Dan Hendricks
Dan Hendricks
Dan L. Hendricksis an American Thoroughbred horse racing trainer...
derby
This is what the Derby is all about.
last race ran surprised wide
It was a very encouraging race last time. He went wide and ran big. I was very surprised he ran that race.
barn days derby fence hanging hard imagine media shook unlike
They were hanging on the fence and he didn't get shook up, unlike me and Cecil. The Derby is different. You have to get used to the media horde and the barn area. It's hard to imagine what it will be like. You need to get in there 10 days early.
changes fast field lay pressure strategy teach
The whole scenario, how it's going to lay out, I just don't know. Even with a fast pace, he'll be close. We're not going to try to teach him a whole new way of running. It's a 20-horse field with a lot of pressure up front. The tactical strategy changes because of that.
next work
After his work next week, he'll be pretty much set for the race.
alex asking change eighth faster finished last looked work
The work was great. It was a little faster than I wanted, but he did it easy, so it was fine. He couldn't have looked any better. He went off the first eighth easily, and he finished his last eighth in 11 and change without Alex even asking him.
alex broke easy happy looks nice picked work
The work was fine. He broke off nice and easy and then picked it up and cruised on home. Alex was happy with the work. He never looks like he is doing anything because he does it so easy.
compared derby field grade kentucky knows pace poker santa scenario short totally track whatever win
The Santa Anita Derby and Kentucky Derby are two totally different-run races, with a speed-biased track and short field compared with going back there with a 20-horse field and who knows what the pace scenario will be? This is a big race, a $750,000 Grade I. To win that would be a big deal. The Kentucky Derby is like a one-hand poker game. It's all in with whatever you've got. Whatever comes up comes up.
cost injured mild note problem state
The state veterinarian made a note of it and put him on the injured list. It was just a mild little thing and not a problem at all. It won't cost him any time.
crown genius gotten horses nice reserved special thrown triple winners
Special? Now that is a big word, like genius. It should not be thrown around. Special should be reserved for Triple Crown winners and horses like Spectacular Bid. (Brother Derek) is a very nice horse and he has gotten better and better.
attention bigger good imagine knew race time
We knew we didn't have any chance, but it was a good experience. You could even say it's a bigger race now. I imagine there will be a little more attention on us this time around.
loves santa
We're set for the Santa Catalina. He's here, he loves this track, so why leave?
bed fighting horse hospital lying puts race time
Lying in a hospital bed, I had a lot of time to think about everything. When you look at a horse race and you look at the fighting in Iraq, it puts things into perspective.
best both coming determined formidable forward good learning moving point ran turned warrior
Point Determined is just coming around, learning what it's all about, and he ran a very good race. A.P. Warrior turned around and ran one of his best races. I think they are both moving forward and they should be formidable foes.