Racetrack Lenny

Minister Eric Bulletin

This just in from Racetrack Lenny:Barring the unforeseen, Minister Eric's connections have announced that he will go in the May 1 Derby. Jockey Victor Espinoza has unceremoniously been given the heave ho and his replacement is Mr. Derby Pat Day. Now, that's good news and bad news. Good news in that Minister Eric has the services of a known jockey who knows Churchill Downs like the back of his hand. Bad news in that Minister Eric's odds will drop as a result. Pat Day could ride a mule in the Derby and be sent off as the favorite.

All that being said, Minister Eric faces a tall order on the 1st of May. He is the most lightly prepared pony coming in having run a 7 furlong turf race, a claiming race (still can't get over that) and a $54,000 allowance race. All others have run in at least one graded stake race in 2004. Could they be thinking the "fresh horse" angle? We'll see.

Catherine Detweiler went to the post at @ 7:50 PM