Zast: Don't be afraid to ask for Derby seconds Apr 30, 2009
Hold Me Backs keen Lanes End victory followed by a super-fast finish in the Blue Grass Stakes represents only the obvious reason to bet him. The less obvious reason is that he has the look of an improving colt, the pedigree of a legitimate router and two back-to-back finishes that were lights out by the count of the tele-timer. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Politics, luck play part in getting Derby mounts Apr 30, 2009
Still, Steve Bass couldn't help but sneak in a little shop talk while chatting with Tom McCarthy after the former high school science teacher's colt General Quarters won the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11. Bass, the agent for jockey Julien Leparoux, wasn't sure what his former teacher's plans were for the Derby. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Zast: Finishing last, losing often never felt so good Apr 30, 2009
Corey Nakatani, originally scheduled to pilot Mr. Hot Stuff, moved to Square Eddie after the son of Smart Strike ran an encouraging third in the Blue Grass Stakes. The California-based jockey, who has won over 3200 races including two Kentucky Oaks, was hoping that Square Eddie would get him to the Derby winners circle after 14 fruitless rides. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Injury Knocks Quality Road Out Of Kentucky Derby Apr 29, 2009
The colt, who finished third behind General Quarters in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11, is currently 22nd on the graded stakes earnings list for 3-year-olds. Join in the Dance is the third Todd Pletcher-trained horse in the Derby. (KERO 23, CA)
Monday works » Apr 29, 2009
Quality Road's defection allowed Join in the Dance, the fifth-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes, to advance one key spot on the graded-stakes earnings list to the number 20 position, putting him in the Derby field. But Join in the Dance had even more good fortune on Monday, when he was able to avoid the remnants of a horrible early-morning accident at Churchill Downs that happened as he was working out. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Hold Me Back, Square Eddie work Apr 28, 2009
Hold Me Back is coming off a second-place finish to General Quarters in the Blue Grass Stakes. Daily Racing Form caught him going five furlongs in 1:01. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Aiken-trained colt will sit out Apr 28, 2009
Quality Road's scratch bumped Join in the Dance -- the fifth-place finisher in the Blue Grass Stakes on April 11 -- into the 20-horse Derby field and gives trainer Todd Pletcher another shot at reaching the infield winner's circle at Churchill Downs. Pletcher is 0-for-21 in the first jewel of the Triple Crown. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Horse Racing & Derby Preps: Advice is all nice in Lexington run Apr 19, 2009
Blue Grass Stakes winner General Quarters will be ridden by Julien Leparoux in the Kentucky Derby. General Quarters surprised the field in the Blue Grass with Eibar Coa aboard, but owner/trainer Tom McCarthy decided to give the Derby start to Leparoux after Coa refused to commit to General Quarters for the Derby. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Redemption time for former 3-year-old stars Apr 18, 2009
Monba won the 2008 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Adriano won the 2008 Lane's End Stakes. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Trainer: Mafaaz won't run in Kentucky Derby Apr 17, 2009
Mafaaz moved into McLaughlin's barn this week after finishing a disappointing eighth in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on Saturday. He had clinched an automatic Derby berth by winning the Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park last month. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
Leparoux to ride General Quarters in Derby Apr 16, 2009
Julien Leparoux has secured the Derby mount on Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner General Quarters, agent Steve Bass confirmed Wednesday. General Quarters, the one-horse stable of owner-trainer Tom McCarthy, was ridden to a 14-1 victory in the Blue Grass by Eibar Coa, who has opted instead to ride Musket Man, winner of the Tampa Bay Derby and Illinois Derby. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Derby's Sweetheart Apr 16, 2009
Tom McCarthy, a 75-year-old retired high school principal, won Saturday's Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland with General Quarters, whom he claimed last year for $20,000. General Quarters has made 10 starts in less than a year with McCarthy, who also trains the colt, and has steadily improved. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
* Sports Briefs Apr 13, 2009
In another Derby prep, General Quarters captured the Grade I, US$750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. BASEBALL. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Jones down to one Derby contender Apr 13, 2009
In Saturday's other big Kentucky Derby prep, General Quarters won the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Now this is Jones' last shot. (Erie Times-News, PA)
General Quarters rebounds Apr 12, 2009
The 3-year-old colt overtook pacesetter Join in the Dance at the top of the stretch, then held off favorite Hold Me Back by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes yesterday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. General Quarters, owned and trained by retired Louisville principal Thomas McCarthy and ridden by Eibar Coa, covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49. (Boston Globe)
Owner sees lifelong dream come true with Blue Grass win Apr 12, 2009
General Quarters, ridden by jockey Eibar Coa, charges toward the finish line to win the Grade I Blue Grass Stakes ... Longshot General Quarters won the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes by 1 convincing lengths on Saturday at Keeneland Race Course, and his emotion-charged triumph reminded everyone of what Thoroughbred racing is all about. (USA Today -- Sports)
Horse Racing: General Quarters wins Blue Grass Apr 12, 2009
General Quarters roared past leader Join in the Dance at the top of the stretch, then held off favorite Hold Me Back by 1 1/2 lengths to win the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes yesterday at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky. and stamp his 75-year-old trainer as the feel-good story for next month's Derby. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
HORSE RACING Apr 12, 2009
The 3-year-old colt overtook pacesetter Join in the Dance at the top of the stretch, then held off favorite Hold Me Back by 1 lengths to win the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday at Keeneland. General Quarters, owned and trained by retired Louisville educator Thomas McCarthy and ridden by Eibar Coa, covered the 11 8 miles on Keenelands Polytrack in 1:49. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Morning leadoff Apr 11, 2009
and SAME-DAY TAPE: Blue Grass Stakes, at Lexington, Ky. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Sports lineup Apr 11, 2009
NTRA, Arkansas Derby, (T) Blue Grass Stakes, ESPN2, 6 p.m.. LACROSSE. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Old Fashioned gets a shot at redemption in Arkansas Derby Apr 11, 2009
We are now almost out of time in terms of Derby preps with the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes today. Oh, there are candidates. (Boston Globe)
TVG Comes Out Of Gate With Sportvision At Blue Grass Stakes Apr 11, 2009
TVG will sport the technology company's virtual graphics during its April 11 coverage of the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland from noon to 6 p.m. ... Moreover, similar to the start of a NASCAR race, the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland will also mark the debut of virtual starting grids -- jockey silks -- whereby TVG will virtually showcase each respective jockey, complete with colors and any additional pertinent information, as they move into the starting gates ... "TVG is committed to providing... (Multichannel News)
Rebellion goes for Commonwealth repeat Apr 11, 2009
Rebellion is one of eight older horses entered in 23rd running of the $250,000 Commonwealth, a 7-furlong Polytrack race on the Blue Grass Stakes undercard. In winning the 2008 Commonwealth under Edgar Prado, Rebellion made a sustained rally to just nip Elite Squadron. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Blue Grass Stakes » Apr 10, 2009
Blue Grass Stakes scouting report - ESPN ... Blue Grass Stakes scouting report. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Blue Grass may answer questions for Terrain Apr 10, 2009
That answer should come Saturday, when Terrain competes in a field of 11 in the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. "I would love to have a good showing," Stall says, "and a chance to take the next step.". (USA Today -- Sports)
Hold Me Back in post 10 for Blue Grass Apr 9, 2009
- Hold Me Back was assigned post 10 as the 3-1 morning-line favorite among a field of 11 3-year-olds entered Wednesday at Keeneland for the 85th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on Saturday. Theregoesjojo, the second choice at 7-2 on the morning line, was assigned post 3, while Charitable Man, the 4-1 third choice, will start from post 9 in the 1 1/8-mile Polytrack race. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Theregoesjojo to join Blue Grass Apr 8, 2009
- Theregoesjojo will run back just two weeks after finishing third to Quality Road and Dunkirk in the Florida Derby when he becomes part of a sizable field likely to clash Saturday in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland. Trainer Ken McPeek said he had numerous reasons to buck convention by wheeling back so quickly. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
DERBY DOZEN: Contenders on road to Kentucky Derby Apr 5, 2009
Next probable start: Blue Grass Stakes (April 11, Keeneland, Lexington, Ky ... Next probable start: Blue Grass Stakes or Lexington (April 18). (USA Today -- Sports)
Santa Anita Derby » Apr 4, 2009
He is expected to instead run in the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 11. Chocolate Candy, who drew the rail, has won 4 of his last 5 starts, his only loss in that streak a third-place finish behind Pioneerof the Nile and I Want Revenge in the CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
The Pamplemousse to start from outside post Apr 2, 2009
Take the Points was entered, as expected, but unless one of the top two defect from the race, Take the Points will scratch and head to Keeneland for the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes on April 11. Among the surprising entrants in the Santa Anita Derby was Z Day, a sprinter owned by Ahmed Zayat ostensibly entered as a rabbit for Zayat's Pioneerof the Nile. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Illinois Derby at Hawthorne next for Giant Oak Mar 29, 2009
Provided the weather cooperates, Giant Oak will join the field for the Illinois Derby next Saturday rather than race at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes, trainer Chris Block said. Giant Oak worked five furlongs in 1:01 over a sloppy track at Fair Grounds on Saturday. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Take the Points changes plans Mar 26, 2009
- The presence of both Pioneerof the Nile and The Pamplemousse in the Grade 1, $750,000 Santa Anita Derby on April 4 is causing trainer Todd Pletcher to re-route Take the Points to the Grade 1, $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 11. Take the Points most recently finished a distant second to The Pamplemousse in the Sham Stakes. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Lane's End » Mar 22, 2009
In Mott's absence at Turfway, Elliott Walden, the former trainer who serves as racing manager for WinStar, said afterward the colt probably would be pointed to the April 11 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, with the May 2 Derby "definitely on our minds.". Hold Me Back finished 1 1/8 miles in 1:49. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Hot Cha Cha cruises in Bourbonette at Turfway Mar 22, 2009
Two years ago, Silverton Hill Farm and trainer Darrin Miller sent out Dominican to back-to-back wins in the Rushaway Stakes and Blue Grass Stakes. That parlay is alive again this year after Cliffy's Future ($16. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
No favorite for Derby yet Mar 21, 2009
"If one of them got lucky and won the race, it would be very much on my mind to bring him to the Blue Grass Stakes," said Gosden before the Challenge. "I think they should prove themselves with another race.". (Boston Globe)
Mafaaz Wins » Mar 19, 2009
Wearing blinkers for the first time in his brief career, Mafaaz barely outlasted Spring of Fame in a desperate finish to the $115,000 Kentucky Derby Challenge at Kempton Park on Wednesday night to earn himself a place in the Run for the Roses, but he could go first in the Blue Grass Stakes on a Polytrack surface similar to that at Kempton ... "I've got an eye on the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, which would provide him with a big opportunity ahead of the Derby," Gosden told The Sporting Life... (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Mafaaz earns automatic bid to Kentucky Derby Mar 19, 2009
"He could well go straight to Churchill Downs. On the other hand he could well run in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, which we nominated him to about a month ago," the trainer said. "That race is about the middle of April and that race is in Kentucky so it's a van ride down the road to Louisville. "They've got to take to the track but he's handled this one very well. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- More)
N.O.-born trainer Brothers to retire Mar 10, 2009
" Pulpit won the Fountain of Youth and Blue Grass Stakes in 1997. Hansel won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1991. Other high-class horses trained by Brothers include Madcap Escapade, First Samurai, Beal Street Blues, Mighty and Arch. Mighty won the Louisiana Derby in 2000, and Arch won the Super Derby in 1998 -- victories that Brothers said were particularly satisfying because of their significance in Louisiana. He said he'd liked to stay in racing in some capacity, perhaps as a part-time... (Nola.com -- Sports)
Derby trail twists, turns after Fountain, Sham Mar 3, 2009
Theregoesjojo, second in the Fountain of Youth, will come back in either the Florida Derby or await the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 11, trainer Ken McPeek said. Beethoven, third in the Fountain of Youth, will run next in the Florida Derby, trainer John T. Ward Jr. said. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Sheikh hopes Dubai is right path to Derby Feb 28, 2009
It is the reason the Southwest at Oaklawn in Arkansas, the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct in New York, and the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in Kentucky also draw special interest ... Midshipman will make his 3-year-old debut Thursday in the Al Bastakiya Stakes, while Desert Party's next effort is likely to be in the UAE Derby, with a possible appearance in the Blue Grass Stakes in April as his final Derby tuneup. (Boston Globe)
Cowboy Cal adds Strub to stakes triumphs Feb 7, 2009
Global Hunter, the winner of the restricted Lure Stakes here in October, finished second, a length in front of Monba, the winner of the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes in 2008. The Thunder Road was Monba's first start since a 20th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby last May. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
Sore shins put Square Eddie on shelf Feb 7, 2009
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Monba won the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland last April in an 8-1 upset. The Thunder Road will be Monba's first start on turf, if the race stays on that surface. (ESPN -- Horse Racing)
