Denis of Cork was the even-money favorite to win the Illinois Derby on Saturday. He finished fifth. The horse became one of the most promising possible contenders for this year's Kentucky Derby when he won his third straight lifetime start in the Southwest Stakes. Denis of Cork has a professional running style, stalking patiently from off the pace, and he overcame wide trips in his first two starts. The horse looked like he would always be coming into the stretch with plenty of run left in him, and the Illinois Derby drew a small field with only six horses willing to challenge him. He only beat two of them to the wire.

I didn't like the fact that Denis was coming into the Illinois Derby with only three lifetime starts, and none of them over a mile, but I thought his running style and ability to overcome wide trips proved his talent would be enough to beat this field. Even though I wagered against him to win (for a price), I at least expected him to show up in the exotics. Julien Leparoux was in the irons because Robby Albarado already commited to ride in the Ashland at Keeneland the same day. Leparoux and trainer David Carroll said the horse had no excuses in the Illinois Derby. The same can not be said of the horse's connections, who came up with a very poor excuse for a Derby campaign.

Denis of Cork was to run in the Rebel Stakes, but someone among his connections insisted his speed figures were so good that he only needed one prep before the Kentucky Derby, evidently so he and his speed figures would peak in te run for the roses. As a result, Denis was sent to win the Illinois Derby which would give him enough graded earnings to ensure getting into the Kentucky Derby. Next time I handicap a race knowing that the connections are enacting the most asinine campaign scheme ever, I will know better than to think the horse can overcome that kind of extreme disadvantage.

Did they think they had the next Street Sense, winner of last year's Kentucky Derby? Street Sense had a solid two-year-old foundation, leading to his win in the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Denis of Cork only raced once at two, last November. He didn't race again until almost two months later.

Maybe they thought they had the next Curlin, who last year finished third in the Kentucky Derby after three wins in as many lifetime starts. Denis of Cork is no Curlin. Denis of Cork beat foes by a little more than a combined three lengths in his previous three lifetime starts, with one race at two-years-old. Curlin, unraced at two, was winning by light years on last year's Derby trail. He won his maiden by almost 13 lengths. Curlin's three lifetime starts before the Kentucky Derby included victories in the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, which is the weekend after the Illinois Derby. After his maiden, Curlin won the Rebel by 5 1/4 lengths in March of last year. He set a new record margin of victory in the Arkansas Derby, winning by more than 10 lengths. Denis of Cork was beaten by 8 1/2 lengths Saturday.

Before the Illinois Derby, trainer David Carroll told the Daily Racing Form that he could imagine a scenario "where one horse gets loose on the lead... but I can't worry about that... What he needs to do is leave there with a big paycheck." Well, 15-1 shot Recapturethglory got loose on the lead, and Denis of Cork left there with no paycheck at all. Too late for worries now.

So much for one more prep before the Derby for Denis of Cork. He finished out of the money entirely. Will they run him in another Derby prep, or is there someone among his connections who will assure everyone that the horse has enough earnings and enough experience to make it to Louisville?

I believe the horse could be better than he looked on Saturday, and it would be nice to see him prove it. His works have been looking pretty good, but unless they plan on making a Denis of Cork Sweats to the Oldies video, his connections should let him compete in races like racehorses are supposed to.

We saw how much improvement War Pass got out of beating bums in his three-year-old Allowance debut when he went on to finish last in the Tmpa Bay Derby next time out. Now this shadow of a Derby campaign has turned Denis of Cork into a shadow of a Derby contender. Big Brown is very gifted as far as speed, but there's another guy with only three starts ever. There is a tangible difference though. What Big Brown did in the Florida Derby was a genuine feat. In a field of 13, he came from post 12 with unyielding speed and no one could get near him without disintegrating. That day he was good enough to win the Kentucky Derby. Most 2008 Derby hopefuls cannot say they have done anything this year that was good enough to win the Derby. They have to keep trying. I hope their connections give them a chance to impress us.

Tags: Denisofcork Illinoisderby 2008 Kentuckyderby

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