Legends of the Track: Fierceness is KY Derby 5-2 Favorite, Draws Post 17, Whirlaway - The Heart That Wears The Crown, Take a drone trip around Kempton Park Racecourse + Free PP’s
Legends of the Track: Fierceness is KY Derby 5-2 Favorite, Draws Post 17, Whirlaway - The Heart That Wears The Crown, Take a drone trip around Kempton Park Racecourse + Free PP’s
Sunday Edition - April 28th, 2024 (Edition 70)
IN TODAY’S EMAIL
The Greatest Kentucky Derby Winners: Whirlaway - The Heart That Wears The Crown (USA)
The World’s Greatest Racetracks: Take a drone trip around Kempton Park Racecourse (USA)
The Kentucky Derby: Fierceness is KY Derby 5-2 Favorite, Draws Post 17 (USA)
Feature of the Day: A Day in the Life of a Kentucky Derby Horse (USA)
Analysis - Santa Anita Selections By Dean Keppler (USA)
Race of the Day: Free PP’s for the Memories of Silver Stakes - Aqueduct (USA)
THE GREATEST KENTUCKY DERBY WINNERS
Whirlaway (USA)
Whirlaway wins the 1941 Kentucky Derby (Photo courtesy of the Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs)
Whirlaway - The Heart That Wears The Crown (USA)
The 13 horses that have worn the crown over the past century all come to their thrones via different paths. From starting as a Derby Day maiden to sealing their crown after only a handful of starts, each stands as a shining example of what the Thoroughbred is capable of: the speed, stamina, and heart necessary to turn back all challenges on the sport’s biggest stages. To win this elusive title is not done in just one style. Rather, each brings his own certain something to the list.
Whirlaway, the fifth Triple Crown winner, ignited the imaginations of those along for the ride on the cusp of war in 1941. With his distinctive long golden tail and single-cup blinker, “Mr. Longtail” was a picture of both quirkiness and durability, trying the patience of his trainer and capturing the hearts of racing fans everywhere with his blazing final run to the wire.
EYES ON THE PRIZE
Warren Wright wanted more than anything for the devil red and blue silks of Calumet Farm to grace the winner’s circle in America’s classic races, especially the Kentucky Derby. The Wrights had already journeyed to Churchill Downs with Nellie Flag, fourth behind Omaha in 1935, and Bull Lea, eighth behind Lawrin in 1938. Wright’s investment in Blenheim II gave him the chance to breed classic winners of his own, so he paired Dustwhirl, an unraced daughter of Belmont Stakes winner Sweep, with the newly imported stallion in the hopes that this foal might finally be the one.
When Dustwhirl’s foal came into the world, the chestnut colt that would become Whirlaway proved to be easygoing but mischievous, throwing his head around during grooming. He also zoomed around the Calumet paddock with other mares and foals, often beating the others with ease. The humans around him noticed that he was growing into a fine-looking Thoroughbred, with ample bone and muscle that hinted at his potential. As he approached his second birthday, Dustwhirl’s colt left behind the pastoral scenes at Calumet and started his career as a racehorse.
The transition from the familiar greens of farm life to the bustle of the racetrack was not an easy one for Whirlaway. He proved to be stubborn, insisting on leaving the backside and returning to the barn through the same gate, and rebelling if he did not. He resisted saddling and would often require multiple sets of hands to prepare him for a workout. Yet the colt showed bottomless potential and an unlimited supply of energy, thriving on racing and training. Trainer Ben Jones took Dustwhirl’s colt in hand and schooled Whirlaway himself. They walked the racetrack, stood by as other horses worked, spent time in the starting gate, and practiced saddling and unsaddling.
The question was, would all of Jones’ hard work pay off? Could he rein in that willfulness just enough to get the colt to focus on his job and use that prodigious speed and stamina on race day? Only time would tell.
Whirlaway Wins 1941 Kentucky Derby
Read the full article at twinspires.com/
*The content and images featured in this article were originally produced and sourced from the twinspires.com/
Enjoying the Newsletter? Show some love with a Share!
THE WORLD’S GREATEST RACECOURSES
Kempton Park Racecourse (GB)
Kempton Park Racecourse is a horse racing track together with a licensed entertainment and conference venue in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, England, 16 miles southwest of Charing Cross, London and on a border of Greater London.
Take a drone trip around Kempton Park Racecourse on YouTube
THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Fierceness is KY Derby 5-2 Favorite, Draws Post 17
The draw for the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1).
The two top choices on the morning line will start from posts at different ends of the gate when an expected field of 20 horses lines up for the 150th edition of the Kentucky Derby (G1) at about 6:57 p.m. May 4 at Churchill Downs.
Florida Derby (G1) winner Fierceness , the 5-2 morning-line favorite, is scheduled to start from post 17 in the single gate of 20 stalls while Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Sierra Leone , the 3-1 second choice, will start from post 2.
Trainer Todd Pletcher, seeking his third Kentucky Derby score, will watch last year's champion 2-year-old male Fierceness start from post 17.
"I'm fine with it," Pletcher said. "We were hoping to draw outside somewhere. Of the numbers that were left at that time (of the draw), it was one of the better ones. It gives enough time to get loaded and set up without having to hopefully stand in the gate too long."
Pletcher said in the days ahead he'll go over race strategy with three-time Derby-winning rider John Velazquez. In winning last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), Fierceness rated just off the pace early and he enters off a front-running score in the Florida Derby (G1), where he drew off to a record 13 1/2-length victory in the prep race that has produced the most Kentucky Derby winners at 25.
"It looks like most of the speed is inside of them," Pletcher said. "So hopefully they break cleanly and then let Johnny make a decision on how fast he wants to go and survey things inside."
Read the full list at bloodhorse.com
FEATURE OF THE DAY
A Day in the Life of a Kentucky Derby Horse (USA)
A racehorse gets a bath after morning training at Churchill Downs in the weeks leading up to the 2024 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. (Eclipse Sportswire)
The Churchill Downs backside comes to life a few weeks before the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. While horses are stabled there nine months out of the year, some extra special ones call the backside their home in the weeks leading up to the Derby. Most of the 20 Kentucky Derby contenders come rolling into Louisville a couple of weeks prior and the excitement begins to build.
It’s Derby time!
A day in the life of a Derby horse doesn’t change much just because they get to take a shot at the run for the roses. While every trainer has his/her own routine and way of doing things, most do not want to change their horse’s typical schedule before a race. They’ll have a security guard, a paparazzi following of fans and media, and Derby contenders most likely cause their trainers to lose sleep at night, but everything else stays the same.
The bond between a horse and human is second to none, and the bond between a horse and groom is even stronger. Grooms spend the majority of their time taking care of the horses in their care. They know them better than anyone, each quirk and character trait, what treats they like, and their favorite spot to be scratched.
Long before the sun rises, the lights get turned on in the shedrow. Each horse has its stall cleaned, temperature taken, and is inspected for any scratches or sore spots they could have developed overnight. Their water buckets are scrubbed and refilled, and they eat their last bites of hay before it’s time to train.
Imagine going to the spa every day. That’s what it’s like being a Derby horse, and a racehorse in general. From a curry comb to a hard brush to a soft brush and shiny spray for their mane and tails, these horses get it all. No speck of dirt can be seen on their polished coats when it’s time to head to the racetrack. Their yellow Kentucky Derby saddle towels are placed over their backs (pink for the Kentucky Oaks fillies), proudly displaying the name of each horse. Their girths are tightened and bridles are put on, and then it’s go time.
Read the full article at americasbestracing.net
GULFSTREAM PARK
Santa Anita (Sunday-4/28/24) By Dean Keppler
Analysis & Selections By: Dean Keppler @Keppskorner
BEST BET: 1-Crypto Craze (Race 6)
Race #1: 2-Grazed My Heart ran like a short horse after finishing fifth when returning off a 14-month layoff on March 29 for Mullins. However, there is a strong potential for improvement off that comeback try. The 4-year-old filly is a multiple winner going this one-mile turf trip including taking the California Cup Oaks back in January. 1-Fast Giselle goes two sprints to a route for conditioner Neil Drysdale and switches to Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith who is off to a quick start (8-3-4-0) this Hollywood spring meet. 6-Ahhitagoes dirt to turf off a wide trip third as the beaten chalk and should get plenty of early pace to close into this afternoon.
Selections: 2-1-6
Race #2: All of the Richard Baltas long layoff runners have been firing off the bench. 3-Frazzled hasn’t been out since December 2022 but has been working strongly in her a’m. drills for today’s return to action and was an impressive 4 ½-length gate-to-wire winner at Los Al when last seen. Recent barn winners include Port Ellen (4/13) off 176 days, Moon Ice (4/20) off 211 days, and Oubabe (4/21) off 266 days. 1-Violet Storm moves back to the main track of a non-threatening fifth-place effort on March 1. Two-back this 5-year-old mare skipped away to a 6 ½-length seven-furlong N2L victory. 4-De Joria steps up off sharp-looking 3 ¾-length one-mile win on March 4.
Read the full article at inthemoneypodcast.com
RACE OF THE DAY
Free PP’s for the Memories of Silver Stakes - Aqueduct (USA)
Free past performances for today's race of the day— Memories of Silver Stakes - Aqueduct
Classic Horse
Discover an Etsy store, specializing in horse racing-inspired decor for your home and office
Discover a collection of home and office accessories, including posters, mugs, and shirts, adorned with timeless motifs that celebrate the beauty and legacy of classic horses and legendary races. Embrace the spirit of horse racing with our unique products that capture the essence of tradition, grace, and unmatched power. Elevate your space with our exquisite designs and pay homage to the legends of the turf. Experience the allure of the equestrian world with our curated selection of items that embody the essence of equine excellence.
Check out Classic Horse on Etsy
Riders Up!
Best, Steve