Kentucky Derby 2014; Intense Holiday takes it easy at Barn 34

Kentucky Derby 2014; Intense Holiday takes it easy at Barn 34: Intense Holiday is ranked as number 13 out of 29.350 horses this year and is on the leader board with 94 points as a major contender for this year’s 140th Running of the Kentucky Derby, held at the famous Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 3, 2014. After Sunday’s impressive workout that created a media frenzy on the Churchill Downs track, trainer Todd Pletcher instructed his crew to simply walk Intense Holiday around barn 34 today rather than take the colt to the track for exercise.

Todd Pletcher currently has four possible Kentucky Derby starters including Intense Holiday and John Velazquez, Danza and Joe Bravo, We Miss Artie and Javier Castellano, and Vinceremos who teams up with Joe Rocco, Jr.

After today’s instructions were given, Todd Pletcher talked a little bit about how he goes about giving instructions to the jockeys before a big race saying, “Overall, I don’t like to give riders too many instructions. My preference is to give them a general plan for the race. I might tell them I think there’s a whole lot of speed in the race and that we probably want to take back, for instance. Or maybe let them know about a little quirk or situation with a particular horse. Things like that. But I realize that races often don’t come up the way you think they will. And that’s why you’ve got to leave room for that ‘audible’ by a rider. I’ve got to have trust in my riders that they’ll do the right thing. And they’ve got to have trust in me to understand that things don’t always go as you’ve planned.”

Todd Pletcher added, “In the case of a race like the Derby, the situation changes because of the multiple entries. With a regular race where I’d only have one runner going, you can talk your strategy in the paddock. But with the Derby, the paddock is just too busy. I talk to my riders ahead of time then, leaving me time to deal with all there is to do in the paddock that day.”

Intense Holiday has had a very full racing season that has been leading up to the main event at Churchill Downs. In November 2013, Intense Holiday competed in the 2013 Remsen Stakes (watch Remsen Stakes replay) at Aqueduct. Intense Holiday came in 4th place in the grade 2 1 1/16 mile race. Intense Holiday has also competed quite a bit this year as well beginning January 25th, 2014 at the 2014 Holy Bull Stakes (watch Holy Bull replay) at Gulfstream Park. Intense Holdiay came in third place in the grade 2 1 1/16 mile race behind Cairo Prince and Conquest Titan. On February 22, 2014, Intense Holiday finally climbed up to first place and took home the win at the 2014 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. It was a grade 2 race at 1 1/16 miles. Most recently, on March 29th, 2014, Intense Holiday competed in the 2014 Louisiana Derby (watch Louisiana Derby replay) at Fair Grounds. Intense Holiday came in 2nd place at a slightly shorter distance in the grade 2 1 1/8 mile race just behind Vicar’s In Trouble.

Intense Holiday is owned by Starlight Racing, who just yesterday purchased Kentucky Derby contender General A Rod with Skychai Racing. Intense Holiday was bred by Machmer Hall and Haymarket Farm and was foaled on April 20th, 2011. Intense Holiday hails from Harlan’s Holiday and dam Intensify.

See video below for more information about Intense Holiday and StarLight Racing.

Kentucky Derby 2014 Odds and Post Positions
1 Vicar’s In Trouble 20-1 and Rosie Napravnik
2 Harry’s Holiday 50-1 and Corey Lanerie
3 Uncle Sigh 30-1 and Irad Ortiz, Jr.
4 Danza 8-1 and Joe Bravo
5 California Chrome 5-2 and Victor Espinoza
6 Samraat 15-1 and Jose Ortiz
7 We Miss Artie 50-1 and Javier Castellano
8 General A Rod 15-1 and Joel Rosario
9 Vinceremos 30-1 and Joe Rocco, Jr.
10 Wildcat Red 15-1 and Luis Saez
11 Hoppertunity 6-1 and Mike Smith SCRATCHED
11 Dance With Fate 20-1 and Corey Nakatani
12 Chitu 20-1 and Martin Garcia
13 Medal Count 20-1 and Robby Albarado
14 Tapiture 12-1 and Ricardo Santana Jr.
15 Intense Holiday 8-1 and John Velazquez
16 Commanding Curve 50-1 Shaun Bridgmohan
17 Candy Boy 15-1 and Gary Stevens
18 Ride On Curlin 15-1 and Calvin Borel
19 Wicked Strong 6-1 and Rajiv Maragh
20 Pablo Del Monte 50-1 and Jeffrey Sanchez

Kentucky Oaks 2014 Post Positions and Odds

Learn more about Intense Holiday and StarLight Racing: