Derby notes: Lukas gets famous visitors

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Trainer D. Wayne Lukas entertained a couple of Bo's at Barn 44 at Churchill Downs.

On the day before Saturday's Kentucky Derby, Lukas was visited by actress Bo Derek and former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler.

"He also called his friend, Bob Knight, to come down," said Gil Brandt, another Lukas pal better known for his NFL expertise as a draft consultant and former Dallas Cowboys executive. "And when Wayne calls all those folks here, he's confident."

Lukas will saddle his record 33rd horse in the Derby when he sends Cape Town to the post in the 15-horse field for the 1¨-mile run for the roses.

WEATHER REPORT:The Derby day weather report, as of Friday, called for mostly to partly cloudy skies, some sun, a 20 percent chance of late afternoon showers and temperatures in the 70s.

BAFFERT'S FATHER IN TOWN: Bob Baffert will be sitting next to someone special Saturday when he sends favorite Indian Charlie and Real Quiet to the post in the Kentucky Derby -- his father, Bill Sr.

Baffert never has won a thoroughbred race with his father at the track, and the trainer has some big victories -- a Derby, Preakness, Breeders' Cup race and the Dubai Classic.

Nothing would make him happier if he could pull off another Derby victory with Bill Sr., by his side.

"This is my third year now, and it's like going to Disneyland three straight years," Baffert said. "You lose that little excitement when you walk in the gate. But with him here, he's excited. He's like a little kid."

TRIPLE CROWN: There have been 11 Triple Crown winners: Affirmed (1978), Seattle Slew (1977), Secretariat (1973), Citation (1948), Assault (1946), Count Fleet (1943), Whirlaway (1941), War Admiral (1937), Omaha (1935), Gallant Fox (1930) and Sir Barton (1919).

MISUNDERSTANDING: Nationalore, winless in 15 career starts, was unable to work on the Churchill Downs track because of a misunderstanding. Unaware that the track closed early, at 8 a.m, because post time was 11:30 a.m., Nationalore's connections had to settle for walking their horse under the shed row.

Nationalore, the first maiden in the Derby since Pendleton Ridge ran 13th in 1990, has earned $283,767 for owner Myung Kwon Cho of South Korea.

MCCARRON CHECKS IN: Chris McCarron, a two-time Kentucky Derby winner, visited Artax, his Derby mount on Saturday, and said, "I'm anticipating he's going to run a big race."

He might be due. He was third in the Santa Anita Derby, beaten 9¨ lengths by Indian Charlie, after winning his two previous races -- the San Felipe and Santa Catalina.

"His lackluster race in the Santa Anita Derby didn't happen because he wouldn't rate," said McCarron, who won the Derby aboard Go for Gin in 1994 and Alysheba in '87. "He came out of the race dehydrated. Because he ran a disappointing race then doesn't mean he won't cooperate in the Derby and come from behind and run his best race."