The 130th running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 1. The post positions have been drawn, for the 20 horse field (order is horse, jockey, owner, early odds):
1. Limehouse; J. Santos; T. Pletcher 30-1
2. Song of the Sword; N. Arroyo Jr.; J. Pedersen 30-1
3. Lion Heart; M. Smith; P. Biancone 10-1
4. Action This Day; D. Flores; R. Mandella 30-1
5. Wimbledon; J. Bailey; B. Baffert 15-1
6. Friends Lake; R. Migliore; J. Kimmel 15-1
7. Minister Eric; P. Day; R. Mandella 30-1
8. Master David; A. Solis; R. Frankel 12-1
9. St Averil; T. Baze; R. Becerra 30-1
10. Imperialism; K. Desormeaux; K. Mulhall 15-1
11. The Cliff's Edge; S. Sellers; N. Zito 4-1
12. Borrego; V. Espinoza; B. Greely 20-1
13. Birdstone E. Prado N. Zito 50-1
14. Read the Footnotes; R. Albarado; R. Violette 12-1
15. Smarty Jones; S. Elliott; J. Servis 9-2
16. Castledale; J. Valdivia Jr.; J. Mullins 15-1
17. Pollard's Vision; J. Velazquez; T. Pletcher 20-1
18. Tapit;R. Dominguez; M. Dickinson 8-1
19. Pro Prado; J. McKee; R. Holthus 30-1
20. Quintons Gold Rush; C. Nakatani; S. Asmussen 20-1
Kentucky law does not allow jockeys to wear corporate logos on their silks. A group of jockeys have asked a judge to block the state law. Two jockeys, John Velazquez and Jose Santos, have threatened that they may not ride their mounts if the track does not allow them to wear advertising and track officials have threatened to escort the two from the park if they show up with logos on their silks. I find it interesting that these two think that they can stop a Kentucky Derby if they refuse to abide by the law (assuming the judge does not block the law).
"If we will be escorted out of the racetrack, there will be no Kentucky Derby, put it that way," Velazquez said on ESPN's "Cold Pizza."
There are always plenty of jockeys at the races. Sure, owners and trainers may not be happy if they have to make last minute substitutions, but I doubt seriously if the Kentucky Derby will be called off because a couple of jockeys can't stand to play by the rules. Actually, they could hurt themselves more than anything as trainers and owners may decide that these jockeys are not commited to their horses and decide to replace them in the future to someone that they know they can count on.
...are you running a sweepstake?...can I bet on wimbledon? they've won nothing all season at footy so they might want to try a different sport :^)...
Posted by: billy | April 29, 2004 at 05:08 PM
Bogie, I had begun to believe that you were going to let the Run for the Roses pass without comment this year. I feared that you were slipping! Not to fear. You came through. Thanks!
Posted by: Cop Car | April 30, 2004 at 02:58 AM
I am slipping as I haven't set the VCR to record the race yet. And, I really don't know much about the horses that are running.
Billy - no sweapstakes here. You might try going to your local bookie - I'll bet he would be happy to take your money!
Posted by: bogie | April 30, 2004 at 07:37 AM
...now I know why I don't bet - it appears that wimbledon never even made it to the start line :^)...
Posted by: billy | May 03, 2004 at 06:00 AM
Poor Billy, he had vision of getting rich quick - and those visions disappeared even more quickly!
Posted by: bogie | May 03, 2004 at 08:31 AM