Derby Pace??

[jpops757]

With Curlin in ,the pace will be honest. Regardless of post position he will get position out of the gate even if no one wants the lead. He looks like the type of horse that will get position and relax then turn it in comming for home and some one will need a super effort to get past him. Im not ready to pick my horse yet but I feel a slow pace is not going to be a problem. If no one else runs with him on the front beware for he sure looks like the stretch could come up real short if all the closers back up on the backstretch.

[whorstman]

Yeah, with that many horses, I would think one or more will want to get out in front. Should be honest enough.

[Round Pen]

The 1st 1/4 mile is a straightaway almost impossible for the 1/4 to be slower than 23.

[Thunder Gulch]

Don't think we have a War Emblem situation on our hands, but I think it's an honest enough pace that you can't automatically toss front runners. Something in the 46 and change area.

[JJP]

War Emblem definitely didn't crawl on the lead. He earned the win and verified it two weeks later at Pimlico. The insanity we saw in 2005 and 2001 is far from the norm.