Cicero, IL (Sports Network) - Eleven thoroughbred three-year-olds,
whose owners and trainers are all hoping can be the next War Emblem,
have been entered in Saturday's $500,000 Illinois Derby at Hawthorne
Race Course.
Two years ago War Emblem used the 1 1/8 mile race as the final prep before
winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Last year eventual
Travers Stakes winner Ten Most Wanted also captured the event.
This year's Illinois Derby is a wide opened affair without a solid
favorite.
The 4-1 morning line favorite is Pollard's Vision who is coming off a
third place finish in the Louisiana Derby. Pollard's Vision is owned by
Edgewood Farm and trained by Todd Pletcher. Jockey Eibar Coa will ride the
colt for the first time and start from post two.
Stakes newcomer Song of the Sword is the 9-2 second choice in the program.
Song of the Sword will be ridden by Richard Migliore for owner Ernie
Paragallo and trainer Jennifer Pederson. Migliore was the winning jockey
aboard Friends Lake in the Florida Derby. Song of the Sword will break
from post five.
Merv Griffin is going to spin the wheel of fortune in the Illinois Derby
with Skipaslew. Earlier this year the colt captured the Golden Gate Derby
at Golden Gate Fields and then was seventh in the El Camino Real Derby there. Skipaslew is 5-1 in the morning line and will start from post three with Eric Saint- Martin aboard. The three-year-old is trained by Doug O'Neill.
At 12-1 in the morning line, El Camino Real Derby winner Kilgowan is not
getting much respect. Kilgowan was the longshot winner of that race for
owner Ann Marie Farm and trainer Lonnie Arterburn. Jockey Chance Rollins
again has the mount and will break from the inside post.
Another California horse, O.K. Mikie, will attempt to get to the wire
first. O.K. Mikie was second in the Golden State Derby and a close fourth
in the El Camino Real. He is 10-1 in the program with Kevin Radke set to
ride. O.K. Mikie will start from post nine for owner Charles Lo and trainer
Jerry McArthur.
Here is the complete post position order for the Illinois Derby:
Kilgowan, Pollard's Vision, Skipaslew, Suave, Song of the Sword,
Chrome Soldier, Dancefortyniner, Pure American, O.K. Mikie, Farnus
Alley and White Mountain Boy.
