Lawyer Ron © Emily Hufford 2006
Derby Report 4/25
Lawyer Ron ©
Emily Hufford 2006
The threat of rain made a potentially busy Churchill morning rather quiet. Photographers and journalists gathered quietly by the rail and talked in amused, hushed tones while racehorses made their way around the track. Steppenwolfer stood unmoving on the track in front of where I stood, his ears pricked and his muscles not even quivering. I took this time to carefully appraise his body, which in another year or so should be full and impressive. In just a short time I find myself to be rather fond of Steppenwolfer. In all honesty I do not believe he has any shot at the "Run for the Roses," but he is a nice colt with a good temperment, and he even stood still while one of last year's Kentucky Derby entrants, Andromeda's Hero, skittered across the track and nearly ran into the younger colt. The little chestnut filly Ermine took a spin around the course shortly afterwards, her head neatly bowed. Ready to Please was also on track during this time, and she has a silky stride that reminds me of that of a wild cat.
 Steppenwolfer © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 Seaside Retreat © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 Ermine © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 Ready to Please © Emily Hufford 2006 |
I saw Lawyer Ron last fall when he ran in one of those losing turf starts. I don't remember him, and as far as I can tell nothing compelled me to take photos of him, but I have the program with his name in it. I consider this morning my first real look at Lawyer Ron. "The Lawyer," as he is predictably called by the media around the track, strode confidently out to the track. "There's the Lawyer!" everyone nodded and exchanged knowing glances, as if being able to see Lawyer Ron is like being in on a secret. The big red colt jogged the wrong way around the track once then galloped past twice. I was focussed on trying to take some pictures with ever-changing lighting, which was a constant battle all day, and so I can't comment on his appearance on his track. However, I watched him walk the shedrow for quite a while and he has an amazing shoulder with rippling muscles that extends and retracts fluidly. His walk reminds me of his main opponent: Barbaro.
Seaside Retreat was a handful when he galloped just after the break. It was my first look at him, then I went to visit his stable mate, the Oaks contender Top Notch Lady. Very few fillies are as big and imposing as Top Notch Lady, and she will be a force to be reckoned with come the big day. I am looking forward to seeing her on the track.
As a side note, one of last year's Derby co-favorites, Bandini, worked this morning as well.
 Lawyer Ron © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 Bandini © Emily Hufford 2006 |
Itty Bitty Pretty ©
Emily Hufford 2006
Itty Bitty Pretty, the Doug O'Neill Oaks trainee, galloped around the track this morning as well. I liked her better than Ermine today or Quiet Kim yesterday, but she was another where I was mostly focussed on getting a photo. The El Corredor filly won the San Ysabel earlier this year.
Sinister Minister, one of Bob Baffert's three Derby contenders, arrived at Churchill yesterday afternoon and made it to the track right after the break. He has a great body (if I can say such things) and a nice head, neither of which make a Derby winner, but it makes him attractive. He fussed and kicked during part of his bath, but mostly he just cast an eye over the handful of media watching.
 Sinister Minister © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 Sinister Minister © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 What A While © Emily Hufford 2006 |
 What A While © Emily Hufford 2006 |
Todd Pletcher took Wait a While to the track and she galloped strongly. She
is regal in the head and stands well. After her bath we headed over to visit
with Diplomat Lady in her stall. She is an absolute sweetheart, shy and timid
and affectionate. In the stall directly behind her lives Miss Norman, Greg Norman's
Oaks filly. She also galloped today.
Miss Norman © Emily Hufford
2006