Kentucky Derby hopes at Santa Anita

Godolphin pair 'best chance ever' in Kentucky


USA: Saeed Bin Suroor believes that Desert Party and Regal Ransom have a better chance of winning the Kentucky Derby than any of Godolphin's five previous contenders.

Speaking from Churchill Downs after the Godolphin duo had completed a light, early morning work session, Bin Suroor said: "This is our best chance ever."

Desert Party is a best-priced 20-1 in Britain, while Regal Ransom is available at 25-1.

"Usually, when you ship horses here from Dubai, it takes something out of them but this time both horses are even better than there were in Dubai. We just need luck."

Ten years ago, greeted by local scepticism, Godolphin ran Worldly Manner in the Derby on the back of a single trial race in Dubai.

Worldly Manner finished seventh. In 2000, China Visit and Curule finished sixth and seventh respectively after having finished first and third in the newly established UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba.

The following year, Express Tour, the winner of the UAE Derby, finished eighth, one place better than Essence of Dubai, also a UAE Derby winner, in 2002.

Godolphin have not had a runner since.

Desert Party and Regal Ransom, both winners at Saratoga last year, have each contested the same three racesat Nad Al Sheba this year, with Desert Party winning the first two, including the UAE 2000 Guineas, and Regal Ransom emerging on top in the UAE Derby.

That was generally considered a shock but Bin Suroor said: "It was not a shock to me.

"During the week before the race Regal Ransom worked really well and I said to the boys that there could be a surprise.

"He is a tough, hard horse who has improved with every race and, when I saddled Desert Party for the UAE Derby, he was a bit quiet, and was a bit quiet for a couple of days after the race. Lately, he has come back to form.

"Like his sire, Street Cry, Desert Party is a calm, relaxed horse.

"Regal Ransom is different. In the morning and in his races he is always keen and, although it will depend on how fast they go, I expect him to sit close to the pace and for Desert Party to sit a bit further behind, but not too far.

"I don't think the trip will be a problem for either of them."

Wet weather forecast for Kentucky Classics

USA: The weather forecast for Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs looks sure to result in slow going on the main track and no better than the soft side ofgood for the turf course.



Showers and thunderstorms are predicted on Friday and again on Saturday. Heavy rain fell brielfy on the track on Thursday morning as well.

Only six of the 10 horses entered for the Kentucky Derby have run on a track labeled as other than fast: Desert Party, Flying Private, Friesan Fire, Join In The Dance, Nowhere To Hide and Papa Clem.

Friesan Fire was an impressive winner of the Louisiana Derby over sloppy going.

Papa Clem put in a brief work over three furlongs at Churchill Downs Thursday morning with jockey Rafael Bejarano aboard, the Arkansas Derby winner covering the distance in a brisk 34sec.

"I had 33 and 4 (33.80sec)," said trainer Gary Stute. "I wanted to let him roll. Everyone has been criticising his works. I would have been worried if he didn't wok well today. If he gets beat, it's my fault."

Bejarano added: "He was so comfortable. I didn't have to push him or nothing. Past the wire I just let him gallop out strong and stayed up in the saddle."

I saw a picture of Dunkirk on the official Kentucky website, what a Stunning specimen...what price?

Morning Greg, to buy him or to back him?

you can get around 6/1.

Hehehe..I think the 6/1 falls within my budget, thanks Dave.

Was dunkirk not a controversial inclusion in the feild? dont think he met the qualifying standard(need to win a graded race)

Kentucky Derby wide open



The $2.2 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday is unlikely to unearth a potential Triple Crown winner with the 20-strong field featuring a solid yet unspectacular crop of three-year-olds.


Wood Memorial champion I Want Revenge is a 3-1 favorite to win America's most prestigious race, with Dunkirk and Pioneerof the Nile next at 4-1 and Friesan Fire a 5-1 choice.

The rest of the capacity field for the mile-and-a-quarter race have double-digit odds, perhaps signalling there are few, if any, colts capable of claiming the Triple Crown in 2009.

Only 11 horses have won the Derby, the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and none since Affirmed in 1978.

Yet even without a Triple Crown on the horizon, the Derby can yield some surprising finishes, like in 2005 when 50-1 longshot Giacomo edged 71-1 choice Closing Argument.

The dark bay I Want Revenge will break from the 13th post, 19-year-old jockey Joe Talamo and his connections preferring to stay out of trouble before heading to the rail.

All of the contenders are happy to be breaking from the auxiliary gate, posts 15 to 20, since six Derby winners have started from there in the last 13 years.

Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk opens from the 15 post with Edgar Prado in the saddle, while the Bob Baffert-trained Santa Anita Derby champion Pioneerof the Nile is just outside at 16.

Friesan Fire, the bay son of 1992 Belmont Stakes champion A.P. Indy, opens a little closer to the rail at six but trainer Larry Jones told reporters, "We are in good shape."

Jones's grey filly Eight Belles broke both ankles and collapsed shortly after finishing second in the 2008 Derby and had to be euthanized. But the Kentucky native hopes to repeat what had been an uncontested ride around the fabled Churchill Downs track.

"We had the five last year with Eight Belles and worked out a great trip," he said. "(Friesan Fire) should be laying anywhere from third to fifth early and suck back behind the speed.

"Hopefully he'll get a clear run when the real running starts."

Others with a chance to claim the $1.4 million winner's purse include Blue Grass Stakes runner-up Hold Me Back, Arkansas Derby champion Papa Clem, and Illinois Derby winner Musket Man.

Even four-times Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas believes his Kentucky-bred bay, Flying Private, has a chance despite reaching the winner's circle just once in 10 tries.

"He's as good as some of them I brought here, including some of them who have won," said the Hall of Famer. "Charismatic went on to be Horse of the Year (in 1999) but at this stage he's every bit as good as Charismatic.

"And I think he's better than (1996 Derby champion) Grindstone.

Breaking news the favourite I want revenge has just been withdrawn

For a "non racing man" Hibby, you certainly keep us well informed.

thanks again! lol