3/18 (OP): Rebel, Azeri (G2's), Essex
 

7th (4:21) Azeri S. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles | Fillies and Mares | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $350,000

1 Miss Mo Kelly Hill C 119 L
2 Terra Promessa Ortiz I Jr 122 L
3 Tiger Moth Ortiz J L 117 L
4 She Mabee Wild Court J K 117 L
5 Power of Snunner Emigh C A 113 L
6 Eskenformoney Castellano J J 119 L
7 Streamline Landeros C 117 L



8th (4:57) Essex H.

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 4 Year Olds And Up Stakes | Purse: $250,000

1 Shotgun Kowboy Birzer A E 117 L
2 Mor Spirit Smith M E 121 L
3 Dazzling Gem Bridgmohan S X 116 L
4 Dalmore Espinoza V 116 L
5 Secret Passage Rocco J S Jr 113 L
6 Fear the Cowboy Rios J M 114 L
7 Domain's Rap Vazquez R A 116 L
8 Madefromlucky Castellano J J 117 L



10TH (6:06) Rebel S. (G2)

1 1/16 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $900,000

1 Silver Bullion Vazquez R A 115 L
2 Uncontested Hill C 122 L
3 Sonneteer Eramia R E 115 L
4 Petrov Ortiz J L 115 L
5 Untrapped Ortiz I Jr 115 L
6 Malagacy Castellano J J 115 L
7 American Anthem Smith M E 115 L
8 Silver Dust Lanerie C J 115 L
9 Appalachian Gem Stevens G L 115 L
10 Royal Mo Espinoza V 122 L
11 Lookin At Lee Santana R Jr

Nice looking Essex & Rebel races.

Rebel being worth $900K for what isn't even the final prep is fantastic. That will bring some horses!

30-1 morning line
 

I'm liking that Gary Stevens hoss who ran way slower the same day as the southwest. For him to pass after that pace which was 3 seconds slower to me says he's gonna really be rolling with the fast pace anticipated in the rebel. That chopping running 2 hoss is fast. Gotta think the one hoss and the undefeated sprinter are gonna go too. In the words of the late great Clocker Lawton....
Long shot special

I like Petrov, hoping he is a bit further back but not too far.

Mor Spirit putting things together. Finally.

That was the best race he has run. Maybe he wants to be on or near the lead.

Not too crazy about the way Bob has handled him, but would like to see him in the Whitney

Not sure what should have been done differently?

Maybe not working him against Arrogate for one

I don't get the handling of Terra Promessa by Irad.
She likes a long rein with a very soft hold where she's allowed to bow her head down low.
She absolutely hates it when the jock grabs a hold and shortens up on her reins,when this happens she's going to fight the jockey something fierce.
She was not a happy Filly today....

Mor Spirit is a very nice sort,he's obviously improving.
Madefromlucky washed out pretty good today,would expect a better race next time.

Simply put.......which Pletcher is Javier going to commit to for the Derby ?
It looks like Todd is going to have at least three for the Derby..........perhaps more.
And since the Wood/Bluegrass are no longer Gr. 1's,aren't the odds around 1-9 that Todd ships one of his 3yo's out West to the projected very light in talent(unless Unique Bella shows up) SA Derby ?

Point one. There is nothing to understand. Most jockies are idiots.

Point two. It's weak everywhere, not just in California.

UAE....? :eek:
Sunland......? :zz: