Latest Kentucky Derby News Roundup
by Patricia Woo | Apr 6 2009
With the
Kentucky Derby just under a month away, keeping up-to-date on the latest developments has never been more important. The Pamplemousse is off the Kentucky Derby trail due to an injury, and top 3-year-old filly Rachel Alexandra will likely start in the Kentucky Oaks instead. And Musket Man is on his way to the Run for the Roses.
The $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, April 4, was supposed to put an end to the debate over which synthetic surface specialist - The Pamplemousse or Pioneerof the Nile - was better. The two rivals were scheduled to face off in the Santa Anita Derby, but the morning of the race, The Pamplemousse was scratched. Co-owner Alex Solis II revealed that the son of Kafwain had suffered a tendon flare-up and would not only miss the Santa Anita Derby but the Kentucky Derby as well. The Pamplemousse exploded onto the racing scene in January with a surprising win over 2008
Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Square Eddie; now, unfortunately, the 3-year-old trainee of Julio Canani will be on the sidelines for the Kentucky Derby in May.
While the 2008 Kentucky Derby had a strong female presence in Eight Belles, the 2009 Kentucky Derby will likely not have Rachel Alexandra - arguably this year's best 3-year-old filly. She is riding a four-race win streak, including her latest romp in the $245,000 Gr. 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park on April 3. Her Beyer Speed Figures of 99, 100 and 103 in her last three races rival those of the top male 3-year-olds. And her winning time in the March 14 Fair Grounds Oaks of 1:43.55 matches up favorably with top male 3-year-old Friesan Fire's winning time of 1:43.46 over the same track. But trainer Hal Wiggins has been targeting the Kentucky Oaks for Rachel Alexandra all year long, despite his charge's resounding success. "The Kentucky Oaks has been our goal from the beginning," he said after her win at Fair Grounds. "It would be an honor to win a Kentucky Oaks and (Rachel Alexandra's) owners have been leaning that way all along."
Unlike the fanfare that has heralded the likes of Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge, Musket Man has been quietly gaining a foothold in the consciousness of horse racing fans all season long. And with his latest win, he has finally announced his arrival as a true Kentucky Derby contender. After beginning the year with a win in the ungraded Pasco Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Musket Man came in third in the Gr. 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes a month later. But he has been steadily improving, registering two straight wins: the $300,000 Gr. 3 Tampa Bay Derby on March 14 and the $500,000 Gr. 2 Illinois Derby on April 4. It is Musket Man's impressive performance in the Illinois Derby that has convinced trainer Derek Ryan to try the Derby - after the race, Ryan said, tongue firmly in cheek: "I suppose we'll have to go to Kentucky now."
Who is your pick for the 2009 Kentucky Derby?
Bet on horse racing at the Bodog Racebook!
