Kip Deville won the Breeders' Cup Mile (turf) in late October. The Richard Dutrow-trained five year-old made his 2008 reappearance in the Grade I Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland yesterday. Ten ran and Kip Deville was the 2-1 favourite. Einstein, ridden by Robbie Alvarado, was next in demand.

Leaving from the fence, Kip Deville, in the hands of Cornelio Velasquez, showed out early, then went back to fifth as there was considerable activity on the front end. Jockey Velasquez continued to save ground. Thorn Song brought the field into the straight. A clear path opened up along the hedge and Kip Deville ran on to wrest the lead midstretch. Then on, all Velasquez had to do was remind his mount that the job was not over yet. As Einstein mounted a fierce challenge and passed Thorn Song in the waning yards, Kip Deville had put the Maker's Mark Mile to bed.

The 1,600 metres was run in 1 36.78 seconds. The winning margin was a length. Kip Deville returned $6.20. Thousand Words was a late withdrawal.

Richard Dutrow Jr was pleased that his plan worked out. "The layoff did not concern me. It was all by design. We gave him a couple of months off just to walk the barn. We targeted this race ever since the Breeders' Cup. Sometimes things don't work out like you plan them, but 'Kip' made sure it worked this time."

Big Brown, one of the fancied runners in the Kentucky Derby comes from Dutrow’s barn. It may be mentioned that trainer Dutrow saddled 'in absentia' a brace of winners at Nad Al Sheba on World Cup day. He was at Gulfstream Park to see Big Brown run away with the Florida Derby.

Kipling by Gulch is the sire of Kip Deville. The dam is Klondike Kaytie by Encino. A grey/roan sophomore filly named Kip Seville and a full sister to Kip Deville races at Keeneland on Saturday in a maiden race. This is Kip Seville's second start. She is trained by Dallas Stewart.

Kip Deville ran second to Shakespeare in the Woodbine Mile last year. Dutrow said that the Woodbine Mile is one of the races Kip Deville will race in and go on to Santa Anita to defend the Breeders' Cup title.

Four horses have won 16 races in a row. They are Cigar, Citation, Mister Frisky and Hallowed Dreams. Now a New Mexico-bred five year-old mare, Pepper's Pride is in line to achieve that distinction. A daughter of Desert God, Pepper's Pride, trained by Joel Marr, won her 15th consecutive race on March 23 at Sunland Park. Her next race will be at Sunray Park in New Mexico on April 26. All of Pepper's Pride's wins have come in New Mexico.

Joel Marr said, "It has been something special. I am not offering apologies for not seeking greener pastures."
Pepper's Pride has earnings of $816,665. Jockey Carlos Madeira has been the regular rider.

Jockey David Flores has confirmed that he will be aboard Bob Black Jack if the colt gets a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Flores has ridden Bob Black Jack in six of seven starts and was the bridesmaid to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby on April 5. If the Derby berth is not available, Bob Black Jack will go either in the Snow Chief Stakes at Hollywood Park on April 27 or the Preakness at Baltimore on May 17. The Preakness is the second race in the American Triple Crown.

On Saturday, Gulfstream Park hosts the Grade III Holy Bull Stakes. It is a 1900-metre race that carries a purse of $150,000. Hey Burn is the 16-10 morning line choice. Fourth in the Florida Derby with a trouble-filled journey, Hey Burn, Charles Lopez up, is seeking redemption in the Holy Bull. The $90,000 winner's purse will help Hey Burn get enough graded earnings for the Derby.

Eddie Please Jr, Hey Bryn’s trainer, spoke about his intentions. "He came out 100% after the Florida Derby. It is a soft field in the Holy Bull. If he wins and finds a place at Churchill, we'll go."

I wrote about Tony Dobbin, a jumps jockey, winning the final race of his career. Dobbin rode Ballyvoge to a three parts of a length win over Lord Samposin at Carlisle Racecourse. A jockey claiming a three-pound allowance, Michael McAlister was aboard Lord Sampson. The Carlisle stewards have referred jockey McAlister to the British Horseracing Authority for not riding Lord Sampson on merits. If found guilty, the punishment is a 28-day suspension.

Lord Samposin made a mistake in the straight, edged right and jockey McAlister dropped the reins and that was enough to rouse the wrath of the stewards. McAlister said, "The stewards listened to me to a certain extent but I think they had their minds set."

At 48, Mick Kinane is shifting into another gear. He rode three winners on Friday at Dundalk, an all weather track in Ireland. John Murtagh had two winners. The Irish season is in full swing.

Tomorrow, we will have reports on the Blue Grass and the Arkansas Derby. Pyre is widely expected to win the Blue Grass. Weather will be adverse but Keeneland has a polytrack. Gayego is favoured in the Arkansas Derby. Will another Curling emerge from Oaklawn? We will see.

Courtesy: NTRA, Racing Post and TV reports.