Your Personal Derby Dozen

[The Indomitable DrugS]

The horse (Machen) has had two slowish starts in both races now.

Simply getting the horse to break well - using his pace advantage - and winning by a pole would have been my idea of a good prep.

Instead - they let him snooze in the pre-race - grab hold of him almost the instant the gates open - take him back behind slugs - get his face dirty a little - split horses and finish up strong like a workout.

Trainers sure do love the latter method.

I don't think Mucho Macho Man's race is kind of real tell in regard to To Honor and Serve. A lot too much gets made of that stuff.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

The horse (Machen) has had two slowish starts in both races now.

Simply getting the horse to break well - using his pace advantage - and winning by a pole would have been my idea of a good prep.

Instead - they let him snooze in the pre-race - grab hold of him almost the instant the gates open - take him back behind slugs - get his face dirty a little - split horses and finish up strong like a workout.

Trainers sure do love the latter method.

I don't think Mucho Macho Man's race is kind of real tell in regard to To Honor and Serve. A lot too much gets made of that stuff.

Maybe they think getting dirt in one's face is a good way to prep for the Derby; now they can say that he overcame trouble.

[smartbid09]

Originally Posted by Cardus

If you need to get a better feel for To Honor and Serve, then how is he number two on your list?

Why is To Honor and Serve second on my list if I "need to get a better feel for him"?

In recent years the horses who have won the Remsen have not even made it into the Derby Starting gate. This along with the fact that I was not overly impressed by THAS Remsen performance make me need to get a better feel for him.

I thought the Remsen Stakes didn't really shape up into much of a race. I thought it was clear THAS was the best horse but it didn't seem like such a impress win. At least to me. It's fine to disagree.

So with all this the reason I put him at #2 on my list is that the astute horseman I know believe THAS is the clear 2nd best horse - right behind Uncle Mo.

I am not totally sold yet on that opinion, but if these knowing horseman say THAS is the second best colt right now than I have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

I will give them the benefit of the doubt until I have evidence to back up my opinion.

[randallscott35]

Mine starts and ends with Sweet Ducky

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Mine starts and ends with Sweet Ducky

Which one do you like him for? Iowa or West Virginia?

[randallscott35]

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Which one do you like him for? Iowa or West Virginia?

Excellent question. Which is worth more?

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by randallscott35

Excellent question. Which is worth more?

WV I think and Breen has never been afraid to ship around.

Sweet Ducky gave it his all and Pants on Fire came close but they could not break Breen's now 0-29 streak in graded stakes races on dirt at a mile or more.

[my miss storm cat]

I don't have a list.

Flashpoint, Indian Winter, Albergatti , Tiz Blessed, Alternation, Break Up the Game and The Factor are the main guys I'm keeping an eye on at this early point in time.

[my miss storm cat]

Forgot to mention when I do have an actual list in a month or so? You might wanna be sure to cross all the names off of your list.

That's how good I am at early Derby picks.

[Betsy]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

I don't have a list.

Flashpoint, Indian Winter, Albergatti , Tiz Blessed, Alternation, Break Up the Game and The Factor are the main guys I'm keeping an eye on at this early point in time.

Break up the Game is a nice colt even though he hasn't won yet........I'm looking forward to his next race at a mile or 1 1/16