2020 Kentucky Derby contender watch

[Betsy]

Hi guys...

It’s been a long time since I posted; I hope you’re all well. I’d like your thoughts on Honor A.P. I know he’s just a maiden breaker, but I love his potential - and I adore his sire.

Thanks !

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Hi guys...

It’s been a long time since I posted; I hope you’re all well. I’d like your thoughts on Honor A.P. I know he’s just a maiden breaker, but I love his potential - and I adore his sire.

Thanks !

Only 7 years, Betsy! Welcome back..

I adore his dam Hollywood Story (whom Shirreffs trained as well).

He's a serious colt and we'll get an early read Saturday when he faces off against Thousand Words in the Los Al Futurity.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Only 7 years, Betsy! Welcome back..

I adore his dam Hollywood Story (whom Shirreffs trained as well).

He's a serious colt and we'll get an early read Saturday when he faces off against Thousand Words in the Los Al Futurity.

My god, has it been that long? Wow....I’m not sure why it’s been so long, especially as there’s a dearth of racing forums out there. Well, it’s the best time of year because now the babies we’ve latched onto get to show their stuff and we’ll see if they develop into stars.

I’ll be interested to see what his running style in the Futurity is. He closed in his debut, but won on the lead in his maiden. I suspect that’s because Mike Smith didn’t want to fool around on the best horse. I’m excited about the race!

[moses]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Hi guys...

It’s been a long time since I posted; I hope you’re all well. I’d like your thoughts on Honor A.P. I know he’s just a maiden breaker, but I love his potential - and I adore his sire.

Thanks !

I like him quite a bit. Honor Code has a few very nice two year olds (I’ve got Thunder Code and Night Code in mind) and Honor A. P. may be the best of them all. He looks to me like a horse that has a lot of room to improve and who will like the added distances that come on the derby trail. The thing I really love about his maiden win is that he controlled the pace and then reacted well to urging by Mike Smith down the stretch and was able to put in a final furlong that was faster than the previous one.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the Los Al and if he does, you might have a new derby favorite coming out of that race.

[moses]

I’ve got a few names written down for horses that haven’t raced yet. I’m wondering if anyone has heard anything on them?

Take Charge Curlin (Curlin-Take Charge Brandi, trained by Mark Casse)

Time in Hand (Hard Spun-Queen Sheba, full brother to Hidden Scroll, trainer not listed)

Theprinceofthebes (Pioneerof the Nile-Littleprincessemma, full brother to American Pharoah, I believe I saw he would be trained by Baffert?)

[senator L]

Sole Volante (KY) been running on turf makes his next start
in the Mucho Macho Man @GP to see if he can dirt. Ran his last
race in the Pulpit Stakes 1.33.02 He's a runner

[moses]

Originally Posted by senator L

Sole Volante (KY) been running on turf makes his next start
in the Mucho Macho Man @GP to see if he can dirt. Ran his last
race in the Pulpit Stakes 1.33.02 He's a runner

I’m not convinced he can make the switch to dirt...but boy, if he can, that’ll be exciting.

[Dahoss]

Originally Posted by moses

I’m not convinced he can make the switch to dirt...but boy, if he can, that’ll be exciting.

I’m not either. His action looks very turfy.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by moses

I like him quite a bit. Honor Code has a few very nice two year olds (I’ve got Thunder Code and Night Code in mind) and Honor A. P. may be the best of them all. He looks to me like a horse that has a lot of room to improve and who will like the added distances that come on the derby trail. The thing I really love about his maiden win is that he controlled the pace and then reacted well to urging by Mike Smith down the stretch and was able to put in a final furlong that was faster than the previous one.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the Los Al and if he does, you might have a new derby favorite coming out of that race.

I also think Thunder Code and Night Code are talented, but I suspect the latter might have soundness issues. He broke his maiden in June, ran even better in his comeback at Churchill a few months later and hasn’t worked since. Thunder Code might have just been put away for the winter - I hope he’s not hurt. I know he might be one of those who always finds a horse or two better than he, but it feels like they are trying to make a speedster out of him when I think he prefers closing.

I agree about Honor A.P. - and he looks like he’s floating; I love watching him run.

[moses]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I also think Thunder Code and Night Code are talented, but I suspect the latter might have soundness issues. He broke his maiden in June, ran even better in his comeback at Churchill a few months later and hasn’t worked since. Thunder Code might have just been put away for the winter - I hope he’s not hurt. I know he might be one of those who always finds a horse or two better than he, but it feels like they are trying to make a speedster out of him when I think he prefers closing.

I agree about Honor A.P. - and he looks like he’s floating; I love watching him run.

Just taking a look at Honor Code’s two year olds, he’s also got: Bellavia (placed in debut against a nice group, broke maiden next time out in October, 1/2 to Live Lively who won the Davona Dale and placed in the Gulfstream Oaks); Democratic Values ($475K yearling purchase, Chad Brown / Klaravich Stables, didn’t fire in debut). Some others that could be solid - Cavalry Charge, Conformity, Bama Breeze, Oorah, Patriot Game (1/2 to Orb), Hollidaze, Recoded (1/2 to Egg Drop), Lucky Asset (1/2 to Twilight Eclipse). Fillies - Special Honor, Power of Magic (1/2 to Space Mountain, Ride on Curlin), Celtic Honor, Belveeta (1/2 to English Channel).

But anyway - I’m very interested to see how the Los Al plays out. Looks like Eight Rings is out. It would be nice to see that field fill out a little. As of right now I think it’s only got 5 horses listed.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by moses

Just taking a look at Honor Code’s two year olds, he’s also got: Bellavia (placed in debut against a nice group, broke maiden next time out in October, 1/2 to Live Lively who won the Davona Dale and placed in the Gulfstream Oaks); Democratic Values ($475K yearling purchase, Chad Brown / Klaravich Stables, didn’t fire in debut). Some others that could be solid - Cavalry Charge, Conformity, Bama Breeze, Oorah, Patriot Game (1/2 to Orb), Hollidaze, Recoded (1/2 to Egg Drop), Lucky Asset (1/2 to Twilight Eclipse). Fillies - Special Honor, Power of Magic (1/2 to Space Mountain, Ride on Curlin), Celtic Honor, Belveeta (1/2 to English Channel).

But anyway - I’m very interested to see how the Los Al plays out. Looks like Eight Rings is out. It would be nice to see that field fill out a little. As of right now I think it’s only got 5 horses listed.

I love Bellavia also, but he’s another one who may be hurt as he hasn’t worked since his late October maiden win. Same with Bama Breeze, who hasn’t worked since winning his debut on the grass in September. Corsi is an undefeated colt from Canada who was supposed to run in the Coronation Futurity, but missed it ..also no works.

We’ll have to wait on Honor A.P. as he’s not running in the Futurity, but rather is pointing for the Sham Stakes.