TRC THOROUGHBRED NOTEBOOK

TRC DERBY NOTEBOOK #4

News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by Thoroughbred Racing Communications, Inc. (TRC) (212.371.5911..)

DERBY NOTES

Danny Hutt, who trains and co-owns longshot Celtic Warrior, also owns several Exhaust Pro muffler shops. Anyone who needs a new muffler will be rooting for Celtic Warrior as Hutt has promised a promotional sale if he wins.

Hello (IRE), the lone foreign-bred horse in the field, is the definitely the horse for the little guy. While most horses weigh in at more than 1,000 pounds, Hello (IRE) tips the scales at just about 850.

Trainer D. Wayne Lukas and his entourage are regularly seen on the Churchill Downs backstretch wearing caps that say '10 Crowns,' in reference to Lukas's 10 Triple Crown victories. Not to be outdone, local trainer Peter Vestal has been handing out hats bearing the legend, '15 Knockouts,' the number of KO's scored by Vestal in his former life as a boxer.


REMEMBER ME...

Bob Lewis, the owner of Silver Charm, has enjoyed the thrill of winning several major stakes races such stars as Timber Country, Serena's Song and Hennessy, but he can't imagine what it would mean to win a Kentucky Derby victory. 'I really don't know what it would feel like,' he said. 'We've selected a few plots in the cemetery at Forest Lawn and I've kiddingly said to my wife Beverly, 'When you put my headstone on, I want it to say, 'Loving husband, adoring father and winner of the 123rd Kentucky Derby with Silver Charm.' '


FOUR JOCKEYS MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Shane Sellers, Mike Smith, Jerry Bailey and Pat Day will have some new fans rooting for them Saturday in the Kentucky Derby: they were among nine riders who visited Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville for several hours Friday morning before rushing back to Churchill Downs to ride in Friday's races.


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