04 24

Derby Report 4/24

Sunrise at Churchill Downs © Emily Hufford 2006

It was one of those jaw dropping mornings at Churchill Downs. We arrived just as the sky began to change from a hint of pink to fiery red, welcoming the sun and another day with a plethora of Oaks and Derby contenders on the track. Such famous photographers as Gary Jones and Michael Martin were already standing by, cameras in hand, and have been at the daily grind for four days now. Most people come up for only Derby week, but for those who truly love the sport, arriving pre-dawn to the track to watch the sport's best is a true commitment and an exercise in passion. It helps on days like today, when the sunrise is brilliantly rewarding.

The first two horse that we saw was Flower Alley. Not a Derby contender of this year, Flower Alley ran in the Run for the Roses last year. The Todd Pletcher colt ambled back to the barn during the sunrise, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he is worth several million dollars. Back at the barn he was met by top stakes performer Harlington and Bandini, one of the favorites for last year's Derby, who was quietly resting in his stall.

The Todd Pletcher barn is the Taj Mahal of the Churchill Downs backside. Each stall is filled with a horse who either has already become a top performer, or is a two year old with a bright future. Wait a While rested comfortably in the straw. Spun Sugar headed out for the track. English Channel, Indian Vale, Keyed Entry, Adieu ate breakfast, and Ready to Please grazed quietly. Ready's Gal and Bluegrass Cat were returning to their stalls while Sunriver eagerly attacked his bale of hay. A white-faced two-year-old colt walked the shedrow under tack before heading to the track, and we followed him full of anticipation. His name is The Green Monkey, and he is what the backside calls, "The Alleged $16 Million Colt." Sold for a price of $16 million in Florida this spring, The Green Monkey is a son of Forestry who apparently got loose on the track yesterday. He really is not all that impressive to look at right now, more than one person has called him "scrawny" and in a line up of other Pletcher horses he does not stand out, but the good news is that Mr. Sekiguchi, 2004's top priced colt at $8 million, also did not look like anything spectacular at two (and also got loose at Del Mar last summer) but went on to win earlier this year.

Bandini © Emily Hufford 2006	The Green Monkey © Emily Hufford 2006
Flower Alley © Emily Hufford 2006	Sunriver © Emily Hufford 2006

Steppenwolfer © Emily Hufford 2006

Coming to the track around 7:30 am was Steppenwolfer, who finished second to Lawyer Ron in the Arkansas Derby. He is a big, strapping gray colt, but his gallop is nothing to cheer about. He gallops with a long, grinding stride, and his trainer Dan Pietz commented that he hoped the colt would gallop with more lively action in the future. It will be very interesting to see how this colt develops in the next two weeks.

Another highlight of the morning was a workout by Private Vow and Storm's Treasure. The two Steve Asmussen trainees worked in company just as dawn broke. From my vantage point they appeared to finish together - at least they were together as they galloped out around the first turn, but into the backstretch Private Vow kicked clear of his stablemate.

Private Vow and Storm's Treausre © Emily Hufford 2006	Storm's Treasure © Emily Hufford 2006
Quiet Kim © Emily Hufford 2006	Diplomat Lady © Emily Hufford 2006

Two of the California Oaks Fillies, Quiet Kim and Diplomat Lady, were on track at the same time. Quiet Kim was quite the handful, and Diplomat Lady had a workout but moved smoothly throughout. Sharp Humor followed them to the track, and that is when we discovered that the long-standing tradition of yellow Derby saddle towels is over. Now they are white with green trim and a big red, YUM! above the horses' names. You can hardly read the horse's name, but it sure is easy to read the word Yum! Enough on that subject, form your own opinions.

Sharp Humor is a goofy colt who likes to dabble in his water bucket and bite the shank during bath time, but he was mild mannered and looked good on the track. We were so busy complaining about the saddle towels that I didn't really get a good look at him galloping, so I hope to have more to report tomorrow.

As a final note, First Samurai headed to the track right at 8:30. I smiled at his rider and started to snap pictures of the one-time Derby favorite, and she gave me a sad smile back and patted First Samurai on the neck. "Some people still love you, buddy!" she told him. First Samurai proceeded to gallop a mile, looking as good as always.

For more photos from Churchill Downs today, click here.

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