Cal-bred News

Derby/Oaks Blog, Wednesday, April 30 - by Emily Shields

Barry Abrams, trainer of Cal-bred Kentucky Oaks filly Golden Doc A, has arrived in Kentucky. He followed his special charge to the track shortly after the break, unfortunately at the busiest time of the morning. Cars and people swarmed the narrow path from the barn towards the gap, and Golden Doc A was forced to circle and wait for the traffic to pass. She turned in her best gallop yet since arriving at Churchill Downs, striding fluidly and with purpose. Back at the barn, Abrams noted that he was “very happy” with the way the filly had been training and that she would school on Thursday, the day before the Kentucky Oaks.

Bob Black Jack, California’s Kentucky Derby hopeful, drew Post 13 for the 134th running of the historic race. With minutes to go before the track closed for the mid-morning break, ‘Black Jack’ appeared to complete his first gallop since working on Monday. He stood without fussing for a long bath surrounded by photographers, bomb proof and curious. He has gone to the paddock each morning, but has yet to school in between races.

Derby/Oaks Blog, Monday April 28 - by Emily Shields

Bob Black Jack was all the rage this morning at Churchill Downs. His jockey, Richard Migliore, flew in at 8:45 from Los Angeles and Bob Black Jack was one of the very last horses on the track. It seemed that every media member was surrounding his barn, waiting with varied levels of patience for the son of Stormy Jack to appear. Bob Black Jack finally went to the track sporting new black and red blinkers. He cruised around the track with his odd flailing stride, one that has caused some concern but doesn’t appear to be an issue. Bob Black Jack stopped the clock in :48.3.

Golden Doc A continues to gallop well, looking better with each lap of the track. She stands under the shade of trees and grazes in seeming bewilderment: Churchill Downs’ backside is nothing like Santa Anita’s, and grass is readily accessible. She loves the greenery all around, but is virtually ignored while Proud Spell, grazing nearby, gets all the attention. "We’ll just enjoy the cameras after the race, won’t we girl?" her handler laughs.

Derby/Oaks Blog, Sunday April 27 - by Emily Shields

Both California-breds have arrived at Churchill Downs with Bob Black Jack shipping in at 12:15 on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the son of Stormy Jack took his first tour of the Churchill Downs oval. He stood at the bottom of the chute for several minutes, ignoring urging from his rider to move forward. Finally, an outrider reached over and urged Bob Black Jack into the clubhouse turn. While a host of other Derby horses, mostly workers including Colonel John, Adriano, Eight Belles, and Z Humor, were out on the track at the same time, Bob Black Jack visited the paddock and then galloped.

Earlier in the day, Kentucky Oaks contender Golden Doc A, a daughter of the red-hot Unusual Heat, galloped before the break. After the visit to the track she grazed and spent twenty minutes ripping small branches off a tree and then peacefully chewing the leaves. She is being overlooked in comparison to Bsharpsonata and the speedy Proud Spell, but is training solidly and will be a force to be reckoned with. Trainer Barry Abrams is due in on Tuesday.