When you possess the kind of hand that WinStar Farm held in the weeks leading up to the Kentucky Derby, there is sure to be some success and some failure. One of their colts, Endorsement, was injured in a recent workout, while another talented colt running for WinStar, Rule, did not train his best and was taken out of Kentucky Derby consideration. Yet another of their runners, American Lion made it to the race, but was never a factor and finished 11th. It was not that long ago that WinStar was hopeful that another of their young stars, Drosselmeyer would enter the Kentucky Derby with a real chance to win. It did not happen. Drosselmeyer was likely the best horse in the Louisiana Derby, but lacked racing room at a key juncture of the race. The bad luck resulted in a 3rd place finish, and left the son of Distorted Humor on the outside looking in on the graded earning’s list. |
May 8, 2010
No Derby, Drosselmeyer to Dwyer
March 29, 2010
Where Did He Come From???
Bob Baffert’s undefeated 3-5 shot, Conveyance, was loping along on an uncontested lead. Expected early pressure from sprinter Classical Slew was nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, morning line second choice Tempted to Tapit chose to stalk and offered no pace bother to the heavy favorite. The closest pursuer to Conveyance’s early lead was longshot Endorsement. It appeared to be as simple as Wire-to-Wire 101, and Baffert was already preparing his victory speech, but then something funny happened. This is why they run the race my friends…Halfway through the race, you could see that Endorsement was sitting very comfortably behind Conveyance. Jockey Robby Albarado was sitting as chilly as the cartoon penguin with Endorsement, who was now cutting into Conveyance’s lead. As they turned for home, it was clear who the stronger horse was, and it was not the undefeated colt who had been so high on the Kentucky Derby list of many. Instead it was Endorsement who proved an easy winner as he drew clear down the lane. At odds of nearly 12-1, and with only a maiden win in three starts, where did this kind of overpowering performance come from? |
