Friesan Fire training up to Derby

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by ateamstupid

http://www.drf.com/news/article/102616.html

Thoughts?

It seems that many of the Derby "rules" have been tossed aside the last few years. The 2yo champ/BC Juvy winner is a throwout, the last prep has to be within four weeks, etc. The training game has changed much in the last 20 years, so perhaps the old rules no longer hold so much sway. Nowadays, it is common for a top horse to show up in a major stakes without a prep. Not too long ago, that same horse would have tuned up in a allowance or minor stakes at a sprint distance.

Larry did an amazing job getting Hard Spun and Eight Belles to run peak efforts in the Derby. He definitely knows what he is doing. If he feels that there is not much to gain but more to lose from another race before the Derby, then I trust his judgment.

Friesan Fire has raced four times at a mile or more since mid December. He has spent four months training and racing over the deep Fair Grounds surface. He may not have the ability to win the Derby, but he is going to be dead fit come May 2nd.