Monday, April 20, 1998 | 11:09 a.m.
IT'S THAT TIME of year again. Derby time.
By the time the first Saturday in May rolls around, everybody will, for one day, for one race, for the fastest two minutes in sports, become a racing fan.
Those who normally wouldn't know the difference between the Kentucky Derby and a bonnet in the bluegrass will have an opinion, be it by the colors of the rider's silks, a cute name or a cuter jockey, and venture a bob or two on the bobtail nag in America's most famous horse race.
The Kentucky Derby, like the Super Bowl, World Series or the NCAA Basketball Tournament, is Americana -- the event that defines the sport to the masses.
Ask any rider, owner or trainer what race they'd most like to win and it be the same answer to the question they are always asked when people find out what they do for a living: the Kentucky Derby.
So, while this gaming town prepares for the biggest single-day sports event party since the Super Bowl, it is our duty to provide some party fodder for those whose knowledge of the Derby stops at the mint julep bar.
With a dozen days to Derby fever, here's how this year's Run for the Roses is shaping up.
A field of 14 to 16 runners is firming up, with the official entries to be taken a week from Thursday along with the post-position draw. The draw for post positions this year will take on a new process that will have each horse's connections choosing the position of preference, in order of selection, rather than by the traditional lottery setup of past Derbies. This new system will allow more strategy than luck-of-the-draw and gives a "draft day" feeling to the proceedings.
Final training preparations and last-minute huddling with owners will determine any additions or defections from now to draw day as all but Saturday's Derby Trial is left of the Derby prep races.
The Derby contenders are:
FAVORITE TRICK -- The 1997 Horse of the Year lost his first career race in his final Derby prep nine days ago in the Arkansas Derby while finishing a close third. He was only the second horse in history to take the year-end honors as a freshman and has won 10 of 11 lifetime starts. His breeding, by Phone Trick, suggests he may not handle the grueling distance of 1 1/4 miles, but could be a freak.
INDIAN CHARLIE -- Trained and ridden by last year's winning combination of Bob Baffert and Gary Stevens respectively, this is one of two undefeated entrants in the field. Won the Santa Anita Derby in his last start to extend his streak to four, tries to become the ninth horse to parlay an Anita Derby win into a Kentucky Derby victory. Is named for a rogue backstretch newspaper from Kentucky.
HALORY HUNTER -- Won Keeneland's Bluegrass Stakes in most recent outing and is trained by Nick Zito who has won the Derby twice this decade and tries the same double that his Strike The Gold did in 1991. This son of Jade Hunter is owned by former Kentucky Wildcats and current Boston Celtics basketball coach Rick Pitino.
EVENT OF THE YEAR -- The other undefeated colt in the field won his final prep in the March 29 Jim Beam Stakes for his fourth career win. Trained by Northern California's perennial leader Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by the sport's newest 6,000 career winner Russell Baze, he is also owned by John and Betty Mabee's Golden Eagle Farms. He will try to emulate his daddy Seattle Slew as an undefeated Derby winner.
CAPE TOWN -- Trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned by William T. Young's Overbrook Farms, he will try to repeat Grindstone's 1996 Derby win for his connections. Won the Florida Derby, upon disqualification of Lil's Lad, and has two victories over the Churchill Down track that include the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
REAL QUIET -- Second to Indian Charlie in the Santa Anita Derby, he is also trained by Baffert. Won the Hollywood Futurity at 2 and will try to become the 12th Anita Derby participant to win the Kentucky Derby.
ARTAX -- Multiple stakes winner at Santa Anita before a distant Anita Derby third, he suffers from low blood count and is being treated for that while preparing for a Derby start. Owned by the same connections as 1996 Derby starter Unbridled's Song.
VICTORY GALLOP -- Won Arkansas Derby in last for fifth win of seven lifetime starts. He is on the same schedule as 1983 Derby winner Sunny's Halo, having won the Rebel at Oaklawn just before that, and will play the deja vu angle.
OLD TRIESTE -- Son of A.P. Indy, who was scratched the morning of the 1992 Derby, won by 10 lengths at Santa Anita in his last outing and, although well bred and talented, is playing catch-up to the others in the field.
CHILLITO -- Claim to fame was a gate-to-wire victory at Hialeah's Flamingo Stakes and ensures a brisk pace for the Derby, is a career four for eight.
HANUMAN HIGHWAY -- Unlucky runner-up in Arkansas Derby to Victory Gallop in last. The Irish-born, English-raced gelding has the breeding to get the Derby distance.
PARADE GROUND -- Tampa Bay Derby winner was third in recent Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and is consistent, with seven of nine in the quinella outings with a trio of wins.
BASIC TRAINEE -- Ocala Breeders' Sales Championship winner was fourth in the Wood and would have to improve performance to win at Churchill Downs.
ROCK AND ROLL -- Third in Tampa Bay Derby, sounds better than he looks.
NATIONALORE -- Has never won a race, while banking more than $280,000 with 11 in-the-money finishes of 15 lifetime starts. Back in 1919, Sir Barton won the Derby as a maiden and went on to become the first Triple Crown winner.
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