Kent Desormeaux will ride Grade 1 hero GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule) in the April 5 Santa Anita Derby (G1), trainer Kathy Walsh announced Thursday. Michael Baze, who was suspended three days (March 24, 27 and 28) for causing interference in Sunday's 8TH race at Santa Anita, guided the dark bay gelding to his recent San Felipe S. (G2) victory after regular rider Rafael Bejarano was injured. "It was a tough call, but it was a mutual decision," Walsh explained. "Michael is a fine rider and did a good job in the San Felipe, but (owner/breeder) Mr. (George) Schwary felt a more experienced rider was in order, even though Kent is tied up for the Big Dance (May 3 Kentucky Derby [G1])."...

Is this guy nuts????

Kathy Walsh isn't a guy.

Unless you mean the owner - and in that case - I don't blame him for wanting a more expierienced rider.

Glad you guys got the synthetic to dirt
thing figured out for the Derby hopefuls.

Since there
are years and years of data...
I kind think this was Arljims point.
Maybe not.

Just watch what happens if one of these
syn. prep horses wins the Derby coming out of
the West. Or if they run 2 or 3 horses in the top 5.
I cant wait
for the trendy swing in training.

Seems its a mess to me.
Which in itself makes all this very
entertaining. Cant wait to see how
the next 5 years play out.

Arkansas Derby Probables From Today's Oaklawn Barn Notes
 

At this writing, the probables for the Arkansas Derby are King's Silver Son, Golden Yank and Z Fortune, the second, fourth and fifth finishers, respectively, in the Rebel; Georgie Boy and Bob Black Jack from California, and Blackberry Road from Louisiana.

Trainer Kathy Walsh has engaged a new rider, Kent Desormeaux, for San Felipe winner Georgie Boy, whose other option is the Santa Anita Derby.

Majestic Warrior and Liberty Bull are possibilities for the Arkansas Derby.