As reported by CourierJournal.com  Everybody who believes they have a fantastic 3-year-old horse in their barn has a master plan, a race that would make them toss their cowboy hats in celebration.
Dr. Leonard Blach and Mark Allen believed they had a fairly fantastic 3-year-old. And they entered March confident in their plan:

They wanted to run Mine That Bird in the Derby — the Lone Star Derby, a Grade III stakes worth $400,000 scheduled next Saturday at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. Getting to the winner’s circle at Lone Star, now that would give them a reason to hoot and holler. (more…)

Two-Time Grammy Winner Helps Churchill Downs Launch Modern-Day Derby Tradition

Churchill Downs announced that multiple-award winner and country music superstar LeAnn Rimes will help the historic racetrack launch a modern-day Kentucky Derby tradition when she performs the national anthem live as part of the ceremonies leading up to the 135th running of the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands on Saturday, May 2, 2009.  Rimes’ performance will be the first live vocal performance of the “Star Spangled Banner” by a national recording artist on Derby Day and will be televised by NBC Sports as part of its pre-race coverage, which begins at 4 p.m. EDT.
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(As reported by BloodHorse.com) The morning after the scratch of pre-race favorite The Pamplemousse from the Santa Anita Derby  due to a tendon flare-up, co-owner Alex Solis II said the promising colt is off the Kentucky Derby trail.

Later, Solis said The Pamplemousse would be out of action a minimum of six months.

“He has a small lesion (on the tendon in his left front leg) and we’ll do the best thing by the horse,” Solis said in updating the situaion.

Solis indicated that for the time being, the gray son of Kafwain   would remain with trainer Julio Canani at Santa Anita.

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Popular Bravo Program Brings Mobile Tour Into New Infield Hospitality Area

Churchill Downs will welcome one of cable television’s most-watched shows, Bravo’s Emmy® and James Beard Foundation® Award-winning “Top Chef,” to the Infield Club on Kentucky Oaks and Derby Days, May 1-2, 2009. Top Chef: The Tour will be part of Churchill’s new Infield Club hospitality area, which allows Derby and Oaks guests to enjoy the exuberant party atmosphere of the traditional infield with an upgraded twist.

The Top Chef Tour will be included in Bravo’s special one-hour telecast, “Ladies First: Bravo at the Kentucky Derby,” on May 1 from 5-6 p.m. EDT.

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Also–2009 CPO Spreads the Word: ‘Coolers Again Allowed in the Infield’

 With Kentucky Derby 135® just around the corner, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses,” has announced that Nick Ferrara, also known as “RiNickulous,” will be the new Chief Party Officer (CPO) of the 2009 Kentucky Derby infield.  The reigning CPO, Tim “Stymie” Snyder will formally relinquish his party-ruling duties today, making Ferrara the official master of the “People’s Party” on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

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 2009 Chief Party Officer Names ‘Down and Derby’ as Official Infield Anthem

With Kentucky Derby® 135 on May 2, 2009, quickly approaching, Churchill Downs racetrack and the 2009 Kentucky Derby Chief Party Officer, Nick “RiNickulous” Ferrera, today announced the availability of the Official Kentucky Derby 135 Party Playlist.
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Time is running out to apply for the best “job” in America: Chief Party Officer (“CPO”) of the 2009 Kentucky Derby infield.Kentuckiana Partiers Can Apply for Kentucky Derby 135 “Job” at CPO Mardi Gras Bash on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Prime Lounge.

Churchill Downs officials are seeking die-hard partiers, who can take the reins and lead the infield nation to new heights of fun and frivolity for Kentucky Derby 135 on Saturday, May 2. Prospective candidates have until Saturday, Feb. 28 to apply for the ideal executive officer position.
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 Reigning CPO to Recruit Party-Hardy Applicants at Super Bowl XLIII

LOUISVILLE, KY.  – With the official countdown to Kentucky Derby 135 on May 2, 2009, now underway, Churchill Downs, the legendary racetrack that hosts the annual “Run for the Roses,” is accepting applications for the best “job” in America: Chief Party Officer (“CPO”) of the 2009 Kentucky Derby infield. The search for the ideal executive officer of The People’s Party will begin at the first major sporting event of the year – Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla. – and will continue on the social networking site Facebook through Feb. 28.

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