Any respect for Pyro now?

[Scav]

I think Pyro is the most likely winner, especially when he dusts the field he is going to face on this coming Saturday.

I was also very impressed with Colonel John today, especially his runout, although he got a great trip today.

Not sure what to think about Tale of Ekati. I had him as my 'Derby horse' in like November of last year, then got off him, and not really sure what to think about his performance today, they looked like a bunch of lugs coming down the lawn, was going to formulate an opinion based on what some other people saw, a confusing race to me.....

[horseofcourse]

Considering the the 3 best horses at Oaklawn were Cal horses coming off synthetics (Zenyatta, Heatseeker, Tigao), it gives me more hope for Colonel John at Churchill. HE was visually impressive today, and should be fine if it is a fast pace with all the speed headed there. I would be completely stunned if any horse that ran in the Wood were in the tri on Derby day.

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Scav

Not sure what to think about Tale of Ekati. I had him as my 'Derby horse' in like November of last year, then got off him, and not really sure what to think about his performance today, they looked like a bunch of lugs coming down the lawn, was going to formulate an opinion based on what some other people saw, a confusing race to me.....

Looks like the BSF for Tale of Ekati will be 96 or less. The AQU figs from yesterday are included in the DRF Leaderboard, and Tale of Ekati didn't make the 97 cutoff.

--Dunbar

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Other than racing surfaces, both Pyro & Colonel John seem to be on equal footing with thier racing style during the prep races so far.

j be k cost me the pick 4.

He's just a horse by a Super Trainer who had a big race on a big day. He had a dream trip in a one turn race. Whoopty doo.

[lostcode]

I would agree Pyro has had much more hype because of Asmussen and running 2nd in the Breeders Cup. But Colonel John has had the same 2 races, 2 wins, and has the same if not better breeding for 10 furlongs. Pyro has had more hype and the Big Brown Bear has gone on hype overload.

[jpops757]

Biggest winners yesterday Pyro and Col John.Biggest loosers War Pass,the bad cat and de cork. Where does Louies horse fit in? Wondering if War Pass and El Gato Malo even go now. While Im not sold on him for a win, Bobs blackjack could be a key horse in the Derby.

[Travis Stone]

Colonel John enjoyed what Santa Anita has been for quite a few weeks - a closers paradise. Yesterday, 5 synthetic races, zero wire jobs, no one sat second and just one horse came from third to win. It's been like this for weeks.

Bob's Black Jack ran a huge race, and if he hits the Derby road, he and Colonel John will be making their first starts on dirt in the race.

The impact of a synthetic/dirt comparison is seen right with Coast Guard, who is solid on synthetic, but was drubbed in his lone dirt start (Real Derby), only to return yesterday to run a game 3rd in the SA Derby.

[Scav]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Colonel John enjoyed what Santa Anita has been for quite a few weeks - a closers paradise. Yesterday, 5 synthetic races, zero wire jobs, no one sat second and just one horse came from third to win. It's been like this for weeks.

Bob's Black Jack ran a huge race, and if he hits the Derby road, he and Colonel John will be making their first starts on dirt in the race.

The impact of a synthetic/dirt comparison is seen right with Coast Guard, who is solid on synthetic, but was drubbed in his lone dirt start (Real Derby), only to return yesterday to run a game 3rd in the SA Derby.

If I had time, i could absolutely RIP this post apart. You are out of your mind thinking Colonel John trip was because of a closers paradise. Those horses up front went FAST as hell, them holding that LONG shows you that track was somewhat fair, three weeks ago, they wouldn't have hit the board. You are right Bob's Blackjack running a truly amazing, gut wrenching race, but the trip at Santa Anita has been 4w4w and closing mid track, Colonel John was 1w1w and closed in the middle of the track. And he was pretty close to this pace, only about 3-4 lengths back, it wasn't like he was 10 lengths back.

And using Coast Guard for example is ridiculous. I can give you TWO just from yesterday before doing any research. Tiago and Heatseeker.

[jpops757]

Originally Posted by Travis Stone

Colonel John enjoyed what Santa Anita has been for quite a few weeks - a closers paradise. Yesterday, 5 synthetic races, zero wire jobs, no one sat second and just one horse came from third to win. It's been like this for weeks.

Bob's Black Jack ran a huge race, and if he hits the Derby road, he and Colonel John will be making their first starts on dirt in the race.

The impact of a synthetic/dirt comparison is seen right with Coast Guard, who is solid on synthetic, but was drubbed in his lone dirt start (Real Derby), only to return yesterday to run a game 3rd in the SA Derby.

Lets dont be selective. Explain the Hot springs results, Even tho not TC related it is synthetic to dirt.