MARCIE HEACOX 2006 TRIPLE CROWN NOTEBOOK

Weekend Roundup

Saturday April 15, 2006

By Marcie Heacox

Oaklawn Park - Hot Springs, AR

Arkansas Derby

Lawyer Ron returned to his front-running ways to win the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) by 2 3/4 lengths. Steppenwolfer closed in to finish second, while Private Vow dropped out to finish third. Lawyer Ron won his seventh race in as many starts over dirt, after failed efforts on turf and Polytrack. The 1 1/8 miles over the fast track were covered in 1:51:38, the slowest final time for the race since 1982. John McKee rode the winner owned by The James T. Hines, Jr. Estate and trained by Bob Holthus. A record Oaklawn crowd of 72,484 came to see the race that will send one of the top favorites as well as a “wise-guy” horse in Steppenwolfer to Churchill Downs May 6.

Keeneland - Lexington, KY

Blue Grass Stakes

There was no doubt as to who the winner of the Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) was. Sinister Minister clawed his way to the lead and never looked back as he won by 12 3/4 lengths in 1:48:85 for the 1 1/8 miles. None of the favorites, including First Samurai and Strong Contender ever challenged over the notoriously speed-favoring surface. Storm Treasure finished second over Bluegrass Cat. The winning connections are owners Terry Lanni, Ernie Moody, and Bernie Schiappa, trainer Bob Baffert, and jockey Garrett Gomez. Sinister Minister is the only certainty out of the race for the Kentucky Derby.