3yo recap and updated Derby Chances

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by DaTruth

Howard was convinced that Machen couldn't get 10 furlongs, so he trained him and allowed him to be ridden accordingly.

As nicely as he rates - he could probably get 12 furlongs on the lead. Maybe this years Da Tara the way this crop is shaping up.


I'm not a big bounce guy to say the least - but a lot of these horses who regress after a debut - regress because human connections fucl< them up by imposing their will on a horse.

In a debut - a horse will run huge if it finds the kind of distance it likes and finds the type of pace it takes.

A lot was made about Zensational losing a paceless 8f race at odds of 1/9 in brutally slow time after his maiden win ....



Didn't stop him from winning 3 Grade 1's in a row - 2 of which at 7fs. He got into a tug of war wrestling match with his rider like Bind did.

Machen's not that type. He's at least a nice prospect as a mid-pack sprinter - and is still a wildcard as a speed router.