Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Point Given Favored to Win Kentucky Derby

Aired May 05, 2001 - 15:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The Super Bowl of horseracing gets under way in just a couple of hours. We're talking about the Kentucky Derby, of course. Thousands of fans are at Churchill Downs this afternoon awaiting the race. CNN/SI's John Giannone is also there, and he joins us with a live report from Louisville -- John.

JOHN GIANNONE, CNN/SI CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Donna, the post time is just about three hours away, and the fans, as you mentioned, have been flobing here all day and it is an absolutely perfect day for a race: 83 degrees, bright sunshine. At the 6:07 Eastern time post time, it's expected to be 80 and clear skies.

Now, the fans began arriving at about daybreak. More than 150,000 are expected to fill the Churchill Downs grounds between now and race time, and that could challenge the record size crowd, which was set last year. This is the largest and longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, and some fans come dressed up, love to wear the elaborate hats; others come dressed down while still others are barely dressed at all.

Now, for the fans, it's all fun and frolic, but for the jockeys and owners and especially for the trainers, the ones who have to tend to their horses repeatedly, this can be a difficult day. The waiting game is very difficult, and earlier today, I caught up with Nick Zito, who is the trainer of A P Valentine, and we discussed just how excruciating the wait can be.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GIANNONE: Nick, your horse owner, Rick Pitino, says that all the pressure, the anxiety, the emotion, maybe the nausea, falls on you. Are you feeling any of that this morning?

NICK ZITO, TRAINER: Well, a little bit. I have a couple of aspirins in my pocket. I mean, that happens, I don't know why. Around derby time, it happens. I don't know. It's just something about the derby that does that. Of course, if you're the trainer, you're responsible. So, he's going to be sitting up there with friends, having a good time with his family, and he deserves it. And I hope A P Valentine does well.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GIANNONE: Now, the preliminary races are well under way here at Churchill Downs, and there's been a trend set. Three of the first four races produced record times. So that, of course, has people wondering if Point Given, the prohibitive favorite in the Kentucky Derby, can also set a track record. Its prestigious record held by the great Secretariat in 1973 who, ran 159 2/5. So, if there is a horse that can do it, most people believe Point Given is the one.

Reporting from Churchill Downs in Louisville, I'm John Giannone.

KELLEY: John, talking about the favorite, I don't think the horse knows, but with the people involved with the horse that's the favorite, does it help or hurt?

GIANNONE: It has not helped at all, Donna in the last 22 years or so. Last year, Fusaichi Pegasus won as the favorite, and that was the first time in 22 years that that happened. So, being the favorite, while it gets a lot of attention from the fans, the media, the betters around the country; it hasn't helped the horse.

You're rigth, the horse doesn't know, but Bob Baffert, the trainer, certainly knows, and he has the favorite in this race and probably the second choice, Congaree, as well. So, a lot of pressure on Bob Baffert.

KELLEY: Where's the most money riding? Do you know?

GIANNONE: Right now it is on Point Given. He's two-to-one. The second choice is a surprise. It's a horse called Dollar Bill, which was a morning line 10-to-one pick. He's five-to-one right now. He's a horse that's been very fast in the preliminary trial runs, the practice runs, and he's also a very strong closer, which is important at the mile-and-a-quarter distance.

KELLEY: How does the position that the horse runs from make a difference in the chance of winning?

GIANNONE: Well, I think a lot of people are asking that question, especially this year, because of Point Given and his post position, which is 17; all the way out on the outside. So, it will be important for him to get to the front right away.

But it's also an advantage because he doesn't have as many horses to jockey position with. It's important because You have to break from the gate strongly and you also have to stay out of traffic. So, the easier a horse can get out of traffic and get toward the front, the better chance he has of winning.

KELLEY: John Giannone, we'll be talking to you again. Thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com