Sunday, November 22, 2009 East Central Illinois

Sports of All Sorts

Champaign's Kentucky Derby hopeful faces test

Posted by: Tony Bleill

Friday, March 13, 2009 11:31 PM

Trainer Chris Block of rural Champaign sends out his Kentucky Derby hopeful, Giant Oak, for a key race Saturday at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Giant Oak is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line for the Louisiana Derby, a 1-1/16 mile race for horses who are pointing for the May 2 Derby.

It is a crucial test for Giant Oak, who ran fifth in his only race as a 3-year-old, the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. Giant Oak had a mountain of trouble in that race, being blocked behind horses for much of the running. Edgar Prado rode him in that race; James Graham, who is on Giant Oak in most of his morning works, rides Saturday.

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A good performance likely keeps Giant Oak on the Triple Crown trail. The colt would have one more start before the Derby. A poor showing Saturday probably would leave his connections pointing toward other goals, perhaps on the grass.

 

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