Let the quest for a 2011 Derby horse begin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 29, 2010 --

Last night, the annual Derby media party was held. The invitees include press, horsemen, racing industry folks and Louisville locals. One of most popular guests was 2009 Kentucky Derby winning trainer Chip Woolley. He has been attending various events here all week and he says the reverence with which returning Derby winning trainers are treated has made it an emotional experience. And while he has thoroughly enjoyed the social activities, he has a burning desire to get back with another Derby horse. “I have to come back and try to win it again”, he said emphatically. Let the quest for a 2011 Derby horse begin.

Today was another picture perfect morning and this time, the news matched the weather. No defections, injuries or obvious problems. I stopped by several barns, including those of Pletcher, Lukas, Baffert, and Zito They were all conducting their morning press sessions in a very laid back manner. Everybody feels better once the major preparations are complete. That’s not to say that something can’t still happen, but it is as if the collective breaths are getting deeper and more relaxed in anticipation of the quickening pulse of race day.

Sunland Derby winner Endorsement has already undergone surgery for his fractured ankle. Dr. Larry Bramlage, the veterinarian who performed the operation, showed me the pre and post-op x-rays this morning. Two screws were inserted to bind a crack just above the right ankle bone. Dr. Bramlage says that the bone is so thick in that area, Endorsement will never feel the screws. There is no timetable as yet for the colt’s possible return to racing, but step one in the process has been successfully accomplished.

Seeing Chip Woolley reminds me of the recent success of trainers making their first Derby start. Since 2003, all but one Derby winner has been saddled by a “rookie” trainer. Not to say they were inexperienced, they just never had a Derby starter. This year, Jeremy Noseda, Alexis Barba and Mike Maker fall in that category. Noseda is based in England, and would normally be getting horses ready for the Epsom Derby, rather than the Run for the Roses. Barba worked for Eddie Gregson, trainer of 1982 Derby winner Gato Del Sol. And Maker has plenty of Churchill experience as an assistant to Wayne Lukas during the period that encompassed Charismatic’s 1999 Derby victory.

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Chip Woolley     D. Wayne Lukas     Kentucky Derby