Derby "might-runs"

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

I guess I can't blame them for putting Rachel Alexandra in the Oaks if they do. Bravo, ESPN or whatever it's still a big deal and a G1 ripe for the plucking.

I don't understand Terrain. Not knocking him it just feels like he's hovering. He "won" the Arlington-Washington Futurity via double DQ which I'd forgotten and I was trying to look at the footage on Youtube, I'll take the NTRA article's word for it I guess he was bothered a lot but it's hard to see it. He's never actually beaten graded stakes competition by coming home in front and seems like all the talk revolves around using him in your exotics, never 'he's my pick to win it all.' What's his ability level in all honesty? I'm just trying to better understand some of those that don't quite have their name up in neon lights but are high on the earnings list. Is he a wiseguy horse? Underrated? What?

Terrain reminds me an awful lot of Wilko in some ways. He's an honest horse with a bit of talent, and if he continues to be spotted in certain races, he'll make a good deal of cash whether he ever wins or not.

The Arlington race was a crazy one, and it was really tough to say whether or not he should have been put up to first or to second, so it's kind of one to let go while still realizing that he's never actually come home first against graded company.

I don't think he's a wiseguy horse at all; there's nothing at all that's hidden about him -- it's all there in the open, what you see is what you get. He'll show up with the same effort and whether that'll be good enough for third, fourth, or tenth is up to you to figure out. I like him to get up for the bottom of exotics.