Michael Baze found dead in car at Churchill Downs | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385819/Michael-Baze-dead-car-Churchill-Downs.html

The horse racing world was in shock today after a leading jockey who rode this year’s Kentucky Derby runner-up Nehro to its maiden win earlier this year was mysteriously found dead in his car.

Michael Baze, 24, was discovered slumped inside his vehicle at the stable area gate of the track at Churchill Downs, where the famous derby is staged, on Tuesday afternoon.

(via Instapaper)

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Pimlico owners consider Sunday Preakness – Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/05/09/preakness-stakes-sunday.aspx

The owners of Pimlico Race Course may not move the Preakness Stakes (G1) to a later weekend anytime soon, but they will at least kick around the possibility of moving the classic from Saturday to Sunday in 2012.

Mike Rogers, who works closely with Frank Stronach in his racing and breeding operations, was pleased enough with the results of a similar switch for this year’s Florida Derby (G1) that he thinks moving the Preakness to the third Sunday in May, instead of the third Saturday in May, bears some consideration.

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How this writer could call any colt a ‘foregone conclusion’ in the Belmont is beyond me!

Could a Triple Crown champion finally emerge? – Horse Racing – MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/09/2208712/could-a-triple-crown-champion.html

Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Affirmed…Animal Kingdom? That phrase sounds eerily similar to Sesame Street’s “one of these things is not like the others.” However, if Animal Kingdom should win the Preakness, the Triple Crown will be a forgone conclusion since not many three-year-olds are more apt to handle the grueling 1 1/2-miles of the Belmont Stakes than the son of Leroidesanimaux

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Apple Stores receive more visitors than Major League Baseball stadiums
http://www.tuaw.com/2011/05/09/apple-stores-receive-more-visitors-than-major-league-baseball-st/

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Nine New Shooters Could Join Fray at Pimlico | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62955/nine-new-shooters-could-join-fray-at-pimlico

Pimlico officials said on May 8 that as many as four starters from the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) could gather in Baltimore on May 21 for the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) and that the interests of nine other horses who did not compete in the Derby have expressed interest in contesting the Preakness.

Trainer Graham Motion informed Pimlico officials, including track president Tom Chuckas, that he is “excited” about the chances of Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the middle leg of the Triple Crown. Chuckas called Motion shortly after his appearance on NBC’s “Today” show to congratulate the Maryland-based conditioner on his Derby victory with the Team Valor International homebred and to personally invite him to the Preakness.

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Churchill to Review Derby Starters Policy
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/62953/churchill-to-review-derby-starters-policy

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Pants On Fire to sit out Preakness
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/05/08/pants-on-fire-to-sit-out-preakness.aspx

Pants On Fire, the 8.10-to-1 second betting choice in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday, almost certainly will miss the Preakness Stakes (G1) and probably will be sidelined for at least two months after bleeding significantly in his ninth-place finish

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Archarcharch injured in Kentucky Derby – Horse Racing – MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/07/2206493/archarcharch-injured-in-kentucky.html

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Robby Albarado's nose is a bit out of joint over losing the ride on Animal Kingdom:

2011 Kentucky Derby: Animal Kingdom rallies to win 137th Kentucky Derby – ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown2011/news/story?id=6501665&campaign=rss&source=HORSEHeadlines

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — John Velazquez won the Kentucky Derby by a broken nose.

An injury to Animal Kingdom’s regular rider, Robby Albarado, cleared the way for Velazquez to pick up the mount on the 20-1 long shot. Once he took the reins Saturday, he rode his good luck all the way to the winner’s circle.

“For once, I’m on the good end of it,” Velazquez said. “All of a sudden I pick up this one and he wins the Derby, so it was meant to be.”

“I’m not happy. Barry Irwin decided he didn’t think I was fit to ride; he didn’t know my status or situation.” — Jockey Robby Albarado, who was Animal Kingdom’s rider until he was bumped following a broken nose

Animal Kingdom, who had never raced on dirt before, reacted to his new rider the way a champion should, charging down the middle of the stretch to win by 2¾-lengths in front of a crowd of 164,858, the largest in Derby history.

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