By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Kafwain which Derby handicapper Mike Battaglia had said would be about a 10-1 or 12-1 pick, apparently injured a leg in this workout Tuesday with stablemate Indian Express (right in zoom view). (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

LOUISVILLE - Injury discussion dominated the Churchill Downs backside Tuesday, as the Bob Baffert-trained Kafwain was ruled out of the Kentucky Derby and a bruise of favorite Empire Maker's foot troubled trainer Bobby Frankel.

Frankel had some concern about Empire Maker's right front foot following a 1-mile jog Tuesday morning and had veterinarian Ken Reed check the colt afterward.

Reed told Frankel the bruise, apparently suffered April 12 in the Wood Memorial, isn't a real problem.

"(Reed) recommended I walk him another day," Frankel said. "He thinks that will take care of it. . . . They said the track was a little hard this morning and it might have affected him. I really think he's going to be OK."

Kafwain, which Derby handicapper Mike Battaglia had said would be about a 10-1 or 12-1 pick, apparently injured a leg in a workout Tuesday.

"We don't know exactly what's wrong," Baffert said.

The defection leaves Baffert with just one Derby hope, Indian Express.

THE KENTUCKY DERBY

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Baffert announced that his other possible Derby horse, Senor Swinger, instead would run Friday in the Crown Royal American Turf.

Pat Valenzuela, who was to have ridden Kafwain, appears to be out of the race. He hasn't had a Derby mount since 1993.

LONE STAR SKY IN: The owners of Lone Star Sky decided Tuesday to enter the long shot in the Derby. Shane Sellers will ride. The horse's biggest win, the Grade III Bashford Manor, came on this track in July.

HALL OF FAME: The late Sonny Hine, who trained his wife's champion, Skip Away, and two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Mike Smith were elected Tuesday to the Racing Hall of Fame.

They'll be joined by Precisionist (male thoroughbred) and Dance Smartly (female horse) as 2003 inductees.

Hine won 897 races and campaigned Skip Away through three championship seasons, culminating in his being named Horse of the Year in 1998.

Smith led the nation's riders in earnings in 1993 and has won more than 4,000 races. He also was a former leading rider at Turfway Park.

OAKS DRAW: Elloluv, trained by Craig Dollase, is the 5-2 morning line favorite for Friday's Kentucky Oaks, the 1 1/8-mile race for fillies. Dollase's father, Wallace, has one of the top Derby contenders with Ten Most Wanted.

The Oaks horses and odds, in order of post position:

Elloluv, 5-2; 2. My Boston Gal, 4-1; 3. Go For Glamour, 20-1; 4. Holiday Lady, 20-1; 5. Bird Town, 10-1; 6. Yell, 8-1; 7. Lady Tak, 4-1; 8. Atlantic Ocean, 10-1; 9. Tempus Fugit, 50-1; 10. In Case Of Wind, 50-1; 11. Santa Catarina, 9-2; 12. Island Fashion, 30-1.

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E-mail nschmidt@enquirer.com