Raw Talent...

[Merlinsky]

I know Midnight Lute gets many a mention on this thread, but I'm not sure he's fully being appreciated even so. If not for a breathing problem, he'd be more like Ghostzapper in terms of range of distance. Baffert originally figured him as a TC/BCC hopeful, but couldn't fix the air issues in time. Given how he stayed sprinting, I guess it was never fully resolved.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/hor...aul&id=3120551

Baffert flat out says he was going to be his Derby horse. I believe it. I think you're talking a horse with the raw talent to be a world beater at any distance. I'd be excited to have one of his foals on the way, honestly. I've always felt Real Quiet was underrated, and it's a real shame ML had those problems. If he gets a TC hopeful, what do you wanna bet someone's gonna go 'well his sire was a champion sprinter so you can't expect him to go long.' Completely underestimates the potential of his progeny (provided he doesn't also pass on his own physical flaw).