HorseRacing Central April 30, 2010

KENTUCKY DERBY WEEKEND STARTS FRIDAY

There’s no doubt that the 136th running of the $2 million Kentucky Derby on Saturday will be demanding the attention of tens of millions of viewers on NBC Television as well as simulcast audiences from around the world.

But what should not be overlooked is the fact that Friday’s $500,000 Kentucky Oaks plays a big role in the two-day thoroughbred racing extravaganza from Churchill Downs.

Daily Double wagering will be available again this year at Hastings Racecourse, Fraser Downs and all other BCRacebook locations, meaning customers can make advance wagers by picking both the Oaks and Derby winners prior to the start of the Oaks at 2:45 p.m. PST on Friday afternoon.

For the record, the Kentucky Oaks features a field of 14 three-year-old fillies and goes as the 11th race on the card. The morning line favourite is Blind Luck ridden by Raphael Bejarano and trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. Blind Luck recently captured the Fantasy at Oaklawn.

TRICKY POSTS FOR DERBY FAVOURITES

Neither of the Kentucky Derby favourites drew favourable posts for Saturday’s first leg of the Triple Crown. Lookin At Lucky, trained by three-time Derby winner Bob Baffert and ridden by Garrett Gomez, drew the rail. That is generally considered a disadvantage because horses charging into the first turn of the 1¼ mile track tend to jam the inside. Lookin At Lucky is listed at 3-1. The Derby has a 3:24 p.m. start time and will take place between the fourth and fifth live races at Hastings on Saturday.

Sidney’s Candy, 5-1, drew the outside No. 20 post, considered the toughest of all trips at Churchill Downs. Trained by John Sadler and ridden by Joe Talamo, Sidney’s Candy swept the California preps but has never raced on dirt before.

Devil May Care (10-1) is the lone filly in the male-dominated 20-horse field. She’ll take on the boys from the No. 11 post. Devil May Care is one of four horses in the field trained by Todd Pletcher, who is 0-for-24 in the Derby. His best horse, Eskendereya, was forced out of the race because of a leg injury suffered last weekend.

SECOND WEEKEND OF LIVE RACING AT HASTINGS

Coming off a successful opening weekend at Hastings, General Manager Raj Mutti and Director of Racing Paul Ryneveld are pleased with the eight-race cards set for Saturday and Sunday with the regular 1:40 p.m. start time. Because of the Kentucky Derby weekend, doors will open at Hastings at 8 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday, joining the early races via simulcast on the Oaks and Derby beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be advance wagering on the Saturday Kentucky Derby Day card from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday at Hastings and Fraser Downs.

FOUR STAKES ON THE GRILL MAY 7 AT FRASER

Mark on your standardbred calendar the date of Friday, May 7 when Fraser Downs Racetrack will have four stake finals on the program. It’s all part of the Stallion Stakes Series, including the Pat Brennan Memorial with the 3-year-old colts and geldings in a $22,500 showdown. The BC Stallion Stakes has offers a handsome purse of $75,000.

Racing at Fraser goes Friday and Saturday nights with the regular start times of 7:30 p.m.