TWO OUT OF THREE AIN’T BAD

If you’re looking for racing action leading up to the Kentucky Derby, HMDC and partners Taste of Victory Stable we had plenty at Thistledown, while climbing up every rung of the racing condition ladder. Right now we are batting 66% and have a big swing on Derby Day.

Trainer Megan Fadlovich is out of the gate fast at Thistledown batting 1,000%

Monday 4/28 – COMMISSIONER D. - “Class Relief,” the Megan Fadlovich-trained miss entered the claiming ranks for the first time and donned full blinkers while facing Accredited-Ohio foes for $20,800. Commissioner D was bumped soundly from the outside at the start, but caps off to Anthony Nunez, who never missed a stride after the contact. Nunez guided his mount to the trouble-free four path, engaged the pacesetter, gave one left-handed tap and under brisk encouragement Commissioner D edged away as the wire approached.

Tuesday 4/29 – DR. GEORGE – We thought this $33,900 Maiden Special Weight for Accredited-breds would be interesting. The Mobil gelding was to be making his first start in 9 months, got first Lasix, added blinkers and a shadow roll, new jockey and had to break from the rail. The race was over when gates opened as Dr. George went, “From flag fall to that’s all!” He was threatened briefly inside the 1/16th pole, Nunez glanced to the inside, asked for more and Dr. George dug in gamely to hold sway.

Wednesday 4/30 – SMOKIN JOE – Trainer Mike Rone obtained the services of Thistledown’s top jock Luis Rivera for the ride in this $35,800 allowance for Accredited-breds at 5 ½ furlongs on Smokin Joe. They broke cleanly and elected to stalk the pace and while they ”…finished with good courage in the six path.” The heavily favored pacesetter never backed up and Smokin Joe rallied for the third spot.” All four of our runners this week were bred by Mapleton Thoroughbreds.

Drum roll please…..

Saturday 5/3 – LUST FOR LIFE – The $75,000 Michael C. Rowland Stakes is the local stakes on Kentucky Derby Day. If you can’t make it to Louisville, there is nothing better than being around live racing on the first Saturday in May and we hope to see you in the winner’s circle at Thistledown. Our 4-year-old gelding is going for three wins in a row. The speedy son of Cowtown Cat closed out the ’04 season at Mahoning with a $35,000 allowance win and repeated in a $36,000 allowance in his seasonal debut. Jan Aviles, who has been aboard for three of his wins, gets a leg up from Mike Rone who is back to his familiar stomping grounds after a winter training at Oaklawn Park.

The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for a 6:57 pm post time at Churchill Downs. There’s plenty of time to cash your tickets on Lust for Life, get your Derby bets down and join the Derby Party of your choice. You might even take along “The Regular Guy Derby Doings” tip sheet!