Wow, I don't even like Labauru- so I started a post. I started a post because he's well-bred (if you had bothered reading the thread, I agreed with Andy that he wasn't that impressive. I liked the runner up better anyway) - and since when does starting a post equate to thinking he's a Derby winner? I started a post about Dialed In because he was impressive. I think my comment at the time was - nice performance. Yes, I definitely said he was winning the KY Derby. Wow - did you break your neck jumping to those conclusions? My favorite horse for next year is To Honor and Serve - and I didn't even want him in the BC Juvenile because as talented as he is, I wasn't sure he was up to even finishing on the board.

this is only one of several graded races that will produce a derby runner who really doesn't belong.
personally, i don't think graded earnings at 2 should count, but i doubt the bc would agree with that line of thinking.

It's the same song every year. Come up with a list of horses that started in the Derby who got in via the Delta Jackpot and were undeserving and who they excluded? It's really a non-issue.

Closing Argument cost me nice Giacomo - Afleet Alex exacta, but that's the only one I can think of.

Right, and the thing was Closing Argument belonged in that field, he had won the Holy Bull over High Fly that February.

My point really was that every year people say, "Oh God, horses are going to get excluded from the Derby because some pig from Delta, blah blah" and really it seldom, if ever, happens.

I agree, it's always a knee jerk reaction after the Jackpot that usually doesn't have runners making an impact in the Derby.

Betsy, my sole argument was with given to them. I don't picture you in the team photo with PG1985. Besides I also I'm looking forward to To Honor and Serve although I have a Derby future wager on Halo's Thunder at 300-1.

Just to clarify, I haven't spent much time bemoaning the idea of the Jackpot. I don't necessarily like it, but it's not like I'm so upset about it that it consumes me. I admit that most horses that are qualified on performance to get into the Derby do get in......

I was away when the Nashua was run, so I'm very glad that I'll be home to watch the Remsen and hopefully see To Honor and Serve do his thing (with Buffum running well - this would be the ideal result). I'm not familiar with Halo's Thunder.........

Gotta agree with Bogey if u earn a spot u deserve to be in it. My problem is when 7f sprints and polycrap races are counted as graded stakes. I really dont got that big an issue with sprints since its always nice to get early speed but sick of seeing poly specialist or a turf horse win 1 race and get in. I just think Gourmet Dinner is a miler at best and would rather see horses who can actually make the distance,but on the brightside least he is a dirt horse

Halo's Thunder will prolly be running in the KY Jockey Club-he was suppose to go in the Jackpot but did not get i. Plan B is this

Remsen should be really nice race and we should see if To Honor and Serve is anything with Bandbox,Curlinello,Mountain Town,Mucho Macho Man. Nothing great but should be an honest race

Gourmet Dinner's owner said he might not even go cause the distance however everyone knows he will get a nice offer and sell him to an owner who could care less(IEAH or Ken Ramsey:D)and they will run him

How many deserving horses really ever get left out of the Derby. Like who really earned a shot last year that the piece Homeboykris took away.

And besides, I love it when connections of horses like these get Derby Fever and run some no hope plug. The more dead $$ in the pools the better IMO.

Well we will see cause per DRF

The one-two finishers from Saturday’s Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot are both being considered for a start in the Grade 3, $400,000 Holy Bull on Jan. 30.


Gonna be a big wakeup call

There seems to be several broken alarm clocks in this thread.