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Straight From the Owner's Mouth

posted by Justin Dew on April 28, 2008 Tags: , , , , ,
Visionaire (Photo by: Coglianese Photos)Visionaire (Photo by: Coglianese Photos)

All I know is that I set my alarm for 5:00am, I hit snooze when the alarm went off, and the next thing I knew it was 7:04am. That kind of thing NEVER happens to me. Never.

I made it to the 3rd floor of the Churchill Downs clubhouse a few minutes before Visionaire was scheduled to begin his final pre-Derby workout. And who was standing right next to me as Visionaire prepared for his work? Why Barry Irwin, owner of Team Valor, the group that owns Visionaire. Naturally, I decided to get his thoughts on a few things, as Visionaire is a horse I am seriously considering using on my tickets.

On the Blue Grass effort:

“I liked it. We knew we weren’t going to win. We were hoping he would like the track. We wanted him to run as hard as he could without it impacting his body adversely. He had his big race when he won the Gotham. We needed something to tick him over, and we thought that would be it.”

On the Risen Star effort, where Visionaire broke fast and re-rallied late to be 3rd:

“Jose Lezcano is a very talented rider who does not have a ton of experience. We have never even considered replacing him because he gets along with the horse so well. But sometimes you give up some experience, and that’s what happened. Visionaire broke running, and Jose let him go. It was a mistake, and we realized that afterward. But the horse got a lot out of it. He was passed near the top of the stretch, but he regenerated and showed he had quality.”

On the potential Derby strategy:

“It all depends on what kind of post position he gets. If he’s toward the outside, we’re gonna have to drop over. We’ll be at the back. If we draw in the middle, he can pretty well hold his own position. He’s got a nice cruising speed. The one thing that I don’t think anyone really knows about this horse is, even though his breeding says “miler”, there is something about Visionaire’s mind and temperament that tells me he has what it takes. He never gets tired. Nothing fazes him. This is the kind of horse that you would not want to see schooled. You want to see him shook up a bit just to get his blood going.”

On Michael Matz:

“I like him. He’s a great horseman. He came to this endeavor late, but he has certainly caught up with everybody. I like the way he handles the horses. You don’t have to worry about him doing anything stupid with the horse, like giving it something stupid. He’s a natural horseman, and shows a lot of confidence in his horses. And when that happens, it makes you as an owner feel good. “

On this morning’s workout (5F in 1:01 1/5):

“It was pretty typical of him. I think they gave him a target just so he could keep going. He’s looks OK. You can never tell a lot in the morning with this horse.”

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law1701

04/28/2008 9:03 am

JD, i wonder if we can get stats on first time Bejarano, boy can he move a horse up. Throw in the fact that Anak Nakal is second time blinkers, and I believe he has a chance at the end of the super. Big Balloons

ryanmoseley

04/28/2008 9:38 am

I just want to say Thanks Justin for writing so frequently. Much appreciated. I don't think Visionaire has what it takes to win but he could definately find a place at big odds.

tomlinson68

04/28/2008 9:58 am

i think the big longshoot will be monba

Cdpotato4

04/28/2008 10:23 am

Visionaire could win if it rains and it's sloppy.

justindew

04/28/2008 10:52 am

FYI, it was just announced in the press box here at Churchill Downs that Behindatthebar is OUT, and Denis of Cork is in. This has been confirmed by Todd Pletcher.

patbateman

04/28/2008 11:02 am

I knew he'd get in. The wise and deliberate Pletcher loves to control the news.

janejumbomargarita

04/28/2008 1:44 pm

I have liked Visonaire from the begining of the year. He has what it takes! I will be using him in a lot of different ways on Saturday. I also like Court Vison and Smooth Air in some exotics.

romccann

04/28/2008 4:46 pm

Visionaire is a nice horse and is certainly seasoned but I don't think he's in the same class as some others. At best, he will show up only on the bottom of a super for me.

I think (right now at least) that the top ticket will be chalky and that Gayego makes the real splash. CJ and Gayego have shown me enough. Big Brown too if he's healthy and takes to Churchill. Pyro will be hard to lay off as well.

The real payday in this race may only come by hitting the bottom of the super. Seeing as I will have enough difficulty ordering the top 3, I may just leave the super alone...unless Imawildandcrazyguy is entered.

barryrmitchell

04/28/2008 5:07 pm

Okay, I can't see Barry Irwin standing in the winner circle at all. I have nothing further to say.

Sure play for the weekend. You don't have to believe, just play the horse.

Country Star, projected at 7-1 odds. This will pay for all your expenses for the weekend. Remember "don't think" just do!

Bobby has her ready to roll, and she was to be favorite from last year.

Dismiss the last start, she is the most dangerous horse, second time out.

TheCapper

04/28/2008 8:28 pm

Visionaire is a great horse, but he is running against some monsters so it'll be interesting.

Favorite site for picks:

http://www.winningponies.com/results/picks/tips/Kentucky-Derby-2007.html

DerbyFan78

04/28/2008 9:41 pm

Barryrmitchell - Sorry, I don't share your sentiments. Poly to first time dirt in the Oaks and second start off the year screams run away. I think this is Proud Spell's race to lose and keying her will get you some money. Now, she might not be the most desirable as the chalk, but couple her with a longshot and use her on top in the exotics could be quite rewarding. Also, think if it's an off track, which appears highly likely, A to the Croft is live as they come and will be a huge price! Not to mention, Calvin will have her in the right spot and is a tremendous rider in the off going.

barryrmitchell

04/29/2008 8:15 pm

Good Luck DerbyFan, remember I will be the guy standing in the bid window line first, while they ask for a money drop to support my bet. oh I should have said only! Ha

Oh my sweet little oakky girlllll Payday is soon my little oakky girlllll.

DerbyFan78

04/29/2008 8:49 pm

Barryrmitchell - I will be the one laughing at you while you tear your losing tickets to shreds.