Kentucky Derby 2012: Updates on Bodemeister and More

We are less than a day away from the 2012 Kentucky Derby, with numerous horses ready to make a run at glory.

With the historic race just around the bend, trainers and jockeys are trying to get their horses into the right mind set before the big day.

Here's a look at contenders Bodemeister, Gemologist and Creative Cause heading into Saturday.

Creative Cause (12-1)

There was concern about Creative Cause on Sunday when the horse arrived late for training because he threw a shoe traveling from Hollywood Park to Churchill Downs. He walked on Monday instead of running.

But trainer Mike Harrington assured everyone everything was just fine, and Creative Cause walked as part of his training, via the Los Angeles Times.

Creative Cause remains a dark-horse candidate, slotted in the No. 8 position. The thoroughbred has never been out of the money in eight career starts, and he won the San Felipe Stakes this year.  

Gemologist (6-1)

Todd Pletcher has been raving about Gemologist this year, and for good reason. The horse is unbeaten in five career starts, and he's already won at Churchill Downs twice.

Pletcher said, via the New York Post:

"

For me, what’s important about him is not just that he is undefeated, but he is undefeated at Churchill Downs. He has won twice here and both times around two turns. That is significant.

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Beyond that, Gemologist grabbed the No. 15 post position on Wednesday, a nice slot for him to make a run at the victory. 

Bodemeister (4-1)

Bodemeister could make history as the only horse unraced at two years old to win the Kentucky Derby since 1882. He's fast and closed magnificently at the Arkansas Derby when he won by 9.5 lengths.

With Bodemeister's inexperience, jockey Mike Smith is going to have to keep the three-year-old focused.

Smith said this week, via the San Francisco Chronicle:

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My main concern is to get him relaxed, get him into a rhythm and go from there. His natural speed is a high-cruising speed, and I'm certainly not going to take that away from him.

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Bodemeister has the talent to score the victory this year, but a lot of it has to do with how the horse is feeling at the gate.