Best Derby Prep Performances...

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

With the Risen Star coming up ... rate the top 3 you remember.

Here's a quote from a Beyer column that he might now regret after Pyro's 90 Beyer Risen Star win.

Speaking of visually impressive efforts, someone should track down video of the '99 San Rafael, when the lightly-raced, ill-fated Desert Hero was absolutely pinned down on the rail inside the 1/16th pole, forcing Corey Nakatani to check out and swing at least 4 paths wide and still managed to win in a blanket finish in a field that included Honest Lady.

Avoiding the obvious ones, I'll also mention Olympio's '91 Arkansas Derby, where he set the first 1/2 mile fraction while dueling with the good Richman, fell back to 5th while losing 4 lengths rounding the far turn, swung out and rerallied to score by open lengths.

For the third, I'll take the '98 Blue Grass, where Halory Hunter, previously in possession of absolutely no speed, changed his running style and sat in a much closer position under new jockey Gary Stevens, IIRC rallied inside early, and stayed strong down the lane to win by open lengths, reversing form on both Lil's Lad and Cape Town, whom he could not catch in Florida. Gary Stevens unfortunately kept the mount on Indian Charlie for the Derby, and of course, Corey Nakatani felt obliged to revert to the 30-lengths last early position down the backstretch at Churchill. His rally came up a couple of lengths short and he broke down training for the Preakness.

[tector]

Unless I'm mistaken, I think he was referring to top 3 runnings of the Risen Star. He was trying to make a point, not evoke nostalgia.

But I could be wrong.

[DaTruth]

Originally Posted by tector

Unless I'm mistaken, I think he was referring to top 3 runnings of the Risen Star. He was trying to make a point, not evoke nostalgia.

But I could be wrong.

In that case, I wonder if we can include races when the Risen Star was called the Derby Trial. Taylor's Special versus the late running fool Silent King from the Delp barn was a classic.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by tector

Unless I'm mistaken, I think he was referring to top 3 runnings of the Risen Star. He was trying to make a point, not evoke nostalgia.

But I could be wrong.

Yeah - I meant all Derby prep in general. I see how I worded that to be confusing.

Actually, Badge of Silver's Risen Star win was pretty awesome. Other than he and Pyro ... I don't remember many jaw-dropping performances in that race.

[AeWingnut]

I agree with Silver Charm

but if we go by huge payoffs that I actually got to cash in a prep

Sir Cherokee's Arkansas Derby

[GPK]

Point Given's paid public workout that was also known as the Santa Anita Derby

[Indian Charlie]

Fupeg beating The Deputy was pretty awesome.

[freddymo]

Barbaro's Laurel futurity

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Barbaro's Laurel futurity

would that be a Calder Derby or Virginia Derby prep?

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

Originally Posted by freddymo

Barbaro's Laurel futurity

[tector]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Yeah - I meant all Derby prep in general. I see how I worded that to be confusing.

Actually, Badge of Silver's Risen Star win was pretty awesome. Other than he and Pyro ... I don't remember many jaw-dropping performances in that race.

My apologies to all.

Top three Derby preps--that is a tough one.
Let me ponder awhile.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by tector

Unless I'm mistaken, I think he was referring to top 3 runnings of the Risen Star. He was trying to make a point, not evoke nostalgia.

But I could be wrong.

Nice try (in the Hutcheson thread, too). Guess you're still smarting from the earlier browbeating.

[hoovesupsideyourhead]

cool coal man f.o.y..it tricked me into thinking elysium fields was good

[tector]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Nice try (in the Hutcheson thread, too). Guess you're still smarting from the earlier browbeating.

It was so painful I don't remember it. But I am glad your life has been filled up somewhat.

[philcski]

Smarty Jones in the Rebel

[Revidere]

Bold Forbes:

Bay Shore 1:20 3/5

Wood Memorial 1:47 2/5 Stakes record, 2/5ths off track record.

[Linny]

Easy Goer in the Gotham or Bellamy Road in the Wood.

[randallscott35]

I though Congaree's Wood was as good as it gets.

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Speaking of visually impressive efforts, someone should track down video of the '99 San Rafael, when the lightly-raced, ill-fated Desert Hero was absolutely pinned down on the rail inside the 1/16th pole, forcing Corey Nakatani to check out and swing at least 4 paths wide and still managed to win in a blanket finish in a field that included Honest Lady.

The video of this race finally surfaced on Youtube. Just thought I'd post it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErGPcROh49o

[Indian Charlie]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

The video of this race finally surfaced on Youtube. Just thought I'd post it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErGPcROh49o

I still can't believe that horse didn't turn out better than he did.

That was insane for a horse making it's 2nd lifetime start.