Bluegrass Derby Notebook No. 2
By ITCH
Greetings again from Simulated Louisville.
The BTB has graciously sponsored a tent here in the infield, where this reporter will be camped out until Derby day on May 4.
It’s a little cold at night and I need a shave, but Roys sent 100 cases of Coors Light, and Dr. Dipper Lip had some scary dude carry in a case of whiskey. So I’m drunk enough that I will not mind the rough accommodations, so long as I do not freeze to death.
HERE’S THE LATEST: Confirmation was received today from trainer reman that he will indeed enter SWAGU, the No. 14 colt in the division. Balata also intends to enter PRESPECTOR, so the Derby field is very nearly set. The only remaining question is whether Redhill will enter the No. 1 filly, KING OF STUPID. That daughter of Dynaformer is the only filly with enough stakes points to make the Derby. However, her current form is poor, and she struggled home 11th last out in the LOOL Oaks.
That leaves Bammie as our current bubble gal at No. 20 with HUNTING BLIND. It also means good news for Nextbonus, who will make the race with JUST GOOD ENOUGH.
REZZIES REPRESENT: Eight different residencies will have members in the owner’s box for the Bluegrass Derby.
Del Penn: Texasace’s YOU AND TEQUILA and CANDY PEGASUS; Super Stables’ TEARS OF FIRE;
Blazing Saddles: Gowans’ WAY TOO COOL; Boble’s GONNA BE TROUBLE;
Hispano Parlante: Otto Haack’s EL QUERREQUERRE and HAACK’S DUKE;
Minnesota Testbarn Residency: Selurvinek’s GIMLET NEAT; Dundey’s LEFT SIDE STRONG; Bizalls’ RIVER JACK CB.
Empire State Racing: Cadet’s RECONDITE CADET; Bammie’s HUNTING BLIND; Balata’s PRESPECTOR.
Queensland Racecourse: Masterm’s PAPA JOE; Houseriot’s RAM N RAID; Nextbonus’ JUST GOOD ENOUGH;
Pastures of Green: Mano’s SIMBESTO;
GR Simsters: Given’s THE COOLEST; Lenny’s EVIL SUNRISE; Reman’s SWAGU.
BIG YEAR FOR MORE THAN READY: What a 3yo crop it is in 2013 for More Than Ready. He’s got way more than his share at the top of the 3yo rankings. No fewer than three of the top seven colts in the division are by More Than Ready. Those are SIMBESTO, THE COOLEST and TAYLOR’S TOWN. While Dixie has decided against running in the Derby, Taylor’s Town remains a top-class horse.
The only other sire with more than one horse in the Top 20 of the 3yo dirt route division is Dynaformer, who has three: RECONDITE CADET, GONNA BE TROUBLE and the filly KING OF STUPID.
WHAT A GOLDEN GROUP: There are a grand total of 13 Grade 1 winners in this year’s Bluegrass Derby.
FILL UP THAT INBOX: So far, our message board request has yielded replies from six of the trainers in the Bluegrass Derby. Here’s hoping to hear from everybody. Thanks to those who have replied already.