Four California-based three-year-olds are among the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May -- Chocolate Candy, I Want Revenge, Papa Clem, and Pioneer of the Nile.
Chocolate Candy left this morning (Tuesday) at 2:00 a.m. for Louisville. Trained by Northern California-based Jerry Hollendorfer, Chocolate Candy had a final California work on Sunday, going 5 furlongs in :59.20 with jockey Mike Smith up, at Santa Anita.
I Want Revenge, trained by Jeff Mullins, is at Churchill Downs, where he worked 4 furlongs in :50 on a muddy track this morning under jockey Joe Talamo.
Trainer Gary Stute was back at Clockers Corner this morning celebrating with his dad, legendary trainer Mel Stute, after Papa Clem's win in the $1 million Arkansas Derby on Saturday. Papa Clem shipped from Oaklawn to Churchill Downs today.
Trainer Bob Baffert said Pioneer of the Nile will have his final work over the Santa Anita all-weather track Wednesday morning and will ship to Louisville on Thursday. Look for a video of that work on this blog Wednesday evening!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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7 comments:
Mary,
These four are perhaps the strongest contingent I've seen come out of California in my lifetime. There have been more dynamic, obvious division leaders in the past. I'm talking one horse with a favorite's chance. These four are true stayers and give California a strong hand, headed by PIONEEROF THE NILE and I WANT REVENGE. Not a bad exacta combo, throw the other two in for inexpensive tri/super shots :-).
I think it's safe to say that I Want Revenge and Papa Clem will stay far away from California for the rest of their three year old campaign.
Except for the autumnal prep race,
I'd doubt they'll be racing regularly in that state
when there are numerous other opportunities
for talented sophomores outside the state.
What about Mr. Hot Stuff? Is he still a possibility?
Correction: I learned this morning that Chocolate Candy's travel plans changed, and he will ship out Thursday morning, along with Pioneer of the Nile.
Sally, his 3rd place finish in the Santa Anita Derby didn't earn him enough to put him in the top 20, so whether or not he gets in to the Kentucky Derby will depend on how many actual entries there are. I believe that, if he makes the cut, trainer Eoin Harty will enter him.
He's a pretty boy.
Sounds like a fun superfecta play for me!
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