Why So Blue?

by Kim Thomas

Anyone who picked up this week's Ace Weekly saw the photo of Travis, the Jack Russell Terrier who was dyed blue for a photograph by his owner, Enzina Mastrippolito, aka Z of Photos by Z.

A lot of people asked about Travis, and how he got so blue. Z wants you to know that the dye was vegetable dye, and she had it thoroughly approved by veterinarians before dying Travis the color of the Big Blue Nation. This photograph has caught everyone's eye and caused a lot of talk about the issue we addressed in last week's Ace, and that is how does the University of Kentucky's Athletics department monetarily benefit the University?

(at left, Z and MaryJean Wall with Carson Kressley) Oh, and checkout maryjeanwall.com -- she TOTALLY has the scoop on Thoroughbred racing, Derby parties, and she'll charm the chaps off ya. Love. Her.

Shortly after Ace Weekly addressed this issue, it seemed as if every reporter in the Bluegrass picked up on the story and ran with it. As the saying goes, though, just remember, you read here first! (You can still pick up a copy today, but tonight around 5:30 or so, there will be a new issue on stands, so grab one now, or go to aceweekly.com and check it out!)

We want to extend our appreciation to Z for allowing us to use her photo of her beloved bluedog Travis on our cover. Thanks again, Z!

You can see more of Z's photography at keenelandhorsephotos.com -- that'll give you the flavor of the spirit that fills the air in Lexington every year in the week prior to the Kentucky Derby.

Nicanor, a full-brother to the horse that captured the heart of the entire world, Kentucky Derby winner, Barbaro, who was perhaps the most prayed-for Thoroughbred in history is now working out at Keeneland. Nicanor may not be running in the Derby (he hasn't won enough money to qualify), but he's a handsome colt; you can see Z's photos of Nicanor on either PhotosByZ.com or KeenelandHorsePhotos.com -- check it out and catch Derby fever!

If you have never been to Keeneland, you really must sometime so you can experience all the grandeur of Thoroughbred racing at a first class racetrack. The stone walls, the burgoo, the well manicured track are all truly something to see.

Also, if you don't want to fight the traffic and the crowd at the Churchill Downs on Derby Day, just get yourself out to Keeneland and enjoy a stressless day of Mint Juleps, beautiful people and the splendor that is Keeneland. (P.S. - the Dogwoods are in bloom ;-)

pray for peace, y'all,

Kimmy

Barbaro's Little Brother Nicanor On a Sentimental Journey

by Kim Thomas

Billy Clyde G-whiz-pee is gone. It's all over but the crying...and the contract litigation.

Now it's time for all Kentucky fans to lick their wounds, get down and dirty -- or down and polytrack-y -- and become one with the racing form. After all, we can't dwell on basketball seasons past when the Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching.

Yep, the Dogwoods are blooming at Keeneland, which means at Churchill, the buds are on the roses, and all over Kentucky, the ladies are shopping for hats and heels to wear for the greatest two minutes in sports. In my effort to watch every last basketball game in the NCAA tournament, I've admittedly not tuned in to every Thoroughbred race, stakes or otherwise, this past week. A few things happened, though, that caught my eye.

Nicanor, the full brother to the much-beloved but ill-fated 2006 Derby winner Barbaro, ran second in a one mile race at Gulfstream on Saturday to Glittermans Cartel, who set the pace and led throughout the race. His jockey at Gulfstream was Jose Lezcano, who commented that the horse is still a bit green and down the stretch was behaving like the young colt that he is -- being playful, looking around at the other horses. What's not to love about a horse like that, huh? Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part, but it's intriguing that Nicanor is being entered in a mile-long race -- he certainly seems to be destined to follow his brother's hoof-steps. Let's hope he improves over the next four weeks or so, since the Derby is just a little over a month away. It would be a nice booster shot of excitement for the Kentucky Derby and the world of Thoroughbred racing if Barbaro's little brother were to make it on the racing card for the First Saturday in May.

The only newcomer on my list this week is a horse with another name that I love. Theregoesjojo is out of a Seattle Slew mare, the unraced Slewie Blues (this is her first foal to race). Theregoesjojo sire, is Grade 1 stakes winner Brahms. He ran third in the Grade I Florida Derby when he was squeezed back and sandwiched out by Quality Road, whose battle against the mighty Dunkirk was appreciated by the Gulfstream enthusiasts who were chomping at the bit to see the two face off.

Quality Road's determination won out in the end, as the son of Elusive Quality edged out Dunkirk in the final furlong.

Quality Road now has three wins, and one second place finish in four starts, and has earned over $600,000 in his career, which more than qualified him to be entered in the Kentucky Derby, even though running second may not be good enough, for Dunkirk, son of Unbridled's Song.

We shall see.

My Derby Fever is Rising

by Kim Thomas

With today's spring-like weather, my thoughts have turned to that un-holiday that everyone in the world seems to celebrate on the first Saturday in May. With the Kentucky Derby just around the corner from just around the corner, I've been trying to glean the best of the best from the latest news from the racing world. I will, as heretofore promised, now name the next three Derby competitors who have risen to the top of late.

First up is Pioneer of the Nile (son of Empire Maker; Bob Baffert, trainer), who continues preparations for the upcoming Grade I San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. He appears to be impressive in workouts, and the buzz is big on this horse after winning the Grade I Cash Call Futurity in late December, and his first 2009 victory at Santa Anita in the Grade II Robert B. Lewis Stakes back in February.

Sticking with my strategy of nonsensical choices, how about another Thoroughbred with another tempting name? I Want Revenge is more of a long-strided threat than an afterthought, though, after he ran rough-shod over the rest of the field of the Grade III Gotham States, at Aqueduct on Saturday. I Want Revenge's sire is none other than Stephen Got Even.

As everyone who knows me is aware, I am just an old softy and have been known to cry over a Folger's commercial, so even though he finished a paltry 10th out of 12 horses in his maiden race, I have to wax sentimental here and give a little love to Nicanor, the full brother of the 2006 Derby winner, perhaps a horse prayed for by more people than ever before, the late and beloved Barbaro. Seems that Nicanor made a significant improvement yesterday at Gulfstream Park, when he came in second, breaking quickly out of the gate and leading much of the way under the hand of jockey Jose Lezcano in a 7-furlong race. Even though it was a relatively short race, my feeling is that Nicanor will improve his distance running, and win the hearts of many a Derby wagerer, even if he does have big shoes to fill.

The sun shines bright...

(All photos are from the 134th Kentucky Derby and provided courtesy of Tom Eisenhauer photography!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6PacUirYuQ -- Barbaro winning the Derby