'Sassy' Moves Up Oaks Trail 01.18.2010

Photo: Wendy Uzelac/EquiSport Photos



"The Word" - Derby 2010 Contenders January 18, 2010 www.equisportphotos.com
rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner
1 SUPER SAVER Maria's Mon Todd Pletcher Calvin Borel Winstar
11/28 CD 1st in Ky. Jockey Club (G2).
2 LOOKIN' AT LUCKY Smart Strike Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez Pegram, Watson, Weitman
12/19 HW 1st in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 11/7 SA 2nd in BC Juvenile (G1), 9/6 DM 1st in Del Mar Futurity (G1)
3 BUDDY'S SAINT Saint Liam Bruce Levine Jose Lezcano Kingfield Stables
1/3 AQ 1st in Nashua (G2), 11/28 AQ 1st in Remson (G2).
4 VALE OF YORK Invincible Spirit Saeed by Suroor Ahmed Ajtebi Godolphin
11/7 SA 1st in BC Juvenile (G1)
5 RULE Roman Ruler Todd Pletcher John Velazquez Winstar
12/4 FG 1st in Delta Jackpot (G3)
6 CONVEYANCE Indian Charlie Bob Baffert Garrett Gomez Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed al Maktoum (Zabeel Racing)
1/16 SA 1st in San Rafael (G3), 1/25 HW 1st in Allow.
7 POUNCED Rahy John Gosden Frankie Dettori Lady Rothschild
11/7 SA 1st in BC Juvenile Turf (G1)
8 NOBLE'S PROMISE Cuvee Ken McPeek Rafael Bejarano Chasing Dreams Racing
12/19 HW 2nd in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 10/10 KEE 1st in Breeder's Futurity (G1)
9 AMERICAN LION Tiznow Eoin Harty Julien Leparoux Winstar
11/21 HW 1st in Hollywood Prevue (G3)
10 UH OH BANGO Top Hit Kory Owens Glenn Corbett Triple AAA Ranch (Richard Owens)
12/4 FG 2nd in Delta Jackpot (G3), 11/1 CD 2nd in Iroquois (G3)
11 TAKE CONTROL AP Indy Bob Baffert Martin Garcia Kaleem Shah
1130 SA 1st in MSW
12 LAUS DEO Medaglia d'Oro Anthoney Dutrow David Cohen Rick Porter, Fox Hill Farm
1/2 AQ 1st in Count Fleet (G3)
13 RANGER HEARTLEY Lost Soldier John Sadler Julio Garcia David Alpert & Herb Alpert
1/16 GG 1st in Cal Derby (L)

Oaks 2010 Contenders
rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner
1 SHE BE WILD Offlee Wild Wayne Catalano Julien Leparoux Nancy Mazzoni
11/6 SA 1st in BC Juvenile Fillys (G1)
2 SASSY IMAGE Broken Vow Dale Romans Robby Albarado Jerry Romans
1/17 GP 1st in Sweetest Chant (T), 11/28 CD 1st in Golden Rod (G2)
3 BLIND LUCK Pollard's Vision Jerry Hollendorfer Rafael Bejarano DeDomenico, Carver, Hollendorfer
12/20 HW 1st in Hollywood Starlet (G1)
4 AMEN HALLELUJAH Montbrook Rick Dutrow Chantel Sutherland IEAH Stables and Whizway Farms.
1/16 SA 1st in Santa Ynez (G2)
5 QUIET TEMPER Quiet American Dale Romans Robby Albarado Mark Stanley
12/4 DD 1st in Delta Princess (G3)
6 CRISP El Corredor John Sadler Joel Rosario Michael Talla
1/10 SA 1st in San Ysabel (G3)
7 TAPITSFLY Tapit Dale Romans
11/6 SA 1st in Juvenile Fillys Turf
8 BEAUTICIAN Dehere Ken McPeek Garrett K. Gomez Peter J. Callahan
11/6 SA 2nd in BC Juvenile Fillys (G1)
9 NEGLIGEE Northern Afleet John Terranova Rajiv Maragh Sovereign Stable
11/6 KEE 1st in Darley Alcibiades (G1)

January Derby Trail Top 10

Buddy's Saint (Jose Lezcano up) wins the Remsen at Aqueduct. 11.28.2009 Credit: EquiSport Photos/Dianne Boothe


Okay, so it's January. And it's snowing here in Kentucky. The fact is that a few contenders have already surfaced in some early Derby preps.
Not the least impressive of which has been Buddy's Saint. From the only crop of the ill fated Saint Liam, the Bruce Levine charge has already captured two Grade 2 Stakes at Aqueduct. The colt won both the Nashua and the Remson in November, by a combined 16+ lengths! Now in training at Gulfstream Park for Owner Kingfield Stables, the Fountain of Youth Stakes will mark the 3 year-old debut for Buddy's Saint on February 20.

"The Word", My ranking of the 2010 Derby Contenders
"For recreational purposes only, not intended as a substitute for actual handicapping"
January 7, 2010 www.equisportphotos.com
Rank Horse Sire Trainer Jockey Owner Comment
1 SUPER SAVER, Maria's Mon, Todd Pletcher, Calvin Borel, Winstar, 11/28 CD 1st in Ky. Jockey Club (G2).
2 VALE OF YORK, Invincible Spirit, Saeed by Suroor, Ahmed Ajtebi, Godolphin, 11/7 SA 1st in BC Juvenile (G1)
3 LOOKIN' AT LUCKY, Smart Strike, Bob Baffert, Garrett Gomez, Pegram Watson Weitman, 12/19 HW 1st in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 11/7 SA 2nd in BC Juvenile (G1), 9/6 DM 1st in Del Mar Futurity (G1)
4 BUDDY'S SAINT, Saint Liam, Bruce Levine, Jose Lezcano, Kingfield Stables, 1/3 AQ 1st in Nashua (G2), 11/28 AQ 1st in Remson (G2).
5 RULE, Roman Ruler, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, Winstar, 12/4 FG 1st in Delta Jackpot (G3)
6 NOBLE'S PROMISE, Cuvee, Ken McPeek, Rafael Bejarano, Chasing Dreams Racing, 12/19 HW 2nd in Cash Call Futurity (G1), 10/10 KEE 1st in Breeder's Futurity (G1)
7 AMERICAN LION, Tiznow, Eoin Harty, Julien Leparoux, Winstar, 11/21 HW 1st in Hollywood Prevue (G3)
8 UH OH BANGO, Top Hit, Kory Owens, Glenn Corbett, Triple AAA Ranch (Richard Owens), 12/4 FG 2nd in Delta Jackpot (G3), 11/1 CD 2nd in Iroquois (G3)
9 TAKE CONTROL, AP Indy, Bob Baffert, Martin Garcia, Kaleem Shah, 1130 SA 1st in MSW
10 LAUS DEO, Medaglia d'Oro, Anthoney Dutrow, David Cohen, Rick Porter & Fox Hill Farm, 1/2 AQ 1st in Count Fleet (G3)

Woolley Suddenly the Toast

Photo: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley

Article Excerpted from NEW YORK TIMES By JOE DRAPE
Published: June 5, 2009

It is about over — the autograph signings, ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and the shouts of “good luck” that have echoed across the streets of Manhattan and the foyers of this grand old racetrack on Long Island. Everyone knows Chip Woolley, the cowboy in the black hat, a cellphone ever pressed between his shoulder and ear as he pole-vaults along on crutches.

He is a horse trainer, an anonymous one only five weeks ago, before the first Saturday in May. Then, Mine That Bird shot through a sliver of a hole on the rail and into racing history as a Kentucky Derby winner.

Now, Woolley is sort of famous and his little gelding is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in Saturday’s 141st running of the Belmont Stakes. Both have blossomed over this whirlwind Triple Crown campaign.

When the public first met Woolley, he was put out when, in the wake of the second-biggest Derby upset, all anyone wanted to talk about was how he drove Mine That Bird from New Mexico to Churchill Downs.

Now, he can sound a little like the old television cowboy Sam McCloud.

“It’s a rather large place,” he said, when asked how he was enjoying his first visit to New York. “Everyone, apparently, their horns work very well here.”

Woolley can also be downright soulful. He has been broke more than once, has run at tracks where a $20 win bet could drop the odds of a runner from 8-1 to 5-2, and had stretches of futility during which the only way he could find the winner’s circle was with a map and a guest pass.

Ask him how winning the Kentucky Derby has changed his life.

“One thing it’s done is validate my career,” he said. “You spend 25 years and a lot of hard work and tough times to get to this point.”

Woolley’s parents were in town from Dalhart, Tex., on Friday. Bennie Woolley Sr. (Chip is really Bennie Jr.) wore a 10-gallon hat and refused to take credit for his son’s recent good fortune.

“All I taught was how to work hard, and love what you do,” Bennie Woolley said. “I’m just awful proud of him.”

There is no looking back for Woolley.

'Revenge' most impressive.

Photo: EquiSport Photos/M. Wooley

Okay, down to the wire!
Most impressive performances... I Want Revenge in the Wood, Friesan Fire in the Louisianna Derby, Quality Road in the Florida Derby. They are the TOP 3.
Best trade... Dunkirk in, Mafaaz out.
Best story... General Quarters, the one horse stable of Thomas McCarthy.
Biggest move... Papa Clem winning the Arkansas Derby over the ill fated Old Fashioned.
Could be for real... Musket Man wins the Illinois Derby on the heals of the Tampa Bay Derby.
Comeback trail... Square Eddie. We'll see Saturday in the Lexington.
Needed 4 horses to come up with 20... Charitable Man, Giant Oak, Jeranimo, Flying Private.


Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey
1 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins IEAH, Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo
2 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez
3 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez
4 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez
5 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori
6 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez
7 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano
8 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Mike Smith
9 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy Julien Leparoux
10 HOLD ME BACK Giant's Causeway Bill Mott WinStar Farm Kent Desormeaux
11 MUSKET MAN Yonaguska Derek Ryan Eric Fein, Vic Carlson Daniel Centeno
12 WIN WILLY Monarchos McLean Robertson Jer-Mar Stable M.C. Berry
13 REGAL RANSOM Distorted Humor Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Alan Garcia
14 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Edgar Prado
15 MR HOT STUFF Tiznow Eoin Harty WinStar Farm Corey Nakatani
16 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Edgar Prado
17 CHARITABLE MAN Lemon Drop Kid Kiaran McLaughlin W. K. Warren Jr Undecided
18 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo
19 JERANIMO Congaree B.J. Wright M. Pender B. Blanc
20 FLYING PRIVATE Fusaichi Pegasus D. Wayne Lukas Grand Slam Farm Israel Ocampo

I Want Revenge takes rematch with Imperial Council in Wood

Photo: EquiSport Photos/Sue K.

Alright, we are getting into the stretch the next 2 weeks.
My thoughts...purely for recreational value!
In the the Wood, replay of the Gotham, 'I Want Revenge' over Imperial Council'
In the Santa Anita Derby, the 'Mousse' is loose over 'Pioneer'.
The Arkansas Derby should see 'Old Fashioned' reestablish himself as a Top 5 contender, and 'Papa Clem' move up a couple notches.
The Bluegrass Stakes is left with the bottom feeders of the Top 20, now that Friesan Fire is training up to the Derby. All of the Big Boys want to go on dirt. I'll take 'Terrain' by a nose over 'Hold Me Back' who may get held back.
Next update, Tax Day.

1 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins IEAH, Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
2 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 5/2 CD Ky. Derby
3 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez 5/2 CD Ky. Derby
4 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
5 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 4/11 OP Arkansas Derby
6 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
7 IMPERIAL COUNCIL Empire Maker Shug McGaughey Sequoia Racing Rajiv Maragh 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
8 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez 5/2 CD Ky. Derby
9 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori 5/2 CD Ky. Derby
10 WIN WILLY Monarchos McLean Robertson Jer-Mar Stable M. Berry 4/11 OP Arkansas Derby
11 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
12 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 4/11 OP Arkansas Derby
13 REGAL RANSOM Distorted Humor Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Alan Garcia 5/2 CD Ky. Derby
14 HOLD ME BACK Giant's Causeway Bill Mott WinStar Farm Kent Desormeaux 4/11 KEE Bluegrass S. (G1)
15 TERRAIN Sky Mesa Albert Stall Adele Dilschneider Jamie Theriot 4/11 Bluegrass S. (G1) or Lex.
16 MAFAAZ Medicean John Gosden Shadwell Stables Richard Hills 4/11 KEE Bluegrass S. (G1)
17 MUSKET MAN Yonaguska Derek Ryan Eric Fein, Vic Carlson Daniel Centeno 4/4 Illinois Derby or Wood M.
18 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano back in training
19 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy James Lopez 4/11 KEE Bluegrass S. (G1)
20 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 4/11 KEE Bluegrass S. (G1)

Friesan Fire lights the Trail!

Pioneerof the Nile training at Keeneland on Polytrack 9.30.2008 Photo: EquiSport Photos/Matt Wooley

Okay Kids, A little shake up on the Derby Trail this week.
Friesan Fire looked brilliant. Perhaps the best prep race if the year. And it was on dirt!
Old Fashioned faltered in the Rebel. Will rematch Win Willy in the Arkansas Derby.
Florida Derby coming up big this year, just as it did for Big Brown last year. Quality Road leads a strong field that includes mystery horse Dunkirk, Kenny McPeek's Theregoesjojo and Beethoven who needs to pick it up a notch.
This week's Lane's End Cup favors West Side Bernie, with Edgar Prado flying in for the mount, up against Bittel Road and Garrett Gomez.
Attached is my "Top 20 or so Derby Contenders and Connections". This list along with $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Small.
Next update, April Fools Day.
"The Word" - Derby 2009 Contenders March 16, 2009 www.equisportphotos.com
Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 4/11 Blgrass or 5/2 Ky. Derby
2 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
3 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
4 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
5 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 4/11 OP Arkansas Derby
6 IMPERIAL COUNCIL Empire Maker Shug McGaughey Sequoia Racing Rajiv Maragh 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
7 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
8 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
9 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 4/4 HAW Illinois Derby
10 WIN WILLY Monarchos McLean Robertson Jer-Mar Stable M. Berry 4/11 OP Arkansas Derby
11 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Kent Desormeaux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
12 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
13 MUSKET MAN Yonaguska Derek Ryan Eric Fein, Vic Carlson Daniel Centeno 4/4 Illinois Derby or Wood M.
14 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Edgar Prado 3/21 TP Lane's End
15 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
16 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel 3/28 GP Florida Derby
17 TERRAIN Sky Mesa Albert Stall Jr Albert Stall Jamie Theriot 4/11 Bluegrass S. (G1) or Lex.
18 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux
19 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy James Lopez 4/11 KEE Bluegrass S. (G1)
20 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
21 BITTEL ROAD Stormy Atlantic Todd Pletcher Scatuorchio & Iracane Garrett Gomez 3/21 TP Lane's End

Next 3 Weeks...The Real Deals vs. The Also Rans

The next 3 weeks will sort out the Real Deals from the Also Rans.
This week my picks (in order); the Rebel (Old Fashioned), Louisiana Derby (Friesan Fire, Patena, Papa Clem, Flying Pegasus), Tampa Bay Derby (General Quarters, Hello Broadway) and San Felipe (Pioneerof the Nile, Chocolate Candy).
Next week my picks (in order); Lane's End Cup (West Side Bernie)
Two weeks my picks (in order); the Florida Derby (Quality Road, Dunkirk, Beethoven, Theregoesjojo), UAE Derby (Desert Party, Vineyard Haven)
No guarantees expressed or implied.

"The Word" - Derby 2009 Contenders March 10, 2009 www.equisportphotos.com
Horse Sire Trainer Owner Jockey Next
1 OLD FASHIONED Unbridled's Song Larry Jones Rick Porter Ramon Dominguez 3/14 OP Rebel S.
2 PIONEEROF THE NILE Empire Maker Bob Baffert Zayat Stables Garrett Gomez 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
3 QUALITY ROAD Elusive Quality James Jerkins Edward Evans John Velazquez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
4 I WANT REVENGE Stephen Got Even Jeff Mullins Lanzman Racing Joe Talamo 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
5 FRIESAN FIRE AP Indy Larry Jones Vinery & Fox Hill Gabriel Saez 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
6 THE PAMPLEMOUSSE Kafwain Julio Canani Bienstock & Winner Stable, A. Solis II Alex Solis 4/4 SA Santa Anita Derby
7 IMPERIAL COUNCIL Empire Maker Shug McGaughey Sequoia Racing Rajiv Maragh 4/4 AQ Wood Memorial (G1)
8 PATENA Seeking the Gold Rick Dutrow IEAH, Sikura Robby Albarado 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
9 DUNKIRK Unbridled's Song Todd Pletcher Magnier, Tabor, Smith Garrett Gomez 3/28 GP Florida Derby
10 BEETHOVEN Sky Mesa John Ward John Oxley Calvin Borel 3/28 GP Florida Derby
11 GENERAL QUARTERS Sky Mesa Mark Miller Thomas McCarthy James Lopez 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
12 PAPA CLEM Smart Strike Bo Hirsh Gary Stute Rafael Bejarano 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
13 THEREGOESJOJO Brahms Kenny McPeek Samotowka, Delfiner, Drall, Magdalena Kent Desormeaux 3/28 GP Florida Derby
14 FLYING PEGASUS Fusaichi Pegasus Ralph Nicks James Spence Cornelio Velasquez 3/14 FG Louisiana Derby (G2)
15 GIANT OAK Giant's Causeway Chris Block Virginia Tarra Trust E. Razo La. Derby or Rebel
16 CHOCOLATE CANDY Candy Ride Jerry Hollendorfer Jenny Craig Rafael Bejarano 3/14 SA San Felipe S. (G2)
17 HELLO BROADWAY Broken Vow Barclay Tagg Elizabeth Valando Edgar Prado 3/14 TB Tampa bay Derby
18 CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN Candy Ride Ian Wilkes Jos. Rauch, David Zell Julien Leparoux
19 DESERT PARTY Street Cry Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Frankie Dettori 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
20 VINEYARD HAVEN Lido Palace Saeed bin Suroor Godolphin Racing Edgar Prado 3/28 NAS UAE Derby
21 WEST SIDE BERNIE Bernstein Kelly Breen Lori & Goerge Hall Elvis Trujillo 3/21 Lne's End or 3/28 Fl Dby
22 SQUARE EDDIE Smart Strike Doug O'Neill Paul Reddam Rafael Bejarano injured