I arrived in Louisville around noon on Tuesday and went out to the track to check out what was happening today. This morning at Churchill Downs was nasty with rain and thunder which resulted in a sloppy track for morning works, so I am just as glad I wasn't there today.
Tuesday was entry day for the Kentucky Oaks and 14 fillies were entered there headed by favorite Balance. You can check them out here.
There were a few horses schooling in the paddock as well so here are a few shots and comments for them.
Brother Derek was one of two potential Kentucky Derby favorites who schooled in the paddock this afternoon. After putting in his final bit of serious work for the Kentucky Derby Monday morning, the bay colt just walked on the shedrow this morning. "He walked about a half hour, had his bath and is doing fine," trainer Dan Hendricks noted at Barn 42 on a day that started amidst rain, thunder and lightning, but settled into kinder and gentler air with splashes of sun as the morning progressed.
Lawyer Ron came out to school during the 5th race this afternoon. He also had a morning jog over the sloppy track early today. "He was really good this morning," said Betsy Couch, who is Lawyer Ron’s regular morning partner with the afternoon duties going to jockey John McKee. Trainer Robert Holthus also liked what he saw. "He jogged around to the front of the stands and waited for some of the traffic to clear and then galloped about two and a quarter miles," Holthus said. "Everything is going well."
Kentucky Oaks favorite Balance came out to school during the 3rd race and seemed a bit nervous, which is apparently normal for her as she is a bit high strung. Entries were taken and post positions drawn today for the Oaks, and she drew the #4 and is the morning line favorite at 2-1.
Quiet Kim was the only other Oaks filly schooling this afternoon. She drew the #3 post and is 12-1 in the morning line.
A nice shot of Brother Derek schooling in front of the Twin Spires. He was very calm and collected about it all.
Manhattan Handicap (G1) and Just a Game Stakes (G1) Results - On the Belmont undercard, Gio Ponti won over Marsh Side and Better Talk Now in the Manhattan Handicap, while Diamondrella beat favorite Forever Together in the Just a Game Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Acorn Stakes (G1), True North Handicap (G2), and Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) Results - Also on the Belmont undercard, Gabby's Golden Gal upset favorite Justwhistledixie in the Acorn, top choice Fabulous Strike beat defending champ Benny the Bull in the True North Handicap, and Munnings won by 5 1/4 lengths in the Woody Stephens Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Brooklyn Handicap (G2) and Hill Prince Stakes - Eldaafer got up by a nose to win the Brooklyn Handicap over pacesetter Nite Light in the slop, with favorite Rising Moon third. In the Hill Prince Stakes, which was taken off the turf, Despite the Odds drew away to win by 7 1/2 lengths. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2009 Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 10 was entered with Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up Mine That Bird the 2-1 morning line favorite from post 7. Get the entries, post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Belmont Stakes Friday Workouts - Photos of 5 of the Belmont Stakes horses on the sloppy track in the rain Friday morning, including Mine That Bird. Get the details and photos here.
Belmont Contenders Weekend Workouts - Five of the likely entrants for next weekend's Belmont Stakes had timed works at Belmont Park on May 30-31, including Charitable Man and Dunkirk. Get the details and photos here.
Rachel Alexandra wins the Preakness - She led most of the way and was ahead by 4 at the top of the stretch, then held off Mine That Bird by a length. Musket Man was another 1/2 length back in third. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, most of them grade 2 or 3, including the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Parading.
