Horse Trainer Larry Jones Claims Eight Belles Wasn’t On Drugs

Posted on Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Larry Jones, the trainer for the fallen filly Eight Belles, on Tuesday ordered drug testing as part of a necropsy in order to prove that his horse was not on performance-enhancing drugs.

Horse trainer Larry Jones left little doubt that tests would come back negative on filly Eight Belles, who was euthanized on the track after breaking both front ankles following her second-place finish in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) also have been critical of jockey Gabriel Saez, calling for his suspension. The group has claimed that Saez should have known that the horse was in trouble and that he went to the whip too often.

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Connections of Filly Eight Belles Saddened by Her Loss

Posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008

Big Brown, who is headed for the 2008 Preakness Stakes, made Kentucky Derby history as he became the first horse since the filly Regret in 1915 to win off just 3 career starts and the second to win from post position number 20. The joyous event, however, was marred because of the tragedy which occured when runner-up Eight Belles broke down after crossing the finish line and had to be euthanized on the track.

Eight Belles jockey in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Gabriel Saez, said Monday he was unaware that anything was wrong with Eight Belles prior to her going down in the Run for the Roses.

“I remain heartbroken over Eight Belles, and I want to let her many fans know that she never gave me the slightest indication before or during the race that there was anything bothering her,” jockey Gabriel Saez said in a statement Monday.

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2008 Kentucky Derby Results: Big Brown Wins; Eight Belles Collapses

Posted on Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Big Brown remained unbeaten as he pulled away to a 5-length victory in the $2,211,800 Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

The lone filly in the 2008 Kentucky Derby, Eight Belles finished second but collapsed with broken front ankles and had to be euthanized on the track.

The breakdown brought back memories of the 2006 Preakness Stakes, when Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro shattered his right rear leg yards into the start. Barbaro was euthanized months later after developing laminitis.

Trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. and ridden by jockey Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown covered the Kentucky Derby distance of 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.82 and paid $6.80, $5 and $4.80. Eight Belles, under jockey Gabriel Saez, returned $10.60 and $6.40. Denis of Cork with jockey Calvin Borel aboard was 3 1/2 lengths behind and paid $11.60 to show.

Kentucky Derby payouts: $2 exacta (20-5) will pay $141.60 while $2 trifecta (20-5-16) will pay $3,445.60.

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My Kentucky Derby Picks: Four Horses in Exotic Bets

Posted on Friday, May 2nd, 2008

By GREG MELKOV

Hours of research on the 134th Kentucky Derby failed to single out a horse that I feel comfortable betting to win. This is the first time in years that I must throw a dart at the bullseye on the wagering board.

However, I have come up with several 3-year-olds I believe have the best chance to hit the board. Here are the thoroughbreds I’ll be using in exactas, trifectas and a Pick 3.

If any Kentucky Derby contender has a big shot to win it all, it’s Colonel John. The son of Tiznow, who won the first of his two Breeders’ Cup Classics in 2000 at Churchill Downs, captured both preps at 1 1/8 miles. In six career starts, he never was more than three lengths behind in the stretch and won four times and was runner-up twice.

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Granted this will be his first start on the dirt, but he took to the main track, firing a bullet 57 4/5 for five furlongs – the best of 62 works on Sunday. The last two winners of the Kentucky Derby posted bullet works: Street Sense last year and Barbaro in ‘06.

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Eight Belles Tries to Follow in Winning Fillies Shoes

Posted on Thursday, May 1st, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

A filly will try her luck in the 2008 Kentucky Derby for the first time in nine years. Eight Belles attempts to become the fourth to visit the winner’s circle since Regret in 1918.

Trainer Larry Jones entered Eight Belles in both, but drew No. 12 in the Kentucky Oaks. She fared much better for the Derby and will break from post 5. And she’s coming into the big one with a four-race winning streak, including two graded stakes victories at Oaklawn Park.

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My Updated Top 10 Contenders for the Kentucky Derby

Posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

My list of Top 10 contenders for the 134th Kentucky Derby has changed a bit as the 3-year-olds begin to arrive in Louisville. So Dave Letterman style, from the bottom, here we go again.

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Speed Figures Are Key Derby Handicapping Tool

Posted on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

By GREG MELIKOV

The 134th Kentucky Derby is difficult to handicap for several reasons ranging from speed figures to varying track surfaces.

For instance, a dozen Kentucky Derby contenders won 14 key preps from February through April. The only two-time winners, Pyro and Colonel John, haven’t posted a triple-digit figure this year.

Pyro ran a dismal 10th in the Blue Grass on Keeneland’s Polytrack. The son of Pulpit and six other colts finished fifth or worse in their final prep. The last horse to triumph at Churchill Downs after running that poorly or worse in the final prep was Iron Liege, fifth in ‘57.

Colonel John is yet to run on the dirt. Nearly half of the prospective field had one or more preps on synthetic surfaces.

So what’s a handicapper to do?

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