I was pretty excited about yesterday going in with four horses that were at least semi-favorites in Graded races, all in the top four faves. But most of all, I had DISTORTED PRAYER running in the ARKANSAS DERBY to lock up a spot in the Bluegrass for my very first entry. He was rated number 28 going in and only needed a good showing to give me my first elusive Bluegrass Derby runner. I could taste the excitement of being there as an owner instead of a writer during Derby week.

I started off my viewing day with my former Graded winner and four times Stakes winner GRAND SLAM PRAYER went off first in the G3 SLOWNESS Stakes in Newmarket at 7/2. The turf was a bit off and so was my horse. In fact, a bit off would have been nice as my prized pony ended up more than 20 lengths back and in last place.

Oh well, things like that can happen and we do have three more races to go! In the second event, ANOINTED PRAYER was still looking for her first Graded win but had finished fourth at the Equinics and was looking ready to break that weight on her shoulders. In her write up of the G3 GIRLS CUP, Squirrel noted, “Seven panels may be a bit too far for this filly, but she’s classy enough to overcome the distance and hit the board.” She started out great, in fourth at the half and ready to move up and gather that first big Graded win. Unfortunately her move was the other way and there was a photo finish for last place where she barely beat out SEEK MALIBA by a nose to keep from the final position.

Wow, that was a bit of a blow, she really looked ready to go and that was kind of surprising. I still have my best two ready to go though in Grade ones. Next I went to down under to Victoria for the $2,000,000 Grade 1 5-SERIES. One of my top horses all time, SADLER’S PRAYER was picked by both Yoss and the Morning Line to finish in the fourth position and add to his more than $1.1 million in earnings. Once again, the weather was a factor and although he had previously won on an off trace it wasn’t to be today and she finished in sixth more than 15 lengths back.

It’s a little early in the day to hit the bottle but huge dreams of a multiple Graded winning day are quickly going up in smoke and the kids are realizing that it might be good to leave Dad alone for awhile. But it would all be worthwhile and overcome all of the disappointment with a move to gain and entry in the beloved Derby.

I must admit that of all of the challenges in this game the one that has really beaten me up is trying to get to the Bluegrass Derby. I’ve bred umpteen 2 year olds, spent tons of credits, gone to established owners for ideas and education on how to get a horse into the hallowed race. My horses have won Equinics, Breeders Bowl races and even one of the now defunct World Cup races but I’ve never been to Derby week as an owner. My Derby Diaries from the past few years have made it even tougher as I’ve interviewed the owners who ARE lucky enough to get their runners in and I’ve seen how they feel about being in the big race.

I did finally get a horse into the Triple Jewel series when my filly STREETSMART PRAYER finished fifth in the middle jewel for ladies, the BLACK MIDDLE FLOWER Stakes last year. But that’s not what I thirst for, a spot in the big race itself.

DISTORTED PRAYER is my best shot yet at the Derby. He won his first Graded race the last time out and I was actually going to enter him in Lock races last week but wanted to wait until the last minute to get the best entry and got caught in a meeting at my new job and missed the entries by five minutes. No problem, he looks good in this weeks Lock race and in his pre-race write up of the ARKANSAS DERBY, Flrancho picks “Distorted” for third place which should easily gather him enough points to get into the big race.

I’ve been waiting all week for this race. I was actually the very first entry this time instead of messing around like last week. He breaks well and moves to his customary spot near the back. He falls back 10 lengths which is a couple more than I would like but should still be able to make his move. I look at the screen and start yelling at jockey Arthur, “Move him up, move him up!”. He’s got nothing. There is no patented move at the end of the race and he finishes 11th, 14 lengths back. The dream has pretty much died and the day is a disaster.

I’ve got to decide whether to even train him for that weekend now. He’s ranked number thirty and I don’t believe he’ll have any chance to get in. Another year without a Derby entry. Back to the breeding shed for next year.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this short look into my Derby Hopeful Day of Disaster. At least I had some horses that belonged in those Graded races, they just didn’t have it this day.

Good luck to all runners!