Don't Get Mad's win leaves Hughes in bind
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Don't Get Mad used a powerful sweeping move to surge to a seven-length win over 24-1 long shot Gallardo on Saturday in the $113,100 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs.
The victory leaves B. Wayne Hughes with two legitimate Kentucky Derby contenders -- Don't Get Mad and Illinois Derby winner Greeley's Galaxy.
Hughes nominated Don't Get Mad for the Triple Crown and said if the colt won the Trial, he'd consider running him in next Saturday's Derby. Greeley's Galaxy would be a supplemental entry if Hughes pays a $200,000 fee.
The Derby is limited to 20 entries and currently, 21 horses are possible starters. Greeley's Galaxy, as a supplemental entry, would be the one left out.
But if Hughes chose to keep Don't Get Mad out of the Derby field, Greeley's Galaxy would get in.
Hughes didn't want to think about his looming decision minutes after Saturday's race.
"It's negative for me to think about it,'' Hughes said. "To be here with two horses is extraordinarily positive for me and I just want to hold that thought.''
Hughes is counting on another Derby contender dropping out, which would allow him to enter both horses.
"It's a week and it's horse racing and I don't wish anyone any bad luck, but maybe someone will change their mind,'' Hughes said.
Don't Get Mad made a strong case on Saturday, impressively rebounding from a sluggish sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby.
The colt had a shaky start, dropping to last in the seven-horse field in the opening half-mile. Jockey Gary Stevens said he held the colt back on purpose to avoid an early speed duel between Ultimate and Big Top Cat.
"It took me 100 or 150 yards to get him to settle in. I just bided my time,'' said Stevens, who won three races on the opening day of Churchill's spring meet.
The colt still trailed the field heading into the final turn and Stevens swung the colt outside for an open path to the finish line. The colt swept past the field with little urging from Stevens, winning for the third time in three starts at Churchill.
"He gave me a big burst of speed and just ran past those horses,'' Stevens said.
Only five horses have won the one-mile Trial and the 1 1/4 -mile Derby the following the week. Trainer Ron Ellis is confident he could get the colt ready to race again this Saturday.
"He should have a lot left in the tank,'' Ellis said.
Now, it's up to Hughes whether he runs.
"I don't want to think about it,'' he said.
Don't Get Mad covered the mile on the fast track in 1:36.16 and paid $7, $4.20 and $2.60 as the 2 1/2 -1 second choice.
Gallardo edged 2-1 favorite Vicarage by three-quarters of a length for second and paid $13.40 and $4.80. Vicarage paid $2.80.
Watch the Kentucky Derby on NBC (Saturday at 5 p.m. ET).
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
