Borel to ride Jackson Bend in Wood
 

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...n-bend-in-wood

I don't get it. Fly Down, who is more experienced and battle hardened (if you could call 3 races, two photos battle hardened), is being given more time, but Miner's Reserve who only beat maidens, is being pushed? I think it's too much, too soon for Miner's Reserve...

An allowance race and then the Derby Trial (which is in late April) is too much, too soon?

To be perfectly honest, that's a conservative schedule amid the Derby trail coming from Nick Zito.

You think an allowance race, followed by the Derby Trial is too much too soon?

I've offically now heard everything.

Where does it say Miner's Reserve is being rushed?

Fly Down made his first start in three months at 9 furlongs, rallied from last and won a nose bob that ended a stretch-long battle. That's a hard race and I imagine Nick Zito knows how quickly his horses bounce back.

NT

I'm not even sure where it says Fly Down is getting time off.

The quote says that he is possible for the upcoming Louisiana Derby.

It really wont matter, Jackson Bend is running for second in the Wood.

it doesn't say that fly down is getting time off. and a horse going through conditions is being pushed?

If I was mapping out Miner's Reserve going forward ... you'd see what being rushed was all about.

I would survey the scene and absolutely give him a shot in the easiest looking Graded Stake Derby prep... maybe a race like the Illi Derby. If he would win he's in.

He reminds me of CCM.
Thats not really a good thing.

The Louisiana Derby would be a good spot. If he runs well there, then the Arkansas Derby is in two weeks. If he is good enough, then after those two stakes he will have enough graded stakes earnings to reserve his spot in the gate for the KY Derby.

He just broke his MAIDEN, calm down.

That is hilarious coming from you.

I took my own advice and have become calm. Your plan is kinda crazy considering the mid 80's beyer vs a shitty maiden group. I doubt the JS chalk is any good, and the Rick V sucks, and the horse who beat that horse first time out, the Pletcher has turned out to SUCK.

My plan was in response to Drug's plan. Take it up with him.

Yeah, what's the problem? I don't want the horse pointing for the Preakness. Please explain why this is a good move and why you're acting as if this move can't be questioned.

It's my interpretation. I think this horse is very talented, but he just broke his maiden. For all we know, he could never win another race.

I'm not questioning Zito re: Fly Down. I actually like Fly Down as much as MR, if not better. It doesn't sound like he's going to the LA Derby - and that's fine with me.

Yes - he's going to have at most 4 races going into the Preakness.

CCM is not an untalented horse, but he's not a router. I'm interested to see how he does going short.

How exactly does MF remind you of CCM anyway other than that they have the same sire?

Jackson Bend reminds me of an improved Circular Quay.

Where did you get mid 80's BSF from? MR got a 94.....

He reminds me of High Fly, but not nearly as good.

Firstly, pointing for the Preakness and actually starting in the Preakness are two different things. If he were to win an allowance and the Derby Trial, where else is he supposed to go? Maybe a prep for the Belmont?

Secondly, see the race records of the last 3 male winners of the Preakness prior to the race (Big Brown, Curlin, Bernardini) and then get back to me.

that's far from being pushed, especially in this day and age. he's got the pedigree, he seemingly has talent. if he continues to move forward, there's no reason not to run him. hell, horses go straight to stakes off a maiden win. you're making too much of this.

So because he might never win another race means Zito can't have a target?

I think it probably speaks volumes to what he thinks about Miner's Reserve that he feels like he's capable of being a Preakness horse.

NT

exactly. i know he's had several the last few years that pointed to the barbaro instead.

The move can be questioned as being too conservative.

He won his 2nd career start on Feb 27th.

Congaree won his 2nd career start on Feb 28th in a rained off the turf maiden race.

Big Brown won his 2nd career start on March 6th in a rained off the turf N1X alw race.

Name a horse in recent memory who was better in defeat than Congaree was in the KY Derby?

Name a horse who was better in victory than Big Brown? - keep in mind he broke from post 20 and was hung up both turns and still won in surpisingly good time.

Bernardini broke his maiden March 4th in career start #2. He was conservatively pointed to the Preakness.

Which race do you think they should be aiming Miner's Reserve for? The Barbaro stakes on the Preakness undercard?

I think The Barbaro stakes is a good starting point, lol

Good points.

Ok, I'll concede on this one. I'm just happy that Mineshaft has a few nice horses out there now...

That's very true........At this point, I'll just take hit one day at a time; believe me, I would love it if Miner's Reserve is good enough. I just tend to be conservative when it comes to these things. Rollo mentioned Bernardini - I don't recall being thrilled that he was being pointed to the Preakness and look how that turned out.

Ok, now that's fair. As I said, I tend to be very conservative... a part of me is pretty excited, I admit. I'm just crossing my fingers that he stays healthy.

You're the John Ward of message board posters.

He's inside the top ten at the moment

Yep - very pleasantly surprised by that.

That's a bit harsh.

At least she knows how to type and post.

Miner's Reserve is owned by Lapenta, who campaigned The Cliff's Edge. He wants a runner in the renamed The Cliff's Edge Derby Trial, which he is sponsoring on behalf of his stallion. As for Fly Down, there's not snowball's chance in hell that he runs in both the Louisiana and Arkansas Derbies. Unless the owner has some agenda involving New Orleans, I imagine we'll see him at Oaklawn since his last race was a tough one on the colt.

excellent point. hell, he's putting up the extra purse money, he may as well try to put it back in his own pocket.

and true about the la and ark derbies, i don't see anyone attempting both and then ky.

This may be the most surprising post in DT history.

I guess I was insulted, lol. I have no idea what I did to him to deserve that, but oh well...

I now wish LaPenta didn't own Miner's Reserve from what I hear of him. I'm glad Fly Down is owned by someone else. I thought Nick said after his allowance win that he could be his Belmont horse (or he hinted at it). If so, may as well take their time with him...