Derby not rosy for Mott May 3, 2008
Z Humor, third in the Illinois Derby in his previous start, is 30-1. Mott was honest when talking about Court Vision, who looks to be his best chance here. (Albany Times Union)
Tim LaydenINSIDE HORSE RACING May 3, 2008
Carroll wanted Denis of Cork to get another prep race before running poorly in the Illinois Derby, but he has run well here in training. 3. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
On surface, Kentucky Derby appears up for grabs May 3, 2008
If, as Dutrow predicts, Big Brown starts quickly and establishes his dominance, it will be an early speed duel from the outside posts along with Gayego (post No. 19), Bob Black Jack (13), and Illinois Derby winner Recapturetheglory (18). Then it will become a battle to see who controls the pace among the front-runners and among the closers such as Colonel John, Pyro, and Denis of Cork. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Staff Derby picks May 3, 2008
Was the surprise winner of the Illinois Derby and 3-year-olds can sometimes pair up big efforts. 2. (Boston Globe -- Sports)
Fast start a must for Big Brown May 2, 2008
" . . . Illinois Derby winner Recapturetheglory had some bad luck when his connections drew 19th in the order. He will run from post position 18. "When you come here with a long shot, there is no pressure," said trainer Louie Roussel III. "I'm a long shot. Put $2 on me. (Boston Globe)
Post Positions May 2, 2008
The final two picks went to Recapturetheglory, the Illinois Derby winner, and Gayego, the Arkansas Derby winner. Ronnie Lamarque, a co-owner of Recapturetheglory, picked post 18, leaving 19 for Gayego. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Only 1 Derby winner has left gate from No. 20 post May 2, 2008
After an easy win in the Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in February, Carroll decided to skip the Rebel Stakes and prepare for either the Illinois Derby or the Wood Memorial. It meant giving the horse a two-month layoff, and he hardly looked sharp while finishing a disappointing fifth to Recapturetheglory in the Illinois Derby. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Brunker: Denis of Cork deserves your attention May 2, 2008
The generous odds are available because the David Carroll-trained colt experienced adversity for the first time in his last start the Illinois Derby (Gr ... Denis of Cork almost didnt make the Derby field because his Illinois Derby was so poor that it left him short of the graded stakes earnings needed to get in. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Get to know this year's field May 2, 2008
Third, Illinois Derby ... Fifth in Illinois Derby ... Showed little in Illinois Derby. (USA Today -- Sports)
UNBRIDLED PASSION May 2, 2008
" Recapturetheglory, who was one of three horses trained by Roussel at the Fair Grounds this winter, won the Illinois Derby earlier this month by four lengths, earning a spot in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Roussel must have remembered something about training. Twenty years after bringing Risen Star to Churchill Downs for the Derby, Roussel is back with a colt he named with the glory days of Risen Star in mind. Risen Star, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby in 1988 before winning the... (Nola.com -- Sports)
Derby favorite's handlers opt for least favored start May 2, 2008
The Illinois Derby winner, Recapturetheglory, and the Santa Anita Derby runner-up, Bob Black Jack, both 20-1, are in the 18 and 13 posts. Most interesting, however, is the colt next to Big Brown in the 19 hole, Gayego. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Sorting A Derby Without War Pass Apr 21, 2008
Could Recapturetheglory repeat War Emblem's success by wiring the field as they both did in the Illinois Derby. Will California boy, Gayego, catch up to his own speed, as he almost did in the Arkansas Derby. (Suite101.com)
Ryan's for Real rides rail to Hartack win Apr 20, 2008
Two Saturdays ago, it was Recapturetheglory winning the Illinois Derby on the engine ... Maryland-based trainer Dale Capuano said he didn't see the Illinois Derby, but he had a strong idea of what he wanted jockey Erick Rodriguez to do here Saturday. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Nose to Nose Apr 18, 2008
DaKAttack (4:06:40 PM): He didn't get a fair shake in the Illinois Derby. DaKAttack (4:06:40 PM): Pletcher horses like to eat plastic. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Tale of Ekati, Colonel John Preps Apr 18, 2008
Edgar Prado, Corey Nakatani Take Late Kentucky Derby Prep Races. Tale of Ekati, by Sunday Silence mare Silence Beauty, and Colonel John, by Tiznow, win late in Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby under Edgar Prado and Corey Nakatani. (Suite101.com)
DRF: Tomcito gets last shot at Kentucky Derby Apr 17, 2008
Recapturetheglory at ChurchillAt Churchill Downs in Louisville, Illinois Derby winner Recapturetheglory was the latest Kentucky Derby prospect to arrive on the scene. The Louie Roussel-trained colt arrived Monday and was out the next morning as he began his local preparations by galloping two miles. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Road to Kentucky Derby Apr 15, 2008
5 - Illinois Derby, Hawthorne, 1 1/8 miles (Recapturetheglory, Golden Spikes, Z Humor). Apr. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Derby field begins to take shape: Big Brown now No. 1 after Pyro loses in Blue Grass Apr 14, 2008
He's also considering entering Atoned, fourth in the Illinois Derby, in the $325,000 race. Also set to run in an effort to collect graded stakes earnings and qualify for the Derby is Tomcito, the popular horse based in Peru who finished third in the Florida Derby. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Gayego holds off Z Fortune for $1 million prize Apr 13, 2008
Denis of Cork was shipped out of Arkansas and ran in the Illinois Derby last weekend, and Sierra Sunset injured an ankle and fell off the Kentucky Derby trail. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. (USA Today -- Sports)
Pletcher sends out 2 colts in Blue Grass hoping for a Kentucky Derby starter Apr 12, 2008
Last week, he was shut out in the Wood Memorial, the Santa Anita Derby and Illinois Derby. His best finish with four starters was fourth by Atoned in the Illinois Derby. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Will this year's Arkansas Derby winner measure up? Apr 12, 2008
Denis of Cork was shipped out of Arkansas and ran fifth in the Illinois Derby last weekend, and Sierra Sunset injured an ankle and is off the Kentucky Derby trail. The top 3-year-old from this year's Oaklawn meet might be the filly Eight Belles. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Top 10 Derby contenders Apr 11, 2008
Recapturetheglory - Illinois Derby winner. 8. (Boston Globe)
Gayego early favorite in wide open Arkansas Derby Apr 11, 2008
Denis of Cork was unbeaten after winning the Southwest, but he left Arkansas and raced in the Illinois Derby last weekend, finishing fifth. Sierra Sunset won the Rebel last month but fell off the Kentucky Derby trail with an ankle injury. (MSNBC -- Sports)
DRF: Winding road for Matz and Visionaire Apr 10, 2008
Matz said he had considered running Visionaire in the Illinois Derby last weekend because it would have given him four weeks, instead of three, leading into the Kentucky Derby, but he didn't want to ship the horse again. "He's stabled here at Keeneland, and we'll be here until the Kentucky Derby," Matz said. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Opinion: Colonel John pulls rank in Derby chase Apr 8, 2008
If you were to look only at the paper, you might assume that Recapturetheglorys gate-to-wire victory in the Illinois Derby (Gr ... I am, however, highly suspicious of the $500,000 Illinois Derby (Gr. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Preps produce no Derby favorite Apr 8, 2008
80) captured the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne ... Who knows what to make of the Illinois Derby. (Albany Times Union)
College basketball, horse racing, prep softball Apr 8, 2008
5 Illinois Derby, Hawthorne, 1 1/8 miles (Recapturetheglory, Golden Spikes, Z Humor)Apr. 6 Lafayette, Keeneland, 7f (Keep Laughing, Hatta Fort, Eatons Gift)Apr. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Tale of Ekati rises in latest rankings Apr 7, 2008
"He got a little tangled up in the gate (in the Louisiana Derby) and ran a disappointing race. We still felt good about him, and we worked out some of those issues in the gate. He showed up big time.''Tale of Ekati and War Pass were en route to Kentucky on Sunday for a final month of preparation before the Derby. Court Vision, who finished third in the Wood, also is likely for the Derby.This week, Pyro and Big Brown remain 1-2 in the AP's Run to the Roses' Top 10 list, while Tale of Ekati jumps... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tale of Ekati rises, War Pass falls in latest Run to the Roses' Top 10 list Apr 7, 2008
In the two other Derby preps Saturday, Colonel John stamped himself Best in the West with a half length win over Bob Black Jack in the Santa Anita Derby, and 15-1 shot Recapturetheglory took the Illinois Derby by four lengths with previously unbeaten Denis of Cork finishing fifth. Recapturetheglory is appropriately named by co-owners Ronnie Lemarque and Louis Roussel III, who trains the colt. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
'Ekati' shines in Wood Apr 6, 2008
Illinois Derby - Recapturetheglory overcame 15-to-1 odds to beat heavily favored Denis of Cork and easily outdistance a seven-horse field at the $500,000 race at Hawthorne. Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Ill. Derby: Recapturetheglory Apr 6, 2008
$500,000 Illinois Derby (G2) ... The man has made his reputation deftly guiding horses onto the lead at Chicago tracks - which is exactly what he did in engineering Recapturetheglory's upset victory Saturday in the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Tale of Ekati catches War Pass, wins Wood Apr 6, 2008
Recapturetheglory was the upset winner in the Illinois Derby, with 2-1 favorite Denis of Cork fifth. Unlike the Tampa Bay Derby, when War Pass was restless in the gate, bumped at the start and finished last, the 3-year-old colt broke sharply and went right to the lead. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Recapturetheglory captures Illinois Derby Apr 6, 2008
Recapturetheglory overcame 15-to-1 odds to beat heavily favored Denis of Cork and easily outdistance a seven-horse field at the $500,000 Illinois Derby on Saturday ... The Illinois Derby is a prep race for next month's Kentucky Derby. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Mastodons get revenge on Lewis with 3-1 win Apr 6, 2008
Recapturetheglory pulled off an upset in the $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park in Cicero, beating even-money favorite Denis of Cork. TENNIS. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
War Pass is solid in his return, but Tale of Ekati is a little better Apr 6, 2008
At Hawthorne Race Course outside Chicago, Recapturetheglory scored an upset win in the Illinois Derby ... At the Illinois Derby, Recapturetheglory was sent off at 15-1, but he went right to the front, set moderate fractions and drew clear of his six rivals in the stretch. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Sports briefs Apr 6, 2008
Recapture the Glory overcame 15-to-1 odds to beat heavily favored Denis of Cork and easily outdistance a seven-horse field at the $500,000 Illinois Derby. The Kentucky-bred colt completed the 11/8 -mile dirt course in 1 minute, 49. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Recapturetheglory beats favorite Golden Spikes by four lengths to win the Illinois Derby Apr 6, 2008
- Recapturetheglory overcame 15-to-1 odds to beat heavily favored Denis of Cork and easily outdistance a seven-horse field at the $500,000 Illinois Derby on Saturday ... The Illinois Derby is a prep race for next month's Kentucky Derby, with six previous Illinois winners entering the prestigious Triple Crown race ... The most successful previous Illinois Derby winner was War Emblem, who won the 2002 Illinois Derby and went on to claim two legs of the Triple Crown _ the Kentucky Derby and the... (Freeport Journal-Standard, IL)
Rivals rematched in Santa Anita Derby Apr 5, 2008
By Jay PrivmanDaily Racing Form (). Updated: April 4, 2008, 3:24 PM ET. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Denis of Cork favored to punch Derby ticket Apr 5, 2008
Nineteen years later, Carroll is making a serious bid to make his first Derby as a head trainer, and Denis of Cork can get him there if he runs to form in the Illinois Derby on Saturday at Hawthorne ... Bill Mott, who won the 1999 Illinois Derby, sends in Z Humor, while Todd Pletcher, who won this race for the third time when Cowtown Cat captured the 2007 edition, ships in Atoned ... The Illinois Derby, race 7, is preceded by two lesser stakes. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
With month to go, three critical preps Apr 5, 2008
Which is why the 84th Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, the 71st Santa Anita Derby at Santa Anita and the relative come-lately 51st Illinois Derby at Hawthorne are all scheduled for today. They're not must-win assignments for the already established contenders, who have enough earnings to make the field in Kentucky without the first-place portions of the $750,000 purses in New York and Arcadia and the $500,000 purse in Chicago. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Rating the prospects Apr 5, 2008
Next: Illinois Derby, today, Hawthorne Park. 5t. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Top 10 Kentucky Derby contenders Apr 4, 2008
Denis of Cork - If he wins Illinois Derby, he'll be moving on up ... Atoned - Todd Pletcher horse needs a strong showing tomorrow in Illinois Derby against Denis of Cork. (Boston Globe)
Santa Anita offers dream matchup Apr 4, 2008
The Kentucky Derby watch now moves to its "California Dreamin' " stage, otherwise known as the Grade I Santa Anita Derby, which along with the Wood Memorial in New York and the Illinois Derby in Chicago are the three prime Derby prep races ... In tomorrow's Illinois Derby, Denis of Cork, who has run only three times and not since Feb. 18, will shake off some rust and show what he can do. (Boston Globe)
Hot recent form lacking in Wood Memorial field Apr 4, 2008
Visionaire is being pointed to the Blue Grass on April 12 while Denis of Cork was entered Monday for Saturday's Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, which drew a field of seven ... "I would have loved to have another week in between the Derby and his last race, but the biggest thing was I just wanted to get here and be in one place,'' Matz, who was also considering the Illinois Derby for Visionaire, said Monday from Keeneland.David Carroll, the trainer of Denis of Cork, said shipping was also a... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Countdown to the Crown Apr 4, 2008
Not only are we blessed with the G1 Santa Anita Derby, G1 Wood Memorial and G2 Illinois Derby this Saturday, we've also got a plethora of 3-year-old intrigue during opening weekend at Keeneland as well as the G3 Bay Shore for the sophomore sprinters in New York ... G2 Illinois Derby(Saturday/Hawthorne):A lackluster early pace scenario makes an otherwise walk-in-the-park G2 Illinois Derby a surprisingly interesting affair ... The good news for DENIS' backers is that the Illinois Derby offers... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Illinois Derby Apr 4, 2008
By Joe KristufekHorseplayerPro. Updated: April 3, 2008, 10:35 PM ET. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Big Brown undefeated heading into Kentucky Derby Apr 4, 2008
Finally, in the Illinois Derby at Chicago's Hawthorne Park this weekend, Denis of Cork, the Southwest Stakes victor at Oaklawn Park in February, will try to duplicate the Midwestern route to Louisville that War Emblem used in capturing both Derbies wire-to-wire in 2002. At the moment, it looks easier to know who won't wear the roses than who will. (MSNBC -- Sports)
War Pass needs big effort in Wood Memorial Apr 4, 2008
"Frankly, whether he wins or not, it's not a big issue to me. I just want to see him running and healthy and really moving forward in this race.''In other Derby preps this weekend, Colonel John (2-1) and El Gato Malo (5-2) top an 11-horse field in the 00003B01 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby and unbeaten Denis of Cork is the one to beat in a seven-horse field for the 1 1/8-mile Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park.Colonel John defeated El Gato Malo by a half length in the Sham Stakes on March 1.... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Wood gives War Pass shot at redemption Apr 4, 2008
Unbeaten and highly regarded Denis of Cork runs for the first time since his impressive win at the Southwest Stakes at Arkansas' Oaklawn Park on Feb. 18 when he heads the field in the Illinois Derby (TVG, 5:30 p.m. ET) ... Illinois Derby-bound. (USA Today -- Sports)
Big Brown jumps from field to Future favorite Apr 3, 2008
Although Big Brown and Pyro will not race this weekend, closing odds on quite a few of the other separate interests will be largely determined by how they perform in three Derby preps on Saturday: the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and Illinois Derby. Odds on the parimutuel futures are not locked in until 6 p.m. on Sunday. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
DRF: Denis of Cork has to reassert himself Apr 3, 2008
He will back in action - if not exactly back in the national spotlight, with the Wood in New York and the Santa Anita Derby in California the same afternoon - when he starts Saturday at Hawthorne in Chicago's biggest race until the Arlington Million, the $500,000 Illinois Derby. Denis of Cork was one of seven entered in the Illinois Derby, a Grade 2 at 1 1/8 miles. (MSNBC -- Sports)
DRF: Who will make Kentucky Derby cut? Apr 2, 2008
The three major stakes this Saturday are the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby, the Grade 1, $750,000 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, and the Grade 2, $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne, all at 1 1/8 miles ... Denis of Cork heads the Illinois Derby, which drew a field of seven when entries were taken on Monday. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Brittle feet Big Brown's biggest obstacle Apr 2, 2008
The Triple Crown chase heats up this weekend with the running of the Santa Anita Derby, the Wood Memorial and the Illinois Derby ... Denis Of Cork will head a field of seven in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (Gr. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Big Brown making case as Derby favorite Mar 31, 2008
Also set for next Saturday is the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park, featuring unbeaten Denis of Cork. 1. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Big test for Big Brown Mar 30, 2008
It has been announced that Denis of Cork will run next in next Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne Park in Chicago, and Gayego is likely to go in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park the same day. Hank Wesch: (619) 293-1853. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Pricci: Face the Cat faces tough task in Florida Mar 29, 2008
On The Verge will run in the Santa Anita Derby; Atoned in the Illinois Derby. Texas Wildcatter will run back in the Wood. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Braves' AAA team should honor history Mar 29, 2008
Atoned, second by a neck in the Tampa Bay Derby, takes his race to the Illinois Derby, and Blackberry Road goes to the gate in the Arkansas Derby. Both could use a bump in earnings to be assured of a place in the gate in Louisville, but Atoned would appear to be safely in. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Big Brown has chance to make big noise Mar 28, 2008
Local Search Site Search. THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING. (Boston Globe)
Can Derby prospect Big Brown overcome post? Mar 28, 2008
ESPN - Can Derby prospect Big Brown overcome post. Can Derby prospect Big Brown overcome post. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Florida chill no match for Mott's hot hand Mar 27, 2008
"In the stall directly adjacent to Majestic Warrior's is Z Humor, Mott's third Derby hopeful, who is expected to run next in the Illinois Derby, same day as the Wood. "His effort will determine his (Kentucky Derby) status. We need to see where he fits. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Horse Racing Insider's Derby power rankings Mar 25, 2008
Denis Of Cork 121 74T Wood Memorial or Illinois Derby 4/5 Commentary: The barn called an audible, skipped the Rebel Stakes, and was flattered when Sierra Sunset, runnerup to Denis in the Southwest, won Saturdays mile and a sixteenth convincingly, earning a excellent Equiform figure. As noted in Poll 3, it was a surprising decision to skip the race but a good plan if trainer David Carroll is correct that the extra time will be beneficial on Derby day. (MSNBC -- Sports)
No joke: Funny Cide trainer Tagg could have 3 horses for Kentucky Derby Mar 24, 2008
Next start: Wood Memorial (Aqueduct, April 5) or Illinois Derby (Hawthorne, April 5) ... Next start: Blue Grass or Illinois Derby. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Plonk: Countdown Mar 21, 2008
As for 2-turn prospects, Bobby Barnett (of Answer Lively repute) has a late-running ace who could be an Illinois Derby factor in JAZZ IN THE PARK. He won his second straight Fair Grounds route last Friday, moving last-to-first despite miserably slow fractions and facing just five rivals -- factors that both typically lead to front-end dominance. He ran the final quarter-mile in a very stout :24. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Merry-go-round turns for Derby-bound jockeys Mar 19, 2008
Albarado had been riding Denis of Cork, who is now scheduled to run April 5 in either the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct or the Illinois Derby at Hawthorne after bypassing last Saturday's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn ... Albarado also was the most recent rider for Carroll's other Kentucky Derby prospect, Blackberry Road, who will run in the Illinois Derby or one week later in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn ... Mott also made a rider change with Z Humor, who will run in the Illinois Derby. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Pyro moves to front of Run for Roses ranking Mar 17, 2008
"We're hoping this Truck stops in Louisville,'' said Fein, who bought Big Truck for $90,000 last year.Two other Derby preps Saturday produced new prospects.-Georgie Boy beat Gayego by three-quarters of a length in the San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, and moves into the rankings at No. 8 after his third straight stakes victory.-Sierra Sunset captured the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park by three lengths, with favorite Z Fortune a disappointing fifth and Anak Nakal, another Zito trainee,... (MSNBC -- Sports)
