A few dollars more for the kids in Russia

Chernobyl's Hero made his nineteenth start in the Aqueduct nightcap on Thursday, another attempt to escape the state-bred entry-level allowance condition, another opportunity to earn some money for Russian children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.

Since the beginning of the four-year-old gelding’s career, Karakorum Racing’s president Bill DiScala has contributed a quarter of the homebred’s earnings -- $91,450 going into Thursday’s race, a bit more after a fifth-place finish -- to the Chernobyl Children’s Project International (CCPI).

DiScala’s support of CCPI began several years ago after seeing the charity featured in the Academy Award winning film “Chernobyl Heart.” Karakorum became a sponsor of the charity but DiScala wanted to do more to raise both awareness and funds for the children of Chernobyl. According to DiScala, “I decided when the right horse came along, I would get them a racehorse.”

When DiScala saw the way the 2004 Cryptoclearance colt out of his foundation mare Karakorum’s Lisa had developed, he knew that this one was the ‘right horse’. Unfortunately, the colt is Karakorum Lisa’s last surviving foal, as the broodmare was killed by a freak lightning strike in 2005 while standing in a field with her 2005 weanling. DiScala feels that it is fitting that the Cryptoclearance colt, who is in a real sense an orphan, will run for the children of Chernobyl, who all too often are orphans themselves.

Kathy Ryan, US Executive Director of CCPI, sees the donation as a fun and unique way to raise both funds and awareness for the challenges faced by Chernobyl survivors. “Twenty years after the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the plight of the survivors has literally dropped from the headlines – but the health, medical and social support needs of so many, especially children, have not gone away. Many of those children are without families and come from communities that are still devastated by the disaster.”



Shadwell to sponsor Travers, Suburban

From NYRA (edited)

A leading breeding farm and two venerable stakes will be linked in later in the year as Shadwell Farm becomes the presenting sponsor for the Travers Stakes and Suburban Handicap after signing a two-year agreement with the New York Racing Association.

"Shadwell Farm is proud to announce its partnership with the New York Racing Association by sponsoring both the Grade 1 Suburban Handicap and the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. Shadwell has been supportive of New York racing and anxiously look forward to our involvement both at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course as a wonderful honor and an exciting new experience," said Rick Nichols, Shadwell Farm vice president and general manager.

Gavin Landry, NYRA senior vice president for sales and market development: "Beyond the seven-figure investment that Shadwell has made in New York racing, what is most important is Shadwell's commitment to a partnership with NYRA and the desire to associate with the NYRA brand, representing the best racing in the world."


Big Brown strong in Florida Derby work

The rapidly developing three-year-old colt Big Brown fired a ‘bullet’ workout Wednesday morning at Palm Meadows, solidifying his potential as the favorite in the March 29 Florida Derby.

With jockey Kent Desormeaux, the two-for-two son of Boundary drilled a ‘handy’ five furlongs in 1:00 2/5. It was the fastest of eight workers at that distance, including stablemate and 2007 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Kip Deville.
“I know he worked good again,” said trainer Rick Dutrow Thursday morning. “The plan has been going well and he’s done everything we wanted him to do so far.”

Dutrow described the workout as ‘just basic stuff,’ designed to keep the Kentucky-bred on edge after his 12¾ lengths romp in an allowance race that had been moved from the turf to the main track on Mar. 5.

Big Brown debuted on turf at Saratoga last summer with an 11 ¼-length victory. Hoof problems kept Dutrow from making the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last fall and delayed the colt’s three-year-old debut until earlier this month.

Do not miss this

Churchill Downs has partnered with Truly Indie and filmmakers John and Brad Hennegan to distribute their excellent, award-winning documentary The First Saturday in May to U.S. theatres for a week-long national run in 18 major markets beginning Thursday, April 18. A special one-night Louisville, Ky., premiere is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, at The Louisville Palace Theatre.

The First Saturday in May - featuring heroic Thoroughbred champion Barbaro - chronicles the journey of a diverse cast of six hard-working trainers and their jockeys in pursuit of horse racing's Holy Grail - the Kentucky Derby.

"Brad and I truly appreciate the sponsorship from Churchill Downs Incorporated to help make the distribution of The First Saturday in May to a national audience possible," John Hennegan said. "Our goal was to make horse racing cool again by telling the stories of the hard-working, dedicated and resilient individuals who dedicate their lives to the horses they love. As lifelong horse racing fans, the documentation of this film was a true passion of ours. This new partnership with Churchill Downs ensures that our incredible journey will continue."

The Hennegan Brothers have pledged 25 percent of their Truly Indie box office revenues, as well as a portion of revenues generated when the film is released on DVD, to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (www.grayson-jockeyclub.org), which raises and distributes funding for research beneficial to horses.

Between Friday, April 18, and Thursday, April 24, the film also will be shown in New York (Cinema Village), Los Angeles (Laemmle's Sunset 5), Chicago (Landmark's Century Centre Cinema), Philadelphia (Ritz Theatres), Boston (Kendall Square Cinema), San Francisco (Opera Plaza Cinema), Washington D.C. (E Street Cinema), Detroit (Maple Art Theatre), Minneapolis (Lagoon Cinema), Denver (Chez Artiste), St. Louis (Plaza Frontenac Cinema), Indianapolis (Keystone Art Theatre) and San Diego (Hillcrest Cinemas), as well as Austin, Texas (Dobie Theatre) and Berkeley, Calif. (Shattuck Cinemas). The film also will be shown in Atlanta (Midtown Art Cinema), Seattle (Varsity Theatre) and Milwaukee (Downer Theatre) from Friday, April 25 through Thursday, May 1.


Help wanted: Kentucky Derby CPO

From Churchill Downs

With only 44 days left until Kentucky Derby 134, Churchill Downs has launched a nationwide search for an unusual and quite distinctive Kentucky Derby position -- Chief Party Officer (CPO) of the infield.

“We’re looking for the most die-hard, outstanding partiers who make the Kentucky Derby infield an annual pilgrimage,” said Brent Alexander, senior director of marketing for Churchill Downs. “The Kentucky Derby is one of the biggest social events of the year, and one of the best parties in the world. As such, the infield needs a leader worthy of that honor and who can truly represent what the Kentucky Derby infield experience is all about. We’re excited about presenting this opportunity to our fans who make the infield party an annual can’t-miss event. We feel confident they’re up to this challenge and we hope they apply for the job.”
Located online at www.kentuckyderby.com/infield, the Kentucky Derby CPO contest will crown one lucky infielder as the official host of the infield party.

The CPO will enjoy the celebrity treatment on Kentucky Derby Day, with a chance to walk the Kentucky Derby Red Carpet and take part in pre-arranged media interviews. The VIP experience then continues as the CPO is tasked with guiding the infield party from an exclusive, elevated infield “boardroom” that includes private restroom access, wagering machines, and hospitality throughout the day. In addition, the CPO will share the experience with seven “board members,” who will assist in leading the Derby Day infield festivities.

The CPO and each “board member” will receive access to the infield boardroom for themselves and three friends. In addition, the CPO will receive a Kentucky Derby merchandise pack valued at $500, while each board member will receive a merchandise pack valued at $300.

An introductory video from Churchill Downs describing the sorts of applicants being sought for the CPO position is available online at www.youtube.com/kentuckyderby.



Aqueduct: March 21

No qualified play