Running Rough Shod: May 2014

The obstructed view of Churchill Downs's famous twin spires from the backstretch.

The week leading up to the Oaks and Derby:

New at Churchill: There was a lot of buzz -- mostly positive -- about the $12 million video screen.

Untapable, ponied to the track by trainer Steve Asmussen.

Untapable training.

Bathtime.

Paddock schooling.

My Miss Sophia was training well ahead of her second place in the Oaks.

Unbridled Forever, whose dam is 2006 Oaks winner Lemons Forever, after her final pre-race blowout leading up to the Oaks, in which she ran third.

California Chrome on the track for a jog...

...and at his barn.

Derby third Danza was training like a "boss" leading up to the race.

Grade 1 Malibu winner Shakin it Up, who was second to Central Banker by a head in a Grade 2 on Derby day, caught the eye in the morning.

Oaks Day, May 2nd:

In the La Troienne Stakes on the Oaks undercard, On Fire Baby (under Joe Johnson) won her second career Grade 1 and became a millionaire.

Marchman before winning his second consecutive Grade 3, the Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

Texas-bred filly Fiftyshadesofgold -- in the silks of the Estate of Clarence Schauerbauer, in whose silks 1987 Derby winner Alysheba also ran -- after winning the Grade 3 Eight Belles, Mike Smith up. Fiftyshadesofgold's third dam Alysbelle is a full sister to Alysheba.

Fiftyshadesofgold.

Claimed for $40,000 on November 30th, Moonshine Mullin won the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes on Friday, with heavy favorite Will Take Charge unplaced.

Moonshine Mullin and Calvin Borel return to the winner's circle.

2012 Travers Stakes-G1 dead-heater Golden Ticket was second in the Alysheba.

Coin Broker, who was third in the Alysheba, under Corey Lanerie.

Win or lose, three-year-old champ and 2013 Travers winner Will Take Charge always catches the eye.

Will Take Charge and Gary Stevens.

Untapable, shortly before winning the Oaks in resounding style.

After their win, Rosie Napravnik and Untapable in a final moment of solitude.

Easing up.

John Velazquez, on the unplaced Got Lucky, rode by and asked, "Do I have enough dirt on my face?"

An outrider congratulates Untapable's connections.

Empress of Midway, who flipped in the gate and was scratched from the Oaks, walking back to the barn. Concerned assistant trainer Jack on her right never took his hand or eye off her.

Derby Day, May 3rd:

Coffee Clique after winning the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile, the first stakes on Derby day.

Making her first start in 11 months, favorite Midnight Lucky and Rosie Napravnik after winning the Grade 1 Humana Distaff. Her only loss was in last year's Kentucky Oaks.

Midnight Lucky walking to the stable area after her 4 1/2-length win.

The great face marking of Scherzinger, who was third behind Midnight Lucky.

Gary Stevens and Global View -- a rare U.S.-bred by Galileo -- make their way to the winner's circle after the Grade 2 American Turf.

Central Banker prior to winning the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes.

He ran second by a head but the handsome Shakin it Up -- whose granddam Silverbulletday won the 1999 Kentucky Oaks -- didn't look like he'd even had a race after the Churchill Downs Stakes.

Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan walking on his way to earn his tenth Grade 1 win, the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic -- a race he also won last year.

The owner of one of the Derby horses was ready for the walkover, with his nice shoes in a WalMart bag.

Perfect Drift was third in the 2001 Derby. In 2014, he ponied Derby winner California Chrome to the start.

California Chrome checking out the scene before the walkover.

Longshot Commanding Curve, who gave Dallas Stewart a second consecutive runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Stewart was third in the Oaks this year with Unbridled Forever.