Done-kirk? Not if I'm in charge.

Why was Europe scratched? (I guess Casey was setting a fast pace so the rabbit really wasn't necessarily, but I wonder if Pletcher is kicking himself for that at all.)

Also, I do think you're crazy.

Big Drama and Quality Road looked awesome. Dunkirk looked okay to me. Yes, he did run a good race and gave himself and Gomez every chance to win. However, they couldn't get past the FREAK. If he was the Superhorse many claimed, he would have won. End of story. I'm thinking the Lexington would be a good final prep for Dunkirk. The competition will be much easier and a win or even second most likely guarantees a spot. Not to mention, it would give him two weeks before the Derby.

I find it hilarious many were claiming Dunkirk would win by multiple lengths, destroy the field, etc....sorry folks, it's time to face reality - he isn't a superhorse.

Whats wrong with a fast track ?? Im all for them !

justin,

Can you answer my earlier question?

Will Regal Ransom and Desert Party, retain the trainers they had (McLaughlin &eoin) before going over seas, when they come to the states for the Derby?

Or will it be Souoor?

Justin i agree with you 100%. right after the race, i surmised that this would be your take on it.
and not to take anything away from qr- but it would be a travesty to not see dunk in the derby.
after his allowance i was boasting that stakes money was no issue.... but i was under the impression a 2nd place would secure a spot... so i was wrong. you gotta point him to the derby trial- and if he's on the outside looking in...you run him. got to.
imagine if he misses the field by one spot... what a backlash there would be about the "win and youre in" euro race...

Justin,

it is better to just accept that you were wrong...you can cash on QR on May 2nd! He is an absolute MONSTER!

Don't whine about why you/DK lost. He was clearly overmatched and everyone who meets QR will be overmatched as well

So yeah Dunkirk could miss the Derby after finishing half a second off the track record at Gulfstream in his 3rd start. They should have sent him to Oaklawn to take on more vulnerable coimpetition. Hey, everyone thought Denis of Cork wouldn't get in last year and he still squeaked in, so maybe it will work out.

Or he could just reappear in the Preakness or something like that. That isn't the end of the world.

I wish I had more future exacta coverage on QR. I have a little on Quality Road over The Pamplemousse, Dunkirk and Friesan Fire, but nothing to get too excited about. He looks great so he will be hammered in the Derby and I've got to try and figure out how to beat him. If Dunkirk is out then that increases the likelihood that Win Willy will be THE off the pace horse to look out for.

Wow...I can't believe what I am reading! Quality Road is getting no respect? We are in the presence of the first triple crown winner in 30 years and we are ignoring it?

really?

He is the next SECRETARIAT!

Yes I did go there.

Justin,

Thank's for the info.

I get Dunkirk runnig a sub :23 from 1/4 to 1/2.
I actually get him doing a :22 (which I find hard to believe.)
Regardless that move had to take a lot out of him, and I believe he will yet prove to be a better runner than QR.

You can't beat him so don't try. You are throwing money away.

The 1str quarter is always wrong at Gulfstream, so your calculations are way off. Why doesn't anyone read what I write. I said this at least 100 times.

A true champion can run and hold his own on any kind of track at any time---Dunkiirk held
his own--any blame for not making derby if that happens belongs to trainer or owner

Plecher knew how the track was playing before the horses loaded in the gate --if he was
upset he could have scratched-- I cant sympathize with his excuses after its all over an he says he
lost cause the track was fast---IMHO

So how soon after next week's Santa Anita Derby will Gomez have to commit to a Derby horse?

dunkirk looked exhausted afterward...how's he gonna do with an extra furlong?

Potato...much love but how can you say he's the next Secretariat? Heck...he's not even the next Barbaro....

I am a little excited about him though...I thought he was very impressive and is an outstanding looking animal.

I'm still pulling for "the Grapefruit" though...... I can wait to see him make POTN look like a stable pony.

Justin,

I hope that Dunkirk makes it into the Kentucky Derby. I had Dunkirk on my watch list since last year and I picked Quality Road to win the Fountain of Youth.

As I said in a previous post, I'd be happy if either of them won. However, from an earnings perspective, it would have been better if Dunkirk came in first.

If Dunkirk makes it into the Derby starting gate, I think that a good superfecta bet would be Quality Road-Dunkirk/Quality Road-Dunkirk/3rd horse/4th horse.

Justin, you must be on crack and I think this website is too easy for you. I also think you might want to "tout" other horses so you can make more money at the window. I know that what I saw today and in the Fountain of Youth and in QR's maiden race (at Aqueduct-another speed favoring track? We'll see how that argument holds up in Kentucky) was a horse that is not only special but on his way to becoming the next Triple Crown Winner. Believe me, I don't want anyone to know about it because I love making money; however I am not afraid of witnessing greatness either.

hollyking,

absolutley 100% agree.

HORSE OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin,

He is talking about where you say, \"Dunkirk was more impressive" and "I would play Dunkirk in the Kentucky Derby before I played Quality Road\"

We are witnessing greatness! Step back and watch it all and take it in. We will be talking about this horse 30 years from now.

Justin,

I have had him at #1 since the FOY.

oh never mind you mean the experts, my bad

Would love to see him get in the field if not thats just sad....I totally agree with justin it didnt take a genious to figure out how souped up that track was....reminded me of keeneland a dam conveyor belt for speed.....although QR looked good hell they went 1:47........reminds me of street sense when everyone talked junk about him after his keeneland race .......Churchill Downs and Gulfstream are 2 different tracks so dont pencil in QR just yet.........and they didnt need Europe either for those of you who think so i mean common how much faster could the race of went........track records all day thats funny santa anita pulls that same crap on big race days......that track wasnt fast it was lightning fast every horse that won was 2 to 3 lenghts off the lead all day ............would love to see a rematch i think those 2 horses are in a league of there own....i havent seen anyone else impress me this year

This day the horse was better than the field. The owner gets the paycheck, the trainer did his job, the jockey rode a great race and the horse poses for the picture.

Head up to the winning crew.

There seem to be a lot of sour pus! on here now.

It’s not fair to criticize the track, or the race conditions.

IT IS WHAT IT IS! NO POWER ON THE EARTH WILL CHANGE THAT!

TODAY WAS QUALITY ROAD DAY.

If Quality Road would have lost, then I sure his trainer and jockey would be saying something was unfair.

HATERS
HATERS
HATERS
HATERS
HATERS
HATERS
HATERS

That the same BAD feeling from years ago when CURLIN out finished ,what his name?

Oh, then RAG TO RICHES outfinised who in the Belmont Stakes,

Exactly! there are days when a colt will win, the next he will lose!

No body's eventually cares who finishes second. The goal is to win the races. I DON'T EVER FORGET IT!

WINNER IMPLIES WINNER (1ST PLACE)

Big up's to QUALITY ROAD, He is your Florida Derby and Kentucky Derby favorite.

Yes I know Justin, we are handicappers and we must search for value. I can't ignore this chalk though. And when he wins on derby day and you are ripping up tickets...I hope you aren't one of those old guys at the OTB that say, "let him win! let the chalk win!"...Instead I hope you just take it all in and appeciate what you have just witnessed. GREATNESS!

You may not bet him because you are seeking value. That is fine. But when he wins, you will be witnessing history in the making. And you will tell your grandkids about May 2nd, 2009 when you saw Quality Road. If you do this, then that is fine by me.

But you cannot ignore that we are watching the best in action.

Justin,

No one is paying attention to your rankings because, well, so many people are so very easily swayed (as the above comments make abundantly clear) by whatever race they've just seen. After next week, the same people will be touting whoever wins the Santa Anita or the Wood (heck, they'll jump on Mayor Marv or Musket Man if they win tomorrow/next week).

I may not know much about handicapping (okay, I know ZILCH about handicapping), but I know a good bit about horses in general, and to make a comment even before the Derby that ANY horse is the next Secretariat is just plain ignorant, and is a comment filled with hype and emotion rather than intelligent, circumspect reflection. Quality Road MAY turn out to be the next great superhorse, but no one knows that at this point. Had Dunkirk (who I personally believe to be the better horse of the top two today) won, it still wouldn't have given him sufficient credentials at this point in the game to start crowning him.

Horses are not machines that behave predictably time after time. They are living, breathing creatures, and as such, are subject to all sorts of variables from race to race. Only at the end of a horse's three-year-old year can we begin to evaluate the total horse, and his or her place in history.

Wilsonprince, you're comment, while hard to hear, is very true. Even if Dunkirk doesn't make the Derby field, it's not the end. He may in fact become the next superhorse. Or, he may be a dud with a couple great looking races. Or, as is very possible, he may be somewhere in between. Only time will tell. Until then, well, we should all just hold our horses... : )

1. Quality Road

2. Win Willy
3. Mafaaz

Unless there is a computer malfunction on my part, your top ten has QR listed as number 3. Good move. Also I don't think it's a shame that Donekirk lost today because Pletcher is notorious for delivering a horse or two in the preps and then not delivering on Derby day and he makes a ton of money doing exactly that. Smart guy, but not someone I would want to spend my time with. All about the money, not the animal. I would rather have Quality Road in my backyard than a 1000 Donekirks. As far as the blog being too easy on you, give me a flippin' break, you know what I mean.

oldspath,

you said, \"Quality Road MAY turn out to be the next great superhorse"

He already has. As far as I'm concerned this horse is greater now than Curlin could ever wish to be. So next in line is becoming the next MONSTER. And we all know who that is.

mafaaz lol

there was only 1...there may now be 2

IF THE DERBY WERE TOMORROW I WOULD PLAY $100 DD RACHEL ALEXANDRA WITH QR....DUNKIRK.....FRIESIAN FIRE ..........IM OUT TO CASH SO MAY THE BEST HORSE WIN

JD
holly must be new to the site, if he/she thinks we're soft on you. i hope astra didn't hang himself

MIKIE
WOW , QR is a real super horse, just like you guys-gals are touting, if you think he can run tomorrow.

Really. The horse ran a nice race but let him prove his ability throughout the year, to compare him to horses that are far more accomplished is not fair to the horse. I do not think this horse will have such an easy go in Louisville, and it is highly unlikely that he will be able to replicate the form of his two previous trip scenarios stalking stretch out sprinters and gliding away on a biased surface, not to say he is not talented but rather an automatic throwout on Derby Day because of price and projected trip. A horse has to actually beat other Stakes winners to be considered great right? Well Dunkirk certainly will be one but the others he has faced down in Florida do not inspire much confidence. Time will tell.

just to go on record I am a Pamplemousse freak.

quality road looked awesome today. But i wouldnt take anythingto away from Dunkirk's performance either. i agree with Justin and some of the others position that the track was practically a concrete parking lot, 3 track records? reminds of me of the day bob black jack set a world record at santa anita when they had all that rain on the previous cushin track. the track was absolutely lightning fast today and i think dunkirk couldnt go with them early. but he made an incredible move on the far turn going wide the whole way and captured the lead just as they entered the stretch. quality road is a great animal and benefitted from an excellent ride from johnny v and lightning fast course that was playing to the speed all day. i think quality road has all the right stuff to wear the roses on the first saturday in may, but i give a lot of credit to dunkirk for his run, perhaps not the race a lot of us thought he might run, but hes definitely not garbage nor a throw out either. i think he'll only get better from here and i'd give him one more shot

justin- good call on theregoesjojo. being a one turn sprinter. i thought kents ride was a little odd, i know he didnt want quality to get away but he had jojo right on his heals through those blazing fractions. he rode 4 winners today so i think i he played the hand he was dealt in terms of the paved racetrack and thought this was the best style ride today. certainly didnt have any punch in the lane, cant see him going to louisville

Horses are a skittish breed. Jo Jo bumped Quality Road coming out of the turn (I thought it was funny Desormeaux was calling blame when it was HIS fault) and this may have given Quality Road a little extra adrenaline. On top of that, Dunkirk made his move a little too early. Finally, let's face it, Dunkirk had two preps and was used to cruising at the end of the race, not powering home. The blogger who said Dunkirk looked tired may have mistaken Dunkirk's being forlorn (horses have feelings too) when he realized his jockey was not happy at the end of the race. This may have been a good learning lesson for Dunkirk. Also, I was not a Jo Jo fan, but I liked how he kept his wits together after being thrown offstride by his idiot jockey. He still sped back up and saved third. I would bet all three of these horses on K-Derby day based on their efforts. OH, TWO LAST THINGS: Please don't compare Quality Road to Secretariat. Even, MY favorite horse of all time, Sunday Silence, would run Quality Road into the ground. Please. So would Easy Goer for that matter. Years from now. when Quality Road finally passes on, we'll cut out his heart and weigh it against Secretariat's. C'mon. You know there will be no comparison. The second thing is, SHAM beat Secretariat before the K-Derby, so winning a prep does not make a colt a "superhorse". Of course,
Sham would have kicked Quality Road's behind too. You'll see. This is not a Triple Crown year. Rachel Alexandra will take away the Belmont trophy because it's small field will attract her.

well said goodfella. Dunkirk ran a very respectable 2nd only 1 1/2 lengths behind the GREAT ONE. He does deserve to run on May 2nd

paul,

if the triple crown can be won in this era.........................THIS IS THE YEAR

Both Dunkirk and Quality Road lack the seasoning to win the Derby. Pundits use the Big Brown example as the "rules" are changing, however I disagree, I say the "rules" specifically the foundation of the horse is imperative to their performance in May. Big Brown was an above average horse far more advanced than his peers. Many question the talent behind Brown last year. This year however there are far more horses with both the foundation and brilliance to cahllenge these talent types. In another year I might give more credence to the fact that Dunkirk and Quality Road could make up the difference based on talent alone but having only 1 two turn race raises more questions than answers, especially when you consider that this years talent pool seems very deep. Bottom line is that Quality Road is up against it in Kentucky and I hope he continues to be anointed so that the price gets driven down. Beware of The Pamplemousse...Beware...

A great couple of races today. Four really, really fast horses.

On the track thing, it was definitely playing fast - but I'm not sure why all the gnashing of teeth. First according to the track records listed in the program they handed out at the Gulf, there were only 2 track records, not three (or FOUR, as Dick Downey somehow gets).

In the Swale, the track record was set by the 3 year old with the best beyer this year, and who was only 1/2 a second off the track record earlier this meet at 6F. So, Phil is fast. What it really says is that Big Drama is a hell of a horse, since he's already won at a mile and an 1/8. BG not going to the Derby, now that's a crying shame.

Regardless, the Gulf track on FD day isn't any worse that Churchill can be on KD day.

Potato, if the TC can be won it this era, it would have been last year - with one of the weakest crops in recent memory. Big Brown's best beyer (that's lots of "b"s) puts him with about 8 of this years horse's - and we're not even done with the preps.

I would like to see Pletcher take Justin's advice (the Lexington, maybe), but being an Unbridled Song, they'll probably just wait for later classics.

this 3 year old crop is amazing! quality road is even more amazing!

JD, anyone who can't afford to stay in communication (via blog) from SIN city!

Come on!

Internet is totally and absolutely free in SIN city, AMAZING!

Astra must be in JAIL. PRISON, DESERT LAND WALKING HOME OR SOMETHING!

This ones for Phil picked up some earnings today, does anyone think he will run again to try to pick up some more for the Derby? I realize he doesn't have a chance, but I do have a future wager on him, and would like to not have to rip it up before May 2. My other thought is Dutrow as of now has noone in the Derby picture, although Patena has 1 to go.

CDpotato-
take it easy fella. you sound just a little too hyped up. my guess is that you went to your betting center of choice, threw a couple back, put in a big win bet on QR, won, and now are on top of the world. wait til the booze wears off before marrying the horse. the next secretariat? give me a break. keep up this pace and you completely devalue any future post you make.

Every week the Derby pace scenario makes it look tougher and tougher for Old Fashioned to compete.He might be 15-1 in the next future wager, next weekend.

Seems like alot of great on the pace or stalking types this year. Pample, FFire, QR, OFashioned. Could be a good year to hit a longshot closing on a pace meltdown ala Giacomo. But for now FF is my #1, QR #2, IWR #3.
Potato, there will never be another Secretariat, QR will make a name for himself if he is that good.

lawdog...... i didn't hang myself, but thanks for your concern

barry..... i'm here, not running away from nuthin... i believe i won the bet between us

Regarding the Florida Derby, as I mentioned before, I didn't bet a dime on it, and it was fun to watch. Did the best horse win? I think the jury is still out... they are both good animals.... I can't even speculate what Pletcher is going to do now, but there is 3,700,000 reasons why not to rush the animal and do anything that could hurt him. I thought the ride on Jojo was terrible.

Vegas note: I did set a personal record today. At the Fairgrounds I bet a horse that paid $238 to win (something like that, I had $10 across on him). I also wheeled him top and bottom in the exacta with all.... another horse that was over 100-1 missed second by a length (that would of been nice!)

CD, really want you to remember something. I know you believe Quality Road is a great horse.
But the list for the Triple Crown failures is huge, and many have performed just as great as Quality Road has today.
Remember greatness is define by beating your own generation in the classics, beating older horse in their classics, winning on both coast (East and West), and now betting horse internationally as well.
Quality Road has yet to load in the starting gate for these monumental accomplishments.
It would be difficult to find any fault in the colt performances. Granted!
But, 40 years of horse racing experience, has lead me to NEVER crown any horse KING unless he passes the qualification test above.
Winning the Florida Derby does not crown the colt Champion 3 year old yet.
Each prep race is just as important as the others around the country.
Quality Road is the BEST in Florida. But he has not proven to be the best in the Classic yet! He still has to load in the starting gate, run the 1 1/4 and win, then do it again, and win, and then the 1 ½ mile oval at Belmont. Champions have been slain many of times.
Be happy, but don’t lose perspective! The colt has not faced the best of his generation yet! On K-Day

Yea, Astra here, I thought I had to bail you out with your own money Lol,

Yep you are 525.00 up on me partner. Looking for the rebound my friend.

What your pick in the Santa Anita Derby? I like The Pamplemousse.

Anyone speculating on Beyer numbers for the Florida Derby????

I'll go first: Quality Road 108 Dunkirk 105

JD, I signed up for the facebook, Now what?

I'll say Quality Road 106 Dunkirk 104

JD.
Is it possible that the winner of the Kentucky Derby received no points for any of the RTTR participates?
THE RULES REALLY NEED TO BE LOOK AT AGAIN!
I WOULD THINK SO!

barry
you can come late to the party and pick up QR in the next supple draft

asti
nice to hear your...wait...nice to read your words, you haven't eaten them . QR got 113 for fountain, this most likely will top that, yes, i know the track was souped. great job gettin Nova to the final 4, hope you played the money line. you visit cheetah's yet? ask for unique.

What a chalk day at gulf one $10 winner all day. I hated it all day.

I agree with Justin's earlier comment that Quality Road will be overplayed in the Derby. Sets up numerous interesting scenarios if you like another. Nice hoss but I too will have to play against this one.

Not much of a betting opportunity in the FLA Derby one way or the other. The next three weekends will be a blast though and the Lexington should be very lively this year. He may be just a cut below the two big dawgs but I give Chocolate Candy a shot in the SA Derby and the price will be square.

Don't Get Mad was a horse for the course at CD. Seems to be too many honest 7f to 1m types out there for the Derby Trial to produce a Derby starter this year but I won't be surprised if the Preakness winner comes out of the Withers.

Quality Road looked terrific TODAY. But agree with those who says its premature to give him the Triple Crown and appoint him the next Secretariat. Way premature.

As for Dunkirk, if the Pletcher team wants him in the Derby then I would think the Lexington looks like the right path. Three weeks from now then two weeks to the Derby. He's only run 3 times so far so should be able to handle this schedule. Not a lot of paths/options but I do believe he could get in the Derby if that's what they want.

KD's antics on Jojo were laughable. Bad ride with that but no excuses for the horse.

It wouldn't have mattered if Dunkirk had entered the Wood...I Want Revenge would've beat him anyway. In my mind it seems to me Todd Pletcher was trying to be boastful and tried to be like Rick Dutrow by entering a graded stakes late in the going and winning.

Well, I guess Rick knows something Todd certainly doesn't.

CD POTATO ,
I can't believe i'm the first to repremand you for mentioning Quality Road in the same breath as the immortal Secretariat . You need to calm way down ...

Great Race ..... I think Gomez let the pace get away from him a bit . Made his move way to soon . Dunkirk learned a lot more from this race than Quality Road did . Bottom line , they'll both need to run down Friesan Fire .

No Law, QR will not race again till the Kentucky Derby. The door is closed concerning points .

Can we lay off the deification of these horses until AFTER they do something? While I have no doubt that Quality Road is a good horse, there's no guarantee we will still be talking about him next year. Anybody remember the hype around Big Brown last year? Please, let's not have a repeat of that...

I agree with Justin that Dunkirk ran an excellent race. He should try to achieve the earnings mark for the Derby.
I'm interested to see on Derby day how Quality Road will fare in traffic problems in a 20-horse field. Post position could mean a lot.
I am a value player, and most likely wouldn't bet QR to win the KD, but could be in some trifectas of mine.

Justin,

What have the earnings been of #20 over the last five years? If I recall, $150,000 usually gets you in..

My stable (Titans of 135) pick up points today.

Desert Party

Dunkirk

Theresgoesjojo

Garrett Gomez

John Velazquez

James Jerkens

Just don't how many. Hoping it was a dead day for most

Got it JD.

This group is a temporary home for fans of the blogs on KentuckyDerby.com. It's a way for all of us to stay in touch after the Derby, and until we find a permanent home.

So spread the word.

Thanks.

I thinking the Beyers will be 118 or so for Quality Road, Big Drama 115

I'm thinking the course could not have played more the 3/5 of a second fast if that.

Following the recent Beyer pattern of the Gulfstream meet I would say 115 for Quality Road and 111 for Dunkirk....Big Drama and TOFP both received 118...interesting how the three year olds in Florida this year are some of the fastest in recent memory, I find it hard to believe that these are some of the fastest horses we have seen in the last 10 years I believe they are good....to bet against in their next starts....

BARRY
there is another supple draft come april 6-april 10, he will be a part of that draft, go ahead pick him up for 25 points. i don't see why late nominations wouldn't be a part of that draft

Moved up to # 3 overall in RTTR , i know i'm gonna win it all, since i can't collect winnings. i've had that feeling for a month now.
I know, I won't activate anyone come derby day, ya, that's what i'm gonna do.

Justin
QR was the better horse today. Dunkirk needed this race as part of his foundation-he was definitely tired after the finish. He is a good horse trying to become a great horse. If Pletcher(whiner) doesn't mess him up he will be a factor on the TC trail, whether he gets in the starting gate at CD or not.
My top three will include IWR, QR and Chocolate Candy. The Moose will back up down the stretch at CD,
we have seen the best of FF and POTN, and OF can't get the distance.
Elvis

QR Beyer prediction - 111.

Justin... what do you think of possible Lexington start for Dunkirk? Likely more purse $$ than Derby Trial so even a 2nd/3rd might get him in. Maybe they could instruct jock to just get in the $$ if they want to save some for race day. Think the Lexington is better also with 2 weeks til Derby. Comments?

RTTR post 44 points this week, prior week 53. Cut line must have been 10-20 at best this week. Top is 137

03/28 UAE Derby 5
03/28 Swale 8
03/28 Florida Derby 31
03/14 Rebel 5
03/14 San Felipe 20
03/14 Louisiana Derby 20
03/07 Gotham 8

Closing in on the field FAST!

Active horses next week

The Pamplemousse

Pioneer of the Nile

I Want Revenge

Dr. G.

If Mayor Marv wins tomorrow I get 7 points w / Baffert. Unless you have BB I could be 3 behind you.

Barry ,

I have 3 stables : 1st = 21 pts 2nd = 21 pts ( Mayor Marv & Baffert ) 3rd = 28 pts.

Law, I dont believe the RTTR give back points for the selection. That would be ridiculous if they did so.

JD sure Quality Road will be part of the supplement draft, but no starts till Derby Day seems useless.

The RTTR give no back points, and the horse will not start till the Derby.

I read zero points to the RTTR participates? What your take my wizard! with the crystal ball

I DID NOT KNOW

by Mike Curry

Dual classic winner and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba was euthanized on Friday night Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington at 11:13 p.m. EDT. He was 25.

Alysheba, who suffered from a degenerative spinal condition, fell in his stall at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Friday and was unable to get to his feet. Nathan Slovis, D.V.M., who regularly treated Alysheba, evaluated him after the fall but was unable to save the oldest living Kentucky Derby (G1) winner.

Alysheba, who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1) in 1987, was buried on Saturday morning at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Hall of Champions, across from the grave of champion John Henry. He won 11 of 26 career starts and amassed $6,679,242 in purse earnings, retiring as the leading North American-raced career earner.

barry
if he wins the derby it's 25 pts, how is that useless? i'll stop trying to convince you that we can pick him up specifically for the derby on april 6th, we're clearly not talking bout the same thing, i guess.

I have my eye on you too Slew!

Both your stables!

Slewy
how's the view from down there?i'm reminded of the Shaq rap.... tell me how my ___ taste.

Sense everyone will be selecting him as their supplement. It makes perfect sense to pick another, unless I have become the leader on the RTTR.

Thus I expect everyone will add Quality Road and the point differential does not change for anyone. RIGHT!

You can add, I certainly wont be adding him just to stay even with everyone.

Hopefully that make sense to you NOW!

Slewstelstein
so who do you think i should pick up in next draft for my meaningless stable?
QR, Win Will, Take The Points, Hold Me Back, Terrain, Papa Clem, Mr Fantasy, Patena

Barry
now you agree he can be selected, good, that's all we were trying to tell you. eeesh, good luck

What ever! it still useless to do so

Can someone tell me why Big Drama was inquiry! Just watch the replay, BD enter the stretch drive in the 3-4 path and was pushed to the two path from the outside horse.

A single bump at the 1/16 pole was so slight to his hind quarter. NO WAY WAS THE OUTSIDE HORSE GOING TO PAST.

INJUSTICE IF YOU ASK ME. THE HORSE RAN BRILLIANT

So, Dunkirk lost this weekend. Next weekend it will be The Pampelmousse! You heard it here first. I'm still finding it ironic, everyone is making excuses for Dunkirk. Yes, he is a nice horse, but no he wouldn't have won today, regardless of when Gomez moved. Were you all not watching Johnny V. looking through his legs for Dunkirk, the Quality Road kicked into another gear when asked by JV. The better horse won - no excuses.

Hey Barry,

You don't have a picture for your facebook page on Derby Bloggers.

Anyone want to guess if IEAH will try to purchase an interest in Quality Road after today?

Here's a good article where Pletcher continues his whining about the track today (excerpt below).

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20090328/SPORTS08/90328016

"I thought our horse ran a terrific race," Pletcher said. "He got a little farther back than we wanted. I thought the fractions were reasonable. It's just a little disappointing that the racetrack came up different today than it's been the whole meet. It was clearly different (Friday) than it was today… Speed's been holding up all day. I just don't understand why on big days we have to change the surface that's been safe and fair the whole meet.

"I'm not saying we were going to win on (Friday's) track. But we would have had a more fair chance. The winner is a very good horse. Take nothing away from him."

Someone please tell me how many times the GP strip has played fair the entire meet? WTF is he talking about? Suck it up sore loser - you got beat.

DerbyFan78,

It's ironic that John Velazquez may have his first Kentucky Derby winner and he will not be teamed with Todd Pletcher.

QR is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pletcher is a biacht!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He is who I thought he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Calvin,

I love it and completely despise Pletcher.

Cd,

Ditto...best performance to date.

Where is firerick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????

I would say the wagon is awfully somber at the moment....

Calvin, actually going through plastic surgery right now. I once was a horse with glass (Professor Thoroughbred, Inc.), and now a monkey in front of a type writer. lol literally tonight in fact!

Derby, with 3.7 million to buy the horse , of course Todd will whine a lot. The horse ran good. But not good enough for the win. Todd should move forward.

When I start to hear words like FAIR! What is fair about horse racing? NOTHING! The odds are not the same, the horse feed is not the same, the jockeys and trainer, and for goodness sake, the owner are all getting fines. The pari mutual operator are betting behind the windows, with the tracks money coming up short. YOU CAN EVEN BRIBE THE PARKING ATTENDANT FOR FRONT ROW PARKING.

How dare anyone say the horse racing game is FAIR. Does anyone go and actually read the Horse Racing Board fines and sanction listing posted DAILY. Oh that right, no one cares!

TO ALL YOU BLOGGERS, WHEN YOU VISIT THE RACE TRACK, GO BY THE STEWARDS OFFICE.

READ THE WALL. GET A REAL INSIGHT TO THE SPORT, BEFORE YOU PLACE YOUR WAGERS FOR THE DAY. YOU MIGHT FIND AN ATTITUDE OR TWO FROM THE REAL MORNING ACTION.

IT IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD DID YOU KNOW THAT?

MY GOODNESS DOES ANYONE REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS GAME WE PLAY AS PROFESSIONAL GAMBLERS!

Justin, Do you think that Gomez used up to much gas when he floored it going to the turn? I think he did and tried to steal the race at that point hoping QR would not respond like he did. Big Brown move in the K Derby!!!

Good Night everyone, I'M Done! A great day for horse racing.

Dunkirk is legit!!! That turn of foot was incredible. He needed that 45+or 46 flat from Europe.

LAW - Pick up Big Drama & Flat Out . Don't think they'll help you too much.

Big East !!!!!!

Do you think Gomez suffers the Derby jinx like TP ? Maybe he should ride for someone else Derby Day - too much bad mojo -

The problem with comparing Secretariat to Quality Road on a performance like this is that Secretariat could run his 23 at the end of a race. In today's race, QR ran 23 his up front. When you have 20 colts running their hearts out, one or two of them may get a second wind at the end of the race. If you spend
your energy upfront, the question is, can you fend off the closer of the day?? Affirmed, Secretariat, Sunday Silence, etc. hand that extra fight at the end...THE end. Think about it, Big Brown dispatched Eight Belles, a ferocious competitor. I think Quality Road can do it...but it ain't no guarantee. We will see his fire and ferocity on Derby day...if he truly has it.

JD,

I have no idea why anyone would say the blog is too easy. lol. As much as I love QR and touted him I posted earller than I think Dunkirk is gonna be as good as Curlin. I stick to that though its unproven. I said QR is gonna be as good as Barbaro. He only has one race to go to prove that!! It will be a TERRIBLE shame if Dunkirk doesnt make the Derby field. It would further boost QR's credentials by beating him again in louisville. What i;m deathly scared of is that QR wins the first 2 then Dunkirk wins the Belmont and then ppl start getting ridiculous and say that DK is better just like with Easy Goer and Sunday Slience. I also predict that QR will make the superior sire. Its ginna happen.

P.S. If Dunkirk gets in the Derby the exacta there is the same as in Florida!!! Maybe Friesan Fire beats Dunkirk. Maybe....

I agree with Mr. Barry Mitchell, Big Drama ran huge and was robbed with that take-down. Gomez is so full of it. That standard for DQ is NOT did his horse get bumped (big deal), rather, its supposed to be "but for the complained of action, is there clear evidence that the 2nd place horse would have won". Also, did the jockey lobbying the protest mitigate further damage? The answer to both is a big fat NO.

Both ran big but BD deserved to keep the win he earned.

Also, the track was not souped up Sat., just a little fast. It is always like that with speed and route races.

In addition to running the fastest 7 furlongs in GP history off of a long layoff, Big Drama also ran the fastest 6 furlongs ever timed at GP (1:08.36). It takes tremendous stamina and speed to keep on going and set the track record at 7 furlongs. The track record for a 6 f race at GP is 1:08.46, destroyed by BD while going 7f. To me that is freakish.

Remember, Big Drama broke the track record for 1-1/16 miles at Delta Downs for their Delta Jackpot. He comes back after almost 4 months off and breaks the track record at GP.
And, BTW, I am forced to admit that TOFP's performance shows that Beyer's BSF of 117 was not that far off.

There is much talk going back and forth on several blogs about GP being souped up on Saturday (parroting Pletcher). Actually, despite 2 track records, the track was FACTUALLY a little bit faster than usual, but nowhere near the dragstrip many are claiming.

In fact, the only dragstrip was in Dubai Saturday...

How do I know the allegations of a drag strip are bogus? Check the other races out on Saturday's GP card. For starters, there was an older horse allowance race at 7 furlongs that was over 1 second SLOWER than the time in the Swale. There were 3 mile races run Saturday, all 3 were 2 seconds plus off the track record. In fact, the last race on the card saw a mile on dirt go over 4 seconds SLOWER than the track record. Drag strip my you know what.

No, the fact is the horses that finished well in the Swale or Florida Derby are just very, very fast and classy horses. This is a very deep field, and talented. Below are the dirt times Sat. next to the track record time.

Race 1 6f 1:09.24 TR 1:08.46
Race 2 1M 1:35.89 TR 1:33.71
Race 3 5.5 1:04.92 TR 1:03.22
Race 4 Turf
Race 5 1M 1:36.08 TR 1:33.71
Race 6 Turf
Race 7 7f 1:21.95 TR 1:20.88
Race 8 Turf
Race 9 Swale won in 1:20.88
Race 10 FD won in 1:47.72
Race 11 turf
Race 12 1M 137.80 TR 1:33.71

Note that race 12 is over 4 seconds off the track record.
Also note that race 5 was a mile maiden race in which Nicanor finished 2nd (winning time 2.37 slower than track record). And note the older horse 7f race was over 1 second slower than BD's time in the Swale.

The real injustice was Pletcher running Dunkirk at GP at 9 panels in the first place. He deserves to be in the Derby, and tactical speed always wins routes at GP. Stop crying Todd, its your bed...

Gulfstream has been known to do this in the past, especially Big days(remember 99 BC when Artax tied Mr Prospectors track record). These are 2 really good horses in a very deep field. To take away what either did yesterday is an insult.

Pletcher comes off like sour grapes but the truth is he was 100% right. The only mistake he made was not scratching the horse, I mean the track has favored speed all meet and yesterday was ridiculous. I mean what was Pletcher thinking? Has he not seen how this track has favored speed for for 3 months !!Dunkirks made a winning derby move & on a semi fair track he wins that race 9 out of 10 times, especially with all the pace signed on for the Derby this year.

First, I'm not as sold as Dunkirk as alot of people (and 7/1 in pool two is insane) but the bottom line is that if he doesn't get in, although I think Todd Pletcher is an outstanding trainer, that he has no one to blame but himself.

First of all, if he thought (and apparently he did) he had a Derby caliber horse, why go to an allowance after the Mdn. win-The Davis was was 5 days before the allowance he ran in, and the Southwest was 3 days before. If he wanted to stay at Gulfstream, run in the FOY. Bottom line is to leave yourself in a "must win" situtation was a foolish gamble.

Now, as for his comment "If I knew the track was going to be like this I would have entered the Wood". Well, stakes horses have until 45 minutes prior to the race to SCRATCH! Where was he the first 8 races, he had to know how the track was playing. It was kind of like putting your hand into an open fire and complaining because you got burned-He knew what he was getting into.\

Even though I don't think he's even in the top 5 amond Derby horses, my suggestion would be the Blue Grass. He wouldn't have to love poly to get in, a third would put him at $225 which would get him in, and a 4th would give him $187.5. It would also give him 3 weeks until the Derby. (If he waited for the Lexinton, 2nd would get him in for sure with 3rd helping his chances) And wiser people than I have said that a good horse can run on anything.

By the way, here is my top 5:

1.) Friesan Fire (Do think he needs to run in the Bluegrass, seems to be more rateable when he's "kept busy)
2.) Pioneer of the Nile- If the stable manager says he'll handle the dirt, good enough for me.
3.) Quality Road-has the look of a "freak" although the track was a big benefit to him yesterday.
4.) I Want Revenge- Turned into a "freak" when he hit real dirt
5.) Papa Clem- You heard it first here, this is the Arkansas Derby winner-another who prefers real dirt to poly-last race was outstanding considering he was "shook up" from flying. He's settled in now and could suprise a lot of people.

I agree with Justin on KD 2001 all over again.

QR may be a great horse however thinking back to the 2001 Derby (from memory only) as Justin mentioned earlier, the track was like running on concrete according to Baffert. Maidens were breaking records and records that were set in say race 2 were broken again in race 4. Point Given (losing the Derby) was not the only casualty in the 2001 Derby. I remember reading (or hearing) that no horse in the field (except for Point Given) ever won another race. Some never raced again. Their legs were ruined by the surface that day and many had small fractures from which they never recovered. Monarchos was one that never fully recovered.

That is my fear with QR. Yes he broke a track record. But at what cost? Only the future will tell. Remember, these are still very young horses.

My final thought is that when a GM of a track is notified of issues by the likes of Pletcher, Baffert, etc, why don't they listen? Ruining young horses for the sake of a track record is pathetic.

eaoa,

pretty astute reasoning and analysis

Law: I`m adding Terrain in the sup draft...he ran a nice comebacker in the La Derby and he could be a Giacamo type for this years Ky Derby.

I had said QR was the better horse before yesterday`s race, but picked Dunk because I knew he needed the money to get to Louisville. My only virtual play was a straight $40 tri with Dunk...QR...Jojo. I lost. Oh well. There wasnt anyone else in the field and the 2nd coice-fav-3rd choice tri paid a whopping $6 for a buck. Other than the Swale the rest of the card rather sucked so I didn`t play anything @ GP with "real" money.

As for Dunkirk, I`d give him a go in the Lexington despite the polycrap surface. A win would guarantee him a spot and even a 2nd would earn him about the same as a Derby Trial win. If he gets shut out on May 2nd don`t blame the rules which have been in place for awhile and trainers know them. If Barbaro hadn`t won the Fla Derby last year he`d have been shut out.

Am I the only one that thinks Sheik Mo was doing a bit of chicanery when Desert Party lost to his stablemate Regal Ransom? I thought so before the race and still feel the same way and now he`s got two for Louisville. I just wish I`d have opted for Ransom instead of Jose Adan.

Justin,

I don't get the whole track was souped up argument. Quality Road would have beaten Dunkirk on any kind of surface yesterday. QR is another one of those horses who has a very fast cruising speed and can relax while at that speed. QR could have won by more in the Florida Derby if needed. Johnny V was looking around at the top of the stretch for some competition, he still had a ton of horse. When he looked left under his shoulder Dunkirk was making his move. He surprised Johnny V a little bit and pulled up to even terms on his right. As soon as JV saw Dunkirk he let out a notch and obviously still had quite a bit left in the tank.

The reason I don't get the whole souped up track argument is because Churchill is souped up every year for Oaks and Derby Day. The track will be lightning fast.

The most impressive thing to me about Quality road is that he sits close to the pace but seems to relax beautifully. He is definitely going to take some beating in the Derby if he gets a clean trip.

I hope that he sneaks up to 4 or 5 to one in the Derby because there are still five weeks to go. Hopefully there will be a couple of other Derby hopefuls who have outstanding performances before the Derby.

Lastly, I hope that Dunkirk makes it to the Derby, that will only help the odds of Quality Road because of people like you and Pletcher who want to attribute his smack down to the souped up track. Pick your surface, Dunkirk won't beat Quality Road in any of the triple crown races.

See you in Kentucky

Sounds about right. I thought Big Drama`s race was more impressive due to his layoff. I`m hoping his connections go to Louisville along with Quality Road, Pimplepuss and TOFPhil. I`ll toss every one of them. We could get another Dominican Blue Grass or Recapturetheglory Illinois Derby and fog up the CD picture even more.

Anyone have any thoughts on the Sunland Derby today? I`m leaning towards Kelly Leak who I`d hoped would run in the SA Derby.

Justin
i know this won't happen, but if it does what is the tiebreaker.
Just a Coincidence comes in 2nd in Wood, giving him 150K in graded earnings, tied with Dunkirk, who goes?

Justin, Any idea where we can see the current earnings list? It was under racing info but apparently was taken down. Thanks

smitty2
my virtual bets at sunland:
18 ex 3-5
10 ex 3-9
6 ex 3///6-8
5 ex 9//3,5
Mine that bird-- 4 months off, first on dirt and ran very nice, hopefully he'll move forward and not bounce.
Advice--needed last, blinkers on, dirt is a question. Johnny V bags another?

tighe1on
thedowneyprofile.com has it updated

thank you sir

Smitty-

Since you asked, although I don't know how they come up with it, "Prime Power" top picks on the Brisnet PP's are usually pretty decent numbers to use (They're one of MANY factors I use in my handicapping). The downside they have is about 90% of the time they're chalks. BUT today Valid Stripes is the Prime Power top and is 15/1 ML. In the upp with comments, it says "best dirt speed is fastest among today's starters" Now, I'm the first to admit he still is probably a long shot (the fig I mentioned was at 7f) but since it seldom happens that a bris pp top is that kind of price, gotta play him for a couple of bucks. Meanwhile Mayor Marv, the ML favorite's comment says "Best speed rating is well below average winning speed". People will see names like Baffert, Pletcher, Gomez, etc. and overbet these horses in my opinion, while there are some nice "under the radar" horses here. (In fact, as I just went back and looked at the race, Mine That Bird has a race over the track and is 2nd off layoff, and Advice is obviously a talented horse who is getting blinks today. I think I just found an exacta box! (And in the tri, I'll throw Infernal in for the heck of it-another horse who, while he doesn't have the press clippings of I Want Revenge, etc. really improved when switched to natural dirt.

Justin,

Not sure if you had Woodbine on your list of tracks you had visited, but you should try to add it if you can.

For a value bettor like yourself, the exchange rate, the pay no tax on winnings thing, and the best turf course in North America should cinch it.

Queen's Plate Day is a hoot and Square Eddie is the winterbook fave.

it's official, rooting for QR
Evans, i know hes loaded already, turned down 2.5 MILLION after QR's maiden race, more than likely from the Sheiky's, great for him!!
Wait a tic, the sheiky's would have offered more, after all, they offered Valendo(?) ,17 Million for Nobiz a few years back after maiden, and she turned them down.

McPeek saying Jojo might run in Lexington Stakes, for those who have him, you're welcome

My 3 cents, these ponies will skip Derby. Cuz of Form, distance, or 25K to enter & 25K to start.
#7 Rachel
#12 WSB
#14 Bittel
#15 Musket
#16 CCC
That moves Dunkirk to #15

JD
what?? Jojo overrated? that moniker should go to Dunkirk, annointed kentucky derby winner and won't even be in the race.

why isn't anyone blaming the jockey as they did for OF
He moved way to soon on dunkirk, but still don't think he would have won anyway.
TP will be the same, when he loses ,
POTN and CC will beat him in the Santa Anita derby.

First of all i like both horses, but lets just say Dunkirk does get in the Derby and he were to draw post 8 and QR drew post 19 dont you think he could definitely turn the tables on him??// FOR SURE......Only real reason im rooting for Dunkirk is his running style plain and simple i dont care if barry trained him and astra rode him, his running style wins derbys not horses near the lead .......I have seen to many get burned over the years.....Only a few horses style i like not in any order.....Dunkirk, Chocolate Candy, Win Willy, and if i had to bet a stalker it would be QR just as an insurance plan incase the pace didnt melt down.....Im more excited about putting the hammer on the Double with Rachel, hopefully i can get more out of it than i did when i bet $200 Rags to riches and Street Sense

Justin, Two weeks ago I gave you credit for not getting emotional. This loss must really bug you to write such and emotional piece. Dunkirk has done nothing, beat nobody, and is in the hands of a whiner. If there is one horse I hope gets in its Flying Private just to see D. Wayne back, I am tired of the Dutrow, Pletchers I want to see Baffert, Lucas, Jerkins, Mott . Derby Fever is here the Temp. is rising !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yup , i've been readin that. JD. to be considered overrated tho, some expert must put him their top 20 or pick him to do something, like Dunny was. Semantics, i guess.

to bad d wayne is washed up, cant remeber the last contender he ever had

There are over $4 million worth of derby preps left for horses to garner graded earnings. Unless the favorites run one two in all of these preps look for horses to leapfrog over Dunkirk in the money standings. The Illinois Derby and Blue Grass look like the most likely spots for under the radar types to earn a berth. Dunkirk will be watching the Ky Derby in his stall unless he tries another prep. Current $ ain`t gonna get it.

I think Bernie will give it a go as will Musket Man if he hits the board in the Ill Dby. (Tough luck for Centano getting bumped for Coa on Musket Man)

Charitable Man, who`s tied with Dunkirk, needs to hit the board in the BG to be elligible.

MB,

I believe that QR is more than just a stalker. I could see him sitting 5th or 6th a good 6-8 lengths off the pace if it is too fast. If you watched the FOY and the FD closely you will see that he was close to the pace in both races but he was just jogging, he was totally relaxed. Go watch the videos and look how much horse Johnny V had left when they turned for home. He didn't even turn his hands over and shake the reins until they straighted out for home. The only reason Dunkirk got as close as he did was because JV looked under his left shoulder right when Dunkirk made his move on the right. JV is riding QR with a HUGE amount of confidence.

After the race Dunkirk was blowing hard, he was definitely tired.

The FOY and the FD didn't seem to take a lot out of Quality Road. The Derby is his for the taking, sitting about 5th, 5 lengths off the leader. Look for a big move between turns while taking the lead turning for home. Unless he gets a terrible trip he is going to be tough to beat.

mikie, have you been watching the derbies the last 5 years? no horse near the lead? churchill plays the same game as Gulfstrream, hoping to get a new track record on the big day. So they make it a cement pond, so to speak.
Big Brown
Barbaro
Hard Spun, i know, 2nd
Smarty/Lion Heart
Funny/Peace Rules
All were close, if not on the lead.

law, don`t forget Giacamo. Uh, I mean Terrain.

true and i still continue to bet closers lol, alot of them have run 3rd when i bet them .....Street Sense, afleet alex,medaglia doro, captain bodgit, denis of cork, point given, to name a few but i always bet a few horses in my doubles...although i did have a nice $40 DD with war emblem as one of 4 horses that year and i believe i was snapped at the wire in the oaks that year i had take charge lady and she got beat ...then i didnt have a dime on War Emblem and when he won i about puked.....I hope QR waits until the derby and runs fresh he will have no problem making it with earnings.....him and dunkirk are total standouts this year and both have room for improvement...thats only there first and second for dunkirk race around 2 turns

yes smitty, i remember

4 points out of 1st in the Stage 2 RTTR Stables.
Active ponies next week::
POTN,Pampel, Choc Candy, CCC, IWR,Giant Oak.....hmmmm, who to sit?
WHoever comes in 2nd to me and collects my 750 future bet, will you atleast give me 150 of it? pleez? you're only collecting cuz my state is so fu, i'll stop there.

Giant Oak to go in Illinois Derby next week instead of BG. Seems like a wise move by trainer. Horse needs the $$, weaker field and real dirt. It didn`t look like he handled the slop in his last. Or maybe it was Friesen Fire.

you better not be rooting for me to win smitty, i'll be done with this site, if I do so. opened myself up to daggers there.

Finally got the face book thing in order. navigating through their maze of joining was interesting.

Quality Road ran a good race yesterday, but to crown him derby winner is by far a little too much! Dunkirk ran a good race, and to look at his experience to date, I feel this horse has a great future. I hope they didn't burn him out yesterday and I really wonder if he could stand another prep race and be ready to fire all throttles in the derby? Dunkirk was spent after that race. At lease he looked like it in the video. If you guys are ready to lay all your bucks down on QR, Mafaaz, and WW, be my guest.

JD,

I hope you don't mind if I brag just a little... Who's number one! UCONN and Villanova baby

I hit the super on the Fla. Derby! Lost money on it too!!!

Dunkirk ran a better race. QR ran great too - but no question that the surface favored speed and QR. I think Pletcher should have went right into a stakes race after Dunkirk's maiden win, instead of running an allowance race. The allowance race was like stakes anyway... might as well get graded earnings at the same time. Oh well, we will see what the owners want to do. Last year it took 165K to get in, so 150K looks short. Plus this year CD decided to give a spot away to a foreign horses that beat a bunch of pigs. Great move CD! Not to mention the fact that a filly or two might take a couple spots.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Horse name Despite the Odds
Notes
Activity type Entry
Activity date 04-02-2009
Track Laurel Park
Surface Dirt
Distance 6 Furlongs
Race number 8
Purse $30,000
Claim price $50,000
Individual claim price Not Entered for Tag
Race type Allowance Optional Claiming
Post position 4
Jockey Rose J

I think POTN, FF, and of course, IWR, are looking better and better in the final Derby mix. You heard it here first, QR, WW, and Mafaaz will not even hit the board on Derby day.

I'm not sure i'm willing to completely give up on jojo, I thought he'd have a shot when they hit the top of the stretch and they were 3 together, when dun-jerk, i STILL dont like this horse, came over in front to take the shorter run the jock pulled up way to fast and that finished him. He's not gonna be in the derby but he very well could have given the top 2 a good ride at least were it not for the top of the stretch.

4 points out ain`t shabby law. I`ve got 102 and am in 1,300th place with my Rivercitysmitty stable. I`ll have POTN, Choco and Giant Oak in my actives next week. I don`t think any of the others in my stable are running.

My Stately Character didn't quite get there to mess up the tri in the FD.

Law: I'll give you the defections you are choosing and start Dunkirk at #15. But, then add back Mafaaz, Big Drama, Stardom Bound or Patena, and any three of the following: TOFP, DTS, Mr. Fantasy, Theregoesjojo (again), Imperial Council (The Wood is to him what the FD was to DK), Take the Points, Bear's Rocket, Giant Oak, Patena, and Papa Clem or that "Unknown Pony" and Dunkirk's back at #21 or probably even worse. In my opinion, if Pletcher waits it out, he'll wait is out until Baltimore.

I must admit, QR looked solid as a rock finishing up yesterday, and of course the fractions were fast, but I do think Pletcher had a valid comment criticizing the track. I thought JoJo would finish in the top three.

they said on godolphin.com that if both horses come back from the race and dubai ok then they'll send both to the derby but if one of them is not doing well they'll look at the preakness. but it looks like regal ransom is a automatic to the derby. derby winner is ethier in dubai new york florida or FF ( he's the only horse that impressed me in louisiana )

If Dunkirk doesn't run in the Derby, do you think they'll point him at the Belmont?

probably the preakness i heard pletcher say something similar to that

i heard meydan city was going to be a synthetic track next year WTH

i dont mean to ask this but what ever happen to diamond stripes he won the godolphin mile and i never heard of him since?

Justin-
I admit I had "jojo" 3rd and even if he gets in, not sure I like his chances. But Dunkirk still has to be the most overrated (7/1 chalk in pool 2 before he had a "graded dime"! As for ties, according to the Downey Profile (looks like copied from Churchill stakes book) it's done "by lot". Unlike last year when I got on Bob's Blackjack and refused to get off of him, I have to admit that Jojo, even if he gets in, won't be in my Derby Day gimmix (although he's already covered in exactas with Friesan, POTN, and all others, and to win at 19/1 for $10) Thinking my price shot next week will be Papa Clem (win and exactas with FF and POTN) He was 65/1 in pool two and I'm guessing that since he doesn't race again until the week after pool 3 he should stay about the same. (exacta with POTN was over 2 grand, although that could go down with a win in the SA derby-over $1100 with friesan and that shouldn't move either) I have to say that I really think there is a lot more value in the Exactas than the win bets (at least for pool 2)

Mikie B give me a reason to go to OTB today...

Dunkirk was by far the best horse in the Fla Derby. That turn of foot was phenomenal. John V. had everything his way again on a speed favoring track. Just wait until QR runs into The mousse from out west and faces more pressure from Regal Ransom, he'll fold up like a cheap suitcase in the stretch in the Derby, I guarantee it. I'm glad he ran big yesterday so he takes huge money in the Derby and doesn't hit the board. Dunkirk has to find a way to get in the Derby, he'll certainly get my money on May 2nd.

Thanks, Alysheba.

Hey Justin, please read my blog following the Quality Road over Dunkirk article. PLEASE, no more sympathy for Dunkirk!!!

If Eibar Coa gets the mount on Big Drama again then Fawkes should be fired by the owners. Big Drama showed up with a super effort and that bum got him beat. First, he breaks 2 in front and lets Gomez circle up beside him and sprint to the finish. If Paco or Chuckie Lopez was on Drama, he would have opened up 5 and won by 2-3 lengths geared down. With the inquiry, the first bump was nothing but then the idiot comes over on Gomez right at the wire when he was the winner by 1/2-3/4 length, shouldn't have affected the outcome. Case in point, Coa is a dirty rider and should get 30 days for that stupidity yesterday. I remember years back he intentionally came over on Jerry Bailey and almost seriously hurt him, I bet through the years if you look back he has been suspended more than any other rider except maybe P.Val. That tool cost me the Pick 4 yesterday plus $100 to win.

mikie.....can I ride Dunkirk in the Derby??? that would be great, but i'm not sure he is good enough to win carrying 230 lbs.....

Fellow Dunkirk fans......Stop bashing Quality Road!!! He was VERY impressive yesterday. Even if the track was biased, QR showed that he could comfortably rate, AND he hardly saw the whip at all in the stretch. Dunkirk was all out in the stretch, I'm not sure QR was even in top gear. I do think Dunkirk needed the race, and will benefit from it, but Quality is the REAL DEAL. It would be great to see Dunkirk get into the Derby, this sport needs a good rivalry!

Big Drama looked pretty good also! This year's derby could offer some value.

Here i am beechin about not gettin paid, Lenny R. who is tied with me (derbybloggers), won a weekly winner $300 Bet, and he's from Maryland. So I guess, he didn't get paid either. I hope you guys appreciate the gifts we are giving up to you. Oh right, you muckety muck's are so far down, it doesn't matter.
Astra, howdy pawdna, may the schwartz be with you.

astra230
what's the plan today? gamble, golf?

poker n ponies

astra230
has toby the coal miner's daughter finished yet? they paid down 6 spots and he was the only one not to receive graded money. that'll cost him come derby day, one spot out, darn.

where astra?

killerslug
agreed

astra230
place bet on sunland derby today, great betting race, if you like Advice or Mine that bird , as i do.

Justin,

I have The Field/PTN/QR EXB for Pool 2. Big Drama was scratched as a solo entry that Friday, but that makes him part of the field, right?

-The Slug Unshrugged

Barry - You're the works specialist - What do you think of these :

3/23 5f 1.00 - 3/17 6f 1.12 (bullet) - 3/11 5f 1.00.3 - 3/7 4f 46.3 ( bullet)

The horse runs today - his name : Mayor Marv

Ok i guess ill give out my bomb off the day and its in the Sunland derby against mayor marv lol ......im looking for value and even though i hate the 1 hole my pick is VALID STRIPES at 15-1 .....Win Place & Show as always.............In my late Daily Doubles im Valid Stripes & Mythical Power with the 1 in the next race who is Blazing Rockstar

mine that bird might head to the derby if he wins the sunland park derby cause he has some graded earnings and minus some defections on the list he would have #17 spot as of now

Justin,

I can't help but think this is the best case scenario for handicappers who KNOW Dunkirk is the best 3 year old in all the land. Sure we all have to hold our breathes for a month, hoping he gets in the field, but if he gets around Quality Road in the stretch of the Florida Derby, we're getting 8-5 on him on Derby day.

Cdpotato,

You've got to be kidding me. Not only do you think Quality Road is going to win the Derby, are you actually thinking of betting him? Do you not like money? Oh wait, you think he's going to win the Triple Crown? Are you serious? I'll give you 25-1 right here. I remember when I was wet behind the ears like you a few years back and I was "suckered" into betting a horse to win the Derby coming off a track-record performance in the Wood Memorial.

Mine That Bird is currently at 22nd and having a race over the track has a good shot today. Big purse, but money won`t count since it isn`t graded (Yet). Don`t see him making it to the big dance though.

I like Kelly Leak in the Sunland Derby and will likely put him on top of a few; likely to be 8 with 4/7/9.

I find it amusing how many are quick to criticize Gomez making a premature move on Dunkirk yesterday. Come on folks. Get serious. Not only is Gomez one of the best and most coveted riders in the wold, but this race (move wise) was a carbon copy from his previous races, only this time there was a better horse waiting for him. Just because Big Brown did something similar last year in allowance victory, didn't mean Dunkirk would do the same thing. JV had plenty of horse and Dunkirk wouldn't have gotten by him regardless. The way Dunkirk was shortening stride at the end, doesn't bode well for him as he will need to get an additional panel in the big dance (barring he gets in). It's also worth mentioning that his running style will be against him as well and his one sustained run isn't going to help navigate him around walls of runners in the Derby. I don't care if he does get into the field - he won't be hitting the board May 2nd.

Gregg929,

While I won't go as far as Cd on Quality Road, I do think he is one of the top two going into the race at this moment with Friesan Fire being second. Yes, he did set a track record, but remember these six things...

1) He came into this race missing a work and wasn't as sharp as he could have been (which is scary for for anyone's connections not named Quality Road).
2) There are five weeks before the big dance - ample time to recover.
3) He is in excellent hands with Jerkens and J/T combo is hitting @ 37%!
4) He is battle tested going into the biggest race of his life.
5) Pedigree will allow him to run all day.
6) He has a very high cruising speed and will be able to use his attribute to avoid traffic in the Derby

He answered all questions yesterday with aplomb and should be the TOP contender going into the race.

I'm against Quality Road. I can't wait to see him face some stakes winners at a mile and a quarter on a fair track. There will be more than one horse to beat in the race, making it much tougher on Quality Road. I am against Quality Road and I Want Revenge so if I'm right and hit the exacta or tri on Derby day it should pay well.

Did anyone make any big cash on the Dubai card yesterday? If Edgar Prado could have won a couple of races I would have hit some large Pick 3's. I had Indian Blessing onto Gladitorious and Eastern Anthem, It paid $2600 onto the second choice in the first leg. I also had Gladitorious and Eastern Anthem onto Arson Squad in the Dubai Classic. Of course with my luck the horse was jumping shadows on the backstretch and another American horse Well Armed wins for fun. Speed was dominating yesterday and I played a deep closer in the Classic. I'm an idiot for not stretching out my parlay's as the Pick 3 paid close to $5000 for the late Pick 3 and was paying around $10,000 onto Arson Squad. To make matters worse, I had Gladitorious with Alexandros for an exactor box and Gladitorous with Alexandros with all for the triactor. TheGladitorious was 14-1 and Alexandros was 40-1. The exactor was paying a G-note and the tri would have paid boxcars. Just curious if anyone had as an emotional day as me yesterday, I'm so distraught I think I have to layoff betting this week and regroup Saturday with the Santa Anita Derby card.

Mikie, you are opening old wounds for me. Lukas used the Lexington in 2002 as a prep for the Derby with Proud Citizen. I keyed War Emblem on top of Perfect Drift, Request for Parole and Medaglia d'Oro for the exacta, tri and super. Only bets I made. I remember....I remember the crowd was all stunned that War Emblem hung on...I wasn't...I was kicking myself for dissing Proud Citizen and Lucas' using the Lexington as a Prep.

Wilson,

What's not to like about Quality Road (other than the price he'll be)? Remember he beat the superhorse yesterday? LOL. If Dunkirk gets into the Derby and several others produce winning performances leading up to the Derby, QR will most likely be around 5/1 at post time on May 2nd. True he won't have much value on Derby day, but it's not always about value, right? All jokes aside, his last two performances have been ultra impressive and he's answered everything for me. Now, I'm not conceding anything to him yet, just saying he's moved into my top spot over Friesan Fire. Since Friesan Fire will be training up to the race, he may very well be the forgotten horse and offer tremendous value (just my two cents). I do agree with you on I Want Revenge and have a feeling he loses next weekend in the Wood. Something tells me the next three weekends are going to produce strange results.

derby we will get value were gonna crush the double bud....maybe i can take my family to cancun again for free :)

mailman what state do you live in and why dont you just sign up at www.twinspires.com ??

DF78,

The odds are a significant part of it, as I think he'll be 3-1 or 4-1 and not 5-1 in the Derby. For some reason I think Gulfstream's track flatters horses that really aren't top horses, like for example Elysium Fields, Smooth Air, Cool Coal Man, Stormello, Scat Daddy, Nobiz Like Shobiz, etc. I'm willing to take the chance at beating Quality Road, as he is just one of the contenders to me, not THE contender.

So - Garrett is going to stick with the Nile for sure, if Dunkirk stays on the Derby Path who does Pletcher choose as the pilot for Dunkirk? - Prado or Dominguez. I hope Ramon would pick up the mount but Prado did ride Dunkirk in his 7f maiden win but jumped off to ride for Dutrow. I personally love Ramon Dominguez and I rank him 2nd to Gomez. I still can't believe Jones took Ramon off Old Fashioned, he may have made a mistake but Ramon seldomly gives a bad ride and doesn't deserve that. That move was in a derby prep not the Derby and Win Willy came from the clouds to win, it happens to best of jocks.
I would love to see Dunkirk roll back in the Derby trial and crush the field and pick up $60,000 graded earnings to roll back 1 WEEK LATER in the Derby and win that, all without running as a two year old.

OLD FASHIONED CANNOT GET 1 1/4

Gonna catch some likely heat from Justin but here goes anyways. Not sold that Jojo's a fast-closing sprinter. Watched the Florida Derby on RaceReplays like 10-15 times... half of them the head-on view... and studied QR, Dunkirk, and Jojo's runs.

As for Jojo, I don't think he was going to beat QR, but blame his troubles totally on Desormeaux. Jojo was cruising to the top of the stretch after running down the backstretch in the 6 path. KD did not establish his path/running lane at the top of the stretch. He was tentative due to Dunkirk running up so quickly on his outside. Then it was actually QR that caused more trouble than Dunkirk (as a previous blogger was upset about)... if you want to call it that. KD pulled up needlessly (in my opinion) and cost Jojo momentum. Jojo only felt the whip from Kent twice after he re-rallied him and that was after the mile mark and in the last 1/8th. This was his first run at a distance and he finished a respectable 3rd. If McPeek believes he has a Derby horse... I think he should run him in the Lexington. If not... no Derby.

QR's run was impressive. He just cruised along with John V. looking around (3 times) for Dunkirk around the far turn. He only felt the whip twice that I could see through the stretch and also ran straight as could be.

Dunkirk didn't break all that alertly and Gomez seemed content with his position on the backstretch. Seems like he should have moved him up closer on the backstretch (armchair quarterbacking is easy when you aren't an athletic jock that has to guide one of these quality behemoths). Gomez then makes that strong move on the far turn but has to go about 6-wide by my count on that far turn to top of stretch. Then he really gets into Dunkirk with the whip through the stretch. Much more so than QR or Jojo. He didn't run as straight through the stretch as QR but think he was a little tired by the end of race. He looked to gallop out better than QR if that means anything.

Anyways, that's my take after watching many replays of FD. I still think QR as great as he ran the FD may be vulnerable in the Derby. And I think it will be due to lack of foundation. I think he ran once as a 2 year old at 6 1/2 F, then at 3... 7F, 1M, and 1 1/8... then 5 weeks to the Derby. Don't think that's enough to get him the win... even if he's a great horse.

Danny D, The $60K from the Derby Trial wouldn`t guarantee either Dunkirk or Jojo a trip to the derby. As I said earlier, it depends on who wins the remaining preps which all have a lot of money on the line. If another Dominican wins the BG, he`d leapfrog everybody and get a spot in the starting gate.

smitty, that is true - $210,000 may not be enough to get in this year. I just have a hunch that Dunkirk wins the trial to get to $210,000 sits in 21st spot. Bittel road has $211,000 graded earnings sitting in 20th place, trained by pletcher defects from derby to get Dunkirk in and the rest is history. Everything happens for a reason.

DannyD,

I had the 4 with Ryan Moore aboard in that 1 1/2M turf race. The damsire AWD of 11.7f was what turned me onto him. We all know what happened from there. The 2 and that sandman of a rider got up at the end. I am still convinced that the 4 won that race. 18-1! The jockey on that 2 is an arrogant piece of shat.

How about Detorri's ride in the UAE? Was he ever going to ask that horse to run? He waited way to long! Talk about an arrogant ride, he thought he was going to roll on by effortlessly. Just ride!

I like Cliffy's Future in the BG if he goes.

Justin,

Anyway you could pull some strings and get that Mafaaz/Donativum Timeform Millions race replay up on this site. I have been looking everywhere and I have been unable to find it.

jazzy,

On my #1 Quality Road:
This is self-explanatory. Monster.

On my #2 Win Willy:

He did what no other horse has done, beat Old Fashioned, and he did it convincingly rolling on by. Although his pedigree doesn't scream distance (damsire AWD only 6.4f is a major concern) his sire is Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. I think he can run on any surface as he has raced at 3 different tracks in 4 career races (a poor man's Einstein) so how he will take to Churchill dirt is not a concern. This also shows that shipping to Kentucky won't be an issue.

On my #3 Mafaaz:

Classy horse, finished 2 lengths back of Donativum. Battle tested in fields of 24 and 14. His running style makes me think he wants the natural surface. He will be going poly to dirt (i.e. Street Sense, Hard Spun, Proud Spell, Little Belle). And he will probably be first or second time Lasix.

Hey, if you are using the favorite, a couple horses at a price on the bottom couldn't hurt and I think these two are very live.

Justin, is Theregoesjojo really the most overrated Derby horse on the trail this year? I checked your current site's lists and he was ranked 11, 11, and 13 by your compatriots I believe. And that's before the FD. Not in one Top Ten. Not sure if he was even on your pre-FD Top 20 as you came out with a new one so quick. He' s 11 on Haskin's. And 10 on DRF but what do they know? So who's rating this guy so highly... or overrating him? Me? I didn't know you held me in that high of esteem. Although all I did was pick him to win one race, the FD, as I said he deserved the chance to go long before classifying him a late-running sprinter. Now he finished 3rd in his 1st 1 1/8 race (with a little bit of trouble... Equibase says checked, Welsch of DRF says "took up sharply", I say "KD took him up needlessly"). He finished 3rd, 7 3/4 lengths back of a track record 147.3 with a loss of momentum. My point is, his record and Beyers and even Florida Derby, do not stamp him as the most overrated Derby horse of the year (what with the West Side Bernie's and Giant Oaks etc. that were cluttering some lists) and also not necessarily, AT THIS POINT, a late-running sprinter.

Maybe Old Fashioned can't get 1 1/4. I think the bigger picture is what he CAN do in the Derby. That is make the race unwinnable for horse like Quality Road, The Pamplemousse, and I Want Revenge.

My point earlier was that maybe the Florida Derby was the best thing that could happen to handicappers. One month ago, the entire racing world was sure that Dunkirk was the 2nd coming of Big Brown and that he would crush the Florida Derby and then the Kentucky Derby at a short price. Well, nothing has changed with this horse except the opinions of him made by casual observers like cdpotato. Quality Road is now the "hype" horse and will take millions of dollars of win wagers by casual observers. Dunkirk, should he get in, would be an absolute gift at 5-1 or better. We were talking about him being 2-1 if he won the Florida Derby...

How is Quality Road wiring a short field on a lightning fast track changing anyone's opinion of Dunkirk? He is still the horse to beat May 2nd if the twin spires will have him...

Hi , Guys and Gals,

I have read all the post and some are a bit disturbing, Maybe I am just not saavy to blogs, but I do see that some of the post's have an air of disrespect to fellow bloggers. I know each of us have opinions on which colt is the best but I do find it offending to read that a person must be on crack because he likes one horse over another horse. And because one bets a certain horse is said to be throwing their money away is very disrespectful. As Derby bloggers we should be grateful that Justin has spent many hours setting up this blog and keeping us informed. Come Derby Day their will be millions of bettors out their trying to pick a winner, and I think our objective at this blog site should be to help one another with our evaluations so that on Derby day each one of us make some money. I like touting my picks as much as the other guy and if Mine comes in last I hope yours comes in first. We are all in this game together, so lets have some fun and make some money.

I need Mayor Marv to get me points at Sunland. I need em for sure.LOl

JD, you reported the official beyers was 103 ???? OUCH! and the horse was all out! That will not scare any trainer from entering any race against Quality Road.

JD you know as well as I know, this beyers will not make Quality Road the Derby favorite or the top of the class.

THAT IS A HUGE REGRESSION FROM THE FOY, HUGE!

Geronimo2123 I agree nevertheless

Slew, the work pattern is solid. Especially the 5 furlongs works, noted improvement by 3/5. READY!

Mike, I have never known a horse who cannot run a 1 1/4. But how fast is another questions.

If Old Fashioned rebounds and run 105 plus beyers, I think you will find come Derby Day, the Larry J. horse will be favorite. I expect the colt to be very sharp next out. History says the third prep race for Jones horse are huge in performances. He sort of crank them up and up and finally, BOOM!

Old Fashioned is the only colt which has a legitimate claim to Derby favorite based on pre expectation.

Every other horse this year, WAS NOT EXPECTED TO BE IN THE GATE!

None of these horses from last year were pick to be in the Derby Field?

Quality Road - Not on the radar, Riding consecutive leading Derby contested images (Barbaro and Big Brown), 103 beyers really hurt his chance to be the Derby favorite.
The Pamplemousse - - Not on the radar , Question about the track transference. Fourth Choice, even with Big Win with solid beyers 105 and above
I Want Revenge - Not on the radar , The Wood stakes best days are behind. At best third with High Beyers numbers of 105 and above
Dunkirk - Not on the radar - 3.7 million reason why he should, but Derby day is about making money , not spending. Champion get past the adversary or make it close, like finishes ahead , one step past the wire!
Hold Me Back - Not on the radar, at best third choice if win the Bluegrass Stakes with transference issues
Friesan Fire - Not on the radar, could never be Derby favorite from prepping in the Louisiana Derby

Yet here they are racing to the top of the class , as it would seem.

I cannot be so narrow minded to think they deserve the top spot just yet!

Should I continue?

Despite the sub beyers and the pre expectation for Old Fashioned. If the horse runs huge in his next outing, he become the Derby favorite.

He only needs to run 105 plus and win by 2-3 lengths to reclaim the top position. Papa Clem will give him a good target to run at for sure.

I do agree with JD. the colt has done nothing wrong thus far!, and losing by a nose, or a head, does not change the fact that Old Fashioned is the only pre expected Derby favorite from last year.

Wouldn't it be a crime if Dunkirk gets bounced off the bubble by coming in 20th in graded earnings this year and that 20th spot is reserved for a horse who won a FOREIGN ALLOWANCE race run over a SYNTHETIC surface? Crying shame, even the Derby is selling out.

txhxy,

apparently you haven't been around us long enough. it is all in fun. we all bash each other and we may cross the line sometimes, but it makes it even more fun to read. i remember when me and barry went back and forth a couple of years ago on Curlin...and when others and derbyme went at it last year on Tomcito...speaking of that where s derbyme? anyway, it is all in fun and i absolutely love it

While I'm still waiting for toby the coal man to finish his stretch run...I'm going to put a $10 box exacta on Santamonicacanyon and Mayor Marv, add a $20 win tick on the canyon too. Thats real beans, I gave up trying to keep track of the funny money long ago.

hey justinites ... had a couple of long responses done in by the akamai thing ... usually save them beforehand but wasnt thinking clearly ... have a lot of thoughts about the weekend will be posting them later ...

Now to Dubai, I DON'T LIKE WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I sure I will take some flack about the next statement, but what the frack as they say in Battle Star Galactic.

I have watch the race between Regal Ransom and Desert Party. I'm Piss to say the least.

FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED

Here is my personal commentary. I simply don't care what anyone will say or believe.

DESERT PARTY WAS 5 LENGTHS BETTER THAN REGAL RANSOM, PERIOD!

NO TRAINING ERROR, OR RIDER ERROR, OR TRACK ERROR, NO ERROR AT ALL!

FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED
FIXED

I WILL MAKE A SINGLE STATEMENT, "WATCH THE HANDS OF THE RIDER ON DESERT PARTY AT THE TOP OF THE LANE. AND THEN WATCH THE HANDS FOR THE JOCKEY OF REGAL RANSOM.

JUST TWO HORSE WITH NO ONE ELSE AROUND. WHILE REGAL RANSOM JOCKEY STARTS HIS CANTER TO THE WIRE!

WHAT IS THE JOCKEY ON DESERT PARTY DOING WITH HIS HANDS?

WATCH VERY CLOSELY TO THEIR POSITION, HERE A TIP? NOTHING!, NO DRIVE POSITION, NOT CHIRPING THE REINS, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

THE JOCKEY ALLOWED THE COLT TO OPEN ADDITIONAL LENGTHS FROM THREE TO FIVE, BEFORE CLOSING.

HANDS WERE JUST SITTING STILL BEHIND THE COLT HEAD , AS IF HE WAS TRAINING HANDILY IN THE MORNING.

I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR WHAT I HAVE SEEN. NONE.

I BELIEVE DESERT PARTY WAS HELD BACK DELIBERATELY, AND IT SHOWS CLEARLY ON THE VIDEO BY WHAT THE JOCKEY HANDS WERE NOT DOING AT THE TIME OTHERS WERE IN A ALL OUT DRIVE.

"COVER BY PERSONAL OPINION AND NOT THE OPINION OF TE KENTUCKY DERBY WEBSITE"

Got that right CD! Burn a blogger in a min! Tomocito Who? Lol

How did Justin get that 103 Beyer? Makes sense though that he has inside sources somewhere in his horse racing network.

Barry, I have to disagree with you on 1 point... did not think that QR was "all-out" to win the FD. And if you'll read my previous comments in this blog I do think QR is vulnerable in the Derby. He's not my choice as of now but I'll keep an open mind.

I think you may be onto something with Old Fashioned. To me, he certainly wasn't disgraced in his last. I thought Ramon kept him too close to the pace that day but I'm not sure if that was the problem or if OF doesn't want distance. I thought it was a bad deal to switch jocks but hey that's the owner or trainer's prerogative.

With OF, he'll have to prove himself to me in the Arkansas. I'd like to see him rate better and handle the added distance well. In other words, run a SOLID race at 1 1/8. Like to see him Beyer 100+. Otherwise I don't think it bodes well for Derby Day. He MAY THEN end up just being part of the pacesetters who eventually fade.

barry,

i don't think it was fixed because 2nd place money would have gotten regal ransom into the derby field anyway.

i think it was a jockey error by the best in the world. he waited way too long and i honestly think he thought he was much the best and was going to roll on by

Something strange in Dubai,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2OqAge5V0g

Every horse is under a solid drive out of the last turn, accept Regal Ransom and Desert Party.

I can understand Regal Ransom jockey not going to the whip until late, but when you watch all the rest of the field and then look at what Desert Party jockey is doing, it's just not right! he finally cranks the whip just as you here the cheer from the fans, almost a full 1/16 has passed and he was 3 lengths out. This unforeseen delay in riding is costly. He allowed the jockey for Regal Ransom to not put his horse to a full out drive till late!

That a Fixed Race in my Book!

I thought that also CD, but I don't make this statement lightly. In each of the prior race, he took it to Regal Ransom early at the top of the lane! No error!, he knows there is a point whereby each horse will crack under pressure. It was the top of the lane.

He waited to inside the 1 /16 to first use the whip. THAT NOT A ERROR! THAT DELIBERATE BY ALL JOCKEY STANDARDS.

un censored news of course!

Anyway, they (Dubai) will probably ruined me with a single push of the button.

Their lost and my gain! Right!

I will probably be the only Blogger who will select the Dubai team as the winner of the 135 Kentucky Derby.

Come On ! I double dare you to push the button! Come On!

I think Desert Party is live, but I will pass on Regal Ransom

http://theaspiringhorseplayer.com/

Folks,

I am still high on OF as well and think he will run a huge race in the Ark. Derby. An impressive win and he'll rejoin his stablemate and Quality Road in my top three. I have a gut feeling Imperial Council will run huge next weekend in the Wood and also believe Prado will be back in the saddle. Not to mention, I didn't add him to my RTTR stable. So, he's probably a sure thing to win. LOL. Also have a feeling Pletcher's runner Al Khali will have something to say about the Illinois Derby, but am hoping Free Country does something for my RTTR stable. However, I'm having second thoughts about KD, as he's had two terrible rides in the past couple of weeks on runners with high expectations. At least we're getting closer to the big one, right?

Danny D,

I had a great day betting the Dubai races... I hit the late p3 and the for exacta in the cup collected over $5000 for the day and I am a pretty small better. I gave my selections here early in the day. I had the if the 6 wins the last race the P3 pays over $25000 for a buck...I box the 11,6,7 in the tri that was very close to Justin money.

I really thought it was a day like Breeder cup day where there is value all over the place.

Sam,

Congrats...I couldn't hit anything yesterday in Dubai. Nice to hear someone made money yesterday. I'm with Barry on the UAE Derby being fixed.

Thanks, Barry, for reminding us about Old Fashioned. Sheesh, how quickly we get side-tracked by the "horse of the moment", i.e. Quality Road.

If there is a rivalry established this year, I think it will likely involve two or more of the following: OF, The Pamplemousse (I continue to believe he is the best this year, regardless of surface-transferance questions), Dunkirk and Chocolate Candy. I certainly think that, after next week, everyone will be talking about the next great rivalry between TP and CC. I can't wait!

Of the four horses mentioned above, wouldn't want to have to guess at who's best after the grapefruit, but I think it just might be Dunkirk. No, wait, OF. Or maybe CC??? : )

Oldpathsfarm

I can't wait to see CC run in the SAD and think he's primed for a huge race. Not to mention, he'll be an excellent price.

Chocolate Candy may be the most overrated 3 year old. Northern Cal horses are awful every year, Cause to Believe and Bwana Bull. They always look good until they face some competition in their final prep or on derby day.

These horses shouldn't even be considered derby contenders, but we are sucked into them every year. Then, we eventually realize that they don't belong. CC will be no different next week when POTN and TP run over him.

Cd,

Unlike CtB and BB, CC has faced his Southern counterparts and fared quite well. I beg to differ and see him upsetting the SAD at around 6/1.

What's 2nd pay at the Wood? We could be talking about Imperial Council next week being in the same boat as Dunkirk with $$$ trouble.

Dunkirk will be interesting in the Future wagering next weekend.

235-1
242-0
297-0

No, those aren't my predictions for the first 3 Pittsburgh Pirates games this year (though it may be close, God bless my Bucs!). That's how bad Justin has outscored Caroline in the past three blogs. Obviously there is no mercy rule, and JD likes running up the score. He hath no shame!!!

CC is fresh and training well. Same distance as his last - trainer did not want to cut back in the San Felipe. Rosario is a talented young rider who will try hard. Plus , these next preps will give some surprises. Many Derby winners lose their last prep. This will skew the odds for the Derby.

The Wood Memorial has a $750,000 purse. Same as the Fla. Derby .

Dunkirk could be real attractive in Pool 3. However, I find it may be trifling to bet him because his biggest obstacle will be getting into the field. But I can't help but think no one is budging off Fresian Fire and Quality Road and both will offer no value at around 6-1 or less. Old Fashioned, I Want Revenge, POTN, The Pamplemousse, The Field, and (if he wins the Wood) Imperial Council might all take more action than Dunkirk. 15-1 might be where Dunkirk sits earlier in the weekend, but if he floats up because of other horses running big in the weekend preps he could float up around 20-1 or 25-1 and I will definitely have to make a play on that!

But if he stays shorter than I would pass on him til Derby Day.

TIGER FREAKING WOODS

Derby - If Imperial Council runs 2nd = $150,000 ( has $50,000 ) would have $200,000 - more than Dunkirk.

Cdpotato = classic chalk chaser...

change your name to CCCpotato bud

Gregg,

I try to pick winners. That is how you win. If the favorite is 6-5 and is an absolute lock to win, I will play him, mostly keying in horizontal wagers hoping for longer prices in other races. If I feel strongly about him why would I play against him. I don't think he can lose yet I will bet a 10-1 shot? No, not if I don't think he can lose.

And personally I will not be betting the Santa Anita Derby mostly because west coast racing is inferior. But also because I can't find the winner between POTN and TP. I may use both of them in a Pick 4 but that is it. And CC offers absolutely no value at 6-1. I wouldn't bet that horse at 20-1. I wouldn't bet that horse with Monopoly money!

Boy oh boy, the Sunland Derby was a waste. At least a waste of my bet! The Mayor and Advice just didn't have the juice. I thought Kelly Leak might place, but to win. I expect next week to be better.

CD - I do think Quality Road looked solid as a rock yesterday. And I wouldn't leave him out of my derby bet on the bottom. But, I guess I'm stuck on IWR. Been watching the horse and am looking to see what happens in the Woods. What ever happens, I hope they shelve him until the Derby.

Hey Law,

I'm on cruise control going into the Final Four!

Spuds - I agree with you. Sometimes you have to bet the chalk , if it is the best horse , than trying to beat it and lose. There is no value in losing. Be a student of ecology - cash the ticket - don't throw on the floor.

Gulfstream isn't alone in "souping up" tracks for big days. Oaklawn does it pretty much every Saturday (Oaklawn on weekends is like running on concrete!) Having said that, Churchill, in my opinion, will NOT "soup the track" for Derby week-end for one reason: Eight Belles! (Not saying what happened last year was due to a souped up track-remember it poored so hard on Friday that they worked their tales off just to have it in decent shape-no time to "soup"!

This is going to favor horses like POTN, among the favorites, Dunkirk if he gets in, as well as long shots like Terrain and even "Jojo" to a lesser extent. I'm guessing (and this is just a guess) that even with 5 weeks off, Quality Road may bounce in the Derby (because of the track, nothing to do with his talent)

oops, forgot the main point of my post: These rock hard tracks do more to harm horses long term than steroids, whips, etc. I referee basketball and used to work in a gym that was a thin piece of "rubber" over cement, and stopped accepting games there because of the way my legs felt (for 4 or 5 days) afterwards.And I don't run anywhere near as fast as Quality Road!

The Derby is always made fast on Derby Day unless the weather places havoc.

Jazzy - Bulldog is your only threat - Michigan State. I'm done - nice picking.

I still think the Derby winner is going to be a shocker. I don't know who, but a horse that is flying so far beneath the radar right now, we haven't even considered them.

Slew,

Thanks! I noticed, Bulldog with State, and they looked really good this weekend. Mich State has always had scrappy teams. I just hope they don't get by Ucon.

Nice words to CD, I think I've learned the lesson this year. You can't always beat the chalk. Relax and go with it. Believe me, I've got a whole box of losing tickets here that may have had a chance by picking the chalk instead of trying to beat him.

Keep the Hype on Quality Road, please ... I was a big fan until i found out his beyer 103 , Win Willy win was more classy 102 . I Want Revenge is the real hose to beat. 113 over a mile.

Does anyone know if Vineyard Haven is back in the States yet?

any new news on beethoven?

tiger was awesome today. I think Zach Johnson may be right there with him in 2 weeks.

a 103 beyer is a mockery

quality road broke a track record while sitting close to a solid pace :46 and change

great pix jazzy
i need carolina to win next to take 20 future bet from astra.

Next year's dubai world cup worth $10 MILLION. wonder what's gonna happen to the price of oil.

Quick to anoint the talented we are in the age of the feeble thoroughbred. We all long for that next superstar to come along and just take our breath away; bringing back memories of yesteryear. Many times our desire to see the next "Big Red", or more recently Point Given clouds our judgement and we are left with a fistful of incorrect wagers betting with hope and our hearts rather than on sound reasoning. My point here is that Quality Road is a nice colt but is a tossout in Louisville. He should be the the first horse left off your tickets come May 2nd...Heresy, you say...Upon further review Quality Road lacks the needed seasoning around 2 turns which is vital at Churchill. A simple scan of the last 15 Derbies with names like FuPeg, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Smarty Jones etc. etc. leads to a telling fact that not one Derby winner in the last 15 years has had only 1 two turn race in their life..I bet if you go further back the evidence would keep mounting that proper foundation is vital to win the race...even last year when Big Brown won 2 of his 3 starts were around 2 turns...I am not saying he cannot get 1 1/4...just not faster than 17 other colts on May 2nd, 2009...beware The Pamplemousse...

I know I have said this about a thousand times, but I think it is worth repeating...I honestly believe that this is the best 3 year old crop of my lifetime. These horses are impressing one after the other. It is incredible to watch.

where do i start? ... first of all, what a great race, and hats off to quality road ... i was certain that dunkirk would win the race, and if someone had told me dunkirk was going to run 1:48 flat, i would have been certain that he would win easily ... i was not immediately aware of how fast the track was playing, and dont think that is much of an excuse ... quality road is a freakishly fast horse ...

i do not think the track was playing nearly as bad as the one in dubai, which was a total joke ... gayego looked to be swallowing up salsa, only to spin his wheels ... desert party easily went past regal ransom the past two times but could not get by ... big city man used his inside draw to beat indian blessing ... and the track made a total mockery of the worlds richest race ... well armed didnt even run fast ... at all ... watching the race it was like he set a world record, but he didnt even break 2:01 ... the dirt races were a total fiasco ...

cd ... funny you would think ajtebi is an arrogant jockey ... i hope everyone took my tip on gladiatorus to the bank ... that was an amazing performance, and the jockey deserved to be celebrating ... besides cd, if you knew the story of where that guy came from, you wouldnt be so hard on him (actually a guy like you probably still would be) ... the guy won 600k in less than an hour, i can think of no better reason to celebrate ...

barry ... couldnt agree with you more about the takedown of big drama ... it was sickening, and i didnt have one dollar on the race ... they could have gone around a hundred more times and phil wouldnt have gotten by, and the bumping had nothing to do with it ... just a horrific decision ...

justin ... agree with you about the big drama camp i think they will be getting derby fever after that performance ... and i actually wouldnt take too much issue with them running ... why not? ...

back to the florida derby ... what bodes so well for quality road is that he showed the ability to rate, which was very impressive ... this greatly enhances his chances in louisville and beyond ... he responded gamely when it was time to run, and was clearly the better horse ...

for some reason i thought the fla derby was a million dollar race, so i didnt realize the money issue would surface for dunkirk ... i am totally unsure of what they should do next ... i hope this brings to the forefront what an awful system the current one is ... if the second best horse in the country cannot get into the race, thats a big problem ... churchill probably wants that mafaaz spot back right about now ...

justin ... what do you think is the most likely path for team dunkirk, and what would you choose to do if you were his owner? ...

about the beyers ... initially i would have concurred with barry and said around 118 for quality road ... it appears that andy seems to differ ... i am really starting to grow tired of this system having so much influence on racing ... a 103 for quality road? ... forget the track variance, that is a joke ... in the foy, he ran a one-turn mile in 1:35 flat carrying 114 against grade 2 foes and received a 113 ... in the florida derby he ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:47 3/5 carrying 122 against grade 1 foes ... and gets a 103? a 103? ... is that a joke?

does anyone think quality road ran slower in the florida derby? anyone? ... the fact is that beyers system is biased against longer races and even more biased against synthetic tracks ... at some point, racing needs to take a serious look at the validity of a system that determines so much of what the public bets on every race ... it is getting more than a little out of hand ...

justin ... do you think quality road ran slower on saturday than he did in the foy? ... can anything be done to lessen the power of the bsf?

hopefully both quality road and dunkirk come out of the florida derby in good order and we will see another chapter of this rivalry in louisville ... they are among the most talented 3yos we have seen this decade ...

so what is on the buffet this week? ... looks like the pamplemousse vs. pioneerof the nile will be a big debate ... as will old fashioned vs. 9 panels ... put me down for the pamplemousse and old fashioned on those two ...

JUSTIN ... PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!

Friesian Fire and the Grapefruit 104 have beaten better class horses than Quality Road. Dont get get me wrong, I pick QR over Dunkirk easily. Over SENSATIONALIZE horses usually get beat on Derby Day sometimes, except Big Brown but I beat him on Belmont Day got second with Eight Belle . I beat Barbaro with Bernadini Preakness, beat Curlin with Rag to Riches, beat Curlin with Raven Pass, Beat Afleet Alex , Bellamy Road with Closing Argument 2nd darn it Giacomo .. Won with Street Sense, IN OTHER WORDS its JUST ALL HYPE until i find CLASS , TRIPLE DIGIT BEYER ,FORM and Value

well stated jerk...well stated...please continue to hype Quality Road so others will be overlaid

slew - 200k might not be enough with the Euros this year and at least one filly, but I like Imperial Council to win the Wood. Want Revenge should bounce after his 113 beyer going over dirt last time out.

Sunland didn't produce anything that scares me...

Barry - hope you're right about Desert Party, but a hotter pace would have helped his cause. He'll get that on May 2 and hopefully pick up the pieces to at least hit the board.

I have a future ex box, QR, Desert Party, and Imperial Council

poniez,

you can't win the derby with only 1 lifetime 2 turn race? really?

I thought you couldn't win the derby off a 5 week break?

With only 3 career starts?

With only 2 preps at 3?

If you won the BC Juvenile?

gotcha justin ... thanks ... i guess he could jog and win either one right? ... would literally be a 'paid exercise' ... i would certainly prefer the derby trial to give him some time and experience at the track ... next topic ... lets say he does exactly that and makes the field ... three questions ... does he have a realistic chance to win? ... what do you think his odds would be at post time? ... and would you use him on your tickets ...

Someone mentioned that the derby winner often loses his last prep, good point.

However this got me wondering and if anyone is intersted, in the last 20 years only 4 times has the derby winner not finished first or second in his last prep.

Justin, is the Santa Anita poly...whatever 2 seconds faster than Gulfstream. I thought The Pamplemousse time in his last was almost the same as QR in the Fla Derby

firerick,

well, it is good to hear from you again. and I am glad you are admitting you were wrong that Dunkirk would romp on saturday. I am glad you are touting Quality Road as what he is, a monster.

In a weekly review of firerick's comments, here they are:

"he will not be able to get away from dunkirk at any point in the race, and dunkirk's closing kick will undoubtedly leave quality road behind in the stretch"

" am hoping for quality road's sake that after dunkirk crushes him on saturday, jerkens and company will see the writing on the wall and point quality road to the met mile"

"the winner is forgone"

"the more i hear about the graded earnings, or lack thereof, for dunkirk the more i laugh...just listen to yourselves trying desparately to beat this horse ... its not going to happen"

"im willing to bet that gomez wont even have the mount on pioneerof the nile in the santa anita derby after what we are going to witness on saturday"

"there will be no stopping him on saturday ... its a formality ..."

\"dunkirk will demolish this field ... i do not think it will be close "

"but if any of you are simply looking at the race on paper or watching the past races with two unbiased eyes, it is quite clear that this horse is MUCH THE BEST"

10 or 12 to 1 would have been my guess, but with the hype single digits would be more likely ... funny ive been thinking about this derby trial idea for ten minutes now and its starting to sound pretty good ... any way you can give pletcher a call and convince him to take this route? ...

also ... i am looking for a new graded earnings list ... if anyone could get that up for me or post a link it would be greatly appreciated ... thanks ...

Sam,

Glad to see somebody make some nice cash yesterday on the Dubai card, that was a nice haul, good for you. I totally agree there was some serious money to be made yesterday and it had that Breeders cup feel where hitting an exactor lands over a G note. I only bet a $1 on the late pick 3 and it was paying 10 large onto Arson Squad but I just couldn't get the racing gods to get one home for me. It was bad beats all around for me and I think my blood pressure shot the roof, anyhow I'm working towards the Derby this year and trying to nail the Superfecta with my classic 5 horse box. I was alive on Private Vow a few years back for $36,000 and I've given up on Asmussen in the Derby. It would be nice to see somebody on this blog take the whole house down Derby day and need a Brinks truck to get out of churchill with the winnings.

i had a great weekend betting some horses and hanging out with friends ... meanwhile, cd was by the computer all weekend pasting my quotes from last week in hopes dunkirk would go down ... good stuff cd ...

tighe1,

I POSTED THE FOLLOWING IN AN EARLIER BLOG:

"how many Graded preps did Giacomo win at 3? Funny Cide? Real Quiet? Go For Gin? Sea Hero?
GOOSE EGG!!!!!!
Here's a stat for you: 9 of the last 16 derby winners failed to win a 9 furlong prep as a 3-year old.
So...of derby winners in the past 16 years:
31% did not win a graded prep at 3
and...
56% failed to win a 9 furlong prep"

-interesting

I still have Quality Road #1 though and I can't see that changing

hahaha that's what we do hear...a little bashing and this is why this blog is so great

Cd,

He has been the most impressive I've seen so far.

Firerick

thedowneyprofile.com is where Law sent me earlier

firerick,

if it was the other way around I would expect you to do the same. so if CC wins the Santa Anita, please refer to my posts on this blog entry

jazzy thanks for the credit with michigan state and i'm interested in finding out what both Big Drama and Dunkirk do now

mikie,

i know you are pretty good at this so i thought i would give it a try...could u get me any info on a horse by the name of "Baku Breeze"? he has been in my stable mail for like over 6 months and i can't even remember why or who he is for that matter.

cd ... in fairness, i dont think dunkirk is any less a a horse than i made him out to be all week ... quality road is just better at this point and an even bigger freak ... that was one of the best 3yo preps this century ...

but since we are going back over my comments, i would like to point out one exchange i had with ryanmoseley ...

ryan ... 'quality road is going to run 1:48 4/5 or 1:49 flat. if dunkirk can beat that back on the bridle hats off to him.'

me ... 'if you are correct, and quality road runs 1:48 4/5 or 1:49, then dunkirk will not win by much ... thats easy to figure and not really arguable ... i think dunkirk would have run 1:49 2/5 or 3/5 last time, and should knock 3-5 ticks off of that ... so if quality road runs that time, it will be close' ...

quality road ran 1:47 3/5!!! ... i said if he ran 1:48 4/5 it would be close ... if he did, dunkirk wouldve won by four! ... i dont think there is any way i (or anyone else) could have seen that run coming ... ignore the beyer, that run was massive ...

i have no qualms in saying that i was not at all wrong about dunkirk, but was simply blindsided by a freak horse ... nothing to be sorry about there ... quality road is awesome ...

2010 Dubai World Cup is supposedly going to offer a 10 million dollar purse when it's run at Meydan Racecourse next year. Wow!

By the way, (per the DRF) Godolphin may run one or both runners in the Derby and will decide in the next two weeks. It's possible one could run in the Derby and the other the Preakness.

That is exactly my point CD, you are comparing Quality Road to Barbaro, Big Brown and Street Sense 3 horses with multiple 2 turn races on their resume prior to winning the Derby...there is no winner with only 1 two turn race for a reason I am not sure those other factors mentioned spacing, prep schedules, and juvenile precocity hold as much merit as the multiple 2 turn race. I hope that Quality Road makes it to the Derby...he will take a ton of money and is easily eliminated...

firerick,

i saw it coming

"here you go...Quality Road's estimated fractions at every call in the FOY...
:23^4 :45^3 1:09^4 1:35
To be able to go that fast stalking the pace and draw away from th field is just absurd! But he did it alright! Please watch the replay! This was by far the most impressive prep of the Spring!
He came home in :12^3! Add another furlong and even if he is slowing down and comes home 2 lengths slower, he could finish the 9 panels in 1:48 flat! That is just plain ill!
THIS HORSE IS A BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

poniez69,

Easily eliminated by what? Are you okay? Did you hit your head? Eliminate QR at your own risk. He is a legitimate contender and will relish going longer. If he doesn't win the Derby, I'll guarantee he'll be in the money.

DerbyFan and hollyking,

You guys are right about QR that is for sure

Cd,

I can't wait to see him at arm's reach Derby week and will be sure to get plenty of good photos on the backside.

Again I say Quality Road a throwout in Kentucky, based on the fact that he is not sufficiently prepped for what awaits him at Churchill...the Kentucky Derby is a brutal exhibition of skill, stamina, and most importantly experience, outside of Big Brown you would have to go back almost 100 years to find a winner with less preps...my point is that Quality Road is a bad bet and is easily eliminated based on the knowledge that no winner has had only 1 two turn race going in to the Derby, moreover he has had two very easy setups over a strip he obviously relishes which has favored speed all meet..take nothing away from his runs at Gulfstream but two turning in Louisville is a touch different than stalking hopeless stretchout sprinters at Gulfstream...and I did not hit my head rather I want Quality Road to beat me in Kentucky I am willing to let this horse beat me because if he does than he truly is a superhorse...

poniez,

As Law posted earler today, speed (not speedball - see Spanish Chesnut or Songandaprayer) horse's have fared quite well in the Derby over the last several years and this year will be no different. I happen to like the fact he's lightly raced and yet has a nice foundation and distance progression to note. True, it's all at GP, but stranger things have happened in the past. Honestly, I can't imagine how well he would have run if he didn't miss his last work prior to the FD. That's scary.

I do not think his speed is a problem just that without the proper foundation he seems more likely to disappoint at a short price than bound home a four length winner at 4-1 or lower..plus he still has to make it to the race which could ultimately prove his undoing as that foe faces all contenders..like D. Wayne said "they are like strawberries, they can go bad overnight"...plus he has that "monster" Beyer behind him so early that it might haunt him later...

All valid concerns, but they all have to make it to the race. True he did regress in BSF yesterday, but still won and wasn't all out to do so. Not to mention, he has 5 weeks to recover. By the way, I'm not a huge fan of BSF's.

derbs
thanks for the props my man. i pointed out dubai worth 10 mill at 8:18, that's nuts. wonder what the trainers will do to soup up their charges for that race, it's worth cheating for that purse. well armed to back for a 3rd time, he just might overtake curlin's all time record. however, i still contend North American races only should be considered for that title. that leaves dear old skippy on top

Law,

No prob. How bad do you think KD will screw up the ride on Free Country next weekend? Agree on being the richest racehorse, it should be only in NA.

i don't mind the huge beyer, it gives the pony something to run back too. now, if IWR should pop for another biggie, then he'll be spoiled come derby day, my braggadocious opinion

How come You guys are leaving rachel alexzandra out of the derby talks. She has won going 2 turns at 3 different tracks. All of her races around 2 turns she has won easily. She is the most impressive 3 year old i've seen this year.

I'm pysched Keeneland opens in just a few short days and curious if What a Pear can translate her form to poly? I'm sure the price will be nice since Stardom Bound is in the race.

Sweet,

Very true, but she is not under consideration for the Derby. I agree she's incredible and look forward to a nice price in the Oaks.