....

[csmusaret]

The race is a mile and a quarter.

[Hildy]

Ever since I was a young girl, my Dad and I would bet the Kentucky Derby. Every year it was our ritual! Six years ago my father won the trifecta for $6,000! Now that my Dad is gone, I do it in his honor. He always bet the jockey. I think I'll go to his grave today and see if I can pick up a vibe!!!! He'd like that!

[Severa]

there's no such thing. This native Kentuckian says the mint julep is one of the nastiest drinks ever made. *L*

[stinkypew]

The Mint Julip is the most disgusting drink ever devised, or more probably thrown together by accident. It is almost never ordered except on derby day, which is a fair indication of how bad it is.

[Severa]

Just don't bet on Pat Day (he almost never brings in any money) and you should be just fine.

[ken5050]

I'll have you BOTH know that I own stock in a company that makes OFFICIAL Mint Julip glasses......(G)..seriously, It is pretty vile, whatever IT reassly IS....but, like a "Hurricane"..or a LongIsland Iced Tea, something to be tried once......

[Fizzie]

Hildy,
In honor of your father, go to http://www.kentuckyderby.com

Pick all horses in exact order of finish, and you win $5 million dollars. (No entry fee.) You can enter up until the last minute. I think the odds of winning something like this are 16 to the 16th power. So what?

I already entered. If Buddy Gil doesn't win, my other choices don't matter.

Keep those memories of Dad close to your heart, Hildy. Good Dads are treasures. I know, I have one!

[Hildy]

Hey, this is cool! Tell you what, if I win, I'll give ya half!

[Howlin]

Bump for your dad.

[hedgetrimmer]

What do you think of Derby pie?

[kcvl]

Your dad is right. Bet the jockey.

[kcvl]

Ten Most Wanted (6-1)

[battlegearboat]

Who does Bill Bennett favor?

[MasonGal]

I've lived in the Derby City now for 15 years (a transplant from Cincinnati) and while I am not a big horseracing fan - Derby Season is rather exciting around these parts.The local stations have wall-to-wall coverage for 2 days - beginning with The Kentucky Oaks Day (Derby Eve) - that's the day at Churchill Downs for all the "local folks".

Our first Derby down here in Louisville was rather a rude-awakening, though. I mean - when you'd check out at the grocery store and the cashier tells you "Happy Derby", said wth the same enthusiasm as you would hear at Christmas time - "Merry Christmas" - it was like - "what in the world?". Also - I remember when our oldest son brought home his first Kindergarten schedule for the year (our 2nd Derby in Louisville) I never dreamed that the students got a day off - for Derby "EVE"!! I don't know when that started - but I'm told that schools began taking the day before Derby off - because so many teachers were taking the day off to go to the track.

While it can be rather exciting to live around here during the 2 weeks before Derby - I must say that it does get rather old after a while - I mean - all the hype, etc. - all the celebrity balls, parties, etc.--"Millionaire's Row" and all.

Having said all that - I do love all the tradition, the singing of "My Old Kentucky Home", so forth and so on.

Just thought I'd chime in ---- :)) ...and yes - I do plan to watch the race, while eating my traditional piece of Derby Pie ( no mint julips for me - thank you very much)

Oh yes - and one more thing - I wonder just how good ole' Governor Patton will embarrass himself this year, as he presents the Derby Cup to the winner!!! THAT was even a topic for one of our local radio talk shows this week. The question was asked of the listening audience on just how the folks attending today's races should react when Gov. Paul Patton is introduced to the crowd!!

[Fizzie]

KC... picked Ten Most Wanted for #2.

Battle.. LMAO!! Should have checked with Bill Bennett, but left my Daytimer at the office, so don't have his home phone #.

[stinkypew]

Derby Pie is outstanding, but has about a billion calories in a single slice.

"Derby Pie," by the way, is a trademarked or whatever by a Kentucky bakery. Kearns, I think. The owner has been known to sue people who use the name. My favorite restaurant/watering hole has to call it Mayday Pie on their menu. So watch it.

[kcvl]

Just be thankful that you didn't have to put up with Bill Clinton's drunk mother and dope head brother on race day. What's a little philandering going to hurt(according to Bill Clinton, et al)? LOL!

[kcvl]

Derby Pie - You are making me hungry!