Lights…Camera…Action

By Steve Sherack

   On a much more comfortable morning with cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-50s following another round of heavy overnight showers, GI Kentucky Derby favorite California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) navigated his way through the Churchill Downs backstretch at 6:45 a.m. 
   With the track lights still on shortly before daybreak, the GI Santa Anita Derby hero took in his surroundings near a packed wooden clocker stand without turning a hair while receiving plenty of love from regular exercise rider Willy Delgado. After about a 15-minute schooling session in the paddock, the flashy chestnut returned to the muddy main track to the familiar sound of clicking cameras as he cruised down the backstretch. Back at Barn 20, California Chrome was at the center of attention once again and seemed to love every second of it, turning his head and checking out all of the media and fans watching and recording his every move during bath time. Trainer Art Sherman seemed to be taking in the moment as well, flashing a nice smile while closely monitoring his star pupil alongside his son and assistant Alan. 
   The GI Kentucky Oaks 4-5 morning-line favorite Untapable (Tapit) made her way onto the track at 7:40 a.m. while accompanied by trainer Steve Asmussen via stable pony. After appearing every bit on the muscle during Tuesday afternoon's paddock schooling session, the bay seemed to go about her business with a much more calm demeanor during yesterday morning's routine gallop and subsequent schooling later in the day. 
   During a quick walk through the barn area, trainer Chip Woolley kindly stopped to take pictures with a group of fans. “It's hard to believe that it's been five years already,” he said of Mine That Bird's shocking 50-1 upset in the 2009 Run for the Roses. 
   The track continued to dry out nicely throughout the morning and looked ready to roll following the 8:15 a.m. harrowing break. With ominous dark clouds hovering over the Twin Spires, the private training session for Derby/Oaks contestants was underway at 8:35 a.m. 
   Ria Antonia (Rockport Harbor), heroine of last term's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies via DQ, bounced on the track nicely with her handsome stablemate and live Derby contender Hoppertunity (Any Given Saturday) in close pursuit. Both are trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. 
   The Todd Pletcher quartet of Danza (Street Boss), Intense Holiday (Harlan's Holiday),Vinceremos (Pioneerof the Nile) and We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller) returned to the track after walking the shedrow Tuesday. If there was any doubt whether the lightly raced Danza was a legit contender following his 41-1 upset in the GI Arkansas Derby, the cleverly named chestnut gave every indication that he's sitting on another dynamite performance after turning in a visually impressive gallop. 
   Southern California-based trainer Peter Eurton–sporting a blue L.A. Dodgers cap–snapped pics with his camera phone of the popular GI Blue Grass S. hero Dance With Fate (Two Step Salsa) while standing on the track against the outer rail alongside co-owner Joe Ciaglia. 
   It was nearly impossible to miss the super game Wildcat Red (D'wildcat) go by with his yellow bridle and reins, not to mention his exercise rider's yellow and blue vest. West Point Thoroughbreds' Terry Finley looked on as GII Louisiana Derby third-place finisher and potential upsetter Commanding Curve (Master Command) hugged the rail nicely during his gallop. 
   Stonestreet principal Barbara Banke and advisor John Moynihan were also on hand as the action began to wind down Wednesday morning. While the gold and burgundy won't be carried in either the Derby or Oaks, Banke's operation will still have a solid rooting interest with the Stonestreet-bred Medal Count (Dynaformer) in the Derby. Click here for Wednesday's Photo Page.