Kentucky Derby Blog

Nehro, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby behind Animal Kingdom, will skip Saturday’s second leg of the Triple Crown and be pointed toward next month’s Belmont.

There will be no rematch between Animal Kingdom and Nehro at the Preakness.

Nehro’s owner, Ahmed Zayat, said Tuesday the decision was based on the horse’s hectic spring schedule. Although Nehro emerged well from the Derby, the Preakness would have been his fourth race in the past two months. Before competing in the Derby, Nehro was second in the Louisiana Derby on March 26 and second in the Arkansas Derby on April 16.

Despite Nehro’s absence, the race is expected to attract the maximum 14 horses — only the third time since 1991 that 14 horses have run in the Preakness.

The Maryland Jockey Club banned the tradition of allowing patrons to bring their own beer to Pimlico on the Preakness day in 2009 due to excessive drinking. It was a marketing disaster. Instead of the 112,222 people who showed up the year before on race day, only 77,850 came.

The race organizers decided they needed to, well, correct their overcorrection. This year, the Preakness Stakes unveiled “Kegasus,” an epic and legendary centaur used to promote Infieldfest at this weekend’s race.

Maryland Delegate Pat McDonough said “The campaign is infantile and another example why the horse industry is in decline. They’ve taken a great sporting event and turned it into a fraternity party.” However, ticket sales for the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday are up 17 percent from last year, and racetrack officials expect attendance to exceed 100,000 people.

Trainer Graham Motion said Animal Kingdom will return to his base at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland this Tuesday and, if he remains a go for the Preakness, likely won’t ship to Pimlico until that Friday.

Though Pimlico is considered by some a tighter track to navigate than Churchill Downs, the fact Animal Kingdom was unbelievably successful in his first start over a dirt surface Saturday gives his camp confidence in his ability to adapt.

“I have a lot of confidence in this horse, he’s the whole package,” Motion said. “I think some of the best horses are the ones who have been able to handle both surfaces, and he appears to be one of those great horses.”

There were 19 horses who ran in the Derby, and a large field seems likely for the Preakness, too. In addition to Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man (third in the Derby) and Dialed In (eighth) are definite. Shackleford (fourth) and Santiva (sixth) are possible.

Horses who did not run in the Derby, but are expected for the Preakness, include Astrology, Concealed Identity, Dance City, Flashpoint, King Congie, Norman Asbjornson, Prime Cut, and Sway Away, and possibly Mr. Commons.

Complete order of finish for the 2011 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Animal Kingdom handed trainer Graham Motion his first Kentucky Derby win.

1. Animal Kingdom
2. Nehro
3. Mucho Macho Man
4. Shackleford
5. Master of Hounds
6. Santiva
7. Brilliant Speed
8. Dialed In
9. Pants On Fire
10. Twice the Appeal
11. Soldat
12. Stay Thirsty
13. Derby Kitten
14. Decisive Moment
15. Archarcharch
16. Midnight Interlude
17. Twinspired
18. Watch Me Go
19. Comma to the Top

Animal Kingdom ridden by John Velazquez and trained by Graham Motion won the 137th Kentucky Derby. It was Animal Kingdom’s 1st race on dirt. Nehro ridden by Corey Nakatani finished 2nd, Mucho Macho Man ridden by Rajiv Maragh finished 3rd.

Here are the payouts of 2011 Kentucky Derby winners.

Exotic payouts

Watch the 137th Kentucky Derby race replay!

The 137th Kentucky Derby is only a couple of hours away and here is the live odds and post positions.

Last Updated: May 7, 2011 4:40pm EST
Pool Total: $15,245,764.69

National Weather Service hydrologist Mike Callahan says light rain is possible in Louisville – just enough to make the Churchill Downs infield muddy Saturday. Callahan says the first batch of rain could reach Louisville by late morning, with scattered showers in the afternoon.

With the Kentucky Derby 2011 post time being 6:24 EST, it looks like the odds of rain are that of a coin toss.
1 pm
* Temp: 66° F
* Chance of Rain: 60%

2 pm
* Temp: 66° F
* Chance of Rain: 35%

3 pm
* Temp: 66° F
* Chance of Rain: 15%

4 pm
* Temp: 67° F
* Chance of Rain: 60%

5 pm
* Temp: 67° F
* Chance of Rain: 50%

6 pm
* Temp: 67° F
* Chance of Rain: 50%

Running near the front for most of the race, Plum Pretty took over at the top of the stretch and held off a hard charging St. John’s River by a neck to win the Kentucky Oaks on Friday at Churchill Downs. It is Baffert’s second Oaks win with Silverbulletday in 1999

“She was supposed to bounce today and today she bounced into the winner’s circle,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “Everything worked out perfectly.”

Zazu finished third and Oaks favorite Joyful Victory finished fourth. Plum Pretty returned $14.60, $7 and $4.60. St. John’s River paid $13.20 and $7.20 in finishing 2 ½ lengths ahead of Zazu and Joel Rosario, who paid $4 to show.

The $1 million race drew a crowd of 110,122, which was the third-largest Oaks Day crowd.

The horse who has been called the best of his generation will not run in the Kentucky Derby. Uncle Mo, who was supposed to be the horse to beat in Saturday’s Run for the Roses, was scratched from the race Friday morning. The team wanted to give Uncle Mo every chance to reach the starting gate. Pletcher considers Uncle Mo the best horse he’s ever had. The owner Mike Repole said he’s 5 to 7 lengths better than anyone else.

With Uncle Mo out, the Kentucky Derby field has been reduced to 19 runners. This is the second straight year Pletcher has had a runner out of the Derby. Last year, Eskendereya was ruled out of the Derby the week before the race.

Watch the press conference by Mike Repole.

jockey Robby Albardo is being replaced on Animal Kingdom by John Velazquez. Albardo was injured during post parade on Wednesday when his mount threw him and stepped on him. He was still hoping to ride on Saturday, but today was pulled from the lineup.

Jones’ filly drew the No. 1 post position Tuesday and was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite for Friday’s $1 million, Grade I Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. Joyful Victory, who will be ridden by Mike Smith, is one of 13 fillies entered for the Oaks, scheduled for a 5:45 p.m. post time. Versus will handle the TV coverage from 5-6 p.m.

Here is the complete list of 2011 Kentucky Oaks contenders.