Times wires
Thursday, May 5, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Larry Jones tried the retirement thing when he abruptly left horse training 18 months ago. Didn't take.
Jones, standing outside his barn at Churchill Downs on Thursday, acknowledged he didn't so much retire as take a break.
"It's good to be back," he said. "I feel better than I have in 15, 20 years."
Jones trains Joyful Victory, a 3-year-old filly that will start from the rail as the 5-2 favorite in today's $1 million Kentucky Oaks, the female version of the Kentucky Derby.
Jones said Joyful Victory reminds him of Eight Belles, one of his former horses. The massive gray filly finished second in the 2008 Derby but was euthanized moments after hitting the wire after she broke both her front legs while galloping out.
Her death thrust Jones into an uncomfortable spotlight as animal rights groups questioned running a filly against the boys. The ensuing successes of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra — who won consecutive horse of the year awards after beating the guys — quieted such discussions, but Jones took the criticism personally.
He returned to the Derby in 2009 with Friesan Fire, who went off as the favorite but finished 18th. Six months later he stepped away, citing emotional strain.
Mo a go or no? Uncle Mo's connections weren't saying whether the colt will run in the Derby. He was recovering from a stomach ailment but looked good galloping at Churchill Downs. Uncle Mo is a 6-1 choice behind 3-1 early favorite Dialed In. Owner Mike Repole was waiting for results of a vet exam and said he would announce a decision today.