BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LOUISVILLE -- Trainer Bill Mott had just been elected to the National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame, but when asked whether there was anything left to accomplish in racing, he was ready with a response.
"I think we're coming up on that Saturday," he said, grinning.
Mott, 44, has never won a Kentucky Derby, but his odds got better Tuesday morning. Before hearing of the Hall of Fame, he first found relief with an examination of his heralded horse, Favorite Trick. The colt pitched forward during a workout Monday, his nose nearly touching the ground, but recovered on the next stride and showed no ill effects. Mott didn't see what happened until watching TV replays late Monday.
"The first time I saw it, my heart dropped in my chest," he said. "I had to come check him out. He's fine.
"It was just a one-step kind of a deal, hitting a soft spot on the track or something. But it was a testament to his athletic ability that he was able to step back on the next step and not miss a beat." Mott has won stakes with 125 horses. He became most famous with Cigar, who matched Citation's modern-day mark with 16 consecutive victories.
Two-time Derby-winning jockey Jacinto Vasquez and thoroughbred champions Bayakoa, Riva Ridge and Fort Marcy also will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 10 at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Nakatani on Halory
Trainer Nick Zito announced Tuesday that Corey Nakatani will get the mount on Halory Hunter.
Gary Stevens rode Halory Hunter to a Blue Grass Stakes victory the week after winning the Santa Anita Derby on Indian Charlie, but Stevens picked Indian Charlie for the Derby. Pat Day rode Halory Hunter in the colt's three previous races, but Day is committed to Favorite Trick.
Oaks field set
Thirteen 3-year-old fillies were entered Tuesday for the 124th Kentucky Oaks on Friday.
Heading the field are Grade I stakes winner Well Chosen, who has earned $501,330 in eight starts; Diamond on the Run, $217,400 in seven starts; and Keeper Hill, $210,960 in six starts.
