Originally Posted by Calzone Lord (Post 853155)

Running styles can change.

Mine That Bird and Super Saver both had been pressing paces and fading sharper through the stretch with the exact same running style as Secret Circle. They basically had the exact same running style as Secret Circle, but both were wildly inferior horses.

Borel simply took both of them way back and made one late run.

The good horses in Secret Circle's family are all deep closing routers.

If they do run him in the Kentucky Derby, they should take him well off the pace. On speed figures, he fits with every horse in the race not named Bodemeister. On Ragozin's he's probably the second fastest horse in this race... and his Arkansas Derby was better than older males in the OP Handicap because of weight and ground loss.

Liason has no chance of getting anything.

Originally Posted by asudevil (Post 853160)

Didn't he bear out sharply in the stretch?

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord (Post 853165)

Yes.

He should be freshened for the summer. He's already run in four Graded Stakes routes since the Breeders Cup.

If Baffert does run him in the Derby -- he had better change his running style. He's going to run mid-pack at absolute best if the goal is to take him as wide as possible and stalk from up close.

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord (Post 853174)

It will be interesting to see what Borel tries to do with Take Charge Indy.

Even though he went wire-to-wire in the Fla Derby last time out, I wouldn't be surprised if he attempts to take him way back.

Originally Posted by asudevil (Post 853169)

The question is can he change his running style in 3 weeks? They will have 2 works at best? Doesn't "bearing out" indicate exhaustion or some sort of physical issue?

I totally agree with the summer freshening idea. Same old story...why ruin a nice horse? (see Trinniberg connections)

Originally Posted by Sightseek (Post 853206)

As a fan, it's hard not to hope that a Secret Circle, Creative Cause, or Hansen wins the Derby rather than a Gemologist or Went the Day Well.

Originally Posted by NTamm1215 (Post 853210)

I don't get it.

Originally Posted by Sightseek (Post 853214)

Their campaigns closer resemble something we would have seen a few years ago, not the new trend of "fresh horse," two-prep campaign.

Creative Cause -- 5 starts as a 2 year old, 3 stakes start preps

Secret Circle -- 3 / 4

Hansen -- 3 / 3

I wasn't speaking in terms of relative talent.

Originally Posted by Sightseek (Post 853206)

As a fan, it's hard not to hope that a Secret Circle, Creative Cause, or Hansen wins the Derby rather than a Gemologist or Went the Day Well.

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 853253)

Darren Rogers tweets that Hollendorfer reports Rousing Sermon only possible for Derby with decision coming by end of week..

Originally Posted by Sightseek (Post 853214)

Their campaigns closer resemble something we would have seen a few years ago, not the new trend of "fresh horse," two-prep campaign.

Creative Cause -- 5 starts as a 2 year old, 3 stakes start preps

Secret Circle -- 3 / 4

Hansen -- 3 / 3

I wasn't speaking in terms of relative talent.

Originally Posted by Kasept (Post 853257)

ANTICIPATED LEXINGTON FIELD

All Squared Away (Miller)
Gold Megillah (Motion)
Golden Ticket (McPeek)
Hammers Terror (Stidham)
Holiday Promise (Pletcher)
Johannesbourbon (Gorder)
Morgan’s Guerilla (Maker)
News Pending (Romans)
Stirred Up (Baffert)
Summer Front (Clement)

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind (Post 853308)

Castaway would be a fine addition to the Derby field.

It could be quite a dogfight for 20th.