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Time to regroup Derby also-rans start looking toward future
Posted: Saturday May 06, 2000 08:31 PM
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Jenine Sahadi is ready for life to return to normal. Weeks of lofty expectations quickly evaporated as Sahadi, trainer of Santa Anita Derby winner The Deputy, watched in frustration Saturday as her prize colt finished 14th in the Kentucky Derby. Had The Deputy crossed the line first, Sahadi would have been the first female trainer ever to claim the first jewel in horse racing's Triple Crown. As tired as she got of answering the endless questions about female trainers and their quest to win the Derby, she never turned down an interview. Now, the fuss can die down and she can go back to being just another trainer. "I'm very disappointed, but not so much for myself," Sahadi said. "I feel bad for the horse.' The Deputy, who went off as the second betting choice at 9-2, trained well upon arriving at Churchill Downs and seemed to become comfortable with the track during workouts. He broke from the gate strong, running with the leaders early, but tired and fell out of contention. "He was exhausted and just couldn't run," she said. "I guess you'd call that the beauty of the Kentucky Derby. We'll just pick up, go home and regroup again." Fan favorite Harold Rose, the 88-year-old trainer of Hal's Hope, spent much of the last two weeks mugging for photos and telling anyone within earshot of his love for the horse, which he credits with helping him recover from major heart surgery last August. The colt charged to the front of the pack and led the race entering the final turn. But Rose could only watch in disappointment as the Florida Derby winner faded in the stretch and struggled home to a 16th-place finish. "When I saw the fractions, I got nervous," Rose said of the quick start. "You just can't go that fast. I did think he would run a little better, but he just went too fast too early. "I guess we go back home with him. I don't know what's next right now." In that respect, he is in much the same situation as trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Lukas is no stranger to the Derby winner's circle. He's been there four times, including last year as trainer of 31-1 shot Charismatic. He saddled three in Saturday's race, but none would crack the top half of the 19-horse field. Exchange Rate finished 12th, High Yield finished 15th and Commendable wound up 17th. "They ran flat today for whatever reason," Lukas said. "I was disappointed in all three of them because they all trained so well for the race. But, you know, it's a horse race and sometimes it's unexplainable."
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