Last year, trainer Bob Baffert ran out of top 3-year-olds in the weeks preceding the Kentucky Derby. He went out and purchased War Emblem for The Thoroughbred Corp. following the colt's victory in the Illinois Derby, and one month later War Emblem wore the roses.
Baffert has prospects Kafwain, Domestic Dispute, and During this year, but he added to his arsenal on Monday by acquiring Senor Swinger in a private purchase for owners Bob and Beverly Lewis for approximately $1 million.
Jockey Victor Espinoza won his first Kentucky Derby last year, combining with trainer Bob Baffert, The Thoroughbred Corporation, and the colt War Emblem. On Wednesday, however, Baffert and The Thoroughbred Corporation bumped Espinoza from Kafwain, their main hope for this year's Derby.
Baffert was not happy with Espinoza's second-place ride aboard Kafwain in the Louisiana Derby, so he is making a switch for the Santa Anita Derby.
ARCADIA, Calif. - The talk began last fall at Belmont Park, when Empire Maker so dominated fellow 2-year-olds in his workouts that Bobby Frankel had to match him up with Travers Stakes winner Medaglia d'Oro just to give him some competition. By the time Empire Maker won a maiden race in his first start at Belmont, he was the next coming.
Two subsequent losses in stakes races took a bit of the shine off Empire Maker, but the colt continued to train so well, and perked up so significantly when he worked in blinkers, that Frankel believed a breakout performance was imminent.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Although racing fans remain collectively unsure about the May 3 Kentucky Derby, they were sufficiently impressed with the smashing Florida Derby victory by Empire Maker to make him a very close second choice, behind only the mutuel field, as Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager came to a close Sunday.
Trainer John Ward finally conceded Friday that Sky Mesa would not run in the Kentucky Derby, but "we might be able to make the Belmont" Stakes on June 6 if everything broke right.
Ward, unhappy with the way Sky Mesa was responding to treatment for a bruised right front foot, shipped Sky Mesa on Tuesday to the Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Ky., where he was examined by Dr. Larry Bramlage. All Bramlage did was confirm the bruise.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The mutuel field was a clear-cut favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager after light action Thursday, the first of four days of wagering into the pool.
As of 6:15 p.m. Eastern, the field - which includes all but the 23 horses listed as separate betting interests - was 3-1. Then came Atswhatimtalknbout (10-1), Kafwain (10-1), Peace Rules (12-1), Badge of Silver (13-1), and Empire Maker (13-1). Odds on 12 of the 23 separate interests ranged from 10-1 to 22-1.
ARCADIA, Calif. - B. Wayne Hughes has built Public Storage into a thriving nationwide company, putting him among the country's 400 richest people as listed by Forbes magazine. At the same time, he has been curiously unlucky in another of his passions, owning racehorses.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Worried that his horse may have peaked too soon, trainer Bobby Frankel said Wednesday that Louisiana Derby winner Peace Rules may not be aimed at the Kentucky Derby.
"As of now, I'm not thinking Derby with him," Frankel said Wednesday morning at Gulfstream Park. "Maybe Lexington, and Preakness."
The Lexington will be run April 19 at Keeneland, the Preakness May 17 at Pimlico.
