(Monday, January 11) Trainer William "Buff" Bradley was disappointed with the performance of Sam P., who checked in last in Sunday's Ft. Lauderdale Stakes. The six year old was beaten 34 lengths, but the trainer told me he will move forward with the multiple graded placed runner.

Sam P. has been a topic of discussion among some horseplayers (including myself) that have questioned whether the six year old should be running.

His previous owner Starlight Stables sold Sam P. for $25,000 "for breeding purposes only."

When Starlight Stables learned that Sam P. was back in training in April under the ownership of Triton Farms, which is owned by George Hofmeister, they filed an injunction attempting to stop Sam P. from returning to the racetrack.

The judge ruled in favor of the current connections.

Sam P suffered a serious tendon injury in late 2008, which a veterinarian said was career ending.

Nelson E. Clemmens, who is listed as the owner in the charts, is listed as the "lessee".

The five year old came back off a year layoff and ran seventh against Alw-3 optional claimers on Nov. 6, then was second at the same level on Nov. 24.

On Dec. 12, the five year old was sent off at 4/1 in the Prairie Bayou Stakes at Turfway Park, was never a threat, and had to be vanned off after the race.

Bradley told me "The Polytrack balled up in his feet, and that is the reason (Calvin) Borel had him vanned off. He cooled out fine after the race and I had the Vet check him, and all was fine."

On Sunday, Sam P. tracked a moderate early pace in the off the turf Ft. Lauderdale, and faded to finish 34 lengths behind the winner.

"He trained up to the race fine, and could not have been doing any better," Bradley said. "We were disappointed the race was taken off the turf."

Bradley is not stopping on the horse, and will look for an easier spot in an allowance race on the turf in the upcoming weeks.

"We'll look for a turf race at Gulfstream Park, probably an allowance race, and if he does not run well we might stop on him," the trainer said.

As far as the legal issues surrounding the horse Bradley said, "I'm staying out of it. I'm taking care of the horse."

When asked about the doubters, Bradley told me, "I'm taking extra steps with this horse. I would not take a chance with this horse if he was not fit. He could not be doing any better, his legs are great."

Sam P. was on the Triple Crown Trail as a three year old, finishing second in the Robert E. Lewis (G2) and third in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) before checking in ninth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

The six-year-old now has a career record of 23-3-3-4 and career earnings of $384,629.

Bradley won the 2009 Ellis Park training title with 11 wins from 45 starters with his runners earning $129,650 in purses.

The trainer's best known horse was multiple stakes winner Brass Hat, who earned over $2 million.

Among his other stakes winners are Town Queen, Ella Belle, Timeless Love, and Ideveter.

Bradley started 305 horses in 2009 with 36 wins.

The trainer is certainly taking a risk with a horse that some think might be better off retired, but that is not deterring Bradley from his job.

"I'm comfortable in what I am doing or I would not be running him," he said.

More Horses on the Tube: NBC is increasing its television coverage for the major preps leading up to the Kentucky Derby this year.

On March 27, USA Network (which is owned by NBC) will be at Fair Grounds for the Louisiana Derby (G2) and will televise the Lane's End Stakes (G2) from Turfway Park.

The Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G1) will be broadcast on April 3, and on April 10 the broadcast will include the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland Race Course and the Arkansas Derby (G1) from Oaklawn Park.

NBC will televise the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, with the Belmont Stakes moving to ABC.