Yikes

[GPK]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Well......at least one 3-year-old doesn't suck.....

Good to see a horse of his talent win like that---in fact, an arguement can be made that his three lifetime races yielded the 3 best individual performances by any horse in the crop this year.

Deadly Dealer had a no excuse trip on an easy pace...he simply can't go long, Curlin got his final 1/8th in an explosive 11 and change.

awfully solid...IMO

[blackthroatedwind]

In a year where no 3YO has been impressive Curlin stands out. I'm not saying I love his chances in the Derby but he simply cannot be ignored at this point.

[byalip]

No matter what, Curlin finally jump started this Derby Train...it was just chugging along before the AK Derby.

He made a VERY impressive start....unfazed by all the positioning after the break, and he took command of his path without incident.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by byalip

No matter what, Curlin finally jump started this Derby Train...it was just chugging along before the AK Derby.

He made a VERY impressive start....unfazed by all the positioning after the break, and he took command of his path without incident.

I liked that he was used a bit early to insure Deadly Dealer couldn't get right to the rail on the first turn.

He's the biggest $3 million steal ever.

[Payson Dave]

It was a visually impressive finish...he drew off quite nicely

[miraja2]

It was officially the largest winning margin in the histroy of the Arkansas Derby.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I guess if a knock can be found on Curlin's performance....he was up close to a tremendously slow early pace.

There were two MSW races earlier on in the card.

*Wire-to-wire winner of the 1st Mike's Honey Bunny, a NY bred filly who never was on the lead at any point in her career, ran an opening quarter in 23.44

* In the other MSW race, Cantallbechiefs, who also has never sniffed the early lead in his career, ran an opening quarter in 23.50.

Both faster than the 23.56 pace set by Deadly Dealer. To get a better idea how slow the pace was....Slew By Slew---who rallied from DEAD LAST around two-turns, in each of his last two starts, was the horse in 2nd pressing the pace.

So---the nice trip and slow pace, which really helped Deadly Dealer even more than Curlin, should be taken into account when you factor in the sparkling final furlong....and also, the last 1/8th at Oaklawn Park historically seems to yield faster times than other tracks do.

[byalip]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

I liked that he was used a bit early to insure Deadly Dealer couldn't get right to the rail on the first turn.

He's the biggest $3 million steal ever.

THAT's what really impressed me...and then he settled nicely and didn't fight for the pace. Curlin took COMMAND over that path early on. Tough and relaxed horse.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by byalip

THAT's what really impressed me...and then he settled nicely and didn't fight for the pace. Curlin took COMMAND over that path early on. Tough and relaxed horse.

after he turned the corner into the stretch he ran straight as an arrow, all business and within himself. This horse is scary good.

[Cannon Shell]

For those who love Curlin I have two words....









































Robby Albarado

[ateamstupid]

As much as I like Curlin, we all must take into account that (a.) that was a very weak field, once Deadly Dealer packed it in, there was nobody to beat and (b.) from what I've read (the Bykster wrote something great about this), the end of the stretch at OP is on a slight decline, so don't go nuts over the sub-:12 final furlong. If you remember, Afleet Alex ran a sub-:12 final furlong in the AR Derby two years ago in a very similar effort. Not to say that if Curlin turns out to be Afleet Alex, it'll be a disappointment, just that the under :12 eighth isn't unheard of.

With that said, it was a visually impressive performance and the sky looks to be the limit with this colt.

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

... don't go nuts over the sub-:12 final furlong. If you remember, Afleet Alex ran a sub-:12 final furlong in the AR Derby two years ago in a very similar effort....

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by easy goer

If you'd read my post, you would've seen my point was that a sub-:12 final eighth isn't unheard of at Oaklawn, because of the slight decline in the stretch.

You could not have chosen a faster closer in the last 5 or 10 years upon which to make this comparison. I'm sorry I was unable to put that into words, the analogy was so off the mark my fingers froze and was only able to push the mouse with my nose onto one of those emoticons.

Those sure are good when you are out of words.

[ateamstupid]

Originally Posted by easy goer

You could not have chosen a faster closer in the last 5 or 10 years upon which to make this comparison. I'm sorry I was unable to put that into words, the analogy was so off the mark my fingers froze and was only able to push the mouse with my nose onto one of those emoticons.

Those sure are good when you are out of words.

Afleet Alex is the fastest closer in the last 5-10 years? Hmmm.. Ghostzapper, Invasor, Pleasantly Perfect and others might have a little bit to say about that.

There was no "analogy" being made. I just wanted to point out that a below :12 final eighth is not unprecedented at Oaklawn like it is on most other dirt tracks.

And I typed all of that with my ear.

[MarkyD]

people are pounding Curlin right now.
He was 12-1 before the race. he is down to 5-1.
He was 6-1 10 minutes ago.


http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2007/future-wager-odds

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

In a year where no 3YO has been impressive Curlin stands out. I'm not saying I love his chances in the Derby but he simply cannot be ignored at this point.

i agree--certainly was the more impressive of the two big 3 yo winners today. but not too sure what to think of the bluegrass, they absolutely crawled early in that one.
but i don't love his chances derby day either. at this point, i don't really like any of them! but someone has to win it.

question is who?

[pdrift1]

i think curlin could be that good! but i think when street sense hits that churchill dirt instead of the poly, he flys- this race didn't take much outa him. i think hes sitting on a big one. him or any given saturday are going to be wearing roses on the 5th. if its a closer i like circular quay

[Danzig]

i'm beginning to like quays chances more and more. he likes churchill, he had some trouble, in one race, rebounded with a win in his most recent. he's the one i keep coming back to--after the bluegrass, i'm not sure i like any of those horses in that race-all it did (as the bluegrass usually does) is muddy the waters.

still a few weeks left, works at churchill, post positions to draw, entries....plenty of time for everyone to make their final decision(s????).

[pdrift1]

Originally Posted by Danzig

i'm beginning to like quays chances more and more. he likes churchill, he had some trouble, in one race, rebounded with a win in his most recent. he's the one i keep coming back to--after the bluegrass, i'm not sure i like any of those horses in that race-all it did (as the bluegrass usually does) is muddy the waters.

still a few weeks left, works at churchill, post positions to draw, entries....plenty of time for everyone to make their final decision(s????).

if its a deep closer i like quay also danzig. but i'd prefer a stalker like anygivensat or curlin, and street sense i think might be setting just right