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.
Triple Crown quick links:
Belmont Stakes Entries - A field of 12 was entered on Wednesday for the 142nd Belmont on Saturday with 3-1 morning line favorite Ice Box drawing post 6. Get all the horses, post positions, odds, and past performances here.
Analyzing the Belmont Stakes Contenders - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Belmont winner.
Lookin At Lucky wins the Preakness - The new jockey must have changed his luck as he had no problems this time and wore down First Dude to win the Preakness with Jackson Bend third. Favorite Super Saver faded to finish 8th. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Super Saver wins the 2010 Kentucky Derby - He drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths, giving jockey Calvin Borel his third Derby win in 4 years. Ice Box and Paddy O'Prado closed from far back to finish 2nd and 3rd while favorite Lookin At Lucky was 6th.
2010 Triple Crown Late Nominations - Only six more thoroughbreds were made eligible for the three Triple Crown races for a fee of $6000 by the late nomination deadline. Any not nominated now will have to pay a huge supplement fee to enter. Check out the list here.
Belmont 101 - A basic introduction the the third and final jewel of the Triple Crown. How it began, basics of picking a winner, and how to attend in person.
