My derby top 7

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

And what I'm saying is that I'm not impressed with 'looks' for a derby contender. I want a hard knocking horse that's been in a real field and had to fight out a win. To me, that's more impressive for a derby contender... JMO. Like I said, if he beats me, I'll eat crow. I did that with Smarty Jones and I'll do that again if Curlin hits the board.

Curlin has done nothing wrong, but he's beaten nobody (which obviously isn't his fault).

I just can't support a horse who hasn't faced and/or beaten a single contender that will be lined up next to him on May 5 (other than Teufelsberg, possibly).
I'm also secretly hoping he gets a terrible post position so I can toss him with less weighing on my consceince.

[slotdirt]

Just throwing it out there, but Smarty Jones definitely had to fight at least a little in his Arkansas Derby win. I cant' say the same for Curlin or Bellamy Road or some of the other blowout winners of races in recent years coming into the Derby.

[cakes44]

Bellamy Road got into a battle with Consolidator as a 2 year old...and got owned.

[ARyan]

My top 7 right now, in order;

1. Nobiz Like Showbiz (So much talent, maybe the Wood & tricks were an awaking, and we will see a more mature colt at CD)
2. Street Sense (Bluegrass might have just been a nice extended workout to set up for a hard fought Derby)
3. Tiago (I ususally have a bias against West Coast horses, but I really think this guy can battle, and come home flying)
4. Hard Spun (I have liked this guy, but still many questions, he still might not make any of my tickets on Derby Day)
5. Dominican (I don't buy the "Polytrack" talk. I think being a gelding and the much improved results are for real)
6. Curlin (Only 3 starts, didn't race at 2, and who has he really beat? I think this is your Bro Derek, Bellemy Rd, Tapit)
7. Scat Daddy (Tries hard, is game, but I don't think he can win it, but he can hit the board.)

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by slotdirt

Just throwing it out there, but Smarty Jones definitely had to fight at least a little in his Arkansas Derby win. I cant' say the same for Curlin or Bellamy Road or some of the other blowout winners of races in recent years coming into the Derby.

Agreed. I just didn't hop on the Smarty bandwagon... didn't think it was possible that he was that good. I changed my mind after the Derby (day late and a dollar short.)

[Withers]

OK with the 7 favs, but for Road to the Roses we only get to activate 5, pretty tricky this year for me...

Mine are:

Curlin
Hard Spun
Street Sence
AGS
Dominican

I'm undecided about Dominican and the poly, but he's a gelding and will stay in training, so I'm biased in his favor...