Sir Cherokee is scratched with a rear ankle fracture
By BRANT JAMES
Published May 3, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sir Cherokee, winner of the Arkansas Derby and a 15-1 morning-line selection, was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on Friday after the discovery of a minor fracture in his right rear ankle.
"This is tough to take," Mike Tomlinson, his emotional trainer, said. "You work so hard to get your foot in the door and then it gets closed on you. This is not a game for someone in short pants."
Tomlinson said Sir Cherokee had been "noticeably sore" on Thursday after galloping at the nearby Trackside facility on Tuesday. The colt is expected to miss at least three months of training.
Tomlinson surmised the break was the result of working on an undiagnosed minor stress fracture, possibly sustained April 12 in the Arkansas Derby.
Sir Cherokee was scheduled to break from the third post. Supah Blitz, who drew the rail, and second-position Brancusi will be moved one chute to the right and the rail will be left empty.
KENTUCKY OAKS: Bird Town bobbled from the gate but chased down three horses at the top of the lane to run off with the 129th Kentucky Oaks by 31/4 lengths.
Jockey Edgar Prado helped the Cape Town filly recover from 11th of 12 at the first turn and stalked the fastest pace in the race's 11/8-mile history (it was run at 1 1/16 miles from 1942-81). They passed favored Elloluv, Santa Catarina and Holiday Lady with a sweeping move on the outside and charged away.
Bird Town, trained by Nick Zito, paid $38.40, $14.20 and $9.20 and won in 1:48.64.
BISCUIT BUZZ: Retired Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron worked as a consultant on the movie adaptation of Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling Seabiscuit: An American Legend, and he was a nit-picker.
On Friday, the red Seabiscuit hat he sported on the backside read: "Chris McCarron Tech Adviser Extraordinaire."
There were times, however, when director Gary Ross had to pull rank.
"When I saw something that was not technically correct, Gary would say, "Show me how to do it,' " McCarron said. "Or he'd say, "Chris, it's a movie. I'm doing it this way.' "
Ross is a partner in Biscuit Stables - with others including Steven Spielberg - which owns 10 percent of Atswhatimtalknbout.
In the movie, McCarron also plays Charley Kurtsinger, who rode War Admiral in a match race against Seabiscuit.
ANOTHER MISS: Clearwater's Satish Sanan watched morning workouts on Friday with a cup of coffee and a little whimsy.
In January he had the early favorite in Vindication, the undefeated 2-year-old champion and winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. But in February the $2.15-million son of Seattle Slew strained his left front leg and had to be shut down through the Triple Crown season.
"It's a tough game," Sanan said. "We're going to win one of these, one of these days."
Sanan's Padua Stables finished 12th with Exchange Rate in 2000.
SUNSHINE STAKE: Florida ranks second in the number of Derby winners bred with six (Kentucky has 97) and three in-state hopefuls - Peace Rules, Supah Blitz and Lone Star Sky - could become the first Florida-bred to win roses since Silver Charm in 1997.
Lone Star Sky was bred by Sarasota resident Jaime S. Carrion, a citrus magnate who owns the Oaks breeding farm in Ocala.
Peace Rules was bred at Newchance Farm in Summerfield, and represents the second Derby entry for breeder/veterinarian Ronald Chak. Mister Frisky was a $1.90 favorite for Newchance in 1990 but finished eighth behind fellow Floridian Unbridled.
Supah Blitz is owned by West Palm Beach resident John Bush's Bee Stables and Jackie Tortora and was bred by Emanuel Tortora's Equitor Inc.
NO SNIPPING: As a small partnership, Sackatoga Stable would have really appreciated the stud fees Funny Cide could have drawn after starting in the Kentucky Derby.
Trouble is, he was born with an undescended testicle and gelded before the group purchased him.
"Boy, I'm not happy about that," Sackatoga partner Jon Constance said. "If we ever get a horse like this again, nobody's getting near it with any scissors."
WAGERING: Derby Lane in St. Petersburg has simulcast and wagering. Plaza gates open at 11 a.m.
