Multiple Entries Lose Out in Derby
Curlin was the Only Show in Field of Twenty With Four Duel Trainees
Todd Pletcher gave every owner saddle time at the 2007 Kentucky Derby, but his trainees finished sixth, eighth, ninth, 18th, and dead last (20th).
The 133rd Kentucky Derby made multiple entries look like a bad idea. No trainer with multiples had a higher place finish than fourth out of a field of twenty.
Hard Spun, placing second by 5-3/4 lengths over Curlin, put in the most impressive run of the lesser heralded. He broke from gate eight beside eventual winner Street Sense (seven) and led at a comfortable pace for most of the 1-1/4 miles under Mario Pino. The Larry Jones trainee didn't have the power finish, however, to keep up with Street Sense's overwhelming blitz.
Previously unbeaten Curlin accomplished a reasonable move from his 13th position to capture third, but his show was well off that of Hard Spun and Street Sense. Curlin's stablemate, Zanjero, finished 12th. Both colts were saddled by trainer Steve Asmussen.
First time Derby trainer William Kaplan enjoyed the fourth place finish of Imawildandcrazyguy. His second entry, Storm in May, blind in one eye, held the 16th spot.
Doug O'Neill, having many highs in 2007, didn't get a look at anything better than 13th and 14th, the finishing places of Great Hunter and Liquidity, respectively. Although Liquidity had early spring respect, it was Great Hunter who came into the Derby with the most to prove. He was punched out of the Blue Grass Stakes when Teuflesberg swerved and four others blasted through to the front to find the wire.
Of course, the five Derby entries of Todd Pletcher were the most disappointing. Each of them had significant wins in the spring season. Pletcher juggled them all brilliantly to give each of them a good shot to approach the Derby in prime condition. Each of them had no fire power in their Derby effort.
Circular Quay, with the longest lay off before the Churchill Downs contest (eight weeks), finished the best, in sixth place. Any Given Saturday was two spots further back. Then came Sam P., ninth, Scat Daddy, 18th, and Cowtown Cat, 20th.
Scat Daddy went off as one of four favorites for the Run for the Roses. He didn't get close enough to smell roses. Any Given Saturday, who had given winner Street Sense some of his toughest competition earlier in the year, had no challenge to offer this day. Pletcher's Derby shutout went to 0 for 19 starts.
Blinkers and earplugs, alas, didn't boost Nobiz Like Shobiz to Derby glory. The Biz trailed in the middle of the pack, ending his day in 10th position.
Sedgefield went off in the fifth spot, while Tiago managed seventh. Dominican, who nosed out Street Sense in their Blue Stakes battle, landed 11th. Fifteenth place was held by Bwana Bull, and 17th went to Teuflesberg, while Stormello placed 19th.
Winner Street Sense finished the 1-1/4 miles in time of 2:02.17, with an unemptied tank. Two weeks from now, a smaller field may favor a good rematch with Curlin and Hard Spun in the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
