LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner owns the likely favorite in the Kentucky Derby, Bellamy Road, but another member of the Yankees' organization could beat the Boss to the winner's circle.
Yankees manager Joe Torre is the co-owner of Sis City, who was installed as a 4-5 favorite when the Kentucky Oaks post position draw was announced on Tuesday.
The 1 1/8-mile Oaks is the nation's most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies. Post time is set for 5:45 p.m. Friday.
"Even though we look good (on paper), we need everything we can get," trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said. "We still have to get the job done."
The Yankees, playing sub-.500 baseball, will be visiting the Oakland A's on Friday, so Torre, a longtime thoroughbred fan, won't be able to attend the 131st running of the Grade 1 Oaks. Steinbrenner announced last week that he plans to attend Saturday's Kentucky Derby.
The post position for the Derby will be announced at 5 p.m. today.
Sis City will be ridden by Edgar Prado, who won the 2003 Oaks with Bird Town in a record time of 1:48.64. Sis City, the daughter of Slew City Slew, won her past two races, the Ashland Stakes at Keeneland and the Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream, by a combined 26 lengths.
For Dutrow Jr., a victory in the Oaks could take the sting off a troubling week. The 46-year-old trainer on Monday was suspended for 120 days and fined $5,000 by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. The ruling is the result of three violations over the past two years, including a horse testing positive in April 2003 for the banned substance, Mepivacaine, a local anesthetic used in dental procedures that has a high potential to boost performance.
Another tested positive in January 2004 for the banned substance Clenbuterol, which helps respiratory problems.
Dutrow said he will drop his appeals. He will not be permitted to participate in New York racing or use any New York racetracks during the suspension, beginning June 1. The suspension can be lowered to 60 days for good behavior.
Trainer Nick Zito, who has a record-tying five horses in the Kentucky Derby, will saddle one horse in the Oaks, In The Gold. The winner of the Grade II Stonerside Beaumont is the second choice in the morning line at 7-2.
Zito and Live Oak Plantation are trying to join an elite group of trainer/owners to win the Oaks and the Derby. Live Oak Plantation also owns Zito-trained High Fly, which won the Florida Derby for his fifth win in six career starts.
History is working against Zito. It has been 53 years since a connection pulled off the Oaks/Derby double.
"I am sure Sis City looks outstanding," Zito said. "I just hope (In The Gold) runs her normal good race."
| Friday's 131st Kentucky Oaks |
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Morning line |
| 1. | Runway Model | Patrick Valenzuela | 6-1 |
| 2. | Dance Away Capote | John Velazquez | 15-1 |
| 3. | In the Gold | Rafael Bejarano | 7-2 |
| 4. | Sis City | Edgar Prado | 4-5 |
| 5. | Summerly | Jerry Bailey | 6-1 |
| 6. | Rugula | Greta Kuntzweiler | 20-1 |
| 7. | Aspen Tree | Javier Castellano | 8-1 |
| 8. | Memorette | Kent Desormeaux | 15-1 |
| 9. | Gallant Secret | Mike Smith | 30-1 |
