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Two Quick Touts

posted by Mac McBride on March 21, 2008 Tags: , , , , ,
Georgie Boy and Rafael Bejarano (Photo by: Benoit)Georgie Boy and Rafael Bejarano (Photo by: Benoit)

You don't want to come this way this week if you're looking for hot items on the Ky Derby trail. Yours truly is on another road -- the one to the Final Four (female side)-- up in Northern California at Stanford (gorgeous campus), which means limited access to a computer and limited output on same back your way. Just as well. Not much happening on the Derby front out west right now, so let's give it a little rest and come back strong (hopefully) next week.

Two quick items, though:

First, go see a movie when you get a chance. Not just any movie, but one called "The First Saturday in May." Yes, it's about the Kentucky Derby (specifically the 2006 one won by Barbaro) and yes, it has lots of horse "stuff" in it, which you'll enjoy. But mostly it is a people movie -- about their hopes, dreams, interactions -- and a wonderful one at that. Got to see the movie, then have a bite of dinner with the Hennegan Brothers (the makers) last December and both occasions were huge treats. The movie will draw you in and touch your heart -- guaranteed. And John and Brad are a pair of excellent film makers who know their subject, very well. They grew up in the game, have the good of it in their hearts and no doubt are going to go on and do many more special projects in the future. They are exceptional and so is their movie. If it is playing in your hometown come Derby time (read about it on the Derby site), make sure you get to see it. It will please you and fire you up again for this year's edition. If it isn't playing near you, buy the DVD and put aside a nice evening to tune it up. Promise you'll love it.

Finally, if you've been considering a trip to the Derby this year -- especially those of you out there who would be making it for the first time -- then Go For It. There is no better time to do the Derby than now. This year's Derby is going to be terrific. No doubt. All Derbies where you are there are terrific and this coming one is going to be a winner -- and then some. The first Derby dead-heat? A track record? A five-horse photo? Something is going to happen; it just has that feel.

Join the Discussion

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barryrmitchell

03/22/2008 5:30 am

Oh la la, Oh la la! May I have a popcorn, a hotdog and large coke Please!

It's the weekend and the weather is great outdoors. But I will choose to spend a few hours indoors at the movie.

Oh la la, Oh la la! Yep, I got to give "The Mac Man" credit.

Thanks Mac.

mike barker

03/22/2008 3:40 pm

BIG MAC ATTACK!!

patbateman

03/22/2008 5:20 pm

try to see you in Louisville, Mac, I haven't been there since Thunder Gulch stole the show.

morethanready

03/25/2008 11:30 am

You maybe remember me as the shameless promoter of the ill fated Scat Daddy( he never went to post again after the Derby). I agree, you have to go to the derby... that was my first last year when I saw you in the backstetch. Great experience. Look forward to your input, I've not even attempted the early pools this year- its that wide open to me.

Cdpotato4

03/25/2008 6:24 pm

Mac,

Brother Derek!!!!!!

Santa Anita Park - March 28th, 2008 - Race 7
Estimated Local Post Time: 4:07 PM
Race Type: Allowance
Breed: Thoroughbred
Age Restriction: Four Year Old and Upward
Purse: $68,000
Distance: One Mile
Surface: All Weather Track

Post Horse Name Age Sex Weight Jockey Name
1 Brother Derek (CA) 5 Horse 118 Alex O. Solis
2 Mast Track (KY) 4 Colt 118 Jose Valdivia, Jr.
3 Sadler's Trick (KY) 5 Gelding 118 Mike E. Smith
4 Fly Dorcego (BRZ) 6 Horse 118 Joel Rosario
5 Sahara Heat (KY) 4 Colt 118 Corey S. Nakatani
6 Augment (KY) 4 Gelding 118 Richard Migliore
7 Trotamondo (CHI) 7 Horse 118 Victor Espinoza
8 Double Galore (KY) 5 Horse 120 Martin Garcia
9 Capitano (PA) 7 Horse 118 Tyler Baze
10 Gotaghostofachance 7 Gelding 118 Jon Kenton Court

With Solis aboard!!!!

barryrmitchell

03/26/2008 7:07 pm

The rail draw is a killer, even though Brother Man has speed, he will be pressed the entire trip from the rail. No cover and no rest in his return, They should have looked for a sprint race for his return. I would have liked a downhill 6 1/2 turf race. Plenty around, missing for 14 months, they are asking alot.

Fades to third early in the stretch.

Find something else for the money. He got to need this race, and not to mention this is not the same surface he is use to training and racing over.

To many unknown factor to overcome since his three year old races and now he five years old.

Even his late three year old races were sub par and losing as the favorite.

Bet the race as if he is not running. Your going to get some good odds by drawing a line through his name.

barryrmitchell

03/28/2008 8:09 pm

Okay Mac, what really going on? I really want your honest opinion, not the public version.

Brother Derek scratch from the race. You might think this is my primary statement.

How does the second races of Claiming 16,000 tags, run faster then the Brother Derek Allowance 62,000 horses.

This appears to be a really bad draw for a 62,000 allowance horses. The times for the allowance race is incredible slow at every pole with a final time of 1:36 and change .

Splits were awful? 49 and change, 1:13 and change, 1:25 and change.

Is Santa Anita kidding or what? and to add insult, the favorite scratches.

Look funny to me, very funny.

sharonroller

03/30/2008 7:05 pm

Hi Mac
Love your West Coast anaylsis, read alot here, but first time poster on this site.
I see alot of familiar names here, Barry, Mike, Pat, Cdpotao4,
you guys love to get around, huh? ...Big Smile.

some other West Coast Names:
Salute the Sarge
Leonides
...remember them? they just finished 1st-2nd in The San Miquel Stakes at Santa Anita yesterday. It was nice to see Salute the Sarge back racing again.(6f 1.09.07) and he looked real good.
He also has enough graded stakes earnings to get into the KY Derby

http://www.thedowneyprofile.com/Derby_Contender_Graded_Earnings

I just read that his connections are pointing him that way, via the Lexington Stakes
on April 19th.
Would love to hear your thoughts on this, Mac.
And continue the nice job with this blog forum.

SR Vegas