Yes, that was not a good sign. I don't think Mott expected THAS to run that poorly; there's a difference between not being 100% and just being bad. Had it been just a matter of not being totally cranked, the colt would have been beaten maybe a couple of lengths or so; instead he faded badly.

He just did not impress me in the same way he impressed others.

He got the softest of trips and he I don't think he finished as well off those easy setups as he should have, for a horse of his hype.

I didn't think he sucked or anything though.

As for Bernardini, who knows how good he'll be, but right now he's the odds on choice to be the sire of a triple crown winner in 2015!

I have no idea what your problem is except extreme arrogance, but go ahead and say that the horse ran a good race. I eagerly anticipate your analysis - or was your comment about War Front as much as we can expect from you. You sure have a hard time being civil.

I thought he finished very well in the Nashua, not quite as well in the Remsen for sure.

I'm sure he won't be taken off the Derby trail, but he's not a horse at this point that I could really support unless he comes back with a huge performance.

OMG he ran third! The horror! Please drop him down to a claimer after a six month lay-off.

Again, the 1-1/8 distance at gulf is ridiculously tough on outside posts. These races always produce the inside horses. If Soldat had the 7 post, I doubt he wins.

Yeah, I'm the one with the problem. The horse ran third off a four-month layoff and you're taking him off the Derby trail, no questions asked. All you ever used to do is complain about how every horse's spot is too ambitious, now you've switched to putting the second favorite for the Derby on the shelf because of a so-so comeback race behind a quality horse who walked on the lead. Your insanely overprotective attitude towards all A.P. Indy sons and grandsons is beyond tired.

Look at the rest of the comments. I'm not the only one who thinks you're being typically ridiculous.

Why so nice.

Is there a reason I should care what strangers think about me? If you're tired of my posts, please feel free to skip them - or take a nap before you read them so you won't get so tired.

You don't have to care. But drop the incredulous victim act when people react sarcastically to your routine.

If you think he's being too nice, instead of being gutless, why don't you come at me with guns blazing? I can handle it, believe me. Go ahead - say what you really feel.

Victim act? LOL I disagree with you on THAS and instead of reacting civillly, you get up on your high horse. I'm sure you'll select THAS on top in whatever race he runs in next, right? He's going to be a horse you look at carefully before wagering your hard earned $$ ?

Every time someone rolls their eyes at you, your response is 'what is your problem?' Does that not tell you something? You really think everyone else has the problem and you're the one person being reasonable?

Don't worry about who I bet on. That's not germane to this discussion in the least. The point is, anyone who thinks the horse should be taken off the Derby trail because he wasn't sharp today is completely overreacting.

So...Gourmet Dinner isn't horrible. That is all.

Fine, let's just cut the bull and get to the heart of the matter. Maybe I overreacted with that Derby comment, but whether or not you agree, I don't think THAS ran a very encouraging race. Now maybe he expended energy in the gate because he was fractious, but don't you think he expected a better performance? Yes, I'm not going to apologize for being very disappointed. I expected this horse, even at not quite 100%, to roll - I certainly didn't expect him to fade badly. I'm sure Mott will do the right thing with him, but I can't say that I have the same confidence in the horse that I did going in.

You did and Steve is ultra-sensitive to them, Betsy. It is worse than the N word!

I don't disagree that he ran a disappointing race. But I think there are enough explanations for his mediocre effort that it's borderline insane to suggest he be taken off the Derby trail.

What about her brilliant Bernardini 2nd crop stats in Feb?

2011 model of Jackson Bend. Very game and hard-trying.

He can stay on the Derby Trail, but I would consider a one-turn claiming event or possibly a start on synthetic for his next race. So what I am saying is, keep the Derby as an option but start positioning for a different goal.