Wednesday

Dear Derby Diary,

Even though I went to a couple of parties last night just to do some “research” for my articles, I was still able to get up and really see some impressive workouts this morning down at the track. I am certainly forming some opinions about who I think will be the winners in these races. Of course, if you’ve read my weekly BTB articles that doesn’t give you a heck of a lot of hope though as it is still really tough handicapping these races. I am up there in the wildcard standings in the Sim Wide Handicapping contest though. Who knows, you might get a tip or two from me after I talk to all of these trainers. I have found in the past that they aren’t much better than I am at handicapping though.

So it is festival time here at Derby week. There is so much going on that you can’t possibly take it all in. There is the Run for the Rosé, The Great Bed Race, and the Loopy Race for the Rodents.

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It is like one big party for more than a week in this city! Hardly anyone even works! Today is also the Bluegrass Derby Great Steamboat Race, an annual tradition that takes you back in time on the river pitting the Delta Queen of Cincinnati against The Belle of Louisville. Find your way onto one of the boats, or if not pack a picnic and once again head to the banks of the Ohio River to watch these steamboats go up the river, then come back down. Believe it or not, cheating does sometimes occur. Bring plenty of food, drink and entertainment–this is not a two minute race! A great way to spend a lazy Wednesday afternoon.

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I spent most of yesterday hanging around the track talking to owners and trainers. You can really get some great stories out there. Here is a little of what I found:

At workouts this morning I literally bumped into a pal from the Minnesota Downs Rez in ChuckRock. When I say I bumped into him, I wasn’t quite awake yet and I ended up almost spilling my Starbucks down the front of him. Fortunately he had pretty quick feet and missed out on getting burnt. He gave me some interesting insight on his horse, ROMAN PLUTONIUM . He is definitely excited about being here this year and feels good about his colt as well. He told me that “PLUTONIUM” was a contest homebred for the Minnesota Rez as a two year old last year. He over raced him a little because of that, but it also meant that he kept him in allowances a little bit longer than he normally would have because there were easier contest points that way. That probably helped his development. The chestnut colt’s name came to him as he watched a news report regarding Iran’s nuclear enrichment programs along with a cross with the ROMAN RULER sire name. The mare was an unowned “D” rated mare that he stumbled across and took a flier on. It ended up to be a great decision.

He thinks that although ROMAN PLUTONIUM has a chance in this race, the distance is probably going to be too long. He seems to have faded in the last furlong the last couple of races. He is still really thrilled to be here, with the Middle Jewel a more likely race to win. He’ll probably go with my namesake P. Jazz as his top jockey selection, since he rode him to victory in the CORKSCREW GI Lock Prep. He believes that the past success is probably more important than winning percentages of the top jocks that will show up in Kentucky this week.

We chatted more, mostly about Theo’s flood clean up at the Minny Rez and then he had to run off to attend to the myriad of details he has for this week.

I had to run around to try and keep up with PleasntTap of the TimJBehrs Stables to get a few quotes from him about his Oaks hopeful, SENSIBLE. I felt like I was back at the Hotel working out as I bounced along trying to write and ask questions at the same time.

He really likes this filly and thinks that she definitely has a shot in the Oaks, “ She’s #8 in the 3yo filly Classic Route division. She was scratch-bred from a JOHANNESBURG x BUCKAROO x HALO bloodline. I try to breed for 3yo success, and this mating looked like it would work. I base my work on some old YOSS stats I’d saved, and update them annually.” He stopped for a moment, turned and pointed a finger in my direction and said, “I’ll tell you, Sensible lays it all down on the track. She’s come back “needs rest” more than once. She’s gone to the post ten times and won nine of them including six in a row. Only once has she thrown a speed figure lower than the race before. I’ve sure gotta’ say that she’s done everything we’ve asked of her. She has been my “Oaks Horse” since she ran second–her only loss–in a Grade II last summer. Never considered the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Fillies, felt that was too much, too soon. Like I said, I try to breed for 3yo success.”

He paused for a moment, looked up reflectively and said, “My thoughts about her winning the race? I’m not sure she wants a mile and an eighth, though she’s a Grade I winner–with a 105 SPF–at a mile and a sixteenth. She’ll be in the second tier, just off the pace. She’ll have a big say in what happens. Will she win it? That’s why they put ’em in the gate.” LOL.

He told me that her name as best he can recall, came from one of Trevor Denman’s race calls echoing through my mind, something about “setting sensible fractions”. He also told me that as happy as he is to have a horse here this week, the Derby Week hubbub is certainly not for him. You couldn’t pay him enough to be in Louisville this weekend if he didn’t have a horse running! He lives 20 miles east of Lexington and will have a few friends over to the farm the night before the race. His wife will pour bourbon and He’ll hoist a few dark beers. Possibly more than a few. Then they’lll make the 100 mile/100 minute drive over to Louisville earrrrrly Saturday morning to get his filly ready for the race. After he rushed away from me, I caught my breath and felt as I was the one running a workout mile this morning!

I have a busy day here as I want to catch the post drawings this evening after I check out the Steamboat Races. There are plenty of trainers and owners waiting to see where they will end up in the gate for the big races this weekend.

There is also a cooking demonstration by Food Network Iron Chef, Bobby Flay who is also acting as the official host for the Bluegrass Derby this week. You know me and food, I have a hard time staying away from anywhere that it is being prepared, especially by someone like Bobby Flay! Hopefully, I will run into a couple more trainers at parties tonight or back at the track tomorrow morning. I am trying hard to run down both Lenny and Topicount as they have multiple entries this week and I would love to get their insight. It is only Wednesday and I am already starting to get worn out from this party marathon!!

Good luck to all runners!

Email your comments to pazjazz.btb@gmail.comI love to hear from you!