SUREBET DERBY DIGEST - TUESDAY, APRIL 27 PM - WITH TOM DAWSON
Here we are! First morning on the Churchill backstretch for Derby 136. And it’s raining, just like it has been since last Thursday. In fact, the final major workout for nearly all Derby contenders has been influenced in some fashion by the unrelenting moisture.
Some trainers reschedule their routines in bad weather or off track situations. Rick Dutrow passed on a work for Homeboykris, preferring a leisurely gallop. ‘Kris hasn’t run since February, but Dutrow doesn’t seem too concerned with his fitness. When you have won the Derby as recently as he has (Big Brown, 2008), an unconventional approach receives more latitude.
Another who has seen limited action lately is Sunland Derby winner Endorsement. He galloped this morning
after three days of lighter than usual exercise. I spoke to two respected Daily Racing Form observers, one of whom thought the move was good. The other had a totally opposite reaction. In fact, I find that Endorsement leads the field in rumors about his soundness. There’s nothing official from his camp but we should know tomorrow. Endorsement is scheduled to work, and its entry day.
Speaking of entries, Backtalk, Make Music For Me and Setsuko are all here, and looking for a way in. There is no chance for anything less than the maximum of 20 for tomorrow’s draw.
Bob Baffert may live in Southern California but he doesn’t let rain or a wet track dictate his schedule. Yesterday, Lookin At Lucky had his final pre-derby move and this morning, it was Conveyance. The Sunland Derby runner-up worked five furlongs on the sloppy track in :59 4/5 , looking like his old speedy self. Later, Baffert reiterated that Conveyance is a speed horse and that wouldn’t change just because there are several others in the Derby field. With Rule out of the picture, Baffert believes that his horse and Line Of David may be the speed of the speed.
Awesome Act also worked this morning, but that’s understandable. His trainer, Jeremy Noseda, is from England. It always rains there.
Of course, there are hundreds of media representatives here this week, and they are also adversely affected by the inclement weather. The normal routine is to gather outside the barn and wait for a trainer to get a break in their schedule to come out and talk. Derby horses are spread over several barns and many trainers want to hold these impromptu conferences at about the same time of the morning, which makes it impossible to cover them all. Journalists frequently share information In order to catch up.
This morning was particularly uncomfortable. Trainers stood under their shed row while most reporters had to brave the elements. No notepads today. Just tape recorders and cameras in plastic wrap. Shorter sessions too, which undoubtedly pleased the trainers.
The good news is the weather is supposed to improve , at least thru Friday. The Derby day forecast is still in doubt, so all of this wet track preparation may come into play in a major way.
Rain or shine, the racing menu is delectable. Derby day features several other stakes which would be the main feature on just about any other program. And on Friday, it’s $500,000 Kentucky Oaks plus an appearance by Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra in the La Troienne. Only on Derby Week is a queen like Rachel forced to share the spotlight.