Welsch: Hansen now to Blue Grass..
 

Mike Welsch (‏@DRFWelsch): Hansen now probable for Blue Grass not Wood according to Dr. Kendall Hansen although will not be confirmed for several days..

Think Alpha will go to the Wood instead of LA Derby now?

Who knows.. This is the goofiest musical chairs scene I ever recall in the prep season.

why in the world are they going there?

Likely due to the BG being an easier spot, and that it's known he likes synthetic surfaces.

well, than i guess you answered that question! he obviously likes aqu, so i just didn't get why the change.

Will Keeneland allow them to dye Hansen's mane and tail?

He's training in Kentucky so he won't have to ship, he's got earnings and
can run well on polytrack.

This move actually makes sense. I still have no interest in him on derby day, but I agree with this move.

:)

from David Grening of DRF :
With Hansen now likely headed to Blue Grass, Alpha will be re-routed from Louisiana Derby to Wood Memorial, according to Kiaran McLaughlin

LOL

What a bunch of freakin pussies.

:p :tro:

I'm waiting for someone with enough earnings to just go 'screw it, we're training up to the Derby.'

Dr. Hansen is one weird dude.

maybe he's just jacking with people?

Dr.Hansen gets his wish,my wish is for these owners/trainers to stick to a plan.

I just hope they realize that they can't duck other horses in the Derby:D

I see this as good news for gemologist. Alpha may be a great horse but I'd rather chase him than get into a dual with Hansen at this point.

Well Keeneland is more "Romantic" than AQ.....:{>::tro:

It seems that Dr Hansen LOVES the media spotlight above all

I may be getting old but I remember when people trained horses to actually try to win the Derby not just participate.

Tell us more Grampy Chuck! Tell us more!

Were Todd Pletcher, Mike Maker, and Kiaran McLaughlin assistants to Lukas when he was winning Classics with horses like Thunder Gulch, Editor's Note, Timber Country, etc.?

You'd think they'd have first hand knowledge that it's OK to run in more than 2 preps and even lose one or two prior to Churchill.

Given some of the recent winners of the race, we've seemed to have entered the era of "Surprise! You've Just Won The Kentucky Derby!"

The Derby has become nothing more than a glorified NW3 allowance race with random results.

because Gemologist is going to the Wood and they want no part of him. and that's a fact Jack

I'm sure that has nothing to do with it.

I think thats exactly why they are going to Keeneland. Nothing else makes any sense.

Well said.

That would be the Homeboy Kris" route, which was so effective a few years ago.

Why? How is this any different than Street Sense? I'm no Hansen fan, but if you're already in Kentucky, have plenty if earnings and are proven on Polytrack, what's the problem with it? It's probably the path of least resistance, and it won't matter if he wins or loses. He'll still be in the Derby.

Anybody thinking his performance on Turfway polytrack at 2 means he'll run great on it at Keeneland at 3 going longer is in for a surprise.

I can understand if you are in a situation like Gemologist, where you don't have the earnings so you want to look for the softest spot to get the earnings to get in. When you are already guaranteed a spot, I would think it's more important to stick as close to a training/racing schedule as possible. I've never had a good feeling about horses that have to have their preparations altered.

This is 100% Dr. Hansen and it's no different than Repole wanting to win races like the Wood and the other big NY circuit standards. Hell, Hansen -- who lives in No. KY on the river -- wanted to run in the Spiral this week. Maker accomodating and certainly can't mind having to only 'ship' from Churchill Training Center to KEE.

:tro:

I'm shocked that they are not ducking Drill.

Sightseek, did you take that bad beat on Night Site yesterday in the Gulfstream 6th?

The synthetic-to-dirt move worked last fall for Hansen, so I don't blame them for recreating that setup. Just like Street Sense. But is this particular decision being made with those types of considerations in mind?

:)

Luckily, I can't play during the week!

I think they were pretty clear why they were doing it in the TDN.

I think the decision is being made so Dr. Hansen can bring over his party bus full of Russian mail order brides to Keeneland.

Plus I think he is hoping Keeneland will let him color the horses mane and tail...:wf

I'm glad he is running there.
My price on Dullahan just doubled.