5/1/2004

Kentucky Derby latest

There will be no Baffert. No Lukas. No Bailey. But the first Saturday in May will not be at all diminished by their absence, as a field of 18 will now line up for the 130th. running of the Kentucky Derby at 6.04 p.m. EST.

On Friday the track was sloppy, with the rail good and stretch somewhat tiring, judging by intermediate and closing fractions. (For example Madcap Escapade, having run a fast three-quarters in 1:09/4, backed up with a 26/4 quarter to the mile, resulting in a final time of 1:50/4 for the Kentucky Oaks: which, for a mile and a quarter, would have translated into 2:04+.....slow!

Therefore, with thunder showers forecast, similar conditions look like prevailing for today's Derby. So OFF-TRACK CLOSERS should be favored. Such as THE CLIFF'S EDGE, IMPERIALISM, BORREGO and TAPIT.