Friday on RaceDay America Scott Hazelton and I caught up with Joel Rosario who will be riding Blind Luck in the Delaware Oaks on Saturday. Joel is currently leading the jockey standings at Hollywood Park over Rafael Bejarano who, ironically, he is filling in for on Blind Luck. Joel has committed to the Kentucky Oaks winner in the Alabama at Saratoga as well. Rosario won a starter allowance race on Blind Luck last year, and has continued to familiarize himself with the filly by climbing aboard for her last couple of works.

Saturday we will be catching up with trainer Christophe Clement regarding his thoughts on dual Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti. Gio Ponti will be defending his title in Saturday’s Man O’ War at Belmont Park and looking to secure his first victory in 2010. Be sure to tune in early to RDA on Saturday for Clement’s fine French accent!

We started off our 4th of July edition of “RaceDay America” with a bang, as trainer D. Wayne Lukas joined us by telephone to talk about Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird’s chances in the Firecracker at Churchill Downs. When I asked Wayne what the deciding factor was in choosing the Firecracker as the gelding’s 2010 launching point Lukas mentioned that his options were limited. He had entered Mine That Bird in an allowance race on the main track for Saturday but only two other horses were brave enough to join him, so the race didn’t go. The Firecracker became a suitable choice, primarily because it was right in his own backyard.

The Coach mentioned that Mine That Bird has put on weight since joining the Lukas string, and has been working bullets of his own accord. Lukas admits that the mile distance may be a little short but expects the 2009 Derby winner to be more forwardly placed than we have seen before. When asked about backing his other runners on the card Lukas seemed cautiously optimistic but, when it came to Mine That Bird’s chances the Coach said he was “all in!”