HORSE RACING Frankel hopeful with colt

The trainer hopes his Kentucky Derby drought will end with Master David.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Bobby Frankel is at it again, working wonders with a 3-year-old colt from his home base in California.
This time, Master David is the horse Frankel hopes will end his Kentucky Derby drought. The Hall of Fame trainer is 0-for-6 at the Derby, but at least he's got another shot on May 1.
Master David didn't win his first race in more than two months, but his promising runner-up effort to Tapit in Saturday's Wood Memorial at Aqueduct was proof enough he carries the necessary credentials to end up as the Derby favorite.
Yes, Smarty Jones won Saturday's Arkansas Derby to remain unbeaten in six races, but Master David has faced tougher competition with consistent results and remains No. 1 on this week's Derby Prospects list.
Major reshuffling
The rest of the top 10 underwent a major reshuffling after the final Derby preps Saturday, with Smarty Jones moving up to No. 2 and The Cliff's Edge hitting the chart at No. 3 with his victory over Lion Heart in the Blue Grass at Keeneland.
"I am happy with where we are," Frankel said. "He's a tough little horse, not as big as some of the other ones, but he gave it everything he had."
Master David has never been off the board in seven starts. The son of Grand Slam began his career on the grass in England, where he lost by a neck and then a nose before his first victory. In America, he finished second to Read the Footnotes in the Remsen at Aqueduct last November.
That's when Frankel took over for new owner Peter Minikes, who operates Georgica Stable. The trainer with two runner-up Derby finishes -- Empire Maker last year, Aptitude in 2000 -- sent Master David out to a third-place finish in the Santa Catalina behind St Averil on Jan. 17. Three weeks later, the colt won the Sham Stakes, beating Derby contenders Borrego and Preachinatthebar.
Illness keeps him out
A slight illness kept Master David out of the Florida Derby, but his run in the 11/8-mile Wood -- he lost by a half-length and held off Eddington by a nose for second -- gave every indication he's ready for a strong effort on Derby day. In fact, Frankel thought victory was possible as jockey Alex Solis guided Master David along the rail.
"I think he got beat because he didn't see the other horse on the outside," Frankel said.
Finishing second in the Wood has been a good omen for Derby hopefuls. Among Wood runner-ups winning the Derby are Funny Cide (2003), Monarchos (2001) and Go for Gin (1994).
The Derby field is limited to 20 horses. If more enter, only the top 20 graded stakes earners will start.
One last prep is set for Saturday -- the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland. Among prospective starters are Minister Eric, Pomeroy, Quintons Gold Rush and Saratoga County.