Horse Racing Merchandise

Bandini - Walmac Stallion

     

Thoroughbred Stallions Horse Farms All The Horse Hats Famous Thoroughbreds Leather Horseman Belts Horse Racing Video Game Current Racehorses Kentucky Derby Winners Horse Racing Club Horse Posters Books About Horses Horse and Equine Art Kentucky Derby Tickets Kentucky Derby Contenders Derby Hats Horse Hats Kentucky Derby Handicapping Horses Horse Racing Gifts Horse Promotion Western Apparel Horse Tack Horse Racing Blog Horse Racing News Horse Racing Picks

Bandini Hat

BANDINI

 

Pedigree: Fusaichi Pegasus - Divine Dixie (Dixieland Band)

Owner: Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

 

Bandini had 5 wins from 9 starts including a 6 length romp in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1)

Front    Side   Back

$19.95

"THE GREAT BANDINI" wins the Blue Grass.
The Todd Pletcher-trained Bandini stepped into the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) spotlight with a brilliant performance in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland Saturday.
Ridden by John Velazquez, the long-striding 3-year-old son of Fusaichi Pegasus handled a three-wide trip with ease. He shook loose of High Limit at the eighth pole and stormed to a convincing six-length victory in a slow time of 1:50 for the 1 1/8-mile stepping stone to the May 7 Derby. Closing Argument finished third.

It was the first graded stakes win for Bandini, who missed the Florida Derby (gr. I) with a foot bruise after a game runner-up showing in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth (gr. II) March 5, when the dark bay rallied impressively while finishing three-quarters of a length behind High Fly.

Before a record crowd of 33,621, Bandini delivered a huge effort when it was needed most. Pletcher, who led all trainers with 34 nominees to the Triple Crown races, was in danger of missing the Derby unless Bandini boosted his graded stakes earnings. The victory was worth $465,000 and moves Bandini into the top 10 money earners among potential Derby starters.

The victory was a sweet one for Pletcher, who won his first Blue Grass, which has produced 22 Derby winners. It may be an indication that Bandini can end Pletcher's 0-for-9 Derby record.

Pletcher said the layoff didn't hurt Bandini.

"With all the trouble we had, I was still quietly confident," Pletcher said. "I wasn't concerned about his fitness. I was more concerned about the outside post. He we more focused today. He was all business and it showed in the race."

Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith own the lightly-raced Bandini, and they also own the pacesetter in the Blue Grass, Spanish Chestnut, who wilted in the stretch after setting solid fractions of :23 2/5, :46 3/5 and 1:10 2/5.