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NORTH EAST, Md. - Far from Churchill Downs, racing's "mad genius" has been working in his laboratory, hoping to concoct a winning formula for the Kentucky Derby. After 17 years of tinkering, toying and toiling, trainer Michael Dickinson has his first Derby starter in Wood Memorial winner Tapit.
But unlike any other trainer with a horse in the Derby - unlike any trainer anywhere - Dickinson tossed tradition aside in his relentless pursuit of perfection.
Most horses train at the racetrack. Not Dickinson's. Leaving nothing to chance, the 54-year-old Englishman spent eight years building Tapeta Farm, a 200-acre horse heaven at the north end of Chesapeake Bay. Opened in 1998, the farm has three turf tracks, a cushiony all-weather dirt track, a barn with skylights, 40 super-sized stalls and wooded horse trails.
An equine paradise? His horses drink only well water and are given a pint of Guinness and three eggs daily, along with the rest of their feed. All because Dickinson wants to train as he pleases.
"I suppose I'm trying to demonstrate that there is another way," said Dickinson, a top steeplechase rider and trainer in England before turning to thoroughbreds in the 1980s. "Obviously, I'm controversial. Woody Stephens was one of the sport's greatest trainers, and he was never a fan of training on a farm, but there has never been a farm like Tapeta."
OAKS DRAW: Unbeaten Madcap Escapade was the 3-1 morning-line favorite for Friday's Kentucky Oaks, the fillies-only precursor to the Derby. The Frank Brothers-trained filly got the No. 6 post position for the Grade I race. Two-time Oaks winner Jerry Bailey will ride her. A field of 12 was entered in the 11/8-mile race for 3-year-olds. Ashado, the 4-1 choice trained by Todd Pletcher, will break from the No. 1 post with John Velazquez aboard. She was runnerup to Madcap Escapade in the Ashland Stakes on April 3.
The 9-2 choice is the Richard Mandella-trained Halfbridled, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies in November. Alex Solis will ride the Unbridled daughter, who will break from the No. 4 post. Trainer Bob Baffert, who won the 1999 Oaks with Silverbulletday, will saddle Victory U.S.A. (8-1) and Class Above (20-1).
Trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a four-time Oaks winner, will enter 30-1 shot Stellar Jayne. A win would tie Lukas with Stephens for most Oaks victories. The rest of the field from the rail out: Hollywood Story (20-1), Island Sand (30-1), House of Fortune (8-1), Silent Sighs (6-1), A.P. Adventure (8-1), Last Song (20-1).
IN THE ZONE: Smarty Jones trainer John Servis liked the Arkansas Derby winner's demeanor during a 11/2-mile gallop.
"He's getting his game face on," Servis said. "He was really tough (Tuesday), really aggressive. But he bowed his neck and galloped through it and got around there really nicely."
Servis said the colt, unbeaten in six starts, showed newfound maturity as he returned to his barn.
"He walked off the racetrack like a true professional," Servis said. "Back in January, he would not have done that. He would've been lathered up and high-strung. He's come a long way."
RISING STARS: Trainer Pletcher said he has heard two explanations for why no odds-on Derby favorite has emerged.
"Some people are saying it's wide open because there aren't any good horses in it and some people say it's wide open because there are a number of good horses in it," said Pletcher, who trains Derby hopefuls Limehouse and Pollard's Vision. "I would tend to agree with the latter. There are some very solid horses in here."
Pletcher, a former assistant to Lukas, said the year's top 3-year-old may not appear until long after the Triple Crown season. "To this point, it's an underrated crop," he said. "I usually reserve my opinion until the fall, when they start running against some older horses."