Draw Notes

As you probably know by now, Beautician is the last great grey hope for my fantasy stable. Therefore, getting 3 minutes alone with trainer Kenny McPeek post-Derby Draw was totally a goal for today. While every single member of the media was busy asking about Noble’s Promise and how he’d fare coming from the 3 hole, I bided my time – and got exactly what I came for.

“She scalloped a little in her work a few days ago and we rearranged her shoeing. She’s doing phenomenal and Alex [Solis] is just the jock to ride her because he’s patient. [on the morning line] 15-1 is ridiculous – she’s already beaten Blind Luck before and they made that filly 6/5.”

Scalloping is a seldom used technical McPeekism for “tiny gash made by winging one hoof into the other leg” – I’m assured by several folks that it’s a totally minor issue.

Given that I had Kenny alone for a moment, I did have to ask the Noble’s Promise question. The answer… “He just needs a target and the last 3 riders have used too much of him too soon. I’m glad I’m giving a leg up to Martinez because he’s going to have his 1 shot to live up to his Chilly Willie nickname.”

Tying it all together: consider that the last time Alex Solis rode a Derby starter from that far towards the grandstand, he got a smidge too patient and froze up on Brother Derek – a horse who needed to be sent but got caught in traffic instead and managed a strong fourth on sheer talent alone… will he make the same mistake on Sidney’s Candy in the Derby?