Curlin: Forwards or Backwards?

[Linny]

Don't forget that if CQ had run in the Wood as planned, and done reasonably well, he might have been the Derby favorite or close to it. IMO he was short two weeks ago and has every chance to run huge.
Pino has the advantage here that Borel had at Churchill. Other than Xchanger, no horse in the race has run here.

I think Curlin could run very well. In watching the iso shot that nbcsports put on their site of Nobiz, you can see Curlin flying by horses late. It's easy to miss on the pan shot of the race. (I'm shocked in fact that NBC didn't appear to have an iso on Curlin. If they did, they never posted it on their site.) Curlin's early pace fig in the Derby was consistent with his 2 prior races so I was not surprised by his position at CD. I think he'll be closer on Sat, but not so close that he loses his kick. His greeness may have showed a bit in a big field. He won't have to deal with a mob scene this time and I can envision an Ark Derby like run for him, IF SS bounces or doesn't get his gold trip and Hard Spun in used hard on the pace set by FFC and Xchanger.