The 134th running of the Kentucky Derby, to be simulcast here Saturday, was a prime topic of conversation in the Hollywood Park stable area Thursday.
Some selections:
Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg (who won the 1987 Derby with Alysheba) - "Tale of Ekati, Court Vision, Big Truck and Smooth Air. I like horses that come from behind, and it looks like there is a lot of speed up front."
Trainer John Shirreffs (won the 2005 Derby with Giacomo) - "Gayego: he's got a pretty good race record, he's got speed, he's from here at Hollywood Park, and my veterinarian, Dawn Hunkin, takes care of him."
Trainer Kathy Walsh - "The outside horse (Big Brown) was a very impressive winner, and his trainer has a lot to say about him. I'd like to see Paulo Lobo's horse (Gayego) run well. My sentimental choice is Denis of Cork, who was named after Father Casey, a friend of mine."
Trainer Mike Mitchell - "Big Brown: I know Rick Dutrow and he's a good horseman, and if he's sounding off about that horse, he's got to be the real deal. He did something at Gulfstream (in winning the Florida Derby) that not many horses can do, overcome that outside post."
Trainer Doug O'Neill - "Pyro: put a line through his last race and he'll win."
Trainer Cliff Sise - "I've got to be rooting for Eoin Harty (trainer of Colonel John) with the California horse."
Trainer Ray Bell - "I like the favorite (Big Brown), but for a longshot, I like Court Vision. The race looks like it will set up for a horse coming off the pace and he was steadily closing in the Wood."
Trainer Art Sherman - "Big Brown is my standout."
Vice president-racing Martin Panza - "I like Pyro and Monba. There should be a lot of pace for Pyro, a legitimate closer. I was impressed with Monba in the Futurity (a fast-closing fourth). I will also be rooting for Colonel John, the local horse (and Cashcall Futurity runner-up)."
Jockey agent Tony Matos: "Colonel John and Adriano: I can't separate them."
TWO-YEAR-OLDS REMAIN MYSTERY TO HARRINGTON
Trainer Mike Harrington, a perennial leader with 2-year-olds at Hollywood Park, savored a track-record victory by Atka in her debut Wednesday but admitted the difficulty of handicapping the young horses.
"My gallop boys told me she could run but I thought the other filly I had her in there, Chilliwack, had an edge in experience and would outrun her," said Harrington Thursday. Atka drew away in the stretch under Jon Court to cover 4½ furlongs on Cushion Track in 51.34 seconds, bettering the previous standard of :51.45, while Chilliwack was unplaced.
Both Swiss Yodeler fillies, trained, owned and bred by Harrington, were coupled in the wagering in the $48,000 special maiden weight race for California-bred 2-year-old fillies. Chilliwack had one previous two-furlong start at Santa Anita.
Harrington won the opening race of the meet April 23 with 2-year-old Jack Flash after the disqualification of Seisometer. After the unpredictable results so far, Harrington reasoned his 2-year-olds should continue to make noise at the meet. "I've got about 16 or 18 2-year-olds, and the two that won didn't look better than the rest, so I'd say they're all pretty promising," rationalized Harrington.
Harrington said Atka would probably return in the $75,000-added Cinderella Stakes at 5½ furlongs May 25.
MANDELLA HAPPY WITH IRISH TY RETURN
Trainer Gary Mandella chirped, "I had a good month last week." Mandella won three races, a sharp allowance score by Albertus Maximus and a $40,000 claiming triumph by Irish Ty here, as well as a victory at Bay Meadows.
Although Albertus Maximus signaled readiness for a return to graded stakes company, Mandella was equally delighted with the gutsy score by Irish Ty, a 7-year-old gelding, in his first start in 17 months. He led all the way at six furlongs on turf under the lights last Friday night.
"He's such a neat old horse," said Mandella. "He's earned more than $250,000 without ever placing in a stake."
The California-bred has recorded five firsts, nine seconds and three thirds in 22 starts sprinting on both turf and dirt. He was initially purchased for $5,000 by Jim Ghidella at a Barretts sale but is currently owned by Paul Brazeau.
"He's been lucky and unlucky," said Mandella. "Two summers ago at Del Mar, he was entered in a tough allowance race on turf. Somebody left the sprinklers on the night before, and the race had to be moved to the main track. How often has that happened? Most of the top turf specialists scratched, and he ended up favored in a small field and won. But he has been unlucky too. That December, a loose horse ran into him on the track. He got a broken rib and was out for six months."
MADEO KEEPS SHIRREFFS' 3-YEAR-OLD HOPES ALIVE
Trainer John Shirreffs, who has developed such leading 3-year-old colts as Giacomo and Tiago in recent years, is down to one this year, Madeo.
The Jerry and Ann Moss home-bred flashed plenty of class Wednesday at Hollywood Park in a decisive victory in the $53,000 feature for 3-year-olds, covering 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track in 1:41.66 under Mike Smith.
Unraced at two, the Kentucky-bred son of Mizzen Mast won for the second time in three starts. "I thought it was a good race," said Shirreffs, who Thursday said he had no plans yet and did not want to compare him with other horses. "I don't want to put any pressure on him."
MAGICAL FANTASY, GORGEOUS GOOSE WORK FOR SENORITA
Magical Fantasy and Gorgeous Goose worked six furlongs on turf Thursday for the $100,000-added Senorita Stakes, a Grade III test for 3-year-old fillies on turf May 10.
Magical Fantasy, an English import in the Paddy Gallagher barn, was clocked in a bullet 1:11.20 under Alex Solis. The Diesis chestnut recorded one first and two seconds in five starts in England last year.
"She's been here a couple months," said Jamie Lloyd, assistant to Gallagher. "Richard Duggan bought her privately for us. She's a big strong filly and has been training well."
Gallagher also nominated Carnival Queen and Irish import Miss Singhsix to the Senorita, the first stepping-stone to the $750,000 American Oaks on July 5.
Gorgeous Goose was timed in 1:13.60 under Jose Valdivia, Jr. "She'll step up; she's doing good," said trainer Mike Puype of the roan Mongoose filly, winner of the Blue Norther Stakes and fourth in the Providencia Stakes on the Santa Anita turf in her last start April 5.
