Jackson Bend similar to Funny Cide?
 

Is it me or does Jackson Bend look similar to Funny Cide?

Here are the similarities leading up to the Derby:

1) Both was a state bred phenom as a two year old
2) Both had three preps as a three year old
3) Both lost all three preps as a three year old
4) Both lost the Holy Bull Stakes, a Grade 2 prep and the Wood Memorial
5) Both lost to the Derby favorite but was game for second in the Wood
6) Both were dinged for having sprinter pedigree and not wanting the distance
7) Both had great early/tactical speed
8) Both had Beyer Speed Figures improve in each start as a three year old
9) Both showed the ability to press the early lead and move away in the stretch as a two-year old
10) Both were based on the east coast

Now, I'm not saying they are exactly the same. Funny Cide had much higher Beyer's going into the Derby (had a 110 in the Wood compared to the 93 for Jackson Bend). However, it is quite similar and one thing that I am starting to believe (save for a couple of exceptions like Big Brown) grizzled, tactical, game runners are good options in the Derby. Also, there is a long history of Derby winners that lost their previous prep race.

Anyway, I am alive to ALL in the Turf Classic to Jackson Bend for a $5 pick 3 (with Blind Luck). I am contemplating really going for it and singling Jackson in a pick 4.

Finally---Did anyone watch the Wood? If so, did it appear that Awesome Act was really ready to unload in the lane but went flat. Was there an excuse? I heard something about a missing shoe?

~good luck to everyone~

I don't remember seeing Super Saver, LAL or Sydney's Candy in the Wood.

Good luck with your bet tomorrow, but personally, I see him as just about the least likely winner in the race. However, I also see him as just about the least likely last place finisher, but I do see him running last before running first.

I will be honest. I don't like Jackson Bend AT ALL! BUT BUT BUT...

When the entries came out and I looked at the field, my gut told me to bet him. I kept going over and over his past performances TRYING to find something that could help me explain putting money on him. I couldn't find anything. BUT I did put a little $4 win wager on him. I listen to my gut. Soemtimes it pays off and sometimes it doesn't. :)

Hey he seems to always be 1st or 2nd and there is no Esk in this race. IIts a crap shoot today and JB has a chance.

I agree. He was considered a top three-year-old prospect and had the misfortune of running into the nation's best in his last two. With no monsters in here, I think he merits a good chance.

I told my brother in law Jackson Bend has no chance so I'm putting $20 to win on him just incase lol.

I like this little horse a lot, he tries so hard - it's like he refuses to let another horse pass him in the stretch. I'm not sure he'll be sitting near the lead as they come around the final turn but if he can he'll be ITM.

If the top two today are Jackson Bend and Sidney's Candy, I will have had a very profitable day, most of my bets are keyed around those two.

i like what you said except he was not a game second in the wood......he was a city block behind a horse that was hand riding. i also think he will have distance issues......toss

:D

Happy Birthday by the way... What a great day to have a Birthday!!!

Same feeling
 

I looked and said, why not!
I put 20 & 20 on him. finished 2nd to escand. twice, so why not at the odds........