Susie Blackmon's Posterous - Filed under 'Kentucky Derby'

February 27, 2010

Eskendereya, a Kentucky Derby Favorite, Soars, but Ahmed Zayat Stumbles

Ahmed Zayat was the nation's leading thoroughbred owner two years ago, and many of his 200-plus horses frequently visit the winner's circle in the nation's biggest races. In fact, one of his colts, Eskendereya, is the early favorite to win the Kentucky Derby after running away with the $250,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes in Florida last Saturday.

Benoit Photo/Associated Press

Ahmed Zayat, with last year's Santa Anita Derby winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up, Pioneerof the Nile, has become entangled in legal and financial troubles.

Gulfstream Park/Associated Press

Eskendereya, owned by Ahmed Zayat, is an early Kentucky Derby favorite after winning the Fountain of Youth last week.

But even as his horses have excelled on the track, Zayat has struggled to keep his empire afloat, becoming entangled in legal and financial troubles. He perhaps has also run afoul of racing officials because of a relationship with convicted bookmakers.

In a lawsuit filed in December, Fifth Third Bank asserted that Zayat had defaulted on $34 million in loans. Zayat countersued, saying that Fifth Third's officers employed "misleading, deceptive, and predatory practices."

This month, he filed for bankruptcy protection for his Zayat Stables.

*****Read the rest of the story here.

via nytimes.com

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February 23, 2010

Dreaming of the Kentucky Derby in the Dead of Winter.

So here we are after a late Saturday in February, trying to divine what may happen on the first one in May when the best 3-year-olds in the nation line up for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby.

The horses may change, but there are some familiar faces among Triple Crown-minded trainers. Todd Pletcher is once again loaded. He won three of the four major prep races over the weekend and, in Eskendereya, his Fountain of Youth winner, he could have his best chance yet to break his 0-for-24 record in the Derby.

Read the rest of the New York Times article here.

via nytimes.com

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December 15, 2009

Two-Day 2010 Kentucky Derby, Oaks Ticket Packages

Two-Day Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks Reserved Seat Tickets (Limit 6 Per Person)
On sale Wednesday, Dec. 16 at noon EDT.

First-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats (Sections 121-128; total of 1,404 seats)

Section 128 – $172 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 127 – $183 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 126 – $188 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 125 – $195 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 124 – $197 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 123 – $200 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 122 – $202 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 121 – $207 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Second-Floor Grandstand Bleacher Seats (Sections 222-225; total of 300 seats)

Section 225 – $214 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 224 – $218 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 223 – $222 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 222 – $225 per seat (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

First-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats (Section 111; total of 166 boxes or 996 seats)

Section 111 – $1,500 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Third-Floor Clubhouse Box Seats with Access to Exclusive Secretariat Lounge (Sections 312-314; total of 50 boxes or 300 seats)

Section 312 – $6,132 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 313 – $6,204 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Section 314 – $6,390 per six-seat box (includes Oaks Day and Derby Day)

Those who want to purchase box seats must purchase the entire box, which includes seats for six.

Ticket prices vary based on location. There is a purchase limit of six seats or one box per order. Tickets must be purchased with a Visa credit or debit card. Minimal ticket processing charges will apply.

Purchasers of tickets through this online offer will agree to not resell these tickets at a premium in excess of the amount shown on the ticket or to package these tickets for resale together with hospitality, travel or other services and to not purchase (either directly or indirectly) more than the “per person” ticket limited established for this online offer. Churchill Downs reserves the right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel ticket purchases, including without limitation, voiding online transactions and refunding amounts paid by persons violating these conditions of sale.