2019 Derby Trail: Bourbon War brings Belmont field to 10

[moses]

Originally Posted by ScottJ

If we could change one and only one event from this weekend, it would be to never open the latch for Joevia in the Wood Memorial. Nik Juarez should get multiple weeks for that reckless ride. His ride turned what could have been the most interesting Wood in two decades into roller derby on four hooves.

Yes, Tacitus did run down Tax fair-and-square while Haikal's closing punch into a 46 4/5 half was watered down going two turns. Horses like Final Jeopardy, Outshine, and Hoffa's Union did not get a fair shot. Tacitus might well have been best and Junior Alvarado's post-race fist bump with Jose Ortiz in their gallop-out pretty much says the same.

Makes you wonder what might have been Vekoma's fate if in the Wood as opposed to the Blue Grass. He might have kicked someone sideways!

Juarez was suspended 15 days and fined $2,500. The problem is, he normally rides in Florida and is already back there riding so the suspension is almost entirely symbolic.

[LITF]

What are peoples thoughts on By My Standards? I originally wasn't all that impressed with the Louisiana Derby but as I've rewatched a few times I may be changing my mind. He seems like the horse that is (maybe) improving at the right time. And nothing I've watched subsequently has really peaked my interest. Maybe he is improving just enough to at the very least compete with a group that doesn't seem to have a real standout.

Not sure how he'll do at 10F but who knows? He seems to have the style that might fit the race flow and he should be a more than decent price...

[moses]

Originally Posted by LITF

What are peoples thoughts on By My Standards? I originally wasn't all that impressed with the Louisiana Derby but as I've rewatched a few times I may be changing my mind. He seems like the horse that is (maybe) improving at the right time. And nothing I've watched subsequently has really peaked my interest. Maybe he is improving just enough to at the very least compete with a group that doesn't seem to have a real standout.

Not sure how he'll do at 10F but who knows? He seems to have the style that might fit the race flow and he should be a more than decent price...

He likely won’t be my selection but I can’t exclude him from consideration. The pedigree looks like he could have challenges with the distance...but almost every horse in the race has a question mark surrounding them.

[Kasept]

Florent Geroux gets Roadster; Manny Franco lands Spinoff..

Calls remain open on Cutting Humor (Pletcher), Country House (Mott) & Gray Magician (Miller)

[JBJake]

Think it is a bad move on Smith's part regardless of who he feels is the better horse. Maybe Baffert does not care and will still use him on all of his live mounts but seems like a big risk.

Didn't Martin Garcia piss off Mr Baffert once? How did that work out?

[knickslions2]

Originally Posted by JBJake

Think it is a bad move on Smith's part regardless of who he feels is the better horse. Maybe Baffert does not care and will still use him on all of his live mounts but seems like a big risk.

Didn't Martin Garcia piss off Mr Baffert once? How did that work out?

Garcia is not Mike Smith. This will have no impact.

[JBJake]

You are probably correct about that and certainly correct about Garcia and Smith.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by LITF

What are peoples thoughts on By My Standards? I originally wasn't all that impressed with the Louisiana Derby but as I've rewatched a few times I may be changing my mind. He seems like the horse that is (maybe) improving at the right time. And nothing I've watched subsequently has really peaked my interest. Maybe he is improving just enough to at the very least compete with a group that doesn't seem to have a real standout.

Not sure how he'll do at 10F but who knows? He seems to have the style that might fit the race flow and he should be a more than decent price...

BY MY STANDARDS (4/11)

Thriving back home at Churchill. Scary good working on Thursday and didn't want to stop.

[LITF]

Thanks for posting, Steve. I like it!!

[moses]

Originally Posted by LITF

Thanks for posting, Steve. I like it!!

I know I responded and said I wouldn’t be betting him...and maybe I still won’t. But he looked good in that workout and I wonder if maybe he’s peaking at the right time. Going to go back and watch some more of his races.

[theguarantee]

Originally Posted by moses

I know I responded and said I wouldn’t be betting him...and maybe I still won’t. But he looked good in that workout and I wonder if maybe he’s peaking at the right time. Going to go back and watch some more of his races.

Kind of feel like the LA Derby horses are headed toward Wise Guy status but hard not to kind of think they are sneaky IMO. I like them all a little, so far a bit inclined on Spin-off especially if JV maintains the faith

[moses]

Originally Posted by theguarantee

Kind of feel like the LA Derby horses are headed toward Wise Guy status but hard not to kind of think they are sneaky IMO. I like them all a little, so far a bit inclined on Spin-off especially if JV maintains the faith

JV has a few options - Spinoff, Cutting Humor, Code of Honor. Will he spurn Pletcher for Shug? He didn’t do that in 2013 and Orb ended up winning the Kentucky derby that year.

Strangely enough, this could be another year similar to 2013. Orb was the favorite at above 5-1. I guess I could see Omaha Beach ending below 5-1 but so many people like the Baffert horses that those 3 are going to take a ton of money. And perhaps a horse, like Orb (or maybe Code of Honor), comes from off the pace.

[LITF]

Originally Posted by moses

I know I responded and said I wouldn’t be betting him...and maybe I still won’t. But he looked good in that workout and I wonder if maybe he’s peaking at the right time. Going to go back and watch some more of his races.

I’m not sure I’ll be playing him either but I keep liking him more and more. With the exception of maybe the Ark. Derby I haven’t seen too much that excites me this year.

I’m really interested to see how they bet this Derby. Right now, I’m guessing he will be 8th choice. That probably puts him around 15,20-1 range. That might be enough for me to use him someplace in the top 3. But we’ll see...still got three weeks to change my mind 100 times! Should be a fun derby.