Churchill Downs Saturday May 6th

[ScottJ]

Since the UAE Derby, I have been hoping that Thunder Snow would make the trip for the Derby. To me, the UAE Derby was the strongest race that has taken place this year. Thunder Snow will be a key with Gunnevera, Always Dreaming, and Classic Empire for me.

The only regret horse for me is my early season favorite, Practical Joke, who hung terribly against Irap in the Blue Grass and drew post 19 here. How I wish he would have accelerated even slightly in the Blue Grass ... but I just cannot create a winning scenario for him here.

Good luck to all ... and watch the track tomorrow!

[taxicab]

5) Hockey School
6) Limehouse
7) Prize Exhibit
8) You're to Blame
P-4: 1-11/5-6/1-6-8/1-2-6-10-12

9) Oscar Performance
10) Bluegrass Singer
11) World Approval
12) Thunder Snow
P-4: 4/1-6-7-10-12-14/1-2-7-8-11/2-12-16-18
P-4: 4/14/7/ALL
P-4: 1-9/1-6-7-10-12-14/1-2-7-8-11/2-16

[ADJMK]

Thanks for the detailed writeup Kitan. That must have been a lot of work.

Good luck today.

[jms62]

I got a feeling Thunder Snow is going to bounce back and run big at a huge overlay. Belmont spoiler?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by jms62

I got a feeling Thunder Snow is going to bounce back and run big at a huge overlay. Belmont spoiler?

He's heading back home ...... a European turf season lies ahead for him

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

He's heading back home ...... a European turf season lies ahead for him

Im a sucker for Hollywood Endings

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by jms62

I got a feeling Thunder Snow is going to bounce back and run big at a huge overlay. Belmont spoiler?

Incredibly disappointing Derby 2017 for me since my key horse lasted about 50 yards this year.

Might have gotten a couple of feet farther than Looking at Lucky from the rail ... amazingly, Looking at Lee managed to work the rail into the money.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

Incredibly disappointing Derby 2017 for me since my key horse lasted about 50 yards this year.

Might have gotten a couple of feet farther than Looking at Lucky from the rail ... amazingly, Looking at Lee managed to work the rail into the money.

What do you thing happened ? I was wondering if he didnt like the mud which surely was much colder than any mud he was on. I was very relieved it wasnt because of a breakdown.

[casp0555]

Originally Posted by jms62

What do you thing happened ? I was wondering if he didnt like the mud which surely was much colder than any mud he was on. I was very relieved it wasnt because of a breakdown.

Same here...when I saw TS bucking, I thought maybe he cracked his head into the gate...hope he is alright.

We should have known that Lanerie would ride the rail and save all the ground, nice finish, maybe Lee will get the 1 hole for the Belmont

[ScottJ]

Originally Posted by jms62

What do you thing happened ? I was wondering if he didnt like the mud which surely was much colder than any mud he was on. I was very relieved it wasnt because of a breakdown.

Pouring over news articles today, there was some speculation that the girth/saddle had slipped. I have watched the replay several times and the number of frames with Thunder Snow was obviously limited.

The overhead shows that Thunder Snow broke with the field and suddenly started bucking when pinching up between horses. I thought perhaps that Looking at Lee squeezed in to beat the upcoming running rail, but it was hard to tell.

[Kitan]

Originally Posted by jms62

What do you thing happened ? I was wondering if he didnt like the mud which surely was much colder than any mud he was on. I was very relieved it wasnt because of a breakdown.

It was 25 degrees Celsius that day and hadn't been raining during the card. I always thought that the "muddy" track condition was dubious.