2/5 (GP): Holy Bull, Swale, Swtst Chant, Fwd Gal, Ktn's Joy (G3's)

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

When horses ran more often they won them both, and then another Derby prep. Different time. The 1984 Flamingo is a great race. Devil's Bag's first defeat, behind Time for a Change and Dr. Carter, both of whom got hurt before the Derby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKP1nBlgAbc

Nice; 1:47 flat. Dr. Carter bobbled a bit at the break, then got left in the dust when he failed to get through on the inside with that early move and still came with a run.

All 3 horses came into the race off recent wins, all off less than 3 weeks rest (less than 2 weeks for both Devil's Bag and Dr. Carter).

Meanwhile, waiting in the wings is Swale, who would race 3 times in the span of 24 days (Hutcheson, FOY, FL Derby), winning 2 out of the 3 and ultimately the KY Derby.

Champion filly Althea running all over the place and making her FIFTH start against colts in the Kentucky Derby (won 3 of the previous 4).

Fast forward to the present, and we have trainers who can only say that they will have "something" for the Rebel; an unbeaten 2yo champ that isn't even breezing at a major racetrack that may or may not end up with the same trainer; and Santa Anita about to run its 3rd "Derby prep" in 5 weeks none of which have drawn more than 5 horses, none of whom have run in any of the other 2 preps (which are nonsensically run in order at 8f, 7f, and 8.5f).

At least the El Camino Real Derby is still producing Preakness winners...