Get Mad about Derby Fever

Last updated: 4/30/05 9:48 PM

Don’t Get Mad may have earned a chance at Derby glory
(Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

B. Wayne Hughes’ DON’T GET MAD (Stephen Got Even) made a strong case for
running back in the Kentucky Derby (G1) one week later when annihilating six
opponents in Saturday’s $113,100
Derby Trial S., storming to the lead in
midstretch and quickly drawing clear by seven lengths. He’s now perfect from
three starts at Churchill Downs — all impressive victories.

The Ron Ellis-trained colt made it look easy in the end, but Don’t Get Mad
appeared sluggish while traveling wide and last down the chute. He finally
settled into a good spot on the backstretch but was forced to wait when
accelerating into congestion leaving the far turn. Jockey Gary Stevens remedied
the situation by swinging extremely wide, and the race was over as Don’t Get Mad
performed at a different level. He finished a mile in 1:36 over the fast track.

Don’t Get Mad is currently 20th on the Kentucky Derby Graded Earnings list, one spot ahead of
Greeley’s Galaxy (Mr. Greeley), who is also owned by Hughes and trained by Glen Stute. Greeley’s Galaxy was the preferred starter for his owner prior to
Saturday, and the chance remains that both can still run if another
three-year-old is dropped from consideration.

“He’s a very good horse, and he ran really well,” Ellis said. “Now we have to
see what happens with Greeley’s Galaxy. Hopefully, both of them can get in.
(Don’t Get Mad) is a fresh horse, and I think it would be okay to bring him back
in a week.”

Ellis added that if only one of Hughes’ horses gets in, he felt it would be
Greeley’s Galaxy.

Hughes refused to address that scenario.

“The thought I’m keeping right now is running an (uncoupled) entry,” Hughes
said. “If both get in, Kent Desormeaux is the top choice to ride Greeley’s
Galaxy. As for Don’t Get Mad, all I’ll say is that Tyler Baze should keep an
open date for next Saturday.”

Don’t Get Mad will need a new rider if he starts in the Kentucky Derby
because Gary Stevens is committed to Noble Causeway (Giant’s Causeway). Baze is
available.

Sent off the 5-2 second choice in the Derby Trial, Don’t Get Mad paid $7,
$4.20 and $2.60 to his supporters and started the $117.80 exacta with 24-1
longshot Gallardo (Running Stag), who caught 2-1 favorite Vicarage (Vicar) in
deep stretch for the place. Vicarage, who opened a clear lead in upper stretch
but couldn’t maintain it, was followed under the wire by Miracle Man (Yankee
Victor), Ultimate (Double Honor) and Santana Strings (Wheaton). Big Top Cat
(Storm Cat) was eased leaving the eighth pole and Crimson Stag (Glitterman) was scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by Milton & Beth Hendry, Don’t Get Mad was purchased for
$350,000 at last year’s OBS March sale and now owns a 6-3-1-1 mark with $190,412
in earnings. He opened his career with two easy wins at Churchill Downs last
November, taking a maiden special weight and an allowance race, and made his first
three starts this year at Santa Anita, finishing second in the San Vicente S.
(G2), third in the San Felipe (G2) and sixth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Stevens came away impressed with the colt’s performance.

“He gave me a big burst of speed and just ran by those horses,” the Hall of
Fame rider said. “This is a very nice horse, a push-button ride.”