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Some need restored confidence. Others need money. The clock ticks...

posted by Jill Byrne on April 03, 2008 Tags: , , , , , ,
War Pass (Photo by: Coglianese Photos)War Pass (Photo by: Coglianese Photos) Court Vision Looks For Room in The Remsen (GII) (photo by: Adam Coglianese/NYRA)Court Vision Looks For Room in The Remsen (GII) (photo by: Adam Coglianese/NYRA) Denis of Cork (Photo by: Will Kenser/Coady Photography)Denis of Cork (Photo by: Will Kenser/Coady Photography) Colonel John marches on in Sham: (Photo by: Benoit)Colonel John marches on in Sham: (Photo by: Benoit)

The Illinois Derby, Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby will all be run this Saturday with some contenders looking to redeem themselves and others in dire need of graded earnings if they plan to start in the big one on the first Saturday in May. There is no more time for excuses and certainly no more time to run for the money.

 

In the Wood Memorial:

War Pass must rebound with a strong effort in the Wood after his debacle in Tampa. That being said, as much as I like this colt I still don't think that win, lose or draw on Saturday he is capable of overcoming bigger obstacles he will face in the Derby. He may get a sloppy track and go wire to wire again in New York but does that answer our questions? Great connections, great horse but too many "ifs" for this one.

Court Vision has to prove he can run faster than he has so far but does figure to get some pace this time to help his cause.

Tale of Ekati has to rebound from a dull effort in his 2008 debut and like the others show that he is more than just a very good two year old.

Texas Wildcatter falls into the category of needing money and putting another solid performance on the track to be a realistic contender.

 

In the Illinois Derby:

Denis Of Cork needs some money to guarantee him a spot but he also needs a strong race off the layoff to get enough out of it to be ready for the grueling demands of the Derby.

Atoned needs earnings as well and has to take a step forward in only his second start of the year (looks like he could be ready for a big one).

Z Humor has the Derby bucks (thanks to the Delta Jackpot) but like the others he is on proving ground at Hawthorne.

 

In the Santa Anita Derby:

Colonel John has the bankroll and El Gato Malo is on a quest to improve his. These two are very good colts who have consistency on their side but the one question that won't be answered is whether they can handle a traditional dirt track. Both their pedigrees say yes to that so I really don't see it as a big issue this year.

Yankee Bravo needs the graded earnings and needs to run faster than he has so far to defeat the top two and move on. He is slightly interesting.

 

So who is it going to be to take some attention away from Pyro and Big Brown for awhile, anybody? Will we see upsets or returns to proven form or a steady performance? A deciding weekend is coming up anyway you slice it.

Join the Discussion

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Cdpotato4

04/03/2008 9:01 pm

Jill,

I'm excited about these preps, but even more excited about the start of Keeneland's Spring meet. How about your TVG late P4 for Saturday when you get the chance?

patbateman

04/03/2008 10:22 pm

Jill,

War Pass getting a mile and a quarter will be interesting to see, and I don't think it will be anywhere near as easy as a mile and a 16th has been for him so far. Court Vision should be ready to roll, I think he'll get up there for the win eventually. It didn't look like Texas Wildcatter wanted any more distance last time, and I see it as a 2 horse race.

Eoin Harty trains a lot like his mentor Baffert, with Colonel John ripping it up lately in training...but then you never know how easily they do it...I like Colonel John but he doesn't need the win, so as long as he runs well and looks like he wants more distance, I'll be happy with that, knowing how important the cash is to the other runners. I wouldn't bet that race really.

Denis of Cork going the Cowtown Cat route to the Derby...if he can't win that race how can he win the Kentucky Derby?

mike barker

04/03/2008 10:43 pm

Steve Haskin said today that Take Of Ekati was the 2nd choice who in the world is making those mornig lines are they crazy?? He reminds me of Majestic Warrior just another 2yr old who never developed from last year...Im not betting the race but i will root for War Pass to win just to keep the odds up on a few horses i like....

usscone

04/04/2008 2:56 pm

I love Atoned in Illinois,he excelerates around turns with the greatest of ease. War Pass will break like lightning and wire them in New York,and that bad cat El Gato Malo will run down the Colonel in a west coast strech run that you shouldn't miss. I got Derby fever and it feels so good. May the Racing Gods be with you and yours.

romccann

04/04/2008 5:54 pm

I'm with you everywhere but the Wood, usscone. Give me Texas Wildcatter and a Pletcher two-fer.

patbateman

04/04/2008 7:38 pm

I like Atoned too but maybe not until May 3 in the superfecta. Atoned doesn't mind running 2nd though... I changed my mind about Court Vision winning tomorrow...with the rain I've got to hand it to War Pass. I really do hope he gets a big win like Nobiz Like Shobiz last year because I think he will run about as well as Nobiz in the Kentucky Derby, and the Wood is a nice race for him to win. I think War Pass hangs on for a close win.

mike barker

04/05/2008 11:06 am

Way to go Jill i read you have a new position taking over for Bataglia

buckeyepaul

04/05/2008 12:55 pm

Congrats Jill on the new gig, you deserve it. For everybody the article is on churchilldowns.com

patbateman

04/05/2008 7:20 pm

Jill, it looks like War Pass got a good race, one that should sharpen him, but i still have big doubts about the distance question...should he run? Denis of Cork...there must be something physically wrong with him. Colonel John looked good, but I don't necessarily see brilliance. More than ever it is Pyro and "The Horse"...it should be a great Derby, thankfully Big Brown fills the War Pass VOID.

Cdpotato4

04/05/2008 9:02 pm

1:52^2!

jill

04/07/2008 7:22 am

Thanks to everyone for all the nice comments about my new position at Churchill . I am looking forward to the role.
As far as the Derby preps this past weekend well, I don't know that anything has changed my thoughts. I still think Pyro is the horse to beat and Big Brown is right at his neck. Colonel John may have been the most likely of the runners last saturday to provide a challenge. I actually think that he may improve while switching to the dirt course at Churchill. I am looking forward to seeing him work over the Downs.
Tale Of Ekati ran well and War Pass really ran a phenomenal race after setting those fast fractions and being pressured. That said , I still don't see him surviving the Derby with the same scenario and more distance. I know the final time was very slow but I will give Tale Of Ekati and Court Vision a chance anyway though with reserved enthusiasm. Not sure what to make of Recapturetheglory as he was the only horse that showed up in Illinois. Atoned and Denis of Cork to me had no excuse , just not good enough.
On to the Bluegrass Stakes !

Cdpotato4

04/09/2008 6:46 pm

Jill,

Good call today on TVG at Keeneland's post time for the 6th. Freedom Alert!

csmith7224

04/18/2008 4:03 pm

Jill,

Thanks for the info! I am looking forward to working with you again this year! I will see you Sunday bright and early.

Caroline