NEWS
I Want Revenge stays on top in Triple Crown poll
Posted: Monday, April 13, 2009 5:06 PM
WOOD MEMORIAL (G1) WINNER I WANT REVENGE
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
by Ron Parker
I Want Revenge held on to the first-place ranking he attained last week in the THOROUGHBRED TIMES Road to the Triple Crown poll after the final week of major prep races for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on May 2.
THOROUGHBRED TIMES publishes a weekly poll of the top 15 Triple Crown contenders based on a vote from its editors, reporters, and correspondents with a first-place vote worth 15 points, second worth 14 points, etc.
To view the poll as part of the THOROUGHBRED TIMES Road to the Triple Crown website, click here.
While the voters had difficulty separating Pioneerof the Nile and Quality Road for the runner-up spot, with Pioneerof the Nile prevailing by a single point, they had no trouble elevating Papa Clem from 13th place to fifth in the current poll.
Papa Clem’s victory in the Arkansas Derby (G2) at Oaklawn Park brought back fond memories for trainer Gary Stute, son of veteran trainer Mel Stute, who won the 1986 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Snow Chief. (To view a video of the Arkansas Derby, click here.)
“Up until today, the Preakness was the happiest day of my life,” Gary Stute said after the Arkansas Derby. “He [Papa Clem] just doesn’t want to get beat. He has a ton of heart.”
Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner General Quarters, who is ranked eighth in his poll debut, provided a feel-good human interest story. (To view a video of the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, click here.)
General Quarters is owned and trained by retired school teacher and high school principal Tom McCarthy, who claimed the colt for $20,000 out of his career debut on May 30 at Churchill Downs. General Quarters represents the 75-year-old’s entire stable.
“I can’t tell you what was going through my mind,” McCarthy said after General Quarters punched their ticket to the Kentucky Derby. “I don’t think there’s a word that describes it. I felt a sense of euphoria, a sense of well-being. It’s hard to describe. It’s a feeling I’ve never had in my life.”
In addition to General Quarters, San Rafael Stakes (G3) runner-up Square Eddie moved into the top 20 as did Massone, the third-place finisher in the Blue Grass. Dropping out of the rankings were Old Fashioned, who will miss the Triple Crown trail with a slab fracture of the right knee that will require surgery, as well as Flat Out and Danger to Society.
To view a video of the Wood Memorial, click here.
To view a video of the Santa Anita Derby, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
