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Top Horses and Horsemen in Kentucky Derby Today - 05-02-09
May 2 - Despite the unfortunate scratchings of a couple of great contenders this week ahead of today's long-awaited Kentucky Derby in Louisville, this year's race has certainly attracted a host of great thoroughbreds, trainers and of course jockeys, each of whom would love to add a Derby victory to their resumes.
One of the race favorites at Churchill Downs today is I Want Revenge, who is trained by the top-rated Larry Jones. Jones, you may recall, had a tough time of it last year after his gallant filly Eight Belles finished second in this race, but unfortunately had to be euthanized after breaking down after the Preakness Stakes.
Given that Eight Belles was somewhat revered by horseracing fans across the United States, her tragic death sent shockwaves through the industry. Many people pointed fingers at Jones, blaming him for the beloved filly's death as well as the sport as a whole for its continued and clandestine use of illegal steroids.
A barrage of tests conducted on Eight Belles revealed that the filly did not have any steroids in her system - as Jones had attested to all along. However, the death had a lingering effect on racing fans and Jones. But a year down the line, he is hoping to start a fresh Triple Crown chapter with colt, I Want Revenge.
Louisville resident and retired school principal turned owner and trainer, Tom McCarthy, will be sending out General Quarters. The colt is the 75-year-old trainer's one and only charge, and dazzled last month by winning the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes (Gr 1) last month. Today he will have Julien Leparoux aboard.
What is amazing about McCarthy's story, is that he started training pretty late in life. However, that has not stopped him from extracting the best form and performances from his runner. Today, the trainer can stand tall and proud next to America's best trainers who are more experienced and train hundreds of horses.
Sending out the race favorite, I Want Revenge, is Jeff Mullins who is often portrayed as the 'JR Ewing' of the American horse racing world. No stranger to the controversy surrounding the use of steroids, Mullins is used to being the bad guy. However, I Want Revenge earned his Kentucky Derby berth just like everyone else.
But whoever wins today's race, one thing is for sure - no glory or purse could be sweeter. This year's purse is $2,202,200, and the winner receive $1,442,200. The Derby is the 11th race out of 13 on today's card at Churchill Downs and is expected to start at around 6:24pm ET.
Other Articles:
Ambiance Stud Farm to Close after 16 Years - 05-06-09Empires Choice Aimed at 2009 Melbourne Cup - 05-05-09Mine That Bird Unconfirmed for Preakness - 05-04-09Mine That Bird Causes Upset in Kentucky Derby - 05-03-09Posts Selected for 2009 Kentucky Derby Twenty - 05-01-09Takeover Target vs Huxssen in Goodwood - 05-01-09Rachel Alexandra Should Win Kentucky Oaks - 05-01-09Square Eddie Scratched from Kentucky Derby - 04-29-09
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Digiturf - Train and race your own horses |
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| | 2009/11/20 11:35:13 AM |
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