Date: 04/26/2002

Mayakovsky will be part of the favored Michael Tabor entry in the Derby Trial.

Results

The Derby Trial is the final Derby prep but it isn't really a prep anymore. It has been decades since a Derby winner came out of this race and very few starters have come out of it in the last 20 years. Given the longer time between races that modern horses and trainers prefer, it isn't surprising that this one mile prep one week before the Derby has fallen out of favor for Derby contenders. Again this year there are no horses who are considering the Derby entered in the Derby Trial. Most are horses who fell behind the curve in preparing for the Derby and are looking ahead to the Preakness or Belmont instead. This year the favorite will be an entry from Michael Tabor of Mayakovsky, trained by Patrick Biancone, and Shah Jehan, trained by D. Wayne Lukas. The better half by far is Mayakovsky who would have gone to the Derby had he not faded to fourth in the Santa Anita Derby. The second favorite is the undefeated Cashel Castle who is stretching out past 7 furlongs for the first time. It should prove to be a very interesting race and there is always the chance that Derby Fever will strike if the winner puts on a very impressive performance.

ESPN2 will show the race from 6:00-7:00pm EDT. You can also listen online at the link provided below. Past performances will be available free online from DRF and Equibase with links after the entries below. Here is the field with morning line odds and links to useful race info.

Triple Crown quick links:

• Kentucky Derby Contenders - lots of info about the latest hot prospects
• Graded Stakes Earnings - this is what determines who gets in the Derby
• Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool Three - wagering is closed and odds for all 3 pools are posted
• Triple Crown Nominees - 405 horses were nominated in the early round this year. Check out the full list sorted by horse, sire, owner, and trainer
• Road to the Roses Fantasy Challenge - Pick your stable and win prizes in Churchill Downs' Road to the Roses Fantasy Challenge.
• Derby Tickets and Seats - how to get them
• Derby Ticket Requests - what really happens once you send one in to Churchill Downs
• Triple Crown Trail (updated weekly)
• Experimental Free Handicap
• Past Performances - for just about every conceivable prospect from BRIS
• Past Performances - for the top 50 prospects from Blood Horse and TSN
• Injury Report - who is off the trail?
• Countdown to the Crown from Daily Racing Form
• Road to the Triple Crown from Thoroughbred Times
• Triple Crown Mania from the Blood Horse
• Triple Crown Index - the master list with even more info

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