LOUISVILLE, Ky. — When Sunland Derby winner Endorsement sustained a fractured right front ankle during a workout Wednesday morning, it meant trainer Shannon Ritter missed a chance to become the first woman to saddle a Derby winner. But it still could happen.
Defections by Endorsement and Todd Pletcher-trained Interactif opened the door for Make Music for Me, trained by Alexis Barba, who runs a small six-horse barn at Hollywood Park.
Make Music for Me, ridden by Joel Rosario, is a 50-1 long-shot.
» Smarty Jones has been a disappointment as a sire since being sold to syndicate for nearly $39 million. But the 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner has his first Derby runner. The late defections opened the door for Backtalk. Trained by Tom Amoss, Backtalk, who finished third in the Illinois Derby, is 2-for-2 at Churchill Downs. He might have a tough time equaling his dad, who once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. Backtalk is 50-1 in the morning line.
» A horse hasn't won the Kentucky Derby from post position No. 2 since Affirmed in 1978 on the way to the sport's last Triple Crown. But Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito wasn't discouraged when Ice Box landed post No. 2 on Wednesday. Ice Box, a deep closer, went from last to first to win the Florida Derby. "I don't mind the two-hole at all," Zito said.
» D. Wayne Lukas, seeking a fifth Derby win, gave a positive spin to the outside post draw for Dublin. The son of Afleet Alex will leave from the No. 17 hole. No horse has ever won the Derby from the No. 17 post, going 0 for 37. "Great," Lukas said. "I like it. Where the other horses are is more important probably than where you drew."
» Two horses were entered in the Kentucky Derby but were left out based on insufficient graded stakes earnings. They were Pleasant Prince and Setsuko. This is the sixth consecutive year that at least 20 horses were entered in the race.
» Filly Devil May Care will run with blinkers on, and morning-line favorite Lookin At Lucky will switch to blinkers off.
