Basic trainers

Ralph Siraco

Friday, May 5, 2000 | 10:42 a.m.

LOIUSVILLE, Ky. -- The first Kentucky Derby of the century has all the makings of an intriguing horse race.

The 126th renewal of the Derby will usher in a new generation of trainers, as more than half the field Saturday will be saddled by conditioners competing in their first Derby.

One trainer, Todd Pletcher, will be the busiest of the rookies as he leads four entrants to the paddock.

Another, Jenine Sahadi, will attempt to become the first female trainer to win the Derby.

And another, Neil Drysdale, will finally take the famous walk to the front side of Churchill Downs that eluded him in 1992, when morning-line favorite A.P. Indy, the eventual horse of the year, was scratched at the last minute with a bruised foot.

Rookie trainer Alex Hassinger will try to accomplish what no other trainer has: Win the Derby with the Breeders' Cup Juvenile champion.

Vladimir Cerin, John Kimmel and S. Bin Suroor will enjoy their first Derby as well -- win, lose or draw.

Of course, some things never change. Trainers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert -- who between them won half of the Derbies of the 1990s -- are back.

What makes this Derby extra special, though, is the real stars -- the horses.

Fusaichi Pegasus has drawn plenty of attention since being sold as a juvenile for $4 million. Money does not always buy a Derby starter, let alone a Derby favorite or Derby winner. But this son of Mr. Prospector cuts a dominating silhouette, and he has the temperament of a big-leaguer, too.

Expert handicappers and longtime racing observers believe that if Fusaichi Pegasus behaves himself, with a little luck he could become "one of the ones."

It has been 20 years since the great Spectacular Bid won the 1979 Kentucky Derby, repeated as champ in the Preakness, then failed to win the Triple Crown when he was defeated in the Belmont. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.

And although the sport has been on the brink of another Triple Crown winner the last three years, Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in '98 and Charismatic last year could not turn the trick.

So, if Fusaichi Pegasus really is "one of the ones," then one wonders why a nearly full field of challengers sits waiting in Louisville.

Those questions will be answered where they should be -- on the track at Churchill over the 1 1/4 miles that sweep under the historic twin spires.

Here is the field for this year's Kentucky Derby (in post position order):

* 1) ANEES (jockey Corey Nakatani), 20-1: Won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year and went on to win an Eclipse Award as the best juvenile of 1999. Hassinger took over training Anees after his freshman campaign and has been playing catch-up ever since. If Anees returns to his Breeders' Cup form, he could break the Breeders' Cup Juvenile/Kentucky Derby jinx.

* 2) APTITUDE (Alex Solis), 20-1: Lightly raced runner continues to improve with a recent runner-up effort in the Gotham and a fast-closing third in the Wood Memorial. Solis has finished second in the Derby twice, in 1997 with Captain Bodgit and in 1998 with Victory Gallop. Trainer Bobby Frankel has a Derby with his name on it. Is this the one?

* 3) WHEELAWAY (Richard Migliore), 30-1: Part of the mutuel-field entry. This son of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled earned his way into the Derby with a solid victory in the Tampa Bay Derby in March. He finished third in the Blue Grass Stakes.

* 4) HAL'S HOPE (Roger Velez), 20-1: The sentimental choice in this Derby. Owner/trainer Hal Rose is 88 years old, and Velez has battled back from personal problems to return to the big time. This guy won the Holy Bull Stakes and Florida Derby and was runner-up in the Fountain of Youth. He bombed in the Blue Grass but might like Churchill Downs. If this was run in Florida, he might have been the favorite.

* 5) TRIPPI (Jorge Chavez), 5-1: One of Pletcher's four trainees. Won the Flamingo Stakes to punch ticket to Louisville. Although he is the only undefeated runner in the field, he is a devout front-runner. With an anticipated logjam at the front of the pack, this horse may find that speed kills. Jockey is biggest plus.

* 6) DEPUTY WARLOCK (Mark Guidry), 30-1: Would have longer odds if he wasn't part of the mutuel field. Won the Hawthorne Juvenile last year and hasn't hit the board in three outings this year.

* 7) CAPTAIN STEVE (Robbie Albarado), 8-1: Boasts 1998 Derby-winning team of owner Mike Pegram and trainer Baffert. After winning a pair of stakes races at age 2, he returned to finish third in the Santa Catalina Stakes, Louisiana Derby and Santa Anita Derby this year. He has been training well at Churchill Downs and is 1-for-1 on that track. Jockey knows the layout.

* 8) WAR CHANT (Jerry Bailey), 6-1: Drysdale thought this guy was better than Fusaichi Pegasus early in their development stages. This son of Danzig suffered his first career defeat when he was second in the Santa Anita Derby. Bailey scaled several Derby prospects before landing here. Drysdale wouldn't have him in if he didn't think he could win.

* 9) MORE THAN READY (J.R. Velazquez), 10-1: Pletcher's most promising horse. Won WHAS Stakes on Derby day last year as a juvenile and racked up a record of 5-for-7 in 1998. After a dead-heat first-place finish in the Hutcheson at Gulfstream Park he finished a gutty second in the Blue Grass Stakes. He should be more than ready to run here.

* 10) THE DEPUTY (Chris McCarron), 4-1: This Irish import started his stateside campaign with a debut grass victory at Santa Anita. Made dirt debut a victory in the Santa Catalina and followed up with a runner-up effort to Fusaichi Pegasus in the San Felipe Stakes. Won the Santa Anita Derby and has been training brilliantly since arriving at Churchill Downs. Trainer Sahadi could break the Derby gender barrier with a bouquet of roses for her own.

* 11) CHINA VISIT (Lanfranco Dettori), 50-1: Winner of United Emirates Derby in Dubai. International stable of Godolphin tries for the second year in a row to send horses from the Middle East to take home America's prize.

* 12) COMMENDABLE (Edgar Prado), 5-1: One of three Lukas trainees. Well-bred runner has been rushed to make Derby. Finished fourth in last three stakes outings, but is still eligible for non-winners of two races other than a maiden victory. Second-guess Team Lukas at your own risk.

* 13) GRAEME HALL (Shane Sellers), 20-1: Pletcher trainee No. 3. Won the Arkansas Derby gate-to-wire to earn way into Derby. Like stablemate Trippi, this one will find a lot of company on the engine. Needs tactic change for best chance.

* 14) IMPEACHMENT (Craig Perret), 5-1: Pletcher trainee No. 4. Runner-up in Tampa Bay Derby and third-place finisher in the Arkansas Derby. Needs a meltdown to make any impact here. But this is the Derby, and stranger things have happened in the Derby.

* 15) FUSAICHI PEGASUS (Kent Desormeaux), 9-5: Derby favorite has earned the mantle. After a defeat in his debut, this guy has been flawless. Won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct to answer many questions with resolution. Well bred, outstanding confirmation, great championship stride. Conditioned by one of the most respected trainers in the business in Drysdale, this guy only needs to mind his manners and get a decent trip to win. He is clearly the one to beat.

* 16) EXCHANGE RATE (Calvin Borel), 30-1: Lukas trainee showed promise as a juvenile, putting together back-to-back victories before tailing off in most recent two outings. Excuses came after Wood shellacking. He needs to run the race of his life to beat these. Again, dismiss Team Lukas at your own risk.

* 17) HIGH YIELD (Pat Day), 5-1: Hard-knocking son of Storm Cat is Lukas' best chance to repeat in the Derby after winning it a year ago with Charismatic. Won Blue Grass Stakes in most recent outing, also won the Fountain Of Youth and was runner-up in last five outings.

* 18) CURULE (Marion St. Julien), 30-1: Another Dubai shipper. Finished in the money in desert trials.

* 19) RONTON (Brice Blanc), 30-1: Part of the mutuel field. Late entry was sitting on the fence and may have been best served staying on the other side. Broke maiden at Santa Anita in early March, then was a close runner-up in Turfway Park stakes race. Poetic justice could be served if rider wins, as he was bounced off Aptitude for a more experienced jock.

This year we are going to suggest an exotic wager in the Kentucky Derby.:

TRIFECTA BOX: Fusaichi Pegasus, The Deputy and Aptitude -- and have some fun.

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