Yesterday was a BIG day of racing as part of the Derby and Oaks preps! Here is just a little sample of the tasty races that were run yesterday. The Fairgrounds in New Orleans had major race cards! Pyro wove his way through traffic and proved that he is a steely top contender for the Derby by winning the $600,000 Louisiana Derby
.Proud Spell finally beat Indian Blessing in her third attempt at the task by winning the $400,000 Louisiana Oaks. Indian Blessing led most of the way and fought to go even faster with her jockey, but Proud Spell tucked herself neatly behind IB and then went wide and around to get past her at the end. Indian Blessing's trainer said that they are both fabulous girls, but that the better girl won on that day! Wasn't that a nice thing to say!
Circular Quay just beat Grasshopper in the $500,000 Louisiana Handicap, which is especially nice because last year CQ won the Louisiana Derby as part of his Derby preparations. He has good fortune in New Orleans.
In other places around the states, Visionaire ran through pea soup heavy fog to win the $250,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, and Ariege won the $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks.
It's looking like Pyro, War Pass, El Gato Malo, Denis of Cork and Colonel John are going to be Derby favorites, though I am putting my heart on Pyro and El Gato Malo. And among the girls, well, it's anyone's guess who will be the lady of the day between Indian Blessing, Proud Spell, and Country Star!
These are AP photos taken by Bill Haber right after Pyro's win in the LA Derby! Doesn't his jockey, Shaun Bridgmohan, look happy!