Brother Derek
 

I think is going to be a good four year old in my opinion. For a horse that got beat up in the triple crown (well two races of it anyway), I think he ran a very nice race to come in fifth.

NOT saying he is going to be the next big thing, but he is one I am going to be watching next year.

Yep, he's a nice colt. I'll be watching for him too...

I think that 10 furlongs is a bit much for him, but maybe he just needs to mature a bit more.

Don't you think that Brother Derek was helped by the 'golden rail' at Churchill yesterday? Not to say that I don't think Bro D is a nice horse up to 9f - he certainly is, but I have to wonder if he didn't have a little 'help' to his good showing in the Classic.

I don't know...

He managed to dead heat for 4th in the derby as well. I think he's a fairly consistent colt who probably needs a bit of time to mature.

You are right. This colt needs some time to fill out and a few races at home where he can win to build his confidence back up. Benchmark produces strong leg horses that are pretty sturdy. I think his owner has made some foolish choices with this horse. He could of stayed home and won the Cal Cup which would of been perfect for the Strub races at Santa Anita.

Everyone keeps talking about the golden rail. The way I saw it was that some of the best horses ran on the rail. If the rail was so golden explain Invasor , Red Tocks Oija Board etc?

They're referring to the rail on the dirt track, not the turf.

As for Eeenvasorrrrr, heeee's da beehhhhsssst....

(Couldn't resist)

Red Rocks, Ouija Board, and Miesque's Approval ran on the TURF course. There were BC 5 races on the dirt and four of them were won by horses carrying saddlecloth #1. Dreaming of Anna had the form to be one of the favorites. Street Sense, Thor's Echo, and Round Pond all had some good form at one point or another, but didn't look any more likely than many others in the field. I found it interesting that only dirt race NOT won by the #1 took place after the sun was at the horizon, behind buildings.

In the first two races (6f and one-turn 8f), the early speed that got over to the rail won, making me think it was a speed bias at first.

Don't think that I am bashing Bro D, because I have always liked him (did a pedigree profile last winter in Owner/Breeder). Just doubt his ability to be effective at 10f - that damside doesn't help Benchmark take him long.

Im not knocking any of the horses either . I just think that all of the winners ran the best race. Well planed well riden good luck. Another way of putting it is I think all the winners won there races and was not a result of some of the chalk loosing the races.Many of the horses that got a rail trip ot front didnt start in the one hole. Street sense had the one hole and let the others set the pace but when the running started he had lots left and I think this was due to his being ready and being the best horse. He needed the luck for the opening to appear due the the horses in front tiring . Thus I think he won because of luck and him being the best and not because of the golden rail. We all try to explain away our failure at capping the races in this way.

Actually, I did pick Street Sense (at PH). Only good pick of the day.

Mile and a quarter is just a little far for Brother Derek, even on his best day. He did run awesome, he was my bet with DJ. I dont mind losing the bet, he ran well. Nice to see him rounding back into the horse they originally thought he was.

Yea, Ann.It didn't really happen.It's your imagination.Get with the company program here. Derek didn't really run the race of his life down on that rail.Trevor didn't say that he was running a big one.Didn't happen.He didn't fight back for good half a furlong against one of the best horses in the world.Premium Tap didn't stay down on that rail ,and benefit from it with a nice 3rd.None of it really happened.You just think it happened.

Invasor was good enough to overcome the rail in my opinion.

But for everyone else that wasn't Bernardini or Invasor, they were screwed by the golden rail.

I have always liked this horse, he gets no respect, he ran a very game race and I think he will be a very nice horse for the Strub series, I am looking forward to seeing him race next year.

im in agreement with you erica. i think the horse had definite excuses in the TC. whats done is done but i woulda liked to have saw BD run in the oklahoma derby(was nominated) a couple of weeks back@remington insteada the bc and cleanup

I know what you are saying, but I guess they felt that they had to take a chance.

I say they give him a rest and bring him back next year. I think he is going to do well. I am excited about his four year old campaign.

yeah but i see no reason to take the chance now when the horse was just returning to form and would be competing against a couple of monsters in the BCC. pretty obvious the connections were greedy, a nice 250k public workout at remington woulda did just fine

Just watched the replay again, and rail bias notwithstanding, he ran a very nice race. Honest pace setter, held for 5th. I thought Premium Tap also ran a heck of a nice race and will be looking forward to his 5yo season.

Ditto, Slot. I was impressed with both of them as well.