Artax

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Old Trieste, a little-known colt from California, blistered Churchill Downs yesterday morning, working six furlongs in 1 minute, 9 seconds.Students of the Kentucky Derby said that was possibly the fastest six-furlong Derby work in history. A furlong is one-eighth mile.The only comparable workout they could recall was Forego's five furlongs in 57 seconds before the 1973 Kentucky Derby, won by Secretariat. Forego finished fourth."I've just never had a horse work like this -- ever," said trainer Mike Puype, who seemed stunned by the time (two-fifths of a second off the track record for three-quarters mile)

Ready's Image, a Maryland-bred colt sired by More than Ready, took the Grade II Sanford Stakes at Saratoga yesterday to become the leading 2-year-old in the country. The victory was his third in four races. Bred by David and JoAnn Hayden in Upperco, Ready's Image was purchased for $410,000 in September for owner James Scatuorchio. "This colt is still learning," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "He has a ton of ability and the fact he is still improving is encouraging." Pletcher said the colt will next enter Saratoga's Grade I Hopeful Stakes on Sept.

In his first day riding full time at Saratoga, Edgar Prado finished no better than third in five tries. However, the third came in the right race, the Grade II $109,500 Schuylerville Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies.In the opening day feature at the storied track in upstate New York, Prado contested the early lead with Regally Appealing but settled for a close third when Pat Day on Magicalmysterycat and Jerry Bailey on Circle of Life passed in the stretch. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas and owned in part by Satish Sanan's Padua Stable, Magicalmysterycat won for the fourth time in four times and paid $9.20 to win.Prado rode the 7-1 Regally Appealing for John Kimmel, a top New York trainer who had invited Prado, Maryland's top jockey, to ride for him during the 36-day Saratoga meet.

A Harford County man accused of walking onto the track at Pimlico Race Course and standing in front of eight thundering thoroughbreds Saturday was charged with assault and other counts yesterday, city police said.Lee Chang Ferrell, 22, of the 100 block of Waldon Road in Abingdon was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct, trespassing, two counts of resisting arrest and an alcohol-related offense, said Barbara Miner, supervisor of records Baltimore's Central Booking and Intake Center.

In major Kentucky Derby preps last weekend in Florida,Louisiana and California, horses such as Lil's Lad, Cape Town, Comic Strip, Artax and Real Quiet flashed strong Derby credentials. But in a $100,000 race on the undercard of the $750,000 Florida Derby, a horse many had dismissed as a Derby contender earned gushing accolades.Favorite Trick, 1997 Horse of the Year as a 2-year-old, made his 1998 debut under new trainer Bill Mott in the Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Favorite Trick won, remaining unbeaten after nine starts.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A number of factors are in play today at the Kentucky Derby. It's up to you to decide which might matter most when the starting gate opens at Churchill Downs.There's the "too smart for our own good" factor involving Favorite Trick, the reigning Horse of the Year and winner of nine of 10 starts, including six graded stakes.Few Derby horses in recent memory have had better credentials. As well, Trick's jockey, Pat Day, is the winningest rider in Churchill Downs history, and his trainer, Bill Mott, was just elected to racing's Hall of Fame.

EVERYTHING WAS in place to erase the scorched memories of last year's Preakness, when the power went out. This time, the weather was perfect, a record crowd turned out, and electricity filled the air as well as the circuitry. The afternoon offered hope and just enough suspense that Charismatic could match his surprise win in the Kentucky Derby for a chance at horse racing's rare Triple Crown.Then, three races before the 124th Preakness stakes, a man stole onto the track and struck a menacing pose as four tons of horse flesh rushed toward him.Among the thoughts likely racing through the mind of Joseph A. De Francis at that moment: Why me?

ELMONT, N.Y. - The morning after the great upset, Ken McPeek, trainer of the great upsetter, repeated what he told his jockey Edgar Prado before the Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park. "Right before I legged him up," McPeek said, "I told him: `Go shock the world.' " Riding 70-1 long shot Sarava, Prado steered the unknown colt to a shocking victory that crushed War Emblem's Triple Crown bid. After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, War Emblem stumbled badly at the Belmont start and finished eighth.

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Back at D. Wayne Lukas' barn after the Belmont, the trainer, jockey and owners of Charismatic congregated as the colt stood in his stall, a compression cast on his broken right front ankle.Jockey Chris Antley cried and hugged Bob Lewis, who owns Charismatic with his wife, Beverly."I'm a crying son of a gun," Antley said."I'm kind of a weeping willow myself," Lewis said.Lewis thanked Antley for jumping off the horse as soon as possible after the injury."Thank God we had Chris Antley on that horse," Lewis said.

Three weeks ago, Nimble was led into the Laurel Park winner's circle after an impressive race in which he stumbled out of the gate, drifted out in the lane and still romped to victory in the William Furey Memorial Stakes. That was the fifth consecutive triumph for the 7-year-old former claimer, who equaled the seven-furlong track record with a time of 1: 21 2/5. But today he ascends into the fastest company he has ever faced. The son of Afleet has never hooked up with the likes of Yes It's True and Good and Tough, two rugged customers who will attract the majority of the bettors' attention in the Grade 1, $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash.