Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Calvin Borel owns Churchill Downs, well if he doesn’t own the racetrack he certainly owns the rail, and Borel proved that again Saturday when he rode Mine That Bird through a small opening to a shocking 50-1 upset of the Kentucky Derby.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksdieview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – I Want Revenge, the morning-line favorite (3-1) in the Kentucky Derby was scratched Saturday morning after heat and filling was found in his left front ankle.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky Derby 135 may be one the most hotly contested races in recent years. Anyone of about 9 horses has a legitimate chance at winning the Derby. Morning-line favorite I Want Revenge was scratched early Saturday morning. The top group is made up of Pioneerof the Nile, Dunkirk, Friesan Fire, Papa Clem and Musket Man.

Morning-line odds and early wagering at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2.

1. West Side Bernie, 30-1,   31-2
2. Musket Man, 20-1,  19-1
3. Mr. Hot Stuff, 30-1, 26-1
4. Advice, 30-1,  47-1
5. Hold Me Back, 15-1, 11-1
6. Friesan Fire, 5-1,  7/2
7. Papa Clem, 20-1,  13-1
8. Mine That Bird, 50-1,  46-1
9. Join in the Dance, 50-1,  48-1
10. Regal Ransom, 30-1,  22-1
11. Chocolate Candy, 20-1,  8-1
12.…

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE – The Todd Pletcher Derby trio of Advice, Dunkirk and Join in the Dance were out early, exercised and back in Barn 38 before 7 a.m. Thursday, missing the rains that splashed down on Louisville a bit later in the morning.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – I Want Revenge was made the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the 135th Kentucky Derby, which will be run Saturday, May 2. Santa Anita Derby winner Pioneerof the Nile and Dunkirk, the runner-up in the Florida Derby, were made co-second choices at 4-1. Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire was 5-1.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Trainer Mac Robertson declared Win Willy out of the Kentucky Derby on Wednesday when a ‘line’ was discovered in his left front leg. Robertson said the injury, which could be the start of a fracture, was discovered through X-rays. The announced was made hours before entries were taken.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE – It now appears trainer Todd Pletcher will start three horses in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby 135 – Advice, Dunkirk and Join in the Dance. After consulting with the various owners of his four potential Derby starters, the five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer decided to go with three and drop one – that horse being Take the Points, who is owned by the Starlight Partners stable of Jack and Laurie Wolf.

Ron Correll
Senior columnist
Tracksideview.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The speed in Kentucky Derby 135 has been falling by the wayside in the past few weeks. The Pamplemousse, Old Fashioned and Quality Road all have been eliminated from the Derby with one injury or another. Some speed pretenders still are hanging around: Join in the Dance, Papa Clem, Take the Points, Regal Ransom and even Pioneerof the Mile, if the pace is too slow.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Square Eddie will not run in Saturday’s 135th Kentucky Derby after reaggravating a cannon bone injury, according to trainer Doug O’Neill.