I'm probably the biggest Northern California racing fan here and I don't like Bwana Bull to crack the superfecta. I believe he's in the Derby for the wrong reasons and I think his trainer thinks so too. Read "between the lines" in these Hollendorfer quotes:
Regarding BB's Beyer figures (his career best is just a 91 - earned last time out): "That certainly does concern me," Hollendorfer said. "I look at numbers."
On why he chose the Santa Anita Derby (where BB finished 5th, 5 1/4 back):
"I analyzed all the [Derby prep] races," Hollendorfer said. "There are tough horses at every venue. We might as well be relatively close to home."
Bwana Bull needs to run well Saturday (at the Santa Anita Derby) to continue on the Derby trail, Hollendorfer said. "I think we have to find out if he stands up to the type of competition he'll meet [in Kentucky]," Hollendorfer said.
From the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday:
Jerry Hollendorfer... indicated the decision to try the Kentucky Derby was made by Jelladian and the other owners, Mark DeDomenico and George Todaro. "In this case, I don't own a piece of the horse," Hollendorfer said.... "(Bwana Bull) is qualified to run in the Derby (meaning he has enough graded stakes earnings to make the field of 20), and it's unfortunate the other race (the Derby Trial) didn't work out. But they (the owners) figure the horse is back there so we might as well give it a shot."
Does this sound like a trainer who thinks his horse should be running in the Derby? I don't, and that's why Bwana Bull is a toss for me.
Just my two cents
__________________
You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.
- Friedrich Nietzsche on Handicapping
|