What about our Shelby County raised home bred MOR CHANCES? He ran a bang up 3rd in the Grade III Westchester Stake going one mile at Belmont Park today. This coming off four stake wins in a row in New York taking his earnings to $381,182.

Must be the grass.

All you have to do is pick the winner of Derby 135. __________________________________

In case of a tie, the tie breakers will be as follows:

 1)name the horse that runs dead last (according to DRF official chart) whether they finish or not (or your pick is closest to last)_______________________________________________

2)If needed the second tie breaker is the person who also has the Derby 135 Exacta.____________________________________________________________________

3)If needed the third tie breaker is the person who also chooses the horse that runs 3rd.________________________________________________________________________

The prize for this contest is a free months training for the month of May 2009 with Michael E. Lauer Racing Stables, Inc., for one horse you own or the percent of one horse you own. This does not include vet, blacksmith, vanning, trainer/stable stakes etc.. This is good for the daily training fee only.

In case you are the winner and you are not smart enough to have a horse in training with me at this time or anytime during the month of May 2009, you will win lunch for two in the clubhouse of your choice at either Churchill Downs, Indiana Downs, Hoosier Park or if you are an Ellis Park Fan, lunch on Hot-dog Sunday. (excluding Derby Day)

Entries must be emailed to me by noon on Saturday May 2, 2009.Only one entry per person. Melracing@aol.com

The race draws approximately noon on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Since most of you have been handicapping this for 3 months, 3 days should be no problem to make your picks.  Below are some possible choices!

Regal Ransom, Pioneer of the Nile, Square Eddie, I Want Revenge, Papa Clem, Desert Party, General Quarters, Friesan Fire, Musket Man, Hold Me Back, West Side Bernie, Chocolate Candy, Win Willy, Advice, Dunkirk, Mine That Bird, Flying Private, Mr. Hot Stuff, Summer Bird, Join in the Dance, Take the Points, Atomic Rain, Just a Coincidence, Conservative

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/racing-information/top-20

They still say there are going to be Twenty in the Derby. Giant Oak decided not to come, which is probably a smart move. I think he is a nice horse and why chop him up. I commend Chris Block for making a tough decision. He will probably be a star in Chicago this summer. Remember half of these won't run the rest of the year and some never after the Derby.

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2009/news/2009/04/13/official-graded-earnings-list-updated-april-13

Here is the link to the list of Graded Stakes Earnings as of 4/13/09 with only two races left to run before Derby. The $300,000 Lexington Stake (4/18) at Keeneland and The Derby Trial (4/25)at Churchill Downs. So, there will still be some shuffling in the earnings order. This week Old Fashion, who had more than enough money, fractured his knee in running second in the Arkansas Derby, so he is out. Some on the list have already arrived at Churchill (Musket Man, who I have been told has lost his rider (E.Coa, who will ride General Quarters in the Derby)has picked up J. Leparoux for his mount. General Quarters has been here since three days after the Tampa Bay Derby. I Want Revenge came right from NY last week after the Wood Memorial. Baffert's horses are suppose to arrive on Tuesday. The Goldolphin horses arrived over the weekend. All  you Dunkirk fans as of now, he is in at number 18, which means he could easily be bounced this weekend. 

 Just a little note of interest:  we are going to have a little contest that will be posted on the blog next week after the Lexington Stakes has been run, just to make sure people are reading this.

Here is the link to the money earned list as of Monday, April 6, 2009 for the nineteen remaining spots. Remember the horse that won the race in England was an automatic (if they decide to run). Square Eddie is 50/50. Vineyard Haven is doubtful at best.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2009/April/05/derby-graded-earnings-april-5.aspx

Four races left to get graded earnings:

1. Bluegrass Stakes runs 4/11

2. Arkansas Derby runs 4/11

3. Lexington Stakes runs  4/18

4. Derby Trial runs 4/25