Kentucky Derby Prep Races - Lane's End Stakes Results

Coming off a poor performance at last month's Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park, Adriano surprised the oddsmakers and critics to capture Saturday's $500,000 Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park. Lane's End is one of the few remaining major Kentucky Derby prep races left on the schedule.

Owned by Courtlandt Farms, Adriano's prize on the day was a cool $300,000.

"This is a very proud moment," said owner Donald Adams of Courtlandt Farms. "We've been in the business a long time and we haven't had major success. Days like this make up for the lean years. He's very, very big and he's just starting to grow into himself. He has that stride that just eats up the ground. Edgar (Prado) rode a beautiful race."

As to whether or not Adriano will be racing at the Kentucky Derby, trainer Graham Motion isn't ready to make that call yet.

"We've still got to talk about it some more," Motion said Monday from Florida. "I wanted to get the horse back here to train while I'm in Dubai. I'll see how he's doing when I get back and assess it further. The Derby? It's unlikely at this point, but like I said before the race, never say never. Let's get him back here and see how he's doing."

If you're looking for more Kentucky Derby contenders, check out the Bodog Racebook.

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Kentucky Derby News - Iron Chef Bobby Flay Heats Up the Derby

Award-winning chef Bobby Flay knows a thing or two about horses. He's owned several race horses over the years and has developed quite an interest in the Sport of Kings. This year, however, he'll be taking his culinary magic to Churchill Downs where he'll be cooking up a storm for all those hungry pre-race Kentucky Derby party goers.

"The Kentucky Derby is a one-of-a-kind springtime sports party that showcases a unique blend of food, fashion and Southern hospitality against the backdrop of America’s oldest continuously held sporting event," Flay said. "As a horse racing enthusiast, I love attending the Kentucky Derby in person, and I also enjoy throwing Kentucky Derby parties for family and friends. I am excited to work with Churchill Downs Incorporated on the launch of its official Kentucky Derby Party program and Web site, which offers party hosts and hostesses everything they need to know about Kentucky Derby entertaining."

The Kentucky Derby Party program, which includes a website loaded with bushels of great Derby party ideas and recipes, is geared towards people who won't be able to attend the Kentucky Derby in person, but will still be watching the races at home with their family and friends. And what better way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby than with Iron Chef Bobby Flay to help you every step of the way?

"Churchill Downs is thrilled to partner with Chef Bobby Flay on our Kentucky Derby Party program, as we look for ways to extend the Kentucky Derby experience to sports fans around the world," said Casey Cook, senior director of marketing for Churchill Downs Incorporated. "The Kentucky Derby has a tremendous following because it's more than just a sporting event. The Derby encompasses fantastic cuisine, eye-catching fashion and lavish entertaining – as well as the 'Greatest Two Minutes in Sports'.

For Kentucky Derby party recipes and Kentucky Derby party ideas, visit the new Kentucky Derby Party website.

And if you're ready to bet on the Kentucky Derby, check out the Bodog Racebook.

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Road to the Kentucky Derby: Lane's End Stakes

Today's $500,000, Grade II Lane's End Stakes at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky will not include many of the top Kentucky Derby contenders, but that doesn't mean it's not an important race for those horses competing. On the contrary, this is an opportunity the 12 lesser-known 3-year-olds in the field to make a name for themselves in their quest for a spot in the Derby

Trainer Todd Pletcher has two horses running today: Chitoz and Duke of de Buqe.

"Duke of de Buqe is a horse we always thought would like the turf," Pletcher said, "and since he's a half-brother to Balto Star, who could run on both dirt and turf, we think Duke of de Buqe will handle the Turfway Polytrack well. The Lane's End is a good option for him."

Here is the full field for the Lane's End Stakes in post position order:

Duke of de Buqe, Julien Leparoux 12-1; Macho Again, Miguel Mena 10-1; Chitoz, Rene Douglas 8-1; Rich Young Ruler, Thomas Pompell 30-1; Adriano, Edgar Prado 6-1; Racecar Rhapsody, Robby Albarado 6-1; Halo's King, Jesus Castanon 50-1; Halo Najib, Kent Desormeaux 7-2; Cannonball, Alex Solis 9-2; El Aleman, Orlando Mojica 99-1; Turf War, Patrick Husbands 5-1 and Medjool, Michael Baze 8-1.

With only a handful of Derby prep races left (at Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Aqueduct and Keeneland), you can expect to see all the big names back on track in the weeks to come.

Ready to throw down on the Kentucky Derby futures?

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Kentucky Derby Contenders: El Gato Malo Profile

El Gato Malo was coming off a 1 1/2-month layoff when he won the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 12. The colt then came in second to Colonol John at the $200,000 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita. Even though it wasn't a win, it definitely wasn't all that bad for the Derby contender.

“We thought we were the best horse in the race,” trainer Bob Carper said. “We think if he hadn’t gotten trapped along the rail, he would have won the race.”

Kentucky Derby Contender: El Gato Malo
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Jockey: David Flores
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Graded Earnings: $90,000
Race Record: 4-3-1-0

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

Currently in the Bodog Racebook, El Gato Malo is listed at 12/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Court Vision Profile

Things are looking pretty good for Bill Mott-trained horse Court Vision. During Wednesday's workout Court Vision breezed five furlongs in 1:02.80 at the Payson Park Training Center. It was his first work since the Fountain of Youth Stakes.

"He trained well for his return, and in the running, I thought he closed well after having to race a little far back in the early stages because he was shuffled back on the first turn," trainer Bill Mott said. "He made up a lot of ground over a track that many other horses couldn't that day. It was a good race and starting point for a horse that had been off for awhile, and I look for improvement next time."

Kentucky Derby Contender: Court Vision
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Julien Leparoux
Owner: IEAH Stables & WinStar Farm LLC
Graded Earnings: $221,872
Race Record: 5-3-1-1

Court Vision rallied from far back in his season debut while gaining experience. The winner of three in row last year, it is expected that Court Vision should progress nicely this season.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

Currently at the Bodog Racebook, Court Vision is listed at 20/1 odds to win the Kentucky Derby.

Technorati Tag(s): Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Cool Coal Man

Trainer Nick Zito is a familiar name to horse racing fans. With four of the top 18 Kentucky Derby contenders running this season, you can be sure to see and hear much more of this experienced trainer as he preps his horses for this year's big race. One horse in particular, Cool Coal Man, looks particularly promising:

Kentucky Derby Contender: Cool Coal Man
Trainer: Nick Zito
Jockey: Kent Desmormeaux
Owner: Robert V. LaPenta
Graded Earnings: $212,767
Race Record: 7-4-1-0

Cool Coal Man is the winner of the $350,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park. His stamina will be put to the test as he looks towards the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Grade 1) on April 12 at Keeneland Race Course, which would be his first attempt over an artificial surface.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

"If he runs back in the Florida Derby, it would give him three tough, mile and one-eighth races in a row without any separation," explained Zito. "By waiting for the Blue Grass, it gives him a little extra time. And running over the Polytrack at Keeneland certainly wouldn't be a problem. It worked for Street Sense last year. He wouldn't necessarily have to win the race, just get something out of it."

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Kentucky Derby Contenders: Pyro Profile

One of the favorites heading up to the Kentucky Derby, Pyro last weekend proved why he's a serious Derby contender. And no one could be happier with his performance as of late than his trainer, Steve Asmussen.

"It looks like we're right on target," Asmussen said following Pyro's impressive win at the Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

If you're like most people and you're considering wagering on Pyro, here are some good-to-know facts:

Kentucky Derby Contender: Pyro
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC
Graded Earnings: $760,000
Race Record: 5-2-2-1

Winner of Risen Star Stakes and currently a favorite to win the Kentucky Derby, Pyro's latest victory is the Louisiana Derby in which he muscled through an opening in the stretch and cruised to a three-length victory over 60-1 long shot My Pal Charlie. Although Pyro has been visually impressive in his two appearances at age 3, it's imporant to remember that he was beaten convincingly on three occasions by a combined 1 1/4 lengths by the still-undefeated War Pass.

Past Performances
Recent Workouts
NTRA Profile

For Kentucky Derby odds, try the Bodog Racebook.

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