Buffum's Derby Trail

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I think Buffum actually ran OK for his first start back.

Any idea how many lengths he was beaten? This was also his first go on synthetics....Thanks!

Splash Point is a 3 year old, but it still just seems so odd that Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds (our 4 year olds) are allowed to compete in this race.

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Any idea how many lengths he was beaten? This was also his first go on synthetics....Thanks!

Splash Point is a 3 year old, but it still just seems so odd that Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds (our 4 year olds) are allowed to compete in this race.

I want to say maybe 4-5. He made a wide premature move and made the lead in the stretch. He was not in good position early IMO seemed stuck in between horses and even dropped back at one point before making his run. He might actually be OK.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I want to say maybe 4-5. He made a wide premature move and made the lead in the stretch. He was not in good position early IMO seemed stuck in between horses and even dropped back at one point before making his run. He might actually be OK.

Thanks! I thought he had shown a lot of ability in his debut, so I'm glad to see he ran closer to that race than to his Remsen; it's nice to see that he clearly handled the synthetic track fairly well. Hopefully he'll bounce back from this race in good shape.......

[RockHardTen1985]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Thanks! I thought he had shown a lot of ability in his debut, so I'm glad to see he ran closer to that race than to his Remsen; it's nice to see that he clearly handled the synthetic track fairly well. Hopefully he'll bounce back from this race in good shape.......

I actually think he needs to get off the synthetics. That quick move might do it on dirt, who knows. As for Graded earnings wont he have to run really big in his next 2 just to have a chance?

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by RockHardTen1985

I actually think he needs to get off the synthetics. That quick move might do it on dirt, who knows. As for Graded earnings wont he have to run really big in his next 2 just to have a chance?

I'm not thrilled about synthetics either -and I'm very much looking forward to seeing him get back on dirt. I don't know that I'd push him towards the Derby because even if he runs well in the UAE Derby, he'd probably need another prep here. That's 3 races plus all that travelling - and he's not a big colt (not unless he developed over the winter). Still, if they do decide to make a go of it with him, then I have to assume they think he can handle it. This really just does not seem an ideal way to prep for the KY Derby, but it's the Sheikh's horses and he can do what he wants to.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Betsy

I'm not thrilled about synthetics either -and I'm very much looking forward to seeing him get back on dirt. I don't know that I'd push him towards the Derby because even if he runs well in the UAE Derby, he'd probably need another prep here. That's 3 races plus all that travelling - and he's not a big colt (not unless he developed over the winter). Still, if they do decide to make a go of it with him, then I have to assume they think he can handle it. This really just does not seem an ideal way to prep for the KY Derby, but it's the Sheikh's horses and he can do what he wants to.

I'd be shocked if any of the Godolphin horses running in that race today come within 1,000 miles of Churchill Downs by May...been wrong before, but just my feeling. Also, Godolphin could potentially start Xin Xu Lin in the UAE Derby fresh in from South America, so winning the big one isn't a cakewalk. I don't think they are thinking Kentucky Derby at all.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

I'd be shocked if any of the Godolphin horses running in that race today come within 1,000 miles of Churchill Downs by May...been wrong before, but just my feeling. Also, Godolphin could potentially start Xin Xu Lin in the UAE Derby fresh in from South America, so winning the big one isn't a cakewalk. I don't think they are thinking Kentucky Derby at all.

Then why did they take Buffum from Albertrani and send him thousands of miles to Dubai? He's well thought of by them, so why not just leave him in the States?

I just saw the replay now and he really did run quite well.........this race should do him a world of good.

[PatCummings]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Any idea how many lengths he was beaten? This was also his first go on synthetics....Thanks!

Splash Point is a 3 year old, but it still just seems so odd that Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds (our 4 year olds) are allowed to compete in this race.

It all depends on your view. In the southern hemisphere, they ARE 3yo. Being six months older, or so, they carry more weight, so it is equitably distributed, really.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by PatCummings

It all depends on your view. In the southern hemisphere, they ARE 3yo. Being six months older, or so, they carry more weight, so it is equitably distributed, really.

That's true - didn't think about the weight at all; thanks!

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Betsy

Any idea how many lengths he was beaten? This was also his first go on synthetics....Thanks!

Splash Point is a 3 year old, but it still just seems so odd that Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds (our 4 year olds) are allowed to compete in this race.

Because they are still actually 3yos. SH foaling season is the spring, Sept to Nov. The AJC Derby (Australia's Derby) won't even be run for another month and a half. The Cape Derby in South Africa was run a month ago, as was the NZ Derby. These horses are like August 3yos in the US. And the NH 3yos get a weight concession for being 6 months younger, so it's not like it isn't a level playing field.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by Pedigree Ann

Because they are still actually 3yos. SH foaling season is the spring, Sept to Nov. The AJC Derby (Australia's Derby) won't even be run for another month and a half. The Cape Derby in South Africa was run a month ago, as was the NZ Derby. These horses are like August 3yos in the US. And the NH 3yos get a weight concession for being 6 months younger, so it's not like it isn't a level playing field.

Thanks! Still, I don't think a weight concession does much when you think of it as just turned 3 year olds (some still actuallly 2) running against nearly mature 3 year olds........seems like still a big disadvantage for the NH 3 year olds.