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.

[ewing]

I'm betting on whoever Bill Bennett takes..

[nwrep]

The race is a mile and a quarter.

The old washington compost screwed up again, didn't it?

[Severa]

One word: Kickass.

[Severa]

Not expecting any horse to get close to the record: 1:59 2/5, Secretariat 1973

[Mr. Mojo]

Is Secretariat's record a Churchill Downs track record (for a mile and a quarter) or merely a Kentucky Derby record? Does he also still own the records for the Preakness and Belmont? Without a doubt, Secretariat's trifecta that year was the most impressive in the history of the sport.

[Mr. Mojo]

Who does Bill Bennett favor?

I don't know, but I wouldn't put my money on any horse named "Shifty-eyed hypocrite."

[mware]

We have a bet going amongst the 7th grade teachers in the school where I teach. Do I know how to pick 'em or what? My pics were, Sir Cherokee (to win), Empire Maker to place, and Lone Star Sky to show.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

posts 3, 4, or 5 will win!

[Severa]

I think (I'd have to look) that the 1:59 2/5 in the Derby is also a track record. He does NOT hold the Preakness record, due to a timing clock malfunction. The Preakness record is actually held by two horses. I can't remember the name of one of them, but the other is Tank's Prospect, 1985.

Now Secretariat's Belmont record (31 lengths, 2:24) is still intact, and from the looks of things, will be for some time.

Weird thing is, as good a racehorse he was, Secretariat was really not much when it came to siring champions. Not that he was sterile (it can happen even in horses) he just didn't produce the numbers like, say, Northern Dancer.

[Severa]

Um... bad news... Sir Cherokee's been scratched from the Derby.

[ken5050]

There are two big races today..the Derby, and the Dem SC debate.....what's the morning line on the Dems.....who's the ( I just gotta say it) DARK HORSE...Shapton or Mostly-Brown..?

[secret garden]

Going with the #4 horse and Ellis here. Who could bet against a place called Biscuit Stables? ;)

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