Columnist Ralph Siraco: Three Derby hopefuls emerge from Lexington

Ralph Siraco's horse racing column appears Monday. His Southern California selections appear Tuesday through Friday on the scoreboard page. Write to him c /o Las Vegas Sun, 800 S. Valley View, Las Vegas NV 89107.

This year's Kentucky Derby outlook gets weirder by the day. The Derby also gets more entrants by the day.

With just a dozen days to go before the Derby, another contender has joined the overflow field of hopefuls, while one who previously qualified may be out of the race.

On Sunday at Keeneland Race Course in Kentucky a dozen sophomores lined up to contest one of the final Derby preps.

The Lexington Stakes, named after the city where the track is located, was for many in the field a last gasp attempt to gain entry into a crowded "Run for the Roses."

Among the equines trying to punch a ticket to Louisville were Yankee Victor, Charismatic and Finder's Gold. Each of their respective trainers had indicated a good performance Sunday at Keeneland would mean a chance at the feature race at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May.

Well, book the three amigos for a ride up the interstate to the banks of the Ohio river for a little Derby burgoo.

Charismatic roared from off the pace to capture the 1 1/16-mile race and give trainer D. Wayne Lukas another bona fide Derby starter along with Cat Thief. Although he'll need a new pilot on Derby Day, since Jerry Bailey is commited to Worldly Manner for the Derby, the Bob and Beverly Lewis color-bearer will have no trouble gaining a new partner.

Trainer Bob Baffert also was trying to add a little insurance for his attempt at Kentucky Derby history with Finder's Gold. A solid third-place finisher to Charismatic, Finder's Gold may now join stablemate General Challenge as a Golden Eagle Farm entry. He would allow Baffert a trio of hopefuls -- with Prime Timber -- in his quest to become the only trainer to win three consecutive Kentucky Derbies.

Of course, Baffert also has Silverbulletday, but she is scheduled to run in the Kentucky Oaks the day before the Derby. Many experts believe the filly is better than the boys. She is tops on the earnings list and there is speculation that the silver-haired conditioner may spring a surprise by cross-entering her in both the Oaks and Derby to see where she draws in the post-position assignments before making a final decision.

Yankee Victor certainly is Derby timber if he can penetrate the top 20 in earnings. He raced on the pace with the speedy Texas Glitter on Sunday before finishing second. Shane Sellers, who rode Yankee Victor on Sunday, has the call on Vicar for the Derby, so another Derby mount becomes open if Yankee Victor goes.

* ARKANSAS DERBY PROBE: Derby defections are part of the story each year, and this year one could come in the disqualification of Arkansas Derby winner Valhol.

It was learned this week that the horse's electrifying performance in the race may have been due to the aid of an illegal electrical device.

Known as a "machine" by backstretchers, the device is an electric battery -- usually the nine-volt variety -- that has a pair of short prongs protruding from it. The device delivers a sharp electric jolt when it is applied to a horse's neck, causing a potent shock that can produce an unusual and erratic burst of speed from the horse. The inhumane practice is outlawed and carries stiff penalties, even lifelong bans, for violators.

Compelling evidence from videotapes of the race and testimony from bystanders indicate jockey Billy Patin dropping what appears to be a buzzer to the ground while pulling up Valhol moments after his shocking victory two Saturdays ago.

Charles Cella, president of Oaklawn Park, host of the Grade II race, reported to the Arkansas Racing Commission that employees at his track had uncovered strong evidence that the jockey had the device in his possession and had found the buzzer on the track. ESPN televised the race and videotape replays from several different angles and positions showed the rider discarding an object in the same general area on the track where the device was found.

The $300,000 winner's share of the purse vaulted Valhol into an automatic starting spot for the Kentucky Derby. Because this year's Derby is certain to be oversubscribed, the graded-earnings rule --by which graded-race earners are preferred starters -- will come into effect.

So, many fence-sitters are waiting for defections from the body of 20 qualified starters.

* KRONE LEAVES ON HIGH NOTE: The most famous female jockey in racing history hung up her tack after nearly two decades in the saddle. Julie Krone, who became the only female rider to win a Triple Crown event when she rode Colonial Affair to victory in the 1993 Belmont Stakes, rode in her last race Sunday at Lone Star Park in Texas. Although she finished second on Desert Demon in the Lone Star Derby with her final ride, the Benton Harbor, Michigan, native won three races on her final day to end a splendid career with nearly 3,550 victories. She is expected to stay in racing in some capacity after a well-deserved vacation.

* THE GREAT RACE PLACE FINALE: The 1998-99 racing season at Santa Anita ends with a special Monday racing program today. The historic Southern California racing emporium will undergo major renovations to its facility immediately upon completion of the racing program. Phase 1 of the plan should be finished by the time racing resumes in Arcadia in the Oak Tree meeting this fall.

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