Friesan Fire training up to Derby

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by philcski

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?

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.