Bluegrass or Florida Derby

[Bogey]

To answer the question: Mark me down for the Florida Derby, the only G1 $1million prep race - even with the Preakness and Belmont (G1 & $1mil) - Plus it looks to be a stellar field.

[smuthg]

I wasn't on the old Derby Trail website, but was there this sort of discussion/debate when Rock Hard Ten got left out of the Derby? Talk about a horse that was clearly one of the Top 5 of his generation... I'm sure his connections didn't think there was anyway that he would not get the graded earnings in the SA Derby, but he didn't (DQ'ed if I remember correctly).

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by smuthg

I wasn't on the old Derby Trail website, but was there this sort of discussion/debate when Rock Hard Ten got left out of the Derby? Talk about a horse that was clearly one of the Top 5 of his generation... I'm sure his connections didn't think there was anyway that he would not get the graded earnings in the SA Derby, but he didn't (DQ'ed if I remember correctly).

there is at least one horse each year who blooms in the weeks leading up to the derby, but hasn't got the earnings to get in. it happens...but the rules are in place for a reason, 20 horses imo is far too many, they have to draw a line somewhere. if AGS doesn't make the cut, he doesn't make the cut. and horses have been entered and then withdrawn before, leaving the field short--bob baffert got a lot of criticism for doing that a few years ago....so really all you can do is suggest an AE list...

as for RHT--he was probably better off missing the race.

[Pedigree Ann]

Originally Posted by Danzig188

as for RHT--he was probably better off missing the race.

Back in 1972, Charlie Whittingham had a huge T.V. Lark colt for Bwamazon Farm that everybody thought would be a really hot classic contender. Out of Princequillo mare, bred to run all day. He had run second in the San Felipe H and then was second again in the Santa Anita Derby, closing late. Then he went up to Golden Gate and handily won the California Derby (then a G2-type prep, 2 weeks out from the Derby, like the Wood). But Charlie didn't take him to Kentucky. Said he was too immature, not ready for that kind of test. Didn't run in any of the classics. But by midsummer, he was in shape to win the Hollywood Gold Cup over older horses, the only 3yo other than Round Table to do so, in 1:58:1, which equalled the world record. Quack went on to win G1s at 4 and 5, despite the sort of iffy ankles huge horses often have.

We need a few more trainers like Charlie, willing to tell the owner "Yes, you have a good colt, but if I run him in the Derby before he's ready for that kind of race, he'll be done, and I don't do that to horses."