Derby Trail Forums - Best individual performance by a Derby horse this year

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KY_Sasquash

I dont like the surface comparison either and agree it sounds fishy, but I also wonder if they arent trying to ask him to do too much in a short period and ruin their horse for the rest of the year and beyond. If he won the Bluegrass then he'd be one of the top betting choices for the Derby, which would be 3 weeks after the Lane's End, where he just won with his lifetime top Rag. Thus that would be 2 tough races in a row going into the derby on three weeks rest, and his 3rd Triple Crown prep/race since March24. Seems daunting to me. If he wasnt cooked after the Bluegrass, then I think he would after the derby. If you had Hard Spun in your barn, how would you handle him assuming he came out of the Lane's End in good order?

Obviously we are assuming he is in good shape and good health. I would run him in the Bluegrass and then determine where he is at after the race. If he is too drained or comes out of it with an issue then you pass on the Derby. Likewise if you run up the track. I'm not really critizing passing the Derby (though it seems odd) but what I am critical of is all the waffling regarding surfaces. Like if you ran in the Bluegrass there would not be ample time to train on CD's surface? It is though they are looking for an excuse not to run. If they truly believe that the horse would not benefit from the Race, then fine, I appluad them for thinking of the horse. But the surface thing is silly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Thanks, I appreciate the insight, I didnt think you were being critical of them passing the derby and i agree with you it that what they are saying regarding his schedule doesnt make sense and knowing how quirky the owner is it's not a suprise and i hope they arent trying to cover up an injury. the whole oaklawn and churchill surfaces excuse is comical.

Best performance in a 2007 derby prep was Street Sense/AGS, as others have said.

Most over-rated derby prospect in my eyes has always been Liquidity.
I hope they don't send that horse to the derby.
One maiden win is all he has, and the horse that came in 2nd that day (Mystic Wood) was last seen running in low level claiming races at Bay Meadows.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemoncrush

Ok, ok... I admit it. I loved Liquidity as a derby contender. :( He's a hanger. Did you watch how he gave up in the Santa Anita Derby? UGH! Ticked me off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I'd be curious to hear what you guys think was the best effort in '07 by a runner pointing to the Derby...and why.

I like Street Sense's tenacious victory after the layoff, I really like this colt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

This may be the most poorly handled Derby horse with a shot since Unbridled's Song. I mean they keep going back to how the horse handles a particular surface. I just dont get it. They have a viable contender in a year with very few of them that dont have big question marks. They could probably have the post time favorite if he were to win the Bluegrass in which he would be third choice at worst. They are either overthinking thesituation or the horse has an issue that they dont want to disclose.

i do not buy that whole 'he didn't like oaklawn' line..he worked well over that surface repeatedly. and then to compare that surface to churchill....i think he runs in the derby, and i think they're playing all this patty-cake so they have an excuse if he doesn't win it. after all, mr. porter seems to always have an excuse.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillow Pants

Well the owner obviously didn't think much about his outfit for Lanes End Day.
If he did... well lets just say Hard Spun is doomed.

when i saw that picture of him in that get-up...well, it was pretty dammed amusing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LARHAGE

I like Street Sense's tenacious victory after the layoff, I really like this colt.

i thought it was a good performance as well. certainly did more than many expected. of course AGS didn't flatter him with his run in the wood, but the tampa race, and with the final time, was imo the best prep race this year.

Curlin's Rebel is tops for me.

For me, the best performance or effort by a 3yo pointing for the derby was not a race at all. It was the work turned in by Street Sense April 4th at Churchill.

Working alone, under a chilly Calvin Borel, from the pole, the champion 2yo cruised along in "twelves" to the quarter pole then finished his last two furlongs in : 11 2/5 and :11 2/5 to the wire before galloping out around the turn in 1:10 4/5 and 1:24 flat. Officially credited with a five furlong move in a blistering :58 2/5 this colt is STRICTLY the one to beat May 5th. BBB