Daily Report From Churchill Downs: 4/21
by Turf Angels Staff

Today Turf Angels.com owners Emily Hufford and Amelia Baldree arrived at Churchill Downs at 6:30, just in time to catch Imperialism coming off the track under the blanket of darkness. Trainer and regular rider Kristin Mulhall was in the saddle, seemingly oblivious to the hollering of the press and of fans of her horse. It was Imperialism's second day on the Churchill Downs track, as he shipped in Monday afternoon just before 3:00 pm. After cooling out, the gray son of Langfuhr was left to his own devices, but the press rained down upon Mulhall and Imperialism's owner, Steve Taub. They agreed to give an interview while CNN and NBC shot footage of Imperialism in his stall.

Imperialism In His Stall at Churchill Downs 4/21

Imperialism's Connections, Trainer Mulhall and Owner Taub 4/21

Cooling out at the same time as Imperialism were Todd Pletcher's two Derby contenders, Limehouse and Pollard's Vision, who had escaped the public eye by galloping before daylight. Just onebarn over, Minister Eric was also cooling down from his gallop, but stablemate and Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Action This Day was heading out to the track. Only a few doors down from Action This Day is Borrego, another one of the Derby's strong contenders in a wide open field. Next to him is Rock Hard Ten, whose massive body seems to fill up his stall. On the track at this time was Wimbledon, the leading contender from the barn of Bob Baffert.

Action This Day Gets a Bath 4/21

Borrego In His Stall 4/21

On the track at the same time as Action This Day were Pro Prado and The Cliff's Edge. The Cliff's Edge stood along the rail for several minutes before starting his gallop. Pro Prado galloped strongly, pulling a little at the rider coming off the first turn. The colts were followed shortly by Kentucky Oaks contenders Halfbridled and Last Song. After her gallop, Halfbridled walked the shedrow for an half hour under tack before her bath. She and Action This Day, the two juvenile champions of 2003, walked together. An interview with trainer Richard Mandella revealed that Siphonizer is on the grounds preparing for a possible run in Saturday's Derby Trial Stakes.

The Cliff's Edge 4/21

Halfbridled 4/21

After the break, the massive Rock Hard Ten took to the track with trainer Jason Orman tagging along behind him. He did not enter the track alone, along with him were Oaks fillies Victory USA and A.P. Adventure, as well as possible Oaks starter Miss Coronado, who breezed four furlongs in :50.40. The last Derby contender of the day to gallop was Baffert's Preachinatthebar. Congaree, third in the 2001 Kentucky Derby, also galloped. Siphonizer breezed three furlongs in :36.60.

Rock Hard Ten (left) 4/21

Preachinatthebar 4/21

Victory USA 4/21

Congaree 4/21