Mission Impazible Makes a Statement at the Fair Grounds

With just 5 weeks until the Kentucky Derby some contenders made very different statements in Louisiana and the Middle East over the weekend.

On a Mission to Kentucky

Mission Impazible looks quite plausible as an entrant in the Kentucky Derby after the 3 year old won the $750,000 Louisian Derby in the Fair Grounds on Saturday. Ridden by Rajiv Maragh, Mission Impazible covered the course in 1:50.32 on a dry and fast track, shaking up the Kentucky Derby odds for one of its stable-mates. The Todd Pletcher trained colt was in the middle of pack in the backstretch, but moved up to third coming out of the final turn before passing A Little Warm for its second career victory. Discreetly Mine, another Pletcher trained horse, was favorite for the race but faded into fourth down the stretch. Pletcher hinted after the race that Discreetly Mine could still race in the Derby in five weeks time despite failing to figure in the final shake-up at the Fair Grounds. The loss will surely knock Discreetly Mine down the pecking order of the Churchill Downs field though, having been ranked 10th in the AP’s Run to the Roses ratings before this race. Mission Impazible is almost certain to rocket into the Top 10 after its win.

Mendip bites the dust
While Pletcher celebrated in Louisiana, a mood of concern was no doubt brewing half-way around the world as Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stable suffered a substantial blow over the weekend. Godolphin’s most feasible Kentucky Derby prospect, Mendip, lost its unbeaten record to Musir in the UAE Derby. Mendip surged ahead a quarter mile from the finish but Musir unleashed a powerful rally in the stretch to claim victory and lead home a one-two finish for trainer Mike de Kock in the $2 million race. Musir’s stable mate Raihana finished second  dropping Mendip to third. The result all but scuppers Sheikh Mohammed’s hopes of adding a win in the Kentucky Derby this year although Mendip’s $200,000 in group stakes earnings could yet earn it a spot in the field. With or without Mendip in Louisville, having built up a stable of the caliber of Godolphin over the past 2 years it’s unlikely Sheikh Mohammed will have to wait too much longer, possibly as soon as 2011, to deliver a serious contender.

For any bet on the Kentucky Derby and all the best horse betting odds check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.