(Edited Belmont Park report)

ELMONT PARK, N.Y. – Quality Road, expected to be one of the favorites for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, will miss the race because of continued problems with a quarter crack on his right front hoof, trainer Jimmy Jerkens said Monday morning at Belmont Park.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE/TAKE THE POINTS – A trio of Todd Pletcher-trained Kentucky Derby “possibles” went through their final serious drills for the Saturday spectacular on Monday morning, putting a “put me in coach” spin on activities Pletcher’s Barn 38.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE – At Churchill Downs, assistant trainer Mike McCarthy had two of trainer Todd Pletcher’s candidates for the 135th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) out for exercise early on a beautiful morning beneath the Twin Spires.

(Edited Belmont Park report)

ELMONT, N.Y. – Kentucky Derby hopeful Quality Road returned from a mile and three-quarter gallop on the Belmont Park training track with a tinge of blood from a newly-patched quarter crack, but his connections remain optimistic he will make the May 2 “Run for the Roses.”

(Eidted Churchill Downs report)

ADVICE/DUNKIRK/JOIN IN THE DANCE – Trainer Todd Pletcher sent his chief Derby threat Dunkirk through a five-panel drill in company at the training center at Palm Meadows in Florida on Saturday morning – and he was tickled with the outcome.

NYRA release

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens expressed optimism Friday afternoon that Quality Road, a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby,  would be able to make the May 2 “Run for the Roses” after noted hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated a second quarter crack in the colt’s right-front hoof at Belmont Park.

(Edited Churchill Downs report)

LOUISVILLE, KY. – David Lanzman and IEAH Stable’s I Want Revenge, winner of the Wood Memorial (Grade I) and one of the early favorites for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade 1), arrived at Churchill Downs early Tuesday, April 7 to continue his preparation for the May 2 “Run for the Roses.”

Ron Correll
Tracksideview.com
Senior columnist

The road to the 2009 Kentucky Derby has started and Ron Correll will keep the Tracksideview.com’s Trail to the Derby updated daily with his Top 20 and a slew of pretenders. (last updated 2-23-09).

The road to the 2009 Kentucky Derby has started and Ron Correll will keep the Tracksideview.com’s Trail to the Derby updated daily with his Top 20 and a slew of pretenders.