Derby, Oaks Contenders Arrive At Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 11, 2002) - The number of contenders on the grounds of Churchill Downs for the 128th renewals of the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks grew Thursday (April 11) afternoon with the arrival of a plane from California carrying horses for trainers Bob Baffert and Bobby Frankel and a van from Lexington that carried the newest member of Baffert's stable.

Illinois Derby (GII) winner War Emblem, who was on the van from Lexington, became a member of Baffert's stable after he was purchased privately by The Thoroughbred Corp. War Emblem, previously trained by Frank Springer, had been shipped to Keeneland after last week's win at Sportsman's Park. The son of Our Emblem, previously owned by Russell L. Reineman of Chicago, will take up residence with Baffert's division in Barn 33.

The flight from California included the top Kentucky Oaks contenders from the West Coast - Edmund Gann's Las Virgenes (GI) and Santa Anita Oaks (GI) winner You and The Thoroughbred Corp's Habibti, the runner-up in both of those races and the winner of the Hollywood Starlet (GI). You is trained by Frankel and Habibti by Baffert.

Also on the plane for Baffert was Mike Pegram's Danthebluegrassman, who is out of Kentucky Derby consideration following an eighth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby (GI). Frankel's group also included the Blatz & Smith's Royal Gem, a 3-year-old son of Royal Academy who is unbeaten in two starts, both on the turf.

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