Grade I-placed Indian Express has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Monte and Cathy Thomas' Ups and Downs Farm near Citra, Fla.
Bob Baffert said Sunday that Indian Express will not run in the Preakness due to a minor foot problem that will prevent him from working the colt this week.
Three-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bob Baffert said that Indian Express appeared to come out of his rugged Kentucky Derby journey well and would consider a run in the Preakness for the colt.
Here's a look at what happened on the training front with the 17 contenders for Saturday's Kentucky Derby,as described by Churchill Downs' note takers.
Here's a look at Wednesday morning's backstretch developments at Churchill Downs.
Tyler Baze, the 2000 Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey, will make his maiden ride in the Kentucky Derby this year aboard Indian Express.
This year's Kentucky Derby horses refuse to make things easy. Just when it's time to start narrowing down the list of contenders, they go and work like super horses, while Empire Maker aggravates a minor foot bruise.
The Thoroughbred Corporation's Kafwain was withdrawn from Saturday's Kentucky Derby following a workout with stablemate Indian Express at Churchill Downs on Tuesday. The Bob Baffert-trained pair breezed five-eighths of a mile in :59 3/5.
Obviously, siring a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner is a positive for any stud horse. But for a first crop sire, it can be huge. After all, by the time a stallion's first crop are 3-year-olds, he is covering his fifth book of mares.
Here's a look at what some of the contenders for Saturday's Kentucky Derby (gr. I) were up to on Monday morning, according to Churchill Downs track notes.
The storm that hit Louisville yesterday lingered until mid-morning, with the drizzle and wind finally giving way to brightening skies. With very little action, today will be more of a Derby potpourri. The heavy duty works pick up tomorrow, headed by Empire Maker and Peace Rules.
The highlights of Wednesday's activity were the workouts by Ten Most Wanted and the Bob Baffert pair of Kafwain and Indian Express, and a first-time visit to Arkansas Derby winner Sir Cherokee at Trackside training center.
There was frost on the ground when Churchill Downs opened for training Wednesday morning, but a bright sun was shining by the time three Kentucky Derby contenders completed their workouts much to the satisfaction of two California-based trainers.
Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) runner-up Indian Express turned in his first work since arriving at Churchill Downs for Kentucky Derby 129 and jockey Robby Albarado was named to ride Holy Bull (gr. III) winner Offlee Wild in this year's Run for the Roses.
They were separated by just a head as the 1-2 finishers in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Desperado Stables' Buddy Gil and Phil Chess' Indian Express were not much farther apart on Tuesday as they shared a flight to Kentucky on a plane that landed in Lexington.
Sometimes, when you dig deep to try to find something, all you wind up with is a big hole. In Saturday's Santa Anita Derby, we kept digging, hoping to find the key to unlock Kentucky Derby 129. But in the end, not even Indiana Jones could locate the treasure most everyone had been looking for.
All three of trainer Bob Baffert's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) starters came out of the race fine, but only two – Indian Express and Kafwain – will continue on the Kentucky Derby trail, the conditioner said Sunday.
Jockey Gary Stevens broke Bill Shoemaker's record with his ninth Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) victory Saturday aboard unheralded Buddy Gil.
The key factors surrounding Saturday's Santa Anita Derby will be the pace scenario and the enticing overlays awaiting bettors. If you go by the morning line, Domestic Dispute at 15-1, Ministers Wild Cat at 10-1, and even Kafwain as third choice at 4-1 look awfully appealing.
Trainer Bob Baffert admits Lady Luck hasn't been good to him so far this year. He's hoping for some divine intervention in time for Saturday's Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
A 10-horse field, including three 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert, were entered for Saturday's $750,000, grade I Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
It was Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) preview day at the California oval Monday as four of the eight or nine expected runners were put through their final drills for Saturday‚s $750,000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) prep.
Phil and Sheva Chess' Indian Express, a fast-closing fourth in the San Pedro Stakes last time out, will make his next start in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) on April 5, trainer Bob Baffert said.
The Bobby Frankel-trained Peace Rules, twice a stakes winner on turf, and stakes winners Spensive and Sum Trick head a field of nine entered in Saturday's $200,000 San Rafael Stakes (gr. II) for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita.
Omega Code faces his most serious test Saturday, trying two turns for the first time in the one-mile San Rafael Stakes (Gr. III) at Santa Anita.
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