That was a strange looking race. Take Charge Indy looked like he had moderate fractions, and Union Rags got into too much trouble.
Take Charge Indy is going to be overbet on Derby Day anyways, in my opinion.
The phenomenon that is Borel on Derby Day will boost interests especially among fringe bettors. It is good for the sport but there'll be more comparisons to his prior Derby winners in the pre-race analysis than if Take Charge Indy finished second.
I was satisfied yesterday that the Matz-Barbaro story line didn't include Edgar Prado for a change. Neumeier questioned Matz regarding possible pre-race jitters and antics of Union Rags but those were squelched by the trainer.
Hero of Order shocks the Louisiana Derby at about a zillion to 1. $220.80. Back story was cool on NBC. That'll be a popular human interest story as someone who is just along for the ride
Mark Valeski can't get there.
No one in this race will be a factor in Kentucky, and someone who thought they had the earnings to go, isn't.
Hero of Order shocks the Louisiana Derby at about a zillion to 1. $220.80. Back story was cool on NBC. That'll be a popular human interest story as someone who is just along for the ride
Mark Valeski can't get there.
No one in this race will be a factor in Kentucky, and someone who thought they had the earnings to go, isn't.
Have to agree with that. Mark Valeski showed his back breeding (Gone West/Fortunate Prospect), and appeared to hang late.
Love the quotes from Hero Of Honor's trainer, Gennadi Dorochenko.
Quote:
“We run horses together, Eddie (Martin) and me," said Dorochenko in reference to Martin. "I told him exactly what (Hero of Order) wants to do; he do and he wins. Eddie is best jockey. We are around horses together, I give him chance. A lot of jockeys have ridden (Hero of Order) and everything but he do exactly what I tell him, he wins.
“You see, I brought not expensive horses but I make these horses expensive,” added Dorochenko, who won his first graded stakes race.
TAKE CHARGE INDY (A.P. Indy - Take Charge Lady, by Dehere) is by one of the world’s most influential sires. A.P. Indy, a son of Triple Crown Champ Seattle Slew out of a mare by another Triple Crown hero, Secretariat, was bread for greatness. The top-priced yearling of 1990, at $2.9 million dollars was sent off as the favorite in his debut at Del Mar in late August as a two year old. The huge, long-striding colt encountered traffic and finished fourth.
A quick learner, A.P. Indy won his next three starts as a juvenile, ending his season with a victory in the Hollywood Futurity (G-1). The following year, A. P. Indy continued his ways, sweeping the San Rafael Stakes (G-2) and Santa Anita Derby (G-1). He shipped to Churchill Downs as one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby, but was scratched the morning of the race after developing a quarter crack. Bypassing the Preakness Stakes, the Neal Drysdale trainee prepped for the Belmont Stakes with a 5 ½ length romp in the Peter Pan Stakes (G-2).
A. P. Indy demonstrated his stamina in the Belmont Stakes (G-1). He won only by 1 ¾ lengths, but his final time of 2:26 tied for the second fastest Belmont in history with Easy Goer. Only A.P. Indy’s damsire Secretariat was quicker. After taking a summer vacation, A.P. Indy surprisingly finished out of the money in the Molson Export Million Stakes (G-2) at Woodbine.
He followed up with a third place effort in the Jockey Gold Cup (G-1) after a poor start. Sent off as the favorite in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Classic, A.P. Indy didn’t disappoint. He stormed down the stretch to record a two length victory over the top older horse, Pleasant Tap. His exploits earned A.P. Indy year-end honors as Champion Three Year Old.
The 1992 pre-race Kentucky Derby was all about Arazi but the post position wasn't favorable and he never responded. Lil E. Tee made an instant name but A.P. Indy being scratched that morning otherwise could have changed history.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 04-03-2012 at 03:00 PM.
There have been several top races for the 3rd olds so far, but it doesn't get much better than Saturdays Wood Memorial and Santa Anita Derby.
Both fields are loaded with talent. With Hansen, Union Rags, and El Padrino on the sidelines this weekend, the 2nd tier of 3yr olds will be on display. To me, this 3yr old crop looks deep.
Beginning with the Santa Anita Derby.
There's some insane potential in the race. From the rail out. Creative Cause (blinkers off) has shown the class of a champion. Liaison (Baffert) wants the added 1/16th. Holy Candy will eventually be heard from. I'll Have Another could be any kind.
1 Creative Cause J Rosario 122 M Harrington
2 Liaison R Bejarano 122 B Baffert
3 Holy Candy A Quinonez 122 J W Sadler
4 I'll Have Another M Gutierrez 122 D F O'Neill
5 Longview Drive R A Baze 122 J Hollendorfer
6 Paynter M Garcia 122 B Baffert
7 Senor Rain E Flores 122 P Miller
8 Midnight Transfer M E Smith 122 C Gaines
9 Blueskiesnrainbows J Talamo 122 B Baffert
10 Brother Francis G K Gomez 122 J M Cassidy
The Wood Memorial also is loaded.
From the rail out. Alpha gets the acid test for Godolphin. Toss out his Breeders Cup, and his record is nearly flawless. My Adonis got a big number in the Gotham, but may not like the added distance. Street Life will like the added distance. Class test. Gemologist is a raw talent. He hasn't beaten anyone, and is a question at the distance, but is 4 for 4. Tiger Walk switches to Johnny V. Be coming late. The Lumber Guy is another undefeated raw talent.
1 Alpha R A Dominguez 123 K P McLaughlin
2 Casual Trick C S Nakatani 123 N P Zito
3 My Adonis E Trujillo 123 K J Breen
4 Teeth of the Dog J Bravo 123 M R Matz
5 Street Life J Alvarado 123 C C Brown
6 Gemologist J Castellano 123 T A Pletcher
7 Tiger Walk J R Velazquez 123 I Correas, IV
8 The Lumber Guy C H Velasquez 123 M E Hushion
Hey guys, I won a well-bred racing horse with a pair of 10's (awful bluff lol). I think he's got what it takes. His name is DANGER IN DELAWARE, strong hind legs and a toned, muscular rear. What's the process in entering him in races? I need to get hooked up to start running him in qualifying rounds
Memo to the eight 3-year-olds prepping for the May 5 Kentucky Derby in tomorrow’s Grade 1, $1 million Wood Memorial at Aqueduct: Beware the jinx.
In the past three years, I Want Revenge, Eskendereya and Toby’s Corner were all headed to the Derby after winning the Wood, but none of them made it there.
Last year, Toby’s Corner was scratched the Tuesday before the Derby after coming up lame after a workout. In 2010 Eskendereya, who would have been a heavy Derby favorite after winning the Wood by 9 3/4 lengths, was retired with a tendon injury the Sunday before. Three years ago, Derby favorite I Want Revenge was scratched the morning of the race with an injured tendon. He hasn’t won a race since.
^ I didn't see the race. I'll look for that later.
I called the Wood. Small exacta win. I went for the Baffert/Garcia entry in Santa Anita based on the trainer/jockey but not surprisingly he didn't win.
The 1 1/8-mile race Blue Grass is set for next Saturday, April 14, and will be telecast by CNBC. A sizable field is expected when entries are drawn Wednesday.
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 04-13-2012 at 12:17 PM.
Hansen has a good post position as the favorite to win the Blue Grass.
The last Blue Grass winner to go onto victory in the Kentucky Derby was... STRIKE THE GOLD!
Blue Grass Data:
Post time: Saturday at 6:18 p.m. ET at Keeneland.
Purse: $750,000.
Distance: 1 1/8 miles.
Weight: 123 pounds.
TV: CNBC and TVG.
Radio: horseracingradio.net.
Toyota Blue Grass,
Post |Horse |Trainer |Jockey |ML Odds
1. Heavy Breathing, Todd Pletcher, Corey Lanerie, 12-to-1;
2. Gung Ho, Mike Maker, Edgar Prado, 30-to-1;
3. Prospective, Mark Casse, Luis Contreras, 10-to-1;
4. Hansen, Mike Maker, Ramon Dominguez, 6-to-5
5. Russian Greek, Gennadi Dorochenko, Miguel Mena, 50-to-1;
6. Dullahan, Dale Romans, Kent Desormeaux, 6-to-1;
7. Politicallycorrect, Wesley Ward, Elvis Trujillo, 30-to-1;
8. Midnight Crooner, Bob Baffert, Garrett Gomez, 15-to-1;
9. Holy Candy, John Sadler, Joel Rosario, 30-to-1;
10. Howe Great, Graham Motion, Javier Castellano, 6-to-1;
11. Ever So Lucky, Jonathan Shephard, Julien Leparoux, 12-to-1;
12. Hero of Order, Gennadi Dorochenko, Eddie Martin Jr., 12-to-1;
13. Scatman, Michael Lauer, Shaun Bridgmohan, 12-to-1.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Town Classic S. (G2), Post Time: 10:30 ET Saturday
Purse: $1,000,000; 1 1/8 miles
Post |Horse |Trainer |Jockey |ML Odds
1 Tres Borrachos M. Jones K. Carmouche 9-2
2 Tackleberry L. Olivares R. Maragh 3-1
3 Mister Marti Gras N. Pessin J. Leparoux 12-1
4 Pants on Fire K. Breen R. Napravnik 6-1
5 Skipshot J. Hollendorfer T. Dunkelberger 10-1
6 Caixa Electronica T. Pletcher J. Castellano 8-1
7 Duke of Mischief D. Fawkes J. Bravo 10-1
8 Norvsky D. Warren K. Krigger 12-1
9 Redding Colliery K. McLaughlin A. Garcia 10-1
10 Uh Oh Bango R. Owens A. Gryder 4-1
11 Norman Asbjornson (AE) C. Grove J. Acosta 12-1
12 Cease (AE) A. Stall, Jr. M. Mena 15-1
13 Eighttofasttocatch (AE) T. Keefe S. Russell 12-1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas Derby (G1), Post Time: 5:45 CT Saturday
Purse: $1,000,000; 1 1/8 miles
Post |Horse |Trainer |Jockey |ML Odds
Cozzetti D. Romans J. Lezcano 15-1
Stat T. Pletcher J. Velasquez 10-1
Najjaar D. Peitz C. Borel 15-1
Jake Mo A. Milligan M. Berry 30-1
Secret Circle B. Baffert R. Bejarano 5-2
Isn't He Clever H. Dominguez R. Albarado 6-1
Optimizer D. Lukas J. Court 6-1
Atigun K. McPeek T. Thompson 30-1
Sabrecat S. Asmussen C. Nakatani 15-1
Raconteur T. Pletcher C. DeCarlo 15-1
Bodemiester B. Baffert M. Smith 9-5
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 04-13-2012 at 12:33 PM.
Arkansas Derby (G1), Post Time: 5:45 CT Saturday
Purse: $1,000,000; 1 1/8 miles
Post |Horse |Trainer |Jockey |ML Odds
Cozzetti D. Romans J. Lezcano 15-1
Stat T. Pletcher J. Velasquez 10-1
Najjaar D. Peitz C. Borel 15-1
Jake Mo A. Milligan M. Berry 30-1
Secret Circle B. Baffert R. Bejarano 5-2
Isn't He Clever H. Dominguez R. Albarado 6-1
Optimizer D. Lukas J. Court 6-1
Atigun K. McPeek T. Thompson 30-1
Sabrecat S. Asmussen C. Nakatani 15-1
Raconteur T. Pletcher C. DeCarlo 15-1
Bodemiester B. Baffert M. Smith 9-5
Time to step out here. Secret Circle was a bear at the shorter distance.
But as I had mentioned, he was weaving through the lane in his last two.
Extra 1/16th here. Optimizer, who had terrible form coming into Rebel, nearly caught Secret Circle.
He should pass him tomorrow. Najjaar was compromised by his 11 post in the Rebel. May also contend late in the race.
Hansen has a good post position as the favorite to win the Blue Grass.
The last Blue Grass winner to go onto victory in the Kentucky Derby was... STRIKE THE GOLD!
Blue Grass Data:
Post time: Saturday at 6:18 p.m. ET at Keeneland.
Purse: $750,000.
Distance: 1 1/8 miles.
Weight: 123 pounds.
TV: CNBC and TVG.
Radio: horseracingradio.net.
Toyota Blue Grass,
Post |Horse |Trainer |Jockey |ML Odds
1. Heavy Breathing, Todd Pletcher, Corey Lanerie, 12-to-1;
2. Gung Ho, Mike Maker, Edgar Prado, 30-to-1;
3. Prospective, Mark Casse, Luis Contreras, 10-to-1;
4. Hansen, Mike Maker, Ramon Dominguez, 6-to-5
5. Russian Greek, Gennadi Dorochenko, Miguel Mena, 50-to-1;
6. Dullahan, Dale Romans, Kent Desormeaux, 6-to-1;
7. Politicallycorrect, Wesley Ward, Elvis Trujillo, 30-to-1;
8. Midnight Crooner, Bob Baffert, Garrett Gomez, 15-to-1;
9. Holy Candy, John Sadler, Joel Rosario, 30-to-1;
10. Howe Great, Graham Motion, Javier Castellano, 6-to-1;
11. Ever So Lucky, Jonathan Shephard, Julien Leparoux, 12-to-1;
12. Hero of Order, Gennadi Dorochenko, Eddie Martin Jr., 12-to-1;
13. Scatman, Michael Lauer, Shaun Bridgmohan, 12-to-1.
Plenty more speed for Hansen to deal with. Ramon will have his hands full. Prospective is 2nd best on paper, although the quirky track is the big question.
Hardly ready to put Bodemeister in Barbaro's class just yet, or ever. Barbaro's victory was THE most impressive Derby I've seen.
In fact, I'm not at all ready to drink the Bodemeister cool aid. Let's look.
He'll be coming into the Derby with 4 career races.
Bejarano could have rode him, but decided on Secret Circle.
He will not get loose in the Derby with the vastly more experienced Hansen in the field.
Additionally. I'm not sure of the condition of that Oaklawn track yesterday when a horse does a 23, 46, and wins by daylight going a mile and an eighth. None of the others were moving in the stretch at all.
As for the Bluegrass.
Ramon tried to outsprint the field with Hansen and held well on a questionable track. With a favorable post in the Derby, they'll rate off the lead.
On the other hand, the winner Dullahan, certainly wanted the extra ground, and has put in a respectable run at Churchill. He's an improving sort who should like the Derby distance.
All in all, this appears to be one competitive Kentucky Derby ahead.
Let's pray for a dry track.
And yes, that was a terrific/appropriate choice of adjectives by Durkin describing Barbaro.
Brings tears to the horse fans eyes.
The intent wasn't to equate the talents, Barbaro was something special as we all know. But the distance in victory brought my mind back to Durkin's call for that Derby Race. The Preakness was a kick in the tummy.
Mike Smith handled the post-race question perfectly about his preference for the Derby.
What did Gary Stevens say that Lukas told him? "We aren't married, I just rent you..." or something to that effect.
Speaking of a favorite call... "a compelling, outstanding performance by the plucky Afleet Alex..."
Last edited by MiamiScreamingEagles: 04-15-2012 at 09:51 PM.
