LOUISVILLE, KY. – Wayne Catalano is just happy to be here at Churchill Downs – and not in the usual sense that the trainer of a Kentucky Oaks filly feels fortunate.
Catalano, the trainer of Oaks contender Oceanwave, was hospitalized for several weeks last summer in suburban Chicago with a severe bout of influenza and pneumonia. He eventually recovered, but the scare gave him a renewed appreciation for life.
“Makes ya think,” he said Tuesday on the Churchill backside.
LOUISVILLE, KY. – Assistant trainer Norman Casse doesn’t like using the word “mean” to describe strong-willed Derby hopeful Danzig Moon. The colt’s exploits around the barn have been well documented on social media, with various members of the barn staff sharing photos of their “war wounds.” But Casse smiles when discussing the topic.
An immigrant from India to the U.S., Kaleem Shah embraced the opportunities in his new country, gave up his old citizenship to become a nationalized American, and – when he had the resources to operate a racing stable – chose red, white, and blue silks for his horses to carry. Now he has a chance to make his mark on one of the most distinctive American institutions. He could win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rosemary Homeister Jr. became part of Kentucky Derby lore 12 years ago when she became just the fifth woman to ride in the race, and now she’s poised to make more Churchill Downs history.
Homeister will ride Include Betty in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks on Friday and become just the third woman ever to ride in both the Derby and Oaks, following Julie Krone and Rosie Napravnik. Homeister has the call on Include Betty in the 141st Oaks at Churchill Downs for owners Brererton Jones and Tim Thornton and trainer Tom Proctor.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas has saddled 47 Kentucky Derby starters, winning four editions of the classic along the way. He has just one shot at his fifth Derby victory on Saturday, sending out longshot Mr. Z. However, don’t think the Lukas influence isn’t all over this Derby. Eight of the projected 20 starters are trained by Lukas or a former assistant.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – “Rules were made to be broken.”
“There’s an exception to every rule.”
In the cliché handbook, phrases about rules aim at a demonstration of their flimsiness.
But in the Kentucky Derby, one rule approaches the status of founding principle: To win, a horse must have started as a 2-year-old.
It has been 133 years since Apollo upset the 1882 Derby. He is the last unraced 2-year-old to wear roses. Since then, 58 such horses have run in the Derby: three finished second, four third.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Some have compared both of Bob Baffert’s Kentucky Derby hopefuls, American Pharoah and Dortmund, to Seattle Slew, who won the Triple Crown in 1977, 38 years ago.
American Pharoah, some say, moves like Seattle Slew. Dortmund, like Seattle Slew, enters the Derby undefeated.
Jean Cruguet, the man who rode Seattle Slew, said he prefers American Pharoah to Dortmund.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The first sightings of the recently arrived California contingent – DORTMUND, FIRING LINE, and BOLO – were among the highlights of Monday’s Kentucky Derby-Oaks training session, which also featured a five-furlong work by BOLD CONQUEST, who still needs help to crack the Derby’s starting lineup.
As if Saturday’s championship fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao needs any more publicity, along comes the aptly named Itsaknockout, who’ll provide fans one last reminder of the bout four hours before the fight starts as one of the 20 starters in this year’s Kentucky Derby.
