4/15/12 - Bodemeister and Dullahan both punched their tickets to Louisville and the big dance for 3 year olds on Saturday.

Bodemeister did it from post 11 in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park. Leaving like a shot from the far outside gate and the settling into stride under Mike Smith.

Bodemeister looked impressive when drawing away to a powerful 9 1/2 length victory. The horse is owned by Zayat stable and trained by Bob Baffert who has had prior Derby success.

The neat thing about the horse is that he is named after Baffert's 7 year old boy, Bode. Bode is often seen at big races, with his dad. Now he will really have something to root for on the 1st Saturday in May. A horse named after him, starting in the Kentucky Derby and with a real chance to win.

Dullahan made his mark at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes. After settling far back early in the race under Kent Desormeaux, Dullahan unleashed a scorching stretch rally that made him look like a real Derby contender.

Favored Hansen ran freely on the lead and looked almost home free at the top of the lane. But Dullahan had other ideas and when Desormeaux asked him, he kicked home like a champion under mild urging.

Dullahan is trained by Dale Romans who won the Preakness Stakes last year with front running Shackleford. If things go well this year he just might have another contender for one of the Jewels in the Triple Crown.

The first Saturday in May is shaping up to be one interesting contest, stay tuned.
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