Posts Tagged ‘Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’

By Ray Paulick
A summit meeting between the leader of the Kentucky state senate’s majority Republican Party and a group of prominent Thoroughbred owners and breeders began shortly after 3:30 p.m. in the offices of the U.S. Pony Club at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington on Tuesday afternoon. The expected subject matter was the future of Kentucky’s beleaguered signature industry and the gulf that exists between horsemen and Sen. President David Williams on the issue of VLTs or expanded gambling at state racetracks.

Williams has repeatedly used his power and influence to block slots or VLT legislation that most in the horse industry see as necessary in the wake of competition from bordering states—this despite a reported penchant for gambling at out of state casinos and riverboats that has earned Williams the nickname of “Blackjack” here at the Paulick Report (more about that later). Williams has come under fire recently from fellow Republicans in the horse community, most notably Bill Farish, general manager of Lane’s End Farm in Versailles and son of William S Farish, a close friend to former Presidents George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush.

Williams met with the board of directors of the influential Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, along with representatives of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club. David Switzer, executive director of the KTA/KTOB, said the decision was made to keep it a closed meeting from the press and others in order to ensure what he called “free speech.” 

Also attending the meeting was Scott County Republican Sen. Damon Thayer, a Thoroughbred industry consultant and former executive at Breeders’ Cup and Turfway Park whose silence and lack of support for VLT legislation during a special session of the legislature in June  was widely criticized by individuals in the horse industry. Ed Worley (D-Richmond), the minority leader in Kentucky’s Senate, also was on hand.

As one reader pointed out in a comment, it’s curious why the Kentucky Equine Education Project was not invited to the meeting, which the KTA’s Switzer said Williams had requested two months ago.

WILLIAMS, THAYER TO INTRODUCE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Following the meeting that lasted nearly two hours the dynamic duo of Williams and Thayer  (pictured, left) emerged first, telling reporters about their plans to introduce two constitutional amendments involving gambling in the 2010 legislative session. Williams spoke first, saying he was going to introduce a bill calling for a constitutional amendment to ban the expansion of gambling in Kentucky without what he called "the vote of the people". 

Thayer then said he will sponsor legislation giving voters a chance to decide whether to permit VLTs in seven counties where racetracks are located. If passed, both amendments would go before voters in November 2010. If approved by a majority of Kentuckians, Thayer’s proposed constitutional amendment would then require enabling legislation and a local option vote in all seven counties, followed by a licensing approval process. He did not give a concrete date for when that entire process, which would include a bidding process and licensing of VLT facilities, could be completed.

Click here to see an outline of Thayer’s proposed constitutional amendment. 

If the measure passed and VLT facilities were fully operational (they aren’t necessarily tied to racetracks in the seven counties, based on the proposal), Thayer said Kentucky owners and breeders would get $100 million annually or 25% of net revenue , whichever is higher.

Williams said he would personally oppose the constitutional amendment permitting VLTs but would not attempt to stop it from going through the Senate chamber. Both constitutional amendments would require super majority votes in the Senate (23 of 38 votes) and House (60 of 100 votes). Currently, the House is controlled by Democrats, while Williams and his fellow Republicans hold a 20-17 edge over Democrats in the Senate, with one member independent.

Legislation permitting VLTs passed the House during the special session of the legislature in June, but it was killed in a Republican controlled Senate committee, preventing the measure from getting a full vote on the Senate floor. Since the bill was killed, the Republicans lost one seat in a special election and could conceivably lose another if Republican Sen. Dan Kelly is offered and accepts a judgeship from Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear. Republicans currently control the Senate by a 20-17 edge over Democrats, with one independent.

Williams said if the VLT legislation had been passed by the Senate, "we’d be tied up in litigation" over the constitutionality of the bill. Besides, Williams said, Gov. Beshear ran on a platform that would permit Kentuckians to vote on whether to allow racetracks to offer expanded gaming. "The governor has some opportunity to show some leadership on this situation," Williams said. "It was his campaign promise that he wanted the people to decide. These two amendments, if the governor will support them, will allow the people to decide. In the intervening time, we can try to do some things to supplement the (horse racing) purses."

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Beshear issued a statement calling the proposed constitutional amendments "cynical" and "political."

When asked about the reaction of horse industry representatives to the proposals, Williams said the discussions were "spirited". Thayer added, "They were courteous."

Williams seemed defensive when asked by one reporter if he would "allow" Thayer’s amendment to be voted upon by the full Senate. "What do you mean ‘allow’?" he responded. He then said it was wrong to blame the failure of the VLT bill on one person (presumably Williams was referring to himself) and said the measure passed the House by a "skinny majority." He chided VLT supporters for calling the opponents of the measure "disingenuous, dishonest and corrupt." 

Thayer said he has not heard much criticism over his lack of support for the VLT bill from his constituents in Scott County but admitted he has been criticized by members of the horse industry. He said he has been consistent in his support of a constitional amendment but said legislators have been too busy on other issues to introduce a bill calling for a constitutional amendment over the last 10 years.

"This is a horse industry protection bill," insisted Thayer. "We will have the most desirable year-round racing circuit in the country."
 
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, HORSE INDUSTRY OPPOSES
Democratic Senate Floor Leader Ed Worley (pictured, left), who also attended the meeting, dismissed chances of members of his party supporting the legislation. "It ain’t gonna happen," Worley said, adding that Thayer’s constitutional amendment would be "dead on arrival." He was highly critical of Thayer for not contacting him "as a courtesy" to outline his plans for the legislation before going public with it. Worley said he had canvassed all but one member of the Democratic caucus  and said none of them would support the constitutional amendments.

"What this is about is politics," Worley said. "This buys (the Republicans) time and divides the industry, and that’s what it is intended to do"–calling it a "wedge issue." Meanwhile, "the multi-billion-dollar industry" is suffering, Worley said. "The rank and file of the industry aren’t sheikhs. They don’t all have million-dollar horses."

Bill Farish said the lengthy time line for the constitutional amendment, statewide referendum, enabling legislation, local option votes and licensing process was not acceptable to a horse industry that needs more immediate help. A statewide referendum and local-option elections "give out-of-state casinos two shots to oppose" the measure, he added, saying they would spend millions in advertising in an effort to sway public opinion against VLTs at racetracks.

"We have our position and he (Williams) has his position," Farish said, though he added the horse industry will continue to seek common ground with legislators. In the meantime, he said, the industry will work to elect senators and House members who understand and support the horse industry’s position.  "As an industry we are united." 

It was startling to hear Farish, whose family has such longstanding, close ties to Republican Party politics, using the word "we" while discussing the horse industry’s support of Democratic candidates for state Senate and House seats. And if it’s startling to me, imagine how high-ranking Republicans like U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell feel about the manner in which Williams has alienated so many Republican Party supporters.

Don Robinson (pictured, left, with Bill Farish), the president of the KTA/KTOB, said one of the horsemen in the meeting called the presentation by Williams and Thayer "smoke and mirrors". 

"By acclamation, (KTA/KTOB) supports  the Senate having a full hearing of the House bill," Robinson added,  He said the horse industry would have supported a constitutional amendment several years ago, but "it’s a different timetable now. We are in trouble. Mares are leaving the state. It’s too little, too late."

Thayer disagreed, saying, "It’s never too late to let the people decide."

If the VLT amendment passed and got local-option approval, the KTA’s Switzer said, it would be late 2013 or early 2014 before any revenue would find it’s way to the horse industry and state coffers. "Our backs are to the wall," he said. 

WILLIAMS DENIES ANY GAMBLING TIES
A final note: I asked Williams about his cease and desist demand in the wake of recent published comments from Lebanon, Ky., attorney James Avritt Sr., which suggested Williams’ opposition to racetrack VLTs might trace to out-of-state casino companies. "Who are  you?" Williams wanted to know after I said some people were interested in any personal experience with gambling he might have at out-of-state casinos.  When I said I wrote for the Paulick Report, he replied, "You’re the only who’s been saying anything about that." I also asked the Senate president if his law firm has represented any casino interests. "Absolutely not," he replied.

After that exchange, I got the feeling Williams probably would not invite me to Frankfort for a tour of the state capitol or a lunch at his favorite hangout (or, for that matter, on a road trip to Indiana’s Horseshoe Casino, located  just 20 minutes from downtown Louisville, Ky.).  But, on the other hand, he was in hostile territory and didn’t seem to be in the best of moods when I asked about any personal interest he has in gambling.

"We’re not his friends," said KTA/KTOB president Robinson. 

That might have been the understatement of the day.

Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report

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Stuart serves as scholarship coordinator of the fund, which recently awarded 32 scholarships for 2009-2010, bring to 384 the number of annual scholarships (at an average of $2,000 apiece) handed out since the program began in 1996. Approximately 125 recipients have been graduated from college or technical programs, several with honors and many on the Dean’s list, including a 4.0 valedictorian.

The students must apply by July 1, and the scholarships are based on need, merit, essays and personal interviews with Stuart and the board members in late July. They are required to re-apply and interview each year during college. To be eligible, the applicant must have at least one parent working at a Kentucky Thoroughbred farm.

“These kids have these huge work ethics,” Stuart said, “and because most of them have never had family members go to college, it’s a whole new life experience. Some of them are shocked that they are actually getting the chance to go to college. It’s so gratifying for us because we get to hear their hopes and dreams, and it’s fun to see their confidence grow year to year. They have so much presence and are just the greatest kids.”

The idea for the scholarship fund came from Liberation Farm’s Rob Whiteley, who serves as president of the Horse Farm Workers Educational Assistance Fund, and Tom Evans of Trackside Farm, the fund’s vice president and treasurer.

“Horse Farm workers are the backbone of the Thoroughbred industry,” said Whiteley, “and these young people are a source of great pride to their parents who have worked so hard in order for their children to enjoy a fulfilling and productive quality of life. The scholarships are an investment in truly motivated individuals who possess initiative and great potential. And the best news of all is that many of them intend to pursue careers in the Thoroughbred industry. In this way, supporting the Fund also makes practical sense, as it helps to build a stronger horse industry in the future. Several graduates are already distinguishing themselves in horse related endeavors, including one who is currently serving as Director of Racing at a major North American track.”

Board members include Whiteley; Evans; Judge Wilson of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs,, the fund’s secretary; Dan Pride of Fasig-Tipton; John Stuart of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services; John Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm; and Chet Blackey, DVM. Churchill Downs Inc. chairman Carl Pollard serves as an informal advisor.

“I would like to thank all of the board members for their time, caring and commitment, as well as the many individuals who have generously supported and valued this remarkable group of young scholars since the Fund’s inception,” said Whiteley. “We are especially grateful to the Carl Pollard Foundation, Thoroughbred Charities of America, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, Darley America, Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, the Crafty Prospector syndicate, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders for their substantial contributions. In addition, I am appreciative that six of our female scholars for 2009-2010 will receive awards funded by the generosity of the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee.”

This year’s scholars have a working parent at one of the following farms: Beech Spring Farm, Bradyleigh, CASA (2), Cedar Ridge, Claiborne (4), Crestwood, Darby Dan, Darley America (4), Denali, Fab Oak, Golden Age, High Point, Indian Creek, Loch Lea, Manchester, Niknar, Pin Oak, Six Winters, Stonehaven Steadings, Sunnyside, Three Chimneys (2), Wimbledon, and Winstar Farm.

The 2009-2010 Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance scholars and the schools they will be attending are as follows:

Kaitlyn Alexander - Morehead State U.
Megan Brady - Morehead State U.
Lindsay Brumley - Thomas More College
Sarah Burton - Mary Baldwin College
Monica Calleja – BCTC
Cheli Castillo – BCTC
Brett Courtney – BCTC
Josh Davis - Morehead State U.
Pamela Deegan - Murray State U.
Liz Fiero - Murray State U.
Shane Goforth – U. of Kentucky
Megan Hephner - Middle Tennessee State
Ashley Herrera – U. of Kentucky
Mary Koch – U. of Kentucky
Kathleen Layton – U. of Kentucky
Megan Lynn – BCTC
Linzay Marks – LSU
Sean Parisel - U. of Kentucky
Steven Powell - Western KY U.
Justin Purvis – BCTC
John Rankin - Morehead State U.
Trey Rankin - Thomas More College
Jose Salazar – BCTC
Viridiana Salazar – BCTC
Hanna Sams - Morehead State U.
Lyndsay Sams - Eastern Kentucky U.
Sarah Shaw - Eastern Kentucky U.
Stephanie Sosby - U. of the Cumberlands
Miller Thornbury - University of the South
Parker Wornall - Western Kentucky U.
Lindsay Zahn - Eastern Kentucky U.
Elizabeth Zajic - Eastern Kentucky U.

–BCTC = Bluegrass Community and Technical College
–Two of the scholars who will be attending the University of Kentucky are also UK Pollard Scholars, and another is a UK Jamal Mashburn Scholar. The Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization run on a volunteer basis, with over 92% of donated monies flowing through to recipients. Tax deductible contributions may be made to the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund, 2938 Four Pines Drive, Lexington, KY 40502-2969. Applications for the 2010-2011 school year will be available in May, and inquiries may be made to (859) 269-1719

. Additional information may be viewed at www.horsefarmworkerseducationfund.com.

Liberation Farm celebrates the many horsemen and horsewomen who strive each day to make things better for horses and those who work with them.  To learn more about Liberation Farm, click here.

Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report

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“Year after year, hard working, extraordinary young people continue to impress the board with their ability, accomplishments, and enthusiasm,” said Whiteley. “They have internalized the work ethic of their parents, and most of them help pay their way through school by working one or more jobs in addition to carrying a full load of classes. Thus, the goal of the fund is to provide enough money to these deserving students so that their school work can be their number one priority.”

By Ray Paulick
Muffy Stuart calls it the “most inspiring day of my life.” It’s the day she and the board of directors of the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund in Kentucky get to meet the young people who have applied for college scholarships. In many cases, the teenagers will be the first in their families to attend a college or university.

It’s Tuesday night of Kentucky Derby week and that means one thing: the annual Derby Trainers Dinner, where the trainers of Derby starters have a chance to be grilled by emcees Chris Lincoln, a former host of ESPN racing telecasts, and Paul Rogers, the voice of the Louisville Cardinals and a well-known radio broadcaster. The Paulick Report will be live blogging this year’s dinner, which is put on the by Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.
 
So forget about watching “American Idol” tonight (we all know that Adam Lambert is a cinch to win) and tune in to our live blog starting around 8 p.m Eastern. All of the trainers who show up are sure to say their horse has a good chance to win, and those who don’t will be blasted by Lincoln.

8:20 p.m. … After some brief remarks from Paul Rogers, Chris Lincoln was introduced and of course my first thought was whether he was still the svelt, handsome and debonair Chris or the over the top, needs two airline seats on Southwest Chris.  He was somewhere in between. Lincoln said it broke his heart that Quality Road had to be withdrawn from the race–not because he wanted to see Jimmy Jerkens win the race but because "I had a 40-1 future book bet on the sumbitch." Lincoln is great at this stuff.

8:25 p.m. … Dr. David Richardson introduced both Gov. Steve Beshear and his Jane, and the governor hopped on-stage to make a few remarks.  He talked about being at the track early that morning and loving the fact that Kentucky is the horse capital of the world. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here  tonight with the leadership of Kentucky’s signature industry," Beshear said, recognizing the members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commissiono that were in attendance. Integrity is a critical part of the industry, he said, Then he moved to a different subject. "I do not want to be the governor that presides over the former horse capital of the world.  It is time that we have some form of expanded gaming in Kentucky," Beshear said to rousing applause. "I am goinig to work as hard as I can to make sure we can get this done, some way, some how."

Lincoln back up to the mike. "Dickie couldn’t make it, didn’t want to make it…so he gets my first ‘rat bastard’ of the nght," Lincoln said about Rick Dutrow, who didn’t come to the Derby  Trainers Dinner to accept the mint julep cup traditionally given to the previous year’s winning trainer.

On to the trainer interviews, and apparently the 2009 Derby Trainers Dinner is a first in that all of the Derby trainers are in attendnce.. Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas were brought up first as a team, and attempted a comedy routine. Lukas had some prepared material, obviously."He’s lost a lot of weight," Lukas said about Lincoln. "We had to get a restraining order at Burger King for him."

Baffert talked about the story of Tom McCarthy, the former teacher and principal who trains and owns General Quarters.: "This guy’s been training quarter horses before i was born," said Baffert. "He knows what he’s doinig. He’s been sandbagging everybody. he used to train at Rillito. So we’ve got to watch out for this." Lukas chimed in. "Him and Jeff Mullins," he said

"Welcome to the new master of ceremonies, D. Wayne Lukas," said Lincoln.

8:30 p.m. … Lincoln asks Lukas if Baffert being elected into the Hall of Fame cheapens the place. "In all sincerity," he said, "if you don’t put him in, you shouldn’t have it," said Lukas.

8:35 p.m. … "We’re optimistic, but we’re realistic," Lukas said about his 45th Derby starter, Flying Private, a longshot in the race. "We’ll make some noise."

Baffert said he’s led over some really good horses and "had to be poured out of a shot glass" after they ran badly. He didn’t seem to want to talk about his horse, Pioneerof the Nile, instead talking about the great experience of winning the Derby, something he’s done three times. "For all you newcomers into town, the first thing I recommend is you go to the Derby Museum," said Baffert. "It’s very emotional and you need to see it."

8:40 p.m. … Saeed bin Suroor is asked if Sheikh Mohammed is going to be in town for the Derby. He hedged a little and said "maybe," which probably means "yes." He describe his pair of Derby horses this year, Desert Party and Regal Ransom, as the best horses Godophin has brought to the Derby. "Desert Party was my favorite of all the horses we had brought over," bin Suroor said. 

8:45 p.m. … Kelly Breen, trainer of Atomic Rain and West Side Bernie, said he didn’t want to come up right after Baffert and Lukas. "That’s a tough act to follow," he said. "I kind of gave up a couple of days ago," Breen said about getting Atomic Rain into the race. The son of Smart Strike moved into the field by graded earnings with the defection of Square Eddie and the decision of trainer Todd Pletcher not to run four horses in the race. "I’m ecstatic to be here," he said. Lincoln asks what he’s thinking about as the Derby approaches. "I’m not a Kentucky boy so I’m not so sure I’ll get into ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’ Now if they play some Springsteen or Bon Jovi, that would be alright. I’m a Jersey bred."

8:50 p.m. … Eoin Harty is asked if brothers Colonel John and Mr. Hot Stuff have similar pesonalities. "No," he said, "one is an intellectual and the other is a jack-off, if you can say that." Lincoln mentions that the Dubai World Cup, which Harty won with Well Armed this year, will be worth $10 million next year. "It’s the only time you can get pissed for winning a $6 million race," Harty said, wondering why they couldn’t increase the purse in 2009.

8:55 p.m. … "This has to be the best named horse in the race," Lincoln says about Chocolate Candy as trainer Jerry Hollendorfer comes to the stage. "He’s destined to be a Hall of Famer," he adds about the Northern California based trainer. "I can’t say I know why she named this horse," he said, but I know she did name him.," Hollendorfer said of the weight-loss queen who has won the Epsom Derby with her late husband, Sid Craig. Hollendorfer said talk show host Larry King will be among Jenny Craig’s Derby guests. Lincoln pointed out that Hollendorfer has had bad luck at the Derby. "They tell me Sheikh Mohammed needs a backstop," Hollendorfer said. I don’t get it. 

9:00 p.m. … Longshot Summer Bird’s trainer Tim Ice is one of the first-time Derby participants. "We’re here and we’re going to give it everything we have," he said. "We weren’t really thinking about the Kentucky Derby," he said of the horse’s third-place finish in the Arkansas Derby, his first start after breaking his maiden. "We just wanted to see how good of a horse we had."

Lincoln asks if Summer Bird’s owners are in the audience and mentions that K.K. Jayaraman is a heart surgeon. When Jayaraman and his wife first came to the Derby 20 years ago with LeRoy Jolley as their trainer,  Lincoln said he asked the owner, "How can a heart surgeon have a trainer who has no heart. "

9:06 p.m. … Larry Jones gets a big hand when he is introduced. "I think everybody agrees Friesan Fire has the pedigree for it," Jones tells Rogers when asked if the son of A.P. Indy is the best horse he’s brought to the Derby in the last three years. He was then asked about the seven-week layoff Friesan Fire has had since winning the Louisiana Derby in mid-March. "Hard Spun was coming off a six-week layoff and that had never been done," Jones said. "Eight Belles was coming off a mile and a sixteenth race, and they say that had never been done, so we’re going to make Friesan Fire overcome both of those obstacles."

9:10 p.m. … Tom McCarthy is reminded by Lincoln that’s he’s 75 years old, "which makes you even older than Wayne Lukas." "I have the eyes of a 45-year-old," McCarthy said, adding that he feels like a young man. McCarthy tells the story of a wheelchair bound Navy veteran from Lexington he met after General Quarters won the Blue Grass. The name, given to the horse by original owner Ken Ramsey, is an order given to sailors. This was the first time the veteran ever came to the races. "I just had to come," he told McCarthy. "If you knew how many times in the middle of the night I had to jump out of bed when they gave hte order ‘general quarters,’" he said.

9:15 p.m. … Bill Mott, a member of the Hall of Fame, has never had much luck in the Derby. "If we don’t win it this year," the trainer of Hold Me Back said, "we’ll just try to get it done next year." Mott said. I remember back when Mott was training primarily for the late Allen Paulson and I asked him if he was frustrated training for someone who bred horses that excelled on turf and as older runners. "Oh, Mr. Paulson wants to win the Derby," Mott said, "and so do I."

9:20 p.m. … Jeff Mullins is told that I Want Revenge will be the morning line favorite. What made you send the horse to New York, Mullins is asked. "It was time to let him see the dirt and see how he runs on it," the California-based Mullins said about the Stephen Got Even colt’s winning trips to Aqueduct for the Gotham and Wood Memorial. "It seems like he likes the dirt a lot more than the synthetic tracks," Mullins added. "His stride changes on the dirt. On the synthetics he runs with his head down. He seems to have more punch on the dirt, too." How about Joe Talamo. "For a young guy," Mullins said. "I don’t know who impressed me more, the horse or the rider. They both gave me goosebumps." There are no questions about the detention barn incident at Aqueduct that landed Mullins a seven-day suspension from the New York State Racing and Wagering Board. The suspension begins the day after the Derby.

9:25 p.m. .. Todd Pletcher said Join in the Dance "will be in front" in Saturday’s Derby. "He’s not the kind of horse that you can take ahold of," he says. He said his biggest concern about Florida Derby runner-up was having enough graded stakes earnings ot get into the race. It turned out not to be a problem with defections and dropouts. "He just wasn’t ready to run until January," Pletcher said of Dunkirk’s late start, which means he’ll try to break the long string of Derby winners that had at least one race as a 2-year-old. "But he hasn’t missed a beat after we got him at Keeneland in the fall and he went down to Palm Meadows for the winter," Pletcher said. Pletcher was asked about his long Derby losing streak by Lincoln. "I hoped we might get through this without being reminded of that," Pletcher said with a straight face. Does the four-time Eclipse Award trainer do anything without a straight face?

9:25 p.m. … McLean Robinson, trainer of Win Willy, seems like a humble fellow who doesn’t seem used to the spotlight. I’m not sure, but I think he said he hopes Win Willy will run better than he thinks he will. That’s a confidence builder.

9:30 p.m. … By contrast, Musket Man’s trainer Derek Ryan seemed like a natural with a microphone in his hands. "Your horse is five for six and he might be 20 or 30-1," Paul Rogers said. "He can’t read the odds-board," Ryan said. "He’s done about everything we’ve asked of it."

9:30 p.m. … Gary Stute said Papa Clem reminds him of the Bob Baffert-trained Derby winner Silver Charm because "he just keeps on trying. … And I want to thank Win Willy, because if hadn’t been for him (he beat Old Fashioned in the Rebel Stakes) I wouldn’t have gone to the Arkansas Derby."  Papa Clem has been first or second in most of his races but was taken back by off the pace by Rafael Bejarano in the Arkansas Derby. "I was a little nervous," admitted Stute, the son of Mel Stute. Bo Hirsch, the owner of Papa Clem, is the son of the late California breeding and racing icon Clement Hirsch. If you ever have a chance to talk with another icon of California racing, Dr. Jack Robbins, ask him to tell you some Clement Hirsch stories. He’s full of them.

9:35 p.m. … Bennie Woolley is the first trainer I’ve seen at this dinner on crutches. Why is the trainer of longshot Mine That Bird on crutches" A motorcycle accident., he says. I missed the rest of it, and since I am running out of battery power and Wooley was the last of the trainers interviewed, I’m afraid that is it from the 2009 Derby Trainers Dinner.