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.

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Where's Bill Bennett when you need him the most??!!

[Dog]

Bump for Hildy's Dad!

[Dog]

Why does that woman look like a fruit basket??

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I see the trailer park VIP suite attendees have arrived early..

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Is that Carol Moseley Braun in the blue?

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Price fired at Alabama

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I think her hat was part raingear from the Kentucky Oaks race yesterday...

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lol!

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Kids getting frisky in the infield..

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Schlitz Malt Liquor?

[michigander]

Derby Favorites Quickly Changing

"Empire Maker" is no longer the overwhelming favorite to win Saturday's Kentucky Derby.

The Bobby Frankel-trained horse had morning odds of 6-to-5, but they were 9-to-2 with about four hours to post.

The 61-year-old Frankel is seeking his first Derby victory, and he continues to deny that there's anything wrong with Empire Maker's right front foot.

The horse had an uneventful gallop at daybreak with exercise rider Jose Cuevas aboard.

Jerry Bailey will ride him in the Derby.

"Buddy Gil" and "Ten Most Wanted" were at 5-to-1 Saturday afternoon, and "Peace Rules" checked in at 6-to-1.

Edgar Prado rides Peace Rules, one day after leading "Bird Town" to victory in the Kentucky Oaks.

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The drink of choice of all millionaire college basketball coaches--Natty Light!