Trainers Make Final Preparations for Arkansas Derby
Arkansas Derby day 2009 has arrived and not a moment to soon. All the preparation, all the countless hours, has led up to this day. Oaklawn every year prepares for its live meet and on the final day showcases everything it has to offer and then some. The fields for the Arkansas Derby are safe in their stalls preparing for what will be their biggest start of their young three-year-old careers.
Mac Robertson, trainer of Win Willy (pictured), was spotted at his usual training quarters at the trainers stand. “Nothing changed from the last time he ran, he walked this morning like he did before the Rebel Stakes,” commented Robertson. “If my horses are doing well with the same routine, then I’m not going to change it. I like to stay consistent. I’m excited about my horse’s chances; I think he will do well.”
Larry Jones was nestled away in his barn this morning at Snow Chief. It was a little bitter sweet as the trainer will be retiring at the end of the year. “We are in great shape this morning. Old Fashioned is in his stall taking his usual pre-race snooze,” laughed Jones. “He will walk this morning and that’s all we will be doing with him. I couldn’t ask for anything more from him.”
Trainer Gary Stute will send out Papa Clem in the $1,000,000 feature. “He galloped this morning, and is doing well,” commented Stute. “He did and has done everything so perfect. We are ready for today and whatever it may bring.”
Tim Ice knows that his long shot Summer Bird has a lot to prove in the Arkansas Derby, but has every chance to do so. “He walked this morning. In horse racing, it is about proving yourself and that is what we are here for,” commented Ice. “I know my horse can do it. I don’t want to look further than today. I’m very grateful for this opportunity. His stride is so beautiful; he has the motion to go with the looks.”
The Arkansas Derby will be run on racing’s big stage on ESPN2 and will start at 5:00 p.m. CDT with a post time of 5:42.
Leading Jockey Definite, Leading Trainer Comes Down to the End
In 2009 there was one jockey that dominated the standings and will go away with his first leading jockey title at Oaklawn Park. Terry Thompson (pictured), during the first week of the meet, opened up on the other jocks in the riding colony and since then has never looked back.
In his 10th year of riding at Oaklawn the fan favorite showcased his riding ability and his sparkling personality. As of Friday’s races Thompson had 60 wins from 329 starts. Quincy Hamilton stood in second place with 38 winners. Thompson took two stakes races during the meet. In the Razorback Handicap he scored with Let It Rock, and in the Hot Springs Stakes he won with Silver Edition. Thompson collected victories with such trainers as Larry Jones, D. Wayne Lukas, and Lynn Chleborad.
The leading trainer title has come down to the final day. Trainer Allen Milligan ended Friday’s race card one race on top of defending champion Steve Asmussen. Milligan had 23 winners compared to Asmussen’s 22, but on Saturday’s card Asmussen was sending out 10 runners versus Milligan’s two starters.
Milligan’s has sent out 163 starters at the Oaklawn meeting and has hit the board 45 percent of the time. Asmussen has sent out 20 less starters, and has also been in the money 45 percent of the time
A Little Bit More
Silver City (pictured) worked for trainer Bret Calhoun this morning. The son of Unbridled’s Song's next start will come in the Derby Trial at Churchill Downs. Silver City bullet worked five panels in 57.80 over a fast Oaklawn track.
|