3/30 (GP): Florida Derby Day

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

Mucho Gusto is a sprinter. Been saying that for months.

You can't fault him for caving late after that ridiculous pace at Sunland (and he did battle back far a brief spell at the top of the lane). He settled well when stalking the pacesetter in the Robert Lewis, rallied smartly on the far turn, and pulled clear emphatically down the stretch. He also pulled clear of the rest and finished up well when runner up in the Los Al Futurity after setting a modest tempo.

Where he probably falls down is his class level. Improbable tore him a new one in the latter race. Despite that, if I was convinced he would be taken off the engine in the Kentucky Derby, I think he could have a live longshot look.

That said, I would love to see him in the Allen Jerkens at 7 furlongs (or the Malibu at the end of the year). In general, horses that can handle a middle distance have an advantage over true sprinters in extended sprints.

[RHT2004]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

You can't fault him for caving late after that ridiculous pace at Sunland (and he did battle back far a brief spell at the top of the lane). He settled well when stalking the pacesetter in the Robert Lewis, rallied smartly on the far turn, and pulled clear emphatically down the stretch. He also pulled clear of the rest and finished up well when runner up in the Los Al Futurity after setting a modest tempo.

Where he probably falls down is his class level. Improbable tore him a new one in the latter race. Despite that, if I was convinced he would be taken off the engine in the Kentucky Derby, I think he could have a live longshot look.

That said, I would love to see him in the Allen Jerkens at 7 furlongs (or the Malibu at the end of the year). In general, horses that can handle a middle distance have an advantage over true sprinters in extended sprints.

This is all fair. I just always love these fast horses, who feel a bit distance challenged turning back. A horse like Country House could also be a beast at 7f. He needs pace and he'd get it.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

This is all fair. I just always love these fast horses, who feel a bit distance challenged turning back.

Yep, McKinzie is a perfect example. If he gets collared at short odds in the Big Cap, he might be an enticing price in the Met Mile.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by RHT2004

This is all fair. I just always love these fast horses, who feel a bit distance challenged turning back. A horse like Country House could also be a beast at 7f. He needs pace and he'd get it.

You are dramatically overrating Country House. He's just not that good.

[moses]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

You are dramatically overrating Country House. He's just not that good.

The thing with Country House - to me - is that he isn’t that good right now, but I feel like he’s still scratching the surface of his potential. But I guess at some point I should look at what he’s actually done and not what I think he is capable of.

[richard burch]

Disappointed in Harvey Banger but I would run him in the Belmont. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to pick a B.Baffert runner in the derby but it looks like I'll be picking a B.Baffert runner in the derby.

[moses]

Originally Posted by richard burch

I was hoping that I wouldn't have to pick a B.Baffert runner in the derby but it looks like I'll be picking a B.Baffert runner in the derby.

There are still plenty of non-Baffert horses that have a shot. Heck, Baffert hasn’t even won a major prep yet and only has 1 horse currently locked into a derby spot.

[richard burch]

Originally Posted by moses

There are still plenty of non-Baffert horses that have a shot. Heck, Baffert hasn’t even won a major prep yet and only has 1 horse currently locked into a derby spot.

I say He has at least 2 in the race and they will probably be the best horses but it is the derby and strange things sometimes happen. I guess I really just don't see a standout horse in this bunch.

Dessman (Baffert)...coming up
Much Better (Baffert)...coming up
Roadster (Baffert)..coming up

Game Winner (Baffert)...in