(Epicenter / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Secret Oath / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

We are now a week away from Kentucky Derby 148, and it surely will be an exciting and thrilling build-up to our full return to the world’s greatest racing venue — the beautiful, amazing, improving, incredible and historic Churhcill Downs.

For us, this week is like Christmas Eve for a 6-year-old.

Can’t sleep.

Can’t eat. Well…maybe, not as much.

Can’t wait. To be sure. Can’t wait.

For the first time since we were hit by two horrid viruses we shall return to Churchill Downs in streams. In unison. In force. In full regalia. In celebration.

Of course, the first devastating illness that struck a blow to our Commonwealth; our city; our sport; our world was the COVID crisis that has plagued us all for much too long, and has taken far too big a toll on both body and mind.

Thank goodness to the medical professionals and our strength of soul and body that we are now able to congregate, mix and mingle together once again. Thank goodness we can move on and join both hand and voice as we sing one song once more. Thank goodness we are now healthy, once more, and ready to celebrate. Together.

The second “virus,” of course has been the plague cast upon the greatest sport ever invented and its’ annual, flagship race by the curse of Bob Baffert.

It was only a year ago, when Baffert’s horse and Derby winner, Medina Spirt, tested positive for a drug overage and quickly threw our sport under the horse trailer and our game’s good name into the muck pit. For only the second time in the 147-year history of the greatest sporting event ever created, a positive test result came after the race and required both attention and punitive disciplinary actions.

And, for the past 12 months, we have had to deal with the crap that has followed:

Baffert’s denials. Baffert’s lawsuits. Baffert’s legal team. Baffert’s excuses. Baffert’s allegations. Baffert’s claim that the dog ate his homework. Again. And, Baffert’s mindless minions trumpeting their “champion” as being anything but what he was clinically determined to be by multiple testing labs, and the Kentucky State Stewards — a cheater.

It made us sick. Too. Sick and tired.

Thank goodness that the good folks who run Churchill Downs have banned the repeat offender and he cannot attend Churchill Downs for the next two years.

Thank goodness that the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has issued a stern penalty, suspending the trainer for 90 days and has barred him from the grounds of any jurisdiction under the supervision and control of the regulatory body.

Thank goodness that the Kentucky Courts have upheld the suspension, and have not given the fallen trainer a stay, or, in other words, yet another hall pass.

Thank goodness, in just a week, we will have a new winner of the Kentucky Derby and we can certainly turn the pages of history with more pride and integrity.

Thank goodness, in this week leading up, we can concentrate on the beauty of the horse and the grandeur and grace of their individual stories.

Thank goodness, it is Kentucky Derby week. And, in this Commonwealth, it is time to celebrate; party; dance; and, of course, sing.

Weep no more, my friends. The sun is about to shine bright again.

Each day, we will come up with a few “Opinions, Observations, & Outlooks,” for your amusement, if not edification. Each day, we will sprinkle a few thoughts about the horses and their people. Each day, we will share some thoughts.

It’s time to have some fun.

Let it begin. Let the good times roll.

(Secret Oath / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

(Epicenter / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Best Looking Horse(s) on the Grounds:

For my money, it is a tie between a filly and a colt.

As far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned, my favorite is Epicenter — the son of Not This Time, who currently resides in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

The winner of the G2 Louisiana Derby comes into this week ripping muscles and rippling with dapples galore. He has George Clooney looks on a body built by “The Rock.” And, he moves over the track like a swan over water. Graceful glides. Smooth moves. And, powerful strokes.

He is beyond handsome. He is beautiful.

When I covered the 1987 Kentucky Derby for “The Lexington Herald-Leader,” I got the opportunity to see, watch and know the great, late Alysheba — who was trained by the legendary Jack Van Berg. For the first time, I got to witness — up close and personal — what a Thoroughbred looked like if designed after the likes of Muhammed Ali.

Alysheba — like the world’s greatest boxer — seemed as if he could fly like a butterfly. As the horses found out on that first Saturday in the May of 1987 found out, he could sting like a handful of bees.

Each morning, Alysheba would slowly walk from his barn next to the Churchill Downs’ backside and make his way methodically and deliberately to the gap by the clocker’s stand and then, thankfully, to the track. He would turn and back himself up to the outer rail. And, for minutes on end, Alysheba would stand like a bronze and just watch the proceedings.

As the other Derby hopefuls made their gallops and jogs around the track, it was as if Alysheba would stare and observe each one with intense review. And, it was as if he would mutter the words:

“I’m going to kick your ass. And, I’m going to kick your ass.”

“I’m going to whip your butt. And, I’m going to whip your butt.”

“And, I’m going to make you like it.”

Only after he was satisfied and only after about 20 or so minutes of watching, Alysheba would be ready for his morning exercise. He gave the rider the tip it was OK to go. And, he would break off in a move that made all on the racetrack take note.

His head tucked up and his chin nuzzling his chest, he looked like a real life chess piece — chiseled from stone.

His robust rear — which looked as if it needed one of those “wide load” signs hanging from it — motored along with power and precision.

His eye — his magnificent eye — always on the ground and the prize that laid ahead.

Magnificent.

Epicenter may not be the next Alysheba — who went on to win the Kentucky Derby in amazing style, despite nearly falling to his nose in the deep stretch.

But Epicenter reminds me of Alysheba.  Maybe more than any other horse I have witnessed on Derby week since those days in the mid-1980s when I was so much younger and a tad more impressionable.

The question is can he run like Alysheba. If he can, we may be in store for a great Spring and early Summer.

As for the filly?

There is no question. Or, for that matter, this is no secret on this backside

Secret Oath is worth swearing by and on.

This daughter of Arrogate is strikingly beautiful and much bigger than any of her challengers for this year’s Kentucky Oaks, which will be contested on Friday. She is powerfully constructed and masterfully curved. If looks mean anything at all? She has an advantage.

The question for this gal is whether or not the race against the colts in the G1 Arkansas Derby — where she finished 3rd despite a horrendous trip and casual finish — took too much out of her and left her tank a bit on the empty side.

This year’s Oaks may be one of the best and have the most depth of any in recent history. So many runners. So many undefeated winners. So many serious contenders.

But Secret Oath stands out and above the fray. Literally.

(Zandon / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Best Work Over Churhcill Downs?

For me, this one is easy.

Zandon.

The winner of the G1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes brought his “A Game” to Churhcill Downs, too. The son of the young stallion, Upstart, seems to be peaking at just the right time. On Friday, trainer Chad Brown supervised his colt’s first work under the Twin Spires. The colt breezed 5 furlongs in 1:00.40. That was the 7th best time out of 43 to work that distance on the day.

While the time was impressive, the most spectacular thing about it was that it looked as if Zandon wasn’t even trying. Not even a little bit.

He just glided. Effortlessly. Charismatically. Emphatically.

Worth watching.

Both the practice and in the upcoming Derby.

(Cyberknife / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Most Talented Colt?

It very well may be Cyberknife, who is coming off an impressive win in the G1 Arkansas Derby.

In his early races, this one — who is by Gun Runner — may have been his own worst enemy. From time to time, the horse fought restraint and wanted to do just what he wanted to do. From time to time, the colt wanted to look and see what was happening more than he wanted to make it happen. From time to time, trainer Brad Cox wondered whether or not he needed to put blinkers on or try other equipment to just make his horse mind his manners. From time to time, the horse baffled his friends and family more than an independent teenager.

Now?

Well, Cyberknife’s “time to time” may have turned into “time has come,” or “time to shine.”

Light bulb meet electricity.

If Cyberknife can handle all the emotions and the motions of Derby Day?

He would be no surprise to surprise.

(Zozos / Photos by Holly M. Smith)

Don’t Leave Out?

Zozos.

Another from the barn of Brad Cox, who won the 2021 Kentucky Derby with Mandaloun to become the first Louisville native to win the “Run for the Roses.”

Another with a big shot, too, despite the fact that he didn’t race as a 2YO. We all know by now the curse of the great Apollo and how the Triple Crown winner Justify snapped that 100+-year drought and absence of Derby winners who had not raced as a juvenile. The question is whether we all will know more about Zozos after next Saturday afternoon.

Truth is?

Zozos is coming. Fast. And, he may be developing even faster. He is talented enough to come on strong.

The real question for this colt is whether new rider Manny Franco can help control his speed without choking him down, and whether Zozos will allow his rider to throttle him back without fighting the restraint.

Real big questions, to be sure.

But if the duo can find harmony?

The answers could be big, too.

More Tomorrow.

See you then.