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Another Big Guy

posted by Mac McBride on February 19, 2008 Tags: , , , , ,
Denis Of Cork Rolls Late in Southwest: (Photo by: Jeff Coady/Coady Photography)Denis Of Cork Rolls Late in Southwest: (Photo by: Jeff Coady/Coady Photography)

Uh, oh. Starting to feel it. That pull, that sweet pull. Like a young girl’s heart in springtime. Falling in love again --- with biology.

Not the black bean, white bean hybrid type, or the phylum and protozoan kind you might vaguely remember from those 8 a.m. Bio 101s. What we’re talking about is the biology that builds ‘em bigger, stronger, faster – and often just better.

If we were playing basketball here, the reference points would be your power forwards – the Elgin Baylors, the Dave DeBusscheres, the Gus Johnsons, the Luke Jacksons and the Karl Malones of the roundball world.

But we’re talking racehorses and we’re thinking along the lines of the likes of Phar Lap, Candy Spots, Forego and, more recently, Rock Hard Ten. Simply bigger and stronger and – at least to one man’s way of seeing it – more intimidating. How many times do you recall a big horse moving up alongside a little horse in the stretch and the big horse just muscling on by? Seems to me there’s been a whole lot more of them to recall than the other way around.

Sometimes, though, biology can fool you. Got me last year. Saw this great big horse running in New York, and, man, did he look good. He was all of big, strong and intimidating as he worked his way up to the Kentucky Derby. Looked like a case of one of the ones; one of those teenagers whose pituitary gland had run amuck, making him a man among boys. Name was Nobiz Like Shobiz. Had a Derby-winning trainer, a big-money rider and that massive set of withers that made him stand way out in a crowd. Looked like a thick-cut pork chop in a sea of single burgers. The biology got me.

Alas, biology didn’t get it done in the 2007 Derby. The good chemistry of a good horse, a good trainer and a good ride was the answer for Street Sense, while the “big” horse came toddling in 10th. Ah, well.

But that biology thing came whispering in my ear again Monday when a big, strong racehorse named Denis of Cork come rambling down the lane at Oaklawn in the Southwest Stakes to bulge into the Derby picture. He’s a good-looking bay, with a coat that’ll jump out at you and that jet-black mane and tail. And he’s large, like on his way to power-forward large. To add some yeast to it all, he’s three-for-three, has an Irish trainer, a Cajun jockey and a world of possibilities in front of him.

And so the struggle is on. That biology battle. Stick to the West Coast, dummy, he tells himself. That’s your turf. That’s what you’re supposed to be writing about. Don’t be messin’ with those guys on the other side of the Rockies.

Ah, but look at him. How can you resist. He’s so big, so strong, so handsome. He’s got those long strides. He can bull his way out of tight spots. He’s a runnin’ sonofagun!

Oh, my. Denis of Cork. Big dreams. So big.

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mike barker

02/19/2008 10:41 pm

His maiden race at Churchill was awesome he was way back...For his running style even if he didnt win it he will mow down probably 3/4 of yhe field.

mac

02/20/2008 12:04 am

His a big one, Mike, and it looks like he can run. And that breeding says he can run all day and part of the night. He's still got to show he can dance the dance with the classy ones. But then again, maybe the classy ones have got to prove their big enough to dance with him.

eaoa89

02/20/2008 6:33 am

Mac-
Sure would would have liked some 49/1 action now but hindsite is 20/20. (As for "dancing with the classy ones" the Arkansas Road has been pretty successful in producing triple crown contenders, so when "Derby Day" rolls around the horses who've run well in the Oaklawn Preps are going to get "bonus points" from me.)

mac

02/20/2008 8:33 am

Gottcha, Mr. 89er. Your point is well taken and I've got no problem with the road going to Louisville through Hot Springs. My idea was that our big boy hasn't foxtrotted with the Grade 2 and Grade 1 fellas yet. They dance a little faster.

Garndtz

02/20/2008 9:34 am

I considered Street Sense a "big" horse. Not Nobiz big, but pretty big.

Watching him in the stretch with Any Given Saturday looked to me like a foot race between Andy and Barny Fife.

mac

02/20/2008 10:36 am

Street Sense built like a fullback, not a power forward. A strapper. If you remember Secretariat, the same thing. Love that biology.

barryrmitchell

02/20/2008 1:56 pm

Mac, STOP DREAMING, wake up my friend. He was 5-6 lengths off the pace at the 6 furlong maker (1:10 and change). Those kind of middle splits is not going to get a single paycheck on Derby day and he had to come a get a lone "F" suicide runners after 45 and change. Sure the horse got all the money. Who hates to cash these day's. But at best, the Southwest was an high price Allowance race. The horse was suppose to win by 10, don't you think. Nothing impressed me about the running.

I don't mean to torpedo the dream, but who would let you live a nightmare.

Only your friends would wake you up! That's me. Stay focus my friend, we have lots to talk about in the coming weeks.

There is and will be nothing out the Southwest worthy of your commentary. You might find Dennis of Cork in the Derby trial field at best.

hossgnat

02/20/2008 4:30 pm

Mac, go ahead and take the plunge. Denis is special. Ever since his CD maiden win I've been very high on his potential. Gotta love that high cruising speed and killer closing kick.

Barry, quite the opinion there. Almost makes me want to give back my 5-1 return in the Southwest and tear up my 46-1 future wager. Almost...

battfist

02/20/2008 7:44 pm

Barry..you are too funny. But I agree-i believe the field might have been weak. But like Mac said he looked good.

mac

02/20/2008 10:50 pm

Thanks for your concern about my sleep patterns, Barry.
For a horse making only his third start, I think The Big Corker looked pretty darn good. He went about his business nicely, wasn't blowing all that hard coming back and got a good number for the race. Looked like a horse with a future to me.
A big horse, for sure. And a big future, maybe.

barryrmitchell

02/21/2008 2:35 am

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Mac don't wake me! I'm sleeping, go to the track and bet Dennis of Cork to win!.

Dinner will be in the oven when you return, by the way, can you take the trash out please. It's full of losing tickets.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Now that humor "battfist"

SoCalAl

03/04/2008 12:00 am

Hello Mac,
Once again the sun shines in So-Cal but the stars seem to be much brighter back east. I saw this guys races and I was impressed with each one of his performances. He does just what he needs to do to win and that shows me he is a smart colt.
I really like this guy and I can't wait until he takes on one of the biggies so I can cash a ticket, "in my sleep that is" cause I think this is the Curlin of this year but this guys really makes it look easy.
Anyway I look forward to the Kentucky Derby writes ups this year and I am sure we will have lots of fun.

Have a great day,
SoCalAl