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

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.

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.

Churchill Downs - May 3rd, 2003 - Race 10 Kentucky Derby - Grade: 1 Estimated Local Post Time: 6:04 PM
Race Type: Stakes Breed: Thoroughbred race Age Restriction: Three Year Old				Purse: $1,000,000 Distance:One And One Fourth Miles Surface: Dirt
Post	Horse Jockey Owner	Age	Sex	Weight Trainer Breeder	Odds
1	Supah Blitz (FL) Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr. Bee Bee Stables, Inc & Jacqueline Tortora (John Bush)	3	Colt	126 Emanuel Tortora Bee Bee Stables, Inc & Equitor, Inc	50/1
2	Brancusi (KY) Tony Farina Michael B Tabor	3	Colt	126 Patrick L. Biancone Nancy Much	30/1
3	Sir Cherokee (KY) Terry J. Thompson Domino Stud Of Lexington, Inc (Ken Jones)	3	Colt	126 Michael A. Tomlinson Domino Stud of Lexington, LLC	15/1
4	Atswhatimtalknbout (KY) David Romero Flores B Wayne Hughes & Biscuit Stables, LLC	3	Colt	126 Ronald W. Ellis R&R King Stables	12/1
5	Peace Rules (FL) Edgar S. Prado Edmund A Gann	3	Colt	126 Robert J. Frankel Newchance Farm	8/1
6	Funny Cide (NY) Jose A. Santos Sackatoga Stable (Jackson W Knowlton)	3	Gelding	126 Barclay Tagg Win Star Farm, LLC	15/1
7	Offlee Wild (KY) Robby Albarado Azalea Stables, LLC (Lansdon B Robbins, Et Al)	3	Colt	126 Thomas Victor Smith Dorothy A. Matz	30/1
8	Buddy Gil (KY) Gary L. Stevens Desperado Stables, Inc (Scott Guenther)	3	Gelding	126 Jeff Mullins Billingsley Creek Ranch	8/1
9	Indian Express (UT) Tyler Baze Phil & Sheva Chess	3	Colt	126 Bob Baffert Highland Farms, Inc.	12/1
10	Lone Star Sky (FL) Shane J. Sellers Walter L New	3	Colt	126 Thomas M. Amoss Jaime S. Carrion	50/1
11	Domestic Dispute (KY) Alex O. Solis David Bienstock & Chuck Winner	3	Colt	126 Patrick Gallagher Gary Garber	30/1
12	Empire Maker (KY) Jerry D. Bailey Juddmonte Farms (Khalid Abdullah)	3	Colt	126 Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms, Inc.	6/5
13	Eye of the Tiger (KY) Eibar Coa John D Gunther	3	Colt	126 Jerry Hollendorfer John D. Gunther	50/1
14	Ten Cents a Shine (OH) Calvin H. Borel Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey	3	Colt	126 D. Wayne Lukas H. Ray Horn & Devil His Due Syndicate	50/1
15	Outta Here (KY) Kent J. Desormeaux William Currin & Al Eisman	3	Colt	126 William L. Currin Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trustee	50/1
16	Ten Most Wanted (KY) Pat Day James Chisholm, Michael Jarvis & J Paul Reddam	3	Colt	126 Wallace A. Dollase Jim H. Plemmons	6/1
17	Scrimshaw (KY) Cornelio H. Velasquez Robert B & Beverly J Lewis	3	Colt	126 D. Wayne Lukas Stan Stefanski & Ingrid Stefanski

Churchill Downs - May 3rd, 2003 - Race 10 Kentucky Derby - Grade: 1 Estimated Local Post Time: 6:04 PM
Race Type: Stakes Breed: Thoroughbred race Age Restriction: Three Year Old				Purse: $1,000,000 Distance:One And One Fourth Miles Surface: Dirt
Post	Horse Jockey Owner	Age	Sex	Weight Trainer Breeder	Odds
1	Supah Blitz (FL) Rosemary B. Homeister, Jr. Bee Bee Stables, Inc & Jacqueline Tortora (John Bush)	3	Colt	126 Emanuel Tortora Bee Bee Stables, Inc & Equitor, Inc	50/1
2	Brancusi (KY) Tony Farina Michael B Tabor	3	Colt	126 Patrick L. Biancone Nancy Much	30/1
3	Sir Cherokee (KY) Terry J. Thompson Domino Stud Of Lexington, Inc (Ken Jones)	3	Colt	126 Michael A. Tomlinson Domino Stud of Lexington, LLC	15/1
4	Atswhatimtalknbout (KY) David Romero Flores B Wayne Hughes & Biscuit Stables, LLC	3	Colt	126 Ronald W. Ellis R&R King Stables	12/1
5	Peace Rules (FL) Edgar S. Prado Edmund A Gann	3	Colt	126 Robert J. Frankel Newchance Farm	8/1
6	Funny Cide (NY) Jose A. Santos Sackatoga Stable (Jackson W Knowlton)	3	Gelding	126 Barclay Tagg Win Star Farm, LLC	15/1
7	Offlee Wild (KY) Robby Albarado Azalea Stables, LLC (Lansdon B Robbins, Et Al)	3	Colt	126 Thomas Victor Smith Dorothy A. Matz	30/1
8	Buddy Gil (KY) Gary L. Stevens Desperado Stables, Inc (Scott Guenther)	3	Gelding	126 Jeff Mullins Billingsley Creek Ranch	8/1
9	Indian Express (UT) Tyler Baze Phil & Sheva Chess	3	Colt	126 Bob Baffert Highland Farms, Inc.	12/1
10	Lone Star Sky (FL) Shane J. Sellers Walter L New	3	Colt	126 Thomas M. Amoss Jaime S. Carrion	50/1
11	Domestic Dispute (KY) Alex O. Solis David Bienstock & Chuck Winner	3	Colt	126 Patrick Gallagher Gary Garber	30/1
12	Empire Maker (KY) Jerry D. Bailey Juddmonte Farms (Khalid Abdullah)	3	Colt	126 Robert J. Frankel Juddmonte Farms, Inc.	6/5
13	Eye of the Tiger (KY) Eibar Coa John D Gunther	3	Colt	126 Jerry Hollendorfer John D. Gunther	50/1
14	Ten Cents a Shine (OH) Calvin H. Borel Kenneth L & Sarah K Ramsey	3	Colt	126 D. Wayne Lukas H. Ray Horn & Devil His Due Syndicate	50/1
15	Outta Here (KY) Kent J. Desormeaux William Currin & Al Eisman	3	Colt	126 William L. Currin Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trustee	50/1
16	Ten Most Wanted (KY) Pat Day James Chisholm, Michael Jarvis & J Paul Reddam	3	Colt	126 Wallace A. Dollase Jim H. Plemmons	6/1
17	Scrimshaw (KY) Cornelio H. Velasquez Robert B & Beverly J Lewis	3	Colt	126 D. Wayne Lukas Stan Stefanski & Ingrid Stefanski

OK - I bet on emotion, always, and after the great story they just ran about Indian Express and Laffit Pincay Jr, I would go for him, even if he wasn't a Baffert Horse.

But I just love Baffert.... Seals the deal...

I will be rooting for Indian Express.

Baffert turns to Baze to ride Indian Express
By Jim Armstrong, Denver Post Sports Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Things happen in a hurry in the thoroughbred racing industry. Two months ago, trainer Bob Baffert appeared destined to have Laffit Pincay Jr. and Victor Espinoza riding for him in the Kentucky Derby. Instead, he'll have 20-year-old Tyler Baze, who will be making his first Derby start in Saturday's race.

Pincay Jr., a Hall of Famer who won the '84 Derby aboard Swale, was forced to retire this week because of a broken neck sustained in a March 1 spill at Santa Anita. He had been scheduled to ride Indian Express - a horse purchased by Baffert on Pincay's recommendation - in the Derby.
Espinoza, who won the first two legs of the 2002 Triple Crown aboard War Emblem, was fired by Baffert after riding Derby hopeful Kafwain to a second-place finish in the Louisiana Derby. He was replaced by Patrick Valenzuela, whose comeback from drug and alcohol problems was going to be capped by his first Derby appearance in 10 years.
So what happens? Kafwain came up lame during a Tuesday workout and was scratched from the Derby, leaving Baze as Baffert's only hope. Not that Valenzuela didn't try to talk his way into the race. He went so far as to tell Baffert he could bring home Senor Swinger, a one-time Derby contender Baffert has entered in Friday's Churchill Downs card.
"He was very disappointed," Baffert said. "He was trying to talk me into running Senor Swinger in the Derby. He said, 'Hey, bro, put him in there, bro.' That's the way he talks."
When that ploy didn't work, Valenzuela switched to Plan B.
"He said, 'Hey, man, that kid, take him off,"' Baffert said. "I said, 'I can't take him off, it will ruin him.' He said, 'Ruin him? (D. Wayne) Lukas took me off Codex and put (Angel) Cordero on, and he won the Preakness. It didn't ruin me.' It's too bad. He really wanted to ride. Everybody wants to ride in the Derby. And the tough thing is he had a legitimate chance."
Longshot lookout

Since this is the Derby, a longshot has to win. Or so it seems. Which brings us to Scrimshaw, a Lukas colt that merits consideration. The colt underwent throat surgery in early March to clear a flap of loose cartilage from his windpipe, then proceeded to win the Lexington Stakes on April 19.
"It's like a near drowning," Lukas said. "After a near drowning, you get thrown in the deep end and you're not sure you can handle it. He knows now that it's fine."
By the numbers

If anyone knows how to pull off a longshot, it's Lukas. The average price of his Triple Crown wins: $19.20.
Short stuff

Media magnet Baffert, on the difficulty of maintaining perspective during Derby Week: "Everything you say is printed, so you think you're smarter. That's why all these celebrities want to save the world: because they know it's going to be in print." ... Funny Cide, second in the Wood Memorial, arrived in Louisville on Wednesday after training at Belmont Park in New York. ... Empire Maker, a 6-5 favorite after Wednesday's post-position drawing, is the most prohibitive favorite since Arazi went off at .90-1 in 1992. ... Lukas, when asked by a New York Post reporter what he thought about Empire Maker's injury: "I don't think anything of it, because it's not my horse. I've had bruised feet before, but I have no idea what this is. I'm not going there. Not with a New York writer, anyway."

On Kentucky Derby Day, I take time to remember my very favorite race horse. I remember being just a kid and in love with horses, and watching ONE PARTICULAR HORSE go.

I remember bawling non-stop last year when he died on Derby day. There was an hour long memorial about him on TV, bringing us up to speed on what he had been up to in his retirement, and the heartbreak of watching him stumble when his back went out just walking through the barnyard on the film. [snif]

And it is heartening to know that he was loved... for his heart, and not only his income.

Seattle Slew, winning 1977 Kentucky Derby

Seattle Slew dies on 25th anniversary of Derby win

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Seattle Slew, who won the 1977 Triple Crown and became one of racing's greatest sires, died in his stall May 7 at the relatively advanced age of 28.
The big, black stallion's death came on the 25th anniversary of his Kentucky Derby victory. He followed by winning the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes to sweep the sport's most prestigious series.
Seattle Slew was the only living Triple Crown winner. Affirmed, who became the 11th and last Triple Crown winner in 1978, died in January 2001 at 26.
Slew died in his sleep at Hill 'n' Dale Farm, where he recently was moved after a second operation on his spine, the farm said.
"He was the most complete thoroughbred the industry has seen. He just kept raising the bar with every record he broke," owner Mickey Taylor said.
Slew, who won 14 of 17 races and earned $1,208,726, had been ailing the past two years with arthritis and underwent two delicate spinal fusion operations.<

Last month, Slew was a bit wobbly after the second surgery, which was to "normalize," him, Taylor said. The first one, the owner said last month during an interview, "saved his life."
Bought for a bargain-basement $17,500 by Taylor, a former lumberman from Washington, and former partner, Jim Hill, Slew sired 102 stakes winners. They include 1984 Kentucky Derby winner Swale, A.P. Indy, Capote and Slew o' Gold, and have earned more than $75 million in purses.
Taylor, who moved to Lexington two years ago with his wife, Karen, to be near Slew, was with the horse when he was pronounced dead. Slew spent his years of retirement at Spendthrift Farm, then spent the last 17 years at Three Chimneys in Midway, Ky., before arriving at Hill 'n' Dale on April 1.
Slew will be buried beneath a statue in a courtyard at Hill 'n' Dale, a 319-acre farm near Keeneland.
"He had the greatest heart. He was a fighter to the end," Karen Taylor said.
On Saturday at Churchill Downs, Karen Taylor and Jean Cruguet, Slew's jockey, presented a trophy after the Derby day's first race -- the Seattle Slew Tribute.
"It was a privilege to be on a horse like that," Cruguet said Tuesday from Keeneland. "On the biggest days, he won the biggest races. He had a good life, he did everything a horse could do."
Slew was moved to Hill 'n' Dale, a quieter farm, because he was too close to the breeding shed and it caused him to become agitated when mares arrived, Mickey Taylor said.
In an interview last week with The Associated Press, Slew's trainer Billy Turner called the colt one of the toughest to hit the race track.
"I knew I had a horse who was different from the rest," Turner said. "I knew when you see a horse go that fast with no effort, that's different. He was a good student with tremendous energy and phenomenal ability. All I had to do was control it. ... He had blinding speed and burning determination. My job was to get him to accept competition and other horses."
Slew's retirement in 1978 at age 4 seemed premature, but his career as a stallion was infinitely more lucrative. The Taylors made a fortune breeding Slew, earning fees well over $100,000 per mare. After Slew's first surgery, he was pulled from the breeding line, but he was back in business last year, with 43 of 46 mares in foal. His last breeding session was Feb. 23.
Mickey Taylor described Slew's walk recently, saying: "He looks like a crab, a bad crab," when his front legs go one way and his hind legs another.
But he sure could run in his heyday. He won his first six races and had never trailed heading to the Derby. When the gates opened for the Derby, Slew smacked the gate and slammed into a horse next to him. Ridden by Cruguet, Slew regained his stride and by the time the field hit the first turn, he was well on his way to a 1¾-length victory.
In the Preakness Stakes, he was briefly second early on, but won by 1½ lengths. The Belmont was a start-to-finish celebration, with Cruguet standing in the irons and pointing his whip skyward just before Slew crossed the finish line four lengths in front.
"He was the fastest horse I ever rode," Cruguet said last month. "Maybe not the greatest, but he was a speed demon. Wouldn't let anyone ahead of him. He was a miler, but had great heart to finish first no matter what the distance."
At 4, Slew had a new rider in Angel Cordero and new trainer in Doug Peterson. He also went out in style, beating Affirmed in the '78 Marlboro Cup at Belmont Park and capping his career with a victory in the Stuyvesant Handicap at Aqueduct.
Hill 'n' Dale owner John Sikura was proud to have Slew at his farm.
"It was one of the great privileges to be around something great, a feeling that will likely never be duplicated," he said. "He was one in a million, and showed us there is that possibility in a game of impossibilities."
Seattle Slew
February 15, 1974 – May 7, 2002
Triple Crown winner
Winner of 14 of 17 starts.

Secretariat... another great

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