Best call of the day was Donna Barton
 

Saying that Super Saver looked "drawn" that he looked like he had "lost some weight" since the derby. The only F'n problem was that they only had about 3 horses to load when she made that comment and it was after I had used Super Saver in about 95% of my trifecta combinations.

Wouldn't this info have been great to know and we get it with 30 seconds before the bell.

How could this not have been noticed until right before the race? That's all I read was how great Super Saver was doing, came out of the derby fantastic, his breeze was exactly what we were looking for ...etc.

This quote from Haskin the day before the race..."Based on what we’ve seen so far this week, you have to include the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner, Super Saver, in all bets. He has held his flesh extremely well since the Derby and had a good strong gallop this morning."

Not pointing fingers at Haskin, but a lot of people must have missed the boat on this one. We are talking about the Kentucky Derby winner, not some 10K claimer and nobody noticed that the horse had lost significant weight since the derby but Donna Barton.

Haskin is a cheerleader not a handicapper

Yeah Haskin..WTF ;)

I thought Donna put on a few pounds...

When she said that I started....ripping tickets up... , Yes I could of used that information about a half a hour before the race......:zz:

She's the Horse Whisperer.

Barton knows horses. Haskin knows how to suck up to every trainer on the backstretch so he can drop names in his column.

Not fair. Haskin is one end of the spectrum. He is writing in a positive manner, to a fault and he admits as much. I've never once thought he name drops.

Because national coverage doesn't like to admit that betting is what drive the sport, they offer no pertinent information to players. Her comment was valid and because she's an experienced horsewoman, I take her comments on horse's appearance quite seiously. I'd like to see the network allow her to make comments as soon as the horses get onto the track.

Most of the articles written between January 1st and the moment the Derby starts are useless because they are written by folks who wouldn't know which end of the horse to feed and which end to clean up after. Haskin will never say Horse X doesn't look good" or he'll be kicked out of the barn. That's why he told everyone what a monster in waiting Hotep was. In the week leading up to the Derby he listened to the rumors about Endorsement and noted that the colt had not trained. He took him off his top 12. The next day the colt galloped and Hasking RAVED about how wonderful the horse looked. He apologized to his readers for believing the scuttlebutt. The next day the horse was out with an injury. Who was right?

Journalists wouldn't know a mustang with a numbered saddle cloth on versus a Thoroughbred, they have no clue what they are looking at, if you aren't into horses you could not possibly know what a "drawn up" horse looks like, they could throw out half the garbage analysts and use real horse people, there are several articulate racing people out there that actually know what they speak of, including Barton, who also commented as Dublin loaded how wet and anxious he was and how he has a tendency to bolt outwards.

I find it hard to believe that given this information 10 minutes to post would have changed anyones bets.

This comment is nonsensical. It would not be possible for Steve Haskin to " name drop " within this industry.

"A fool and his money is soon departed" If you make your bets because of what someone said...then you are bound to lose your bankroll. That goes for Steve Byk, love him anyway, Haskin or any trainer.

Only if there is a dapple thrown in.

I am a fan of Steve Haskin.

Same here coach.

I will tell you what he was right about....He wrote in Bloodhorse and spoke at length on ATR about 2 specific horses coming into derby preps. Haskin said that Ice Box was totally compromised by the pace (Esky) in the Fountain of Youth and that he came home quite nicely to finish 5th. Haskin and Byk also positively commented on his appearance in the paddock before that race. That was instrumental in me having a really nice score in the FL Derby. A few days later, while analyzing the LA Derby, he said that Mission Impaz was 5 wide the whole trip in the Rebel. He told us to expect a much better set up. Who's always right anyway? Here come the answers.....;)

2 thumbs up for Haskin!! He was a week or two away from hittng the motherload when he gave out Esky months ago as a derby pick

She also warned everyone about Dublin's tendency to make a right hand turn out of the gate right before it happened.

I think Haskin's better than Rachel Alexandra. :D

As opposed to a litany of know-nothings that have never set foot on a backstretch, Steve Haskin has been welcome on every shedrow in the country for 40 years. He learned the game's most intricate lessons from Charles Hatton and Joe Hirsch, and has earned the trust and respect of trainers, owners, track management, horseplayers and fans decade after decade. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I'm embarrassed by some of what's been written here about a person who loves the sport as much or more than anyone who has ever written about it, and who's been as generous to me as anyone I've ever known.

Good thread here. I knew I was cooked too when Donna said Super Saver looked drawn and seems to have lost some weight. I also thought where was this info prior to them loading into the gate? Super Saver was in all my tix. I don't blame Steve H. though. I'm fairly new here but I don't think Steve H. comes across touting himself as a horseman. I really enjoy listening to all the opinions. I take it all in, think about it over and over and over again. Then throw darts at a dart board. I'll tell you what I missed for the Preakness was Mike Welsch's daily work reports. Is he married?;)

You can't be serious............