Frankel starts Derby week with a victory
By Associated Press,
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 27, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Midas Eyes got trainer Bobby Frankel's Kentucky Derby week off to a perfect start Saturday.
The son of Touch Gold, with Jerry Bailey aboard, took the early lead and cruised to a 21/4-length win over Champali in the $167,400 Grade III Derby Trial on the opening day of Churchill Downs' 52-day spring meet.
The Trial is the beginning of a long week for Frankel, who will saddle Empire Maker and Peace Rules in Saturday's Derby.
Peace Rules and Midas Eyes are owned by Edmund Gann and Bailey will ride Empire Maker. But Frankel wasn't thinking about omens after winning the Trial.
"He ran and now the other two have to do the running," Frankel said. "Him running well doesn't make the others run well."
Frankel will aim Midas Eyes for the Met Mile May26 at Belmont Park. The bay colt covered the mile on a fast track in 1:36.22 and earned $103,788. He paid $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10.
BAFFERT LOSES DISPUTE: Domestic Dispute, a likely starter for the Kentucky Derby, won't be running for trainer Bob Baffert. The third-place finisher in the Lexington Stakes was purchased by Californians David Bienstock and Chuck Winner from Gary Garber for an undisclosed price. Domestic Dispute, a winner in two of 10 starts, will be trained by Paddy Gallagher, a former assistant to Bill Shoemaker when the four-time Derby-winning jockey began training in 1990.
MIDNIGHT CRY EUTHANIZED: Midnight Cry, prepping for a possible run for the Kentucky Oaks, was euthanized after a fatal injury in a workout at Churchill Downs. Midnight Cry won the Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park in March and had $213,152 in career earnings.
SNOW CHIEF STAKES: Chief Planner cruised to a 7-length victory in the $250,000 race at Hollywood Park. The 2-year-old, trained by Baffert, paid $5.60, $3 and $2.60 and earned $150,000.
BREEDERS' CUP HANDICAP: Stormy Frolic caught Win's Fair Lady at the top of the stretch for 63/4-length victory in the $145,500 feature at Calder, paying $13.80, $6.40 and $4. The race had five scratches, including favored Dressed To Thrill, after it was switched from grass to the sloppy main track because of heavy rains.
FORT MARCY HANDICAP: Saint Verre led from the start for an 81/2-length victory in the $100,000 race at Aqueduct. It was the first win in four starts this year for the Florida-bred 5-year-old. Saint Verre, with Jose Espinoza aboard, paid $14.80, $7.60 and $5.50.
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