Racetrack Lenny

One Week Away

Last week's Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and the Frederico Tesio at Pimlico didn't put the fear of God into those going in the Derby. The Lexington was won by Showing Up, trained by Barclay Tagg--he of Funny Cide fame. Cornelio Velasquez was up and stalked the pace mid-pack before making his move at the top of the stretch. Sent of as the 3/2 favorite, he did not disappoint winning by a comfortable lenghth and a quarter. Gotham Stakes winner, Like Now, Fernando Jara up, alternated on the lead with Fast Parade and Bear Character. That effort, along with a bit of bumping in the lane, took some starch out of the 4-1 shot; but, he did hold the place spot. Derby hopeful, Greeley's Legacy, finished 5th while racing 5 wide in a dull effort.

The Tesio was won on a sealed, sloppy track by Ah Day, the 2-1 favorite. Ridden by Pimlico regular, Ryan Fogelsonger, he was on or close to the lead and prevailed by 5 widening lenghts. The only other Derby hopeful in this contest was Scanlon's Song, who had raced in the Wood Memorial. Sent off at 7-2, the off track compromised his chances. Speed was holding up in the slop and the best Scanlon's Song could do was pass tiring rivals.

Churchill Downs opened today and they got their first stake race of their season with the Derby Trial. Favorite (9-5) Noonmark, Shaun Bridgmohan up, is going nowhere. He finished a well beaten 6th--beating only 1 horse, Protagonus; who, unfortunately, broke down at the 5/16th mark. With the description of what happened (a right front leg break), it would appear the horse may have been put down. The winner was 5-1 Record, Rafael Bejarano up. Record just got up in the final stride to catch the very tenacious 54-1 longshot Spotsgone with veteran rider, Earlie Fires up. Spotsgone was almost gone just missing by a neck.

Well, the Derby field will be announced Wednesday. I'll put on my thinking cap and do the best I can.

May the horse be with you,

Racetrack Lenny

racetrack lenny went to the post at @ 8:11 PM