Friesan Fire training up to Derby
 

http://www.drf.com/news/article/102616.html

Thoughts?

Terrible decision.

I didn't think he was gonna win anyway. But I really don't like him now.

NT

If anyone can do it, Jones can.

The horse has been pretty professional in all of his starts and by today's standards has a decent foundation of starts as a two and three year old.

Wait, he finished 2nd in the last 2 Derbys and did the same thing with Hard Spun 2 years ago who last I looked ran a bang up race.

I'd like the horse more if Jones would allow someone on him in the mornings under 250 pounds...but that's just me.

I have alot of respect for Larry Jones, he knows his stuff. I'm sure he's doing what he feels is best for the horse, we'll see how it goes. I'm not saying he's going to win the Derby, but who knows.

Thought if it poured in Louisville, they sealed the track, it was hugely speed biased, FF drew 5-11, broke perfect getting the lead on soft fractions, he had a chance at holding on for 3rd or 4rth. Now I don't.

I know he did- I loved Hard Spun and he did me quite well in that Derby. However 2 things stick out here- (1) he didn't win, and (2) this is 7 weeks not 6 like Hard Spun, and he wanted a fresh horse for the Derby with Hard Spun because he wanted to utilize his speed- however Friesan Fire doesn't have that advantage. Sure, I think Larry Jones knows what he's doing more than I do. I like this horse a lot, and just think this isn't the best approach to have him ready to WIN.

That same year, Street Sense had a hard race 7 weeks out then had a designed "tuneup" in the Blue Grass, and fired his best shot on Derby Day. Don't you think that's a better comparison?

Not really.

Reason?

(other than Street Sense was 5X the horse Friesan Fire is)

So you would have liked the horse had it been 6 weeks and not 7? Really. Let me be clear, he is not a horse I would've been playing anyway, but I think a guy who has finished 2nd in the last 2 Derbys gets the benefit of the doubt. I think the horse will run his race, I just don't see him getting 10 panels. But to me at least, it isn't a terrible decision coming off a lifetime top for the horse.

How about the fact that Friesan Fire hasn't run a mile and an eighth yet, and Hard Spun did in his final prep?

Who was the last horse who won the Derby without a mile and an eighth race under their belt?

At Churchill with Borel on he was.

Not at all what I'm saying. They're two different animals and should be treated as such. Just because it (almost) worked with a very special horse doesn't mean it's the right approach for this one.

training up is his best move.

running on that Keeneland track would be stupid.

Street Sense wasn't five times the horse of Rockport Harbor.

dunkirk will run in the derby trial the win the derby by 13:rolleyes:

street sense's race got to go out in 1:16.65 and finish in 1:51.33
it was a different type of race and a great chance to carry form forward for a closer.

The Blue Grass could easily be a grueling race this year, nothing like the race SS ran in. It could cause a horse like Friesan Fire to lose momentum.