Steve Sherack… at the Kentucky Derby

Live from Louisville… 
   After getting slammed by thunderstorms throughout the day Monday, a humid and overcast morning with temperatures in the mid-60s greeted the GI Kentucky Derby/Oaks hopefuls at Churchill Downs yesterday. 
   Curiosity got the better of impressive GI Toyota Blue Grass S. hero Dance With Fate (Two Step Salsa), who poked his head out of his stall to check on a small media contingent gathering outside of Barn 42 shortly after 7:30 a.m. 
   Trainer Dallas Stewart took a break from the action to take a photo with a group of fans on the backstretch before returning to the shedrow. Stewart was represented by 34-1 Derby runner-up Golden Soul (Perfect Soul {Ire}) in 2013. The former D. Wayne Lukas assistant returns with another live longshot in GII Louisiana Derby third Commanding Curve (Master Command) this year. 
   The large crowd in attendance continued to quickly multiply by the minute as the private 8:30-8:45 a.m. training session for Derby/Oaks horses rapidly approached. Considering the amount of rain that fell in the Louisville area Monday, the track appeared to be in immaculate condition. 
   Ride On Curlin (Curlin)–second in the GI Arkansas Derby–was proudly led onto the track by trainer Billy Gowan (sporting a cowboy hat, of course) and calmly set up shop near the chute. The hard-knocking bay gave New York-bredUncle Sigh (Indian Charlie) a long stare down as that one went by with his flashy Wounding Warrior yellow and purple-hearted blinkers. 
   Champion 2-year-old filly She's a Tiger (Tale of the Cat), slated to make her sophomore debut in the seven-furlong GIII Eight Belle S. Friday, made a nice entrance while Ride On Curlin got down to business under a very tight hold by his exercise rider throughout his preparations. 
   The aforementioned and now tongue-tied Dance With Fate was hard to miss with his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he entered the track for the first time upon his arrival from the Golden State. If physical appearance is anything to go by, fellow Californian Candy Boy (Candy Ride {Arg}) gave every indication that he's ready to put behind his disappointing third in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Longtime Bob Baffert assistant Jimmy Barnes kept a close eye on Chitu (Henny Hughes) while ponying the GIII Sunland Derby hero, who was very much on his toes. 
   Blue Grass runner-up Medal Count (Dynaformer) began his day by jogging the wrong way along the outer rail. Like every other Dale Romans trainee you see on the racetrack, he looked to be carrying his flesh quite well. Although currently on the outside looking in on the AE's, Blue Grass fourth Big Bazinga (Bluegrass Cat) was easy to spot on the track with his braided mane. 
   Harry's Holiday (Harlan's Holiday), very likely the longest shot on the board Saturday, may've been the only one handling the humid temps worse than me. Already noticeably lathered up, the narrow GIII Spiral S. runner-up entered the track just as the private training session ended at approximately 8:50 a.m. 
   Trainer Gary Contessa led Uncle Sigh–now with his blinkers removed–through the backstretch as 
team Starlight, including Jack Wolf and Frankie Brothers, dropped off a few passengers from a nearby car. Starlight will be well-represented in the big one by GII Risen Star S. hero Intense Holiday (Harlan's Holiday) as well as General A Rod (Roman Ruler) after purchasing a stake in the GI Florida Derby third-place finisher earlier this week. 
   A large group gathered around trainer Art Sherman for a media briefing adjacent Barn 20 at 9 a.m. The affable 77-year-old's streaking GI Santa Anita Derby hero California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) got his first look at the Twin Spires just before 7 a.m. 
  Just a short walk away, it was bath time for GI Twinspires.com Wood Memorial S. hero Wicked Strong (Hard Spun), who came out of the barn sporting a blue blanket. Owner Don Little Jr. of Centennial Farms and trainer Jimmy Jerkens met the press as the handsome bay took in some sunshine as the action packed morning began to wind down. Click here for Tuesday's photo page.