Daily
Report From Churchill Downs: 4/27
by Turf Angels Staff
Today we arrived with a particular mission: to find the two new Derby horses who arrived Monday afternoon from California. With the exception of Tapit, who arrives Thursday, Lion Heart, who will ship in Saturday morning, and Song of the Sword, who arrives today, all of the Derby and Oaks horses are on the grounds. We went to the Stakes Barn, where Castledale has taken residence, in time to see him getting his bath. I originally was not a big fan of his, but now after seeing him in person for the first time, I am in love. The bay colt, a little taller than Smarty Jones and Lion Heart, threw up his regal head and stared around at the crowd of reporters, eyeing us all as if to say, "You want a piece of me?" He was no-nonesense, beautiful, and seemed very intelligent. He gave you "the eye" as cameras whirled in his face and his owner and trainer spoke with the press.
One of the craziest parts of Derby week has been the insanity surrounding Smarty Jones. The little red colt has mobs of press who follow his every move. Surprisingly, he seems rather calm about all of the hoopla.
 Castledale 4/27 |
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If you look very carefully, you can see Smarty
Jones getting his bath somewhere in this mob.
During the break, we visited with St Averil, the other California shipper. His nearly black coat was gleaming and he seemed very interested in the group of people and cameras outside of his stall. He simply jogged the track today and went without his usual neon green blinkers, giving him a good chance to look at everything. He seemed a little on the nervous side, but that's to be expected on a horse who just got off of an airplane into a whole new world - one that mirrors a circus.
 St Averil 4/27 |
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One of the first horses on the track after the break was Master David, who worked five furlongs today in his final Derby workout. The Bobby Frankel trainee worked in company with a stablemate, breaking off behind him and finishing well. Minister Eric went a few minutes later, providing us with our first real glimpse of him outside of the shedrow.
 Minister Eric 4/27 |
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Wimbledon went out at the same time, simply galloping a little in between the gallops stablemates Congaree and Preachinatthebar. The big, goofy gray colt stood nicely during his bath, pricking his ears and looking around at the activity. Action This Day also visited the track today, and acted up a little bit during his bath, which happened at the same time as Borrego's. Island Sand, one of the Kentucky Oaks contenders, galloped on the track with fellow Oaks starter Hollywood Story behind her.
 Wimbledon 4/27 |
 Action This Day 4/27 |
 Minister Eric's Derby Towel 4/27 |
 Island Sand's Oaks Towel 4/27 |
 Friends Lake Grazes 4/27 |
One of the nicest parts of the morning was when Friends Lake left the track unnoticed and headed to a nice, shady, grassy area to graze (while still under rider). The chestnut colt has been relatively unseen the past few days, as he is able to sneak around D. Wayne Lukas' barn while reporters are with Smarty Jones' connections. The colt seems docile and serene when left to his own devices, and appears to be settling in quite nicely. Steve Taub's Imperialism is scheduled to school during the second race today, and your Turf Angels.com reporters will be there waiting for him. Check back later for another update! |
