Blue Grass Stakes

Horse Racing

Filed In:

Horse Racing

Dateline: 04/10/99

The Kentucky Derby picture may not be a whole lot clearer today after the three big preps races, but it sure was an exciting day. All the favorites finished 4th or worse but some nice performances were turned in by horses that had been highly regarded.

In the Wood at Aqueduct, Nick Zito's Adonis earned a trip to Kentucky by stalking a fast early pace and drawing off in the stretch. Best of Luck rallied from far back to take second from a tiring Cliquot who lead through the early going. The favorite was Badge who finshed fourth.

 4  Adonis          $8.40  $5.10  $3.90
10  Best of Luck           $8.80  $5.60
 5  Cliquot                       $5.00

Exacta      $60.00
Trifecta   $432.50

The Arkansas Derby was a real shocker when lightly raced maiden Valhol stalked a quick early pace and then drew off to win by 4 1/2 lengths at 30-1. Third favorite Certain rallied for second and 36-1 longshot Torrid Sand rallied for third. Favorite Ecton Park and close second favorite Answer Lively finished 4th and 5th respectively.

 5  Valhol         $62.80  $18.80  $9.80
 6  Certain                 $5.20  $4.00
 3  Torrid Sand                    $6.00

Exacta      $281.60
Trifecta  $4,499.80

In the Blue Grass, the favorite was Wondertross but he didn't fire today and finished a well beaten 6th. Cat Thief and Vicar duelled most of the way through honest fractions and both remained in contention to the end finished 2nd and 3rd. Menifee stayed back in 5th and 6th place early and then rallied down the stretch to win by a length and a quarter. Another disappointment was the highly regarded Lemon Drop Kid who finished 5th. The mystery horse from Dubai looked splendid in the paddock but finished way up the track in last place which casts some doubt on Worldly Manner's prospects for the Kentucky Derby.

 8  Menifee       $17.40  $8.80  $5.40
 6  Cat Thief             $7.00  $4.60
 2  Vicar                        $3.60

Exacta     $130.60
Trifecta   $369.90

Big 3 Pick 3 (Menifee, Adonis, Valhol)  $1,797.00

Here are some photos from the Blue Grass today. Gorgeous track and even more gorgeous horses.

The beautiful paddock at Keeneland
The horses entering the paddock for the Blue Grass	Wondertross in the paddock
Cat Thief in the paddock	Vicar in the post parade
The horses pass by for the first time in the Blue Grass
Menifee in the post parade	Menifee leading in the stretch