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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Barbaro flying in face of Derby history

Richard Rosenblatt Associated Press

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Trainer Michael Matz is making all the right moves with unbeaten Barbaro, yet Kentucky Derby history may be working against him.

Then again, it’s tough to argue with perfection.

Barbaro ran his record to 5 for 5 with a half-length victory over Sharp Humor in Saturday’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park. The 3-year-old colt not only showed he could handle a fast dirt track, but he also overcame an unfavorable outside post position to defeat 10 rivals.

Now, with five weeks before the Kentucky Derby, Barbaro takes on Derby history – the part that says it’s been 50 years since a horse won the Derby off a five-week layoff (Needles in 1956).

Barbaro also attempts to become the third horse since Seattle Slew in 1977 to win the Derby with an unbeaten record (Smarty Jones did it in 2004).

“The five weeks will be no problem,” Matz said. “We should have a fresh horse. Everybody makes a big deal about that, but I don’t think it is for this horse.”

Todd Pletcher agrees. The trainer who could send out as many as five horses in the Derby, says the long layoff angle is overblown.

“I have no problems with the 35 days,” Pletcher said. “The reason five weeks isn’t going to stack up statistically is no one has tried it. Up until the Florida Derby last year, there hasn’t been a major prep (five weeks from the Derby).”

Actually, some horses have tried the layoff. But not many.

Last year, trainer Nick Zito’s High Fly and Noble Causeway finished 1-2 in the Florida Derby, and were the only horses from the field to run in the Kentucky Derby five weeks later. High Fly finished 10th and Noble Causeway was 14th.

Traditionally, the final preps are four and three weeks before the Derby, such as next weekend’s Santa Anita Derby and the Wood Memorial. The Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes are April 15.

With the victory, Barbaro moves up to No. 2 from No. 5 in this week’s Run to the Roses’ Top 10 list of Derby contenders.

Brother Derek remains No. 1, but will face a tough test against a small field in the Santa Anita Derby. Among the expected starters are A.P. Warrior and Point Determined, the 1-2 finishers in the San Felipe.

Meanwhile, the Wood may draw a field of about 10, including Like Now and Keyed Entry, 1-2 in the Gotham. Deputy Glitters also is set to run.

Sharp Humor, Pletcher’s third-place finisher Sunriver and seventh-place finisher Flashy Bull also are being pointed to the Derby.