Derby Dance Awaits Filly Silverbulletday

Mike Pegram, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness last year with Real Quiet, is open-minded about running his champion filly, Silverbulletday, in this year’s Derby.

“It’s the owner who has the least say in this game,” Pegram said. “But if it gets to be Wednesday of Derby week, and my two guys say we’re dancin’, then we’ll be dancin’. I’ll reach for the $30,000 [entry and starting fees] and put it up.”

Pegram’s “two guys” are trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Gary Stevens. Baffert trained Real Quiet--and Silver Charm, the 1997 Derby winner--and Stevens has won three Derbies--with Winning Colors in 1988, Thunder Gulch in 1995 and Silver Charm.

“Gary’s won the race with a filly [Winning Colors], so if we get that close, he ought to know what it takes,” Pegram said.

The Derby, on May 1, or the other option, the Kentucky Oaks for fillies on April 30, are probably three races away for Silverbulletday, who will make her 3-year-old debut today in the $125,000 Davona Dale Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Of Silverbulletday’s seven rivals, only one has won a stake. Boom Town Girl, who won a stake last month, will miss the race because of a cough.

Horse Racing Notes

Gary Stevens rode In Frank’s Honor to victory Friday at Santa Anita in the Pirate Cove Stakes. In Frank’s Honor is one of several Florida horses recently transferred to trainer Steve Young’s barn. They were previously trained by Sonny Hine. . . . Apremont, an easy winner for trainer Ron McAnally in his debut on Jan. 31, rebounded with an allowance win. Finishing third was Forestry, Bob Baffert’s $1.5-million yearling. . . . Some Actor will be out for three or four months after breaking his right hind leg. . . . Silver Charm worked six furlongs in 1:10 4/5, the best of 30 times on the tab. He is expected to be part of a small field for the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6. Other probable starters are Malek, last year’s winner, along with Puerto Madero, Event Of The Year, Free House and Dr Fong.