Nevin getting ride of her life aboard Big Brown
She's been all over, from Dubai to Kentucky, following standout thoroughbreds and making them follow her lead. A daughter of a jockey/trainer and a granddaughter of a trainer, Michelle Nevin of Fehard, County Tipperary, was born for it. Like so many Irish, she inherited the horse gene.
For the past "six or seven" years, Nevin, 30, has been a key member of Rick Dutrow's powerful stable, yet only racing insiders knew her name. In the mornings she rode 2005 Horse of the Year Saint Liam and fellow Breeders' Cup winners Silver Train and Kip Deville, but fame comes only to those who get on them in the afternoons. Then along came Big Brown, who turned Nevin into a minor celebrity. Hardly a day goes by when she's not photographed and videotaped with the 3-year-old superstar.
When they met in late November at Palm Meadows training center in South Florida, it was instant attraction. Dutrow had said she would love the 2-year-old colt, and she did. Not only was he a major talent, he was easy to get along with.
"He's a good boy, very relaxed, very affectionate. A little kid could ride him," Nevin said, her love for "Brownie" sparkling in her striking blue eyes. "You just put your hands on him and he'll do whatever you want."
Before coming to New York after finishing high school, Nevin dreamed of riding professionally. "I wanted to be a jockey, but that wasn't going to happen for me," she said in her Irish accent. "I was too big."
So she did the next-best thing, and her first employer here was trainer Leo O'Brien, a fellow Irish immigrant. She also exercised horses for her dad, Michael Nevin, and Kiaran McLaughlin before freelancing for a few years. Then she connected with Dutrow, who regards her horsemanship so highly that he sent her to Dubai with two stakes runners in March while he stayed in Florida with Big Brown.
On March 29, Dutrow had the most lucrative day of his career, and his assistant trainer was responsible for two-thirds of it. Nevin saddled Diamond Stripes to take the $1-million Godolphin Mile and sprinter Benny the Bull in the $2-million Golden Shaheen at Nad al Sheba. "That was an incredible night," she said. "To win with both of them in those surroundings was brilliant."
About six hours later, Big Brown cruised in the $1-million Florida Derby, putting him among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby. You know how that one turned out, and the Preakness looked even easier. Early last Saturday, Dutrow had Nevin give Big Brown a short blowout through Pimlico's stretch. Twelve hours later, he won for Kent Desormeaux by 5 1/4 lengths under wraps. As co-owner Michael Iavarone said, "Michelle thought the workout in the morning was tougher than the one in the afternoon."
Two days later, after almost six months in Florida, Louisville and Baltimore, plus that side trip halfway around the world, Nevin finally returned to New York. After Big Brown's rock- star welcome at Belmont Park, his constant companion walked beside him and got him settled into stall 8 of Barn 2. She took him around Big Sandy the past three mornings, galloping 1 1/2 miles Friday at 5:30, as preparations began for the Belmont Stakes June 7.
Big Brown isn't the first mainstream hero Nevin has ridden. In her midteens she exercised Rough Quest, the 1996 Irish-bred winner of the world's greatest steeplechase, the Grand National in Aintree, England. That 4 1/2-mile demolition derby makes the 1 1/2-mile Belmont seem like an extended sprint. The Irish are crazy about the jumpers and revere National winners. Perhaps only sweeping the American classics would impress the folks in Fehard more.
"It would be unbelievable to get all the way through," Nevin said. "To have a horse who wins the Triple Crown would be the thrill of a lifetime, and every day I think about it."
She has plenty of company.
Copyright (c) 2008, Newsday Inc
Field for 133rd Preakness Stakes in flux
Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Additions and subtractions continue as the field for this year's Preakness Stakes takes shape. Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown may only see one other starter from the Run for the Roses.
As of Tuesday afternoon there were seven confirmed starters for the 1 3/16 mile race: Big Brown; Behindatthebar; Giant Moon; Kentucky Bear; Stevil; Tres Borrachos and Yankee Bravo. A decision has not been made regarding Recapturethglory, fifth in the Kentucky Derby.
El Gato Malo, a winner of three of five career races, is now being pointed toward this Saturday's Lone Star Derby in Texas. Terry Finley, founder and President of West Point Thoroughbreds, made the announcement Tuesday morning.
"The decision certainly had to do with Big Brown's performance," Finley said. "We are probably going to be 8-5 in Texas and 15-1 at Pimlico. He is a gelding and we are really focused on earning with this horse so that worked into the decision. If he were a colt and eventually a stallion we probably would be headed to the Preakness."
Finley indicated that Derby Trial winner Macho Again is now possible for the Preakness, depending on the field size.
"We'll see how he trains but he seems to have come out of the Derby Trial in fine fashion," added Finley. "It is not out of the question. We'll keep track of the Preakness field."
If he does not run in the second leg of racing's Triple Crown, Macho Again would travel to suburban Cleveland on May 31 for the Ohio Derby at Thistledown.
Lexington Stakes runner Riley Tucker is now a Preakness probable. Trained by Bill Mott, Riley Tucker was third to Behindatthebar in the Lexington. In seven lifetime starts he has been in the money six times. Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado would have the mount on Riley Tucker.
Recapturetheglory's co-owner Ronnie Lamarque said from New Orleans on Tuesday that he and Louie Roussel, the trainer and co-owner, were "still thinking about the Preakness." Like the connections of Macho Again, Lamarque is concerned with the size of the field for the Preakness.
"Louie and Ronnie are still talking about it," said Lara Van Deren, assistant to Roussel who also serves as Recapturetheglory's exercise rider. "They want to see how many horses are likely to be in there before they make a decision."
Lamrque and Roussel won the Preakness Stakes in 1988 with Risen Star.
(c)2008 The Sports Network. All Rights Reserved.
Run for the Roses hitting its stride
In his 1970 article "The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved," gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson points out the grassy infield at Churchill Downs to English artist Ralph Steadman before the race.
"That whole thing... will be jammed with people, fifty thousand or so, and most of them staggering drunk. It's a fantastic scene - thousands of people fainting, crying... and fighting with broken whiskey bottles."
On Saturday, the overserved in the infield will stumble about, one of the few sure things during the Run for the Roses. But in many ways, the late journalist would be stunned at how the annual horse race in his hometown has become a sober story of business success.
True, the Derby has always been popular, as the first leg of the Triple Crown and as one of the harbingers of spring. But it has truly hit its stride in the past few years.
In 2006, Yum Brands became the first presenting sponsor in the race's 132-year history, signing a five-year pact and paying millions of dollars for the privilege (which includes a logo on the Churchill Downs grandstand). Visa, once the title sponsor of the the sport's Triple Crown - the Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes - dropped that decade-long association and signed a pact as the exclusive credit card for Kentucky Derby tickets.
And with secondary ticket markets growing, prices are soaring. At Ticketsnow.com, the Kentucky Derby garnered the 10th-hottest ticket price in the secondary market in 2007 at an average of $817.06, when more than 156,000 fans - the third-highest total ever - crowded Churchill Downs. The $817.06 figure was only pennies away from the cost of a Boston-Colorado World Series game last fall, according to data compiled by SportsBusiness Daily. On Stubhub.com a week before this year's race, first row Turf Club tickets were being offered for more than $8,000 apiece (parking not included). Of course, a general admission seat is a little cheaper ($40 at the gate Saturday).
Even the machines that once replaced horses as modes of transportation are latching onto the Derby. Earlier this month, International became the official truck of the Kentucky Derby. And the Derby enjoyed an injection of horsepower from NASCAR last year. In a race at the Talladega Superspeedway just before the one in Louisville, Dale Jarrett's car featured a Kentucky Derby paint scheme to promote the brand, which is hotter than ever. According to Forbes Magazine, the Kentucky Derby is the eighth-most-valuable sports brand in the world, ahead of even the World Series and the NBA Finals.
How did a two-minute horse race achieve such cachet?
"It's certainly a tradition, and it's like the Super Bowl in terms of rarity," said Kerry Slatkoff, vice president of Ketchum Sports Network. "That rarity helps develop the cachet.
"Part of the value gets developed around the experience. You look at the people who come for the all-day experience, not just the two-minute race. There's the drama of it with jockeys and horses combined with legal betting, which is not widespread across other sports. It has become such a huge celebrity draw."
So much so that Billy Bush of "Access Hollywood" will host a red carpet event during NBC's prerace coverage, similar to the chitchat that occurs with celebrities before the Oscars. In fact, NBC Sports, which achieved its best ratings since 2001 during last year's race, is adding 30 minutes to its prerace coverage on Saturday.
Two years ago, wagering on the Derby hit a record $118.4 million, a figure almost surpassed during the 2007 race. This year, plenty of money will be bet on Big Brown, who looks to be the favorite at post time. Women in wide-brimmed hats will sip the Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, which has been "The Official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby" for two decades, and cheer on the thoroughbreds during the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands, the race's official name.
Though Thompson would likely lambaste the recent kowtowing to business interests as proof that "greedheads" were running the show, he would be heartened by one bit of news. On April 22, Churchill Downs chose Herradura as the official tequila for this year's Derby. In the land of whiskey, it's quite unexpected to snare a tequila sponsor, a first for the venerable race. If the Good Doctor were alive, no doubt he'd enjoy a few shots and ensure the Derby once again was decadent and depraved.
(c) 2008 MSNBC Interactive
Pletcher still mulling Derby decision for Behindatthebar
Trainer Todd Pletcher will make the call on whether Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) winner Behindatthebar proceeds to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), according to majority owner Satish Sanan.
Initially after the Lexington on April 19, Pletcher and Sanan said they were more likely to focus on the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 17, particularly since the Derby would be his third start in 30 days.
Pletcher began considering the Derby more seriously early this week.
"Todd won't make up his mind," Sanan said on Friday. "Right after the race we didn't think we would go [to the Derby] because it was too short on time. He said the horse has a lot of energy and is doing real good, so he wants to work the horse and then make the call."
Sanan's Padua Stables races Behindatthebar in partnership with Donald Stanley and Michael Shustek. The Forest Wildcat colt won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race on April 3 at Santa Anita Park before shipping to Keeneland Race Course for the Lexington.
Padua also was the majority owner of 2004 Lexington winner Quintons Gold Rush, who finished last in the Derby.
"If it was a very strong field for the Derby, we would probably stay with our plan,'" Sanan said. "It's a weak Derby. Apart from one or two horses, I think all the others are outsiders, including us. I think anyone can win, so we will only run if Todd says the horse is doing real good and we should take a shot."
Pletcher also has Monba and Cowboy Cal, the top two finishers in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), on course for the Derby. All three are stabled at Keeneland.
(c) Copyright 2008, Thoroughbred Times.
Commonwealth: Storm Military Tries Poly
Storm Military, last year's champion miler in Argentina, looks to get his first graded stakes victory on American soil, as the 6-year-old lines up against nine rivals in the $400,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. II) April 12 at Keeneland.
The Commonwealth is a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old and up on the Polytrack and will be run on the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) undercard.
Owned by Castleton Lyons and La Biznaga, Storm Military will make his first start on a synthetic surface in the Commonwealth. The son of Bernstein has made all but three of his 14 lifetime starts on turf, and all five of his U.S. efforts have been on grass.
Since shipping to the states last fall, Storm Military has raced five times, with a 2-1-0 record for trainer Bobby Frankel. His 5-year-old debut resulted in a stakes win Feb. 2 on the Santa Anita turf, as he captured the one-mile Thunder Road Handicap by three lengths under Garrett Gomez. Most recently, Storm Military led for a half-mile in the March 1 Frank Kilroe Mile Handicap (gr. IT), but weakened to finish fourth.
Breaking from post three under Gomez, Storm Military should be the pacesetter in the Commonwealth, and will look for his ninth win in 15 career efforts. He had a pair of group I wins in Argentina.
Storm Military will face a pair of graded stakes winners in Buffalo Man and Xchanger. Rick Pitino and Clint Glasscock's Buffalo Man is coming off a disappointing ninth-place effort March 8 in the Mervin Muniz Memorial Handicap (gr. IIT) at Fair Grounds, but was very impressive while winning in his 4-year-old debut one start prior, getting up by a half-length in the Appleton Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27.
Trained by Cam Gambolati, Buffalo Man is a son of El Prado--Perfect Six, by Saratoga Six. Bred in Canada by Adena Springs, the bay colt is a consistent 6-2-1 from 12 lifetime starts. Like Storm Military, he will make his Polytrack debut.
Domenico Zannino's Xchanger has not raced since finishing fourth in the Nov. 24 Hill 'n' Dale Cigar Mile (gr. I) at Aqueduct. Prior to that, the 4-year-old son of Exchange Rate was 34 lengths back in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Oct. 27 at Monmouth Park. Those two efforts prompted trainer Mark Shuman to give the Florida-bred some time off.
Xchanger has a pair of graded stakes wins to his credit, having captured Monmouth Park's Sapling (gr. III) as a 2-year-old and the Barbaro Stakes (gr. III) last July at Delaware Park. Xchanger was eighth in the 2007 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).
Medzendeekron and Doppio, a pair of challengers coming off allowance wins on Santa Anita's Cushion Track, Rebellion, who was second in the Phoenix (gr. III) last fall at Keeneland, and Forefathers, a tenth-place finisher in the 2007 TVG Breeders Cup Sprint (gr. I), are also in the field.
$400,000 Commonwealth Stakes (gr. II, Race 8, 4:40 p.m.), Three-Year-Olds & Up, Seven Furlongs (Polytrack)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Xchanger (FL), 118, Jamie Theriot
2. Papa Bear (KY), 118, Michael C. Baze
3. Storm Military (ARG), 120, Garrett K. Gomez
4. Buffalo Man (ON), 120, Jose Lezcano
5. Elite Squadron (KY), 118, John R. Velazquez
6. Rebellion (GB), 118, Edgar S. Prado
7. Medzendeekron (CA), 120, Eibar Coa
8. Forefathers (KY), 118, Kent J. Desormeaux
9. Doppio (KY), 118, Rafael Bejarano
10. Thousand Words (GB), 118, Javier Castellano
Copyright (c) 2008 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Recapturetheglory another late Triple Crown nominee
Recapturetheglory, a maiden winner entered in Saturday's Illinois Derby (G2), has been added to the list of late nominees for the Triple Crown series.
With the addition, 11 three-year-olds were made eligible to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), Preakness Stakes (G1), and Belmont Stakes (G1) for the $6,000 late nomination fee.
The late entries push the total number of nominations to 460, equaling a record set last year.
Louie Roussel III trains Recapturetheglory, a Cherokee Run colt bred in Kentucky by Charles Jacobi. Roussel owns Recapturetheglory in partnership with Ronald Lamarque.
(c) Copyright 2008, Thoroughbred Times
Preakness Stakes highlights Pimlico stakes schedule
The 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes (G1), the 1 3/16-mile race for three-year-olds on May 17 that is the second race in the Triple Crown, and the return of the Pimlico Special Handicap (G1) highlight a 27-race stakes schedule worth a combined $3.465-million that will be run at Pimlico Race Course.
The Baltimore, Maryland, track will open its 31-day live meet on April 17. Racing continues through June 7.
The Pimlico Special, a 1 3/16-mile race for older horses that will be run on May 16, was canceled last year for the second time in six years because of a lack of available purse money. Previously a $500,000 race, the purse for the Pimlico Special has been reduced to $250,000.
"I think it is a very important part of Preakness weekend," Maryland Jockey Club President Chris Dragone said. "In a perfect world, I would love for it to be the half-million dollar race it was two years ago. But right now, we are in a position where we need to take small steps and play the hand we are dealt. That means a $250,000 purse."
With the Pimlico Special returning to the stakes lineup, track officials elected not to card the $100,000 William Donald Schaefer Handicap (G3), a 1 1/8-mile race for older horses.
Sixteen of Pimlico's stakes races, including all nine graded races, are slated for Preakness weekend. Ten stakes races will be run on Preakness day.
"We are always thrilled to go back to Pimlico in the spring. It is our signature meet of the year," Dragone said. "Pimlico is a special place with a tremendous amount of history as the second-oldest track in the country. We are excited about the potential of the meet moving forward. It could end up being similar to Del Mar and Saratoga [Race Course]."
(c) Copyright 2008, Thoroughbred Times
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