Notes - May 2

- Ramon Dominguez had no explanation for Chelokee's injury.

"He was traveling absolutely perfect....I had the best horse in the race. I was just trying to pick my spot and as soon as he got to the top of the lane, he switched to his right lead and broke down." [Philadelphia Inquirer]

And Dr. Bramlage, repeating the remarks he made on ESPN, said: "That's amazingly very similar to what Barbaro had, only in another leg."

- Jerry Bailey was emphasizing how much they're packing down the main track, and warned that it's going to be a "highway" tomorrow. Noting that the 200 lb. Larry Jones wasn't sinking into the track when he came on to greet Proud Spell, he said, "This track is hard, it's fast, it's sealed. Keep that in mind for tomorrow," he said.

- Country Star finished 6th. If you didn't like her, it was a pretty easy superfecta for $1395.80. Not much value in comparison for those who picked high five for $1867.

- Don't know if it means a thing at all, but Giant Gizmo is a horse that had no problem at all transferring from Cushion Track to the slop of Churchill.

- Churchill Downs' stock sank today on fears that the eventual settlement of the ADW dispute with horsemen will end up costing the company revenue.

The analyst estimates that the ongoing dispute could cost the Louisville, Ky., company $2 million to $4 million per quarter in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

He also added that Calder, the company's race course near Miami, is unlikely to get tax relief as the Florida state legislature failed to pass a bill reducing the tax slot rate.
....
Shares of Churchill Downs slid $3.72, or 7.2 percent, to close at $48.23. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $40.22 to $57.55. [AP]

- The smallest Derby margin was a nose. Doesn't get much closer than that.