Northern California-based trainer Steve Sherman was at a nice little family get-together over the weekend – in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle after the Kentucky Derby. Sherman is the son of Art Sherman, who won the Kentucky Derby with California Chrome on Saturday.
“That’s the most excited I’ve ever been,” he said. “I haven’t had a feeling like that since my daughter was born.”
There are significant races in the Mid-Atlantic in the spring, summer, and fall, races with great tradition and big purses. The Preakness at Pimlico, however, stands alone.
It is the first time we all get to see the Kentucky Derby winner run, and a shot at the Triple Crown is at stake.
This year, we are fortunate to have a truly exceptional horse who keeps running the same way race after race. The Derby was the fifth straight race California Chrome has put away at the head of the stretch. None of the speed horses can keep up with him. None of the closers can catch him.
Kentucky Oaks winner Untapable’s connections have resolutely declined to try her against males in the Preakness Stakes, but it appears that the Preakness will have a feminine touch nonetheless.
Ria Antonia, who finished sixth in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks, is being pointed to the Preakness on May 17 at Pimlico, owner Ron Paolucci said Tuesday.
ELMONT, N.Y. – Win or lose last Saturday, trainer Todd Pletcher had to leave Churchill Downs quickly after the Kentucky Derby to make it back home in time for a family function Sunday.
His son Payton’s confirmation probably was a good diversion for Pletcher the day after what was a disappointing Derby Day for the six-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer.
Though Danza ran a respectable third in Saturday’s 140th Kentucky Derby, Pletcher’s other three runners – We Miss Artie, Intense Holiday, and Vinceremos – finished 10th, 12th, and 17th behind California Chrome.
A total of 21 horses were entered in the Kentucky Derby, 19 ran, and of the 18 who chased home California Chrome on Saturday at Churchill Downs, it appears only a few will try him again in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the Triple Crown, on May 17 at Pimlico.
LOUSIVILLE, Ky. - Derby winner California Chrome will be flown to Maryland next Monday, May 12, after trainer Art Sherman asked to send the colt on a flight from Louisville to Maryland earlier than the traditional Wednesday before the race.
Buddy Fife, the Louisville-based booking agent for the Tex Sutton Forwarding Co., said Monday that the equine charter-flight company is firming up plans to have two flights.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For trainer Art Sherman, winning the Kentucky Derby Saturday with California Chrome still hadn’t sunk in yet Sunday morning.
“I’m still numb, to be honest,” he said Sunday morning. “I can’t describe it. The Kentucky Derby is the Kentucky Derby. I was so happy when we won the Santa Anita Derby, when you think of all the good horses that have won that race. That was my biggest thrill – until now.
“It’s pretty cool. You wake up in the morning and go, ‘I just won the Kentucky Derby.’ It’s a dream come true for me.”
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The three New York-based horses who contested Saturday’s 140th Kentucky Derby were all expected to ship home by Monday, but none of the trio is expected to run back in the May 17 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, according to their connections.
The Wood Memorial first- and second-place finishers Wicked Strong and Samraat finished noses apart in the Derby when running fourth and fifth, respectively, behind California Chrome. Uncle Sigh, who set the early pace, faded to 14th in the 19-horse field.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Untapable came out of her impressive Kentucky Oaks romp in fine fashion and will remain at Churchill Downs with the rest of the Steve Asmussen stable before heading to Saratoga in early July.
Asmussen was noncommittal about a next start for Untapable, who came within 0.04 seconds of a stakes record when completing the 1 1/8-mile Oaks in 1:48.68. Her 4 1/2-length triumph Friday in the filly classic equated to a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest of her seven-race career.
