Weekend Stakes Beyers: Goldencents 105, Verrazano 95

[Calzone Lord]

101 for the Baffert maiden, I assume?

[HaloWishingwell]

Johnny V. has a big decision to make. Hard to imagine a jockey getting off an undefeated favorite especially trained by Pletcher but Orb looks like a better option for the Derby.

[dylbert]

Goldencents, 2012 Delta Jackpot winner, wins Santa Anita Derby. Does this still make Jackpot an unimportant race as suggested by many turf pundits?

Goldencents -- Grade I winner, SA Derby, and Grade III Sham winner (3-2-0-0)
Itsmyluckyday -- Grade I placed, Florida Derby, and Grade III Holy Bull winner (4-2-1-0)
Mylute -- Grade II placed, Louisiana Derby (3-1-1-0)

Collectively since Jackpot, these three have run (10-5-2-0). Currently, 3rd, 9th, and 13th, respectively, in Kentucky Derby points standings.

Can you say Grade II Delta Jackpot? Or heaven forbid, Grade I!

[Calzone Lord]

The 2nd place finisher in the Sunland Derby was 20 lengths up the track in the Delta Jackpot as well.

It was a very strong race last year for sure ... but in the past, it usually hasn't been.

[pick4]

The Wood which was run at 6:30pm had Verrazano got a 95 BSF
The Gazelle which was run at 4:39pm had Close Hatches got an 85 BSF.

Splits
Wood :24.89 49.62 1:13.74 1:37.72 1:50.27
Gazelle :24.23 47.47 1:10.95 1:36.50 1:50.53

Did the track slow down that much in 2 hours? I know it was windy at times yesterday. The horse who figured to set the pace in the Wood did not get out of the gate so I believe the early pace would have been quicker.

[cmorioles]

Originally Posted by pick4

The Wood which was run at 6:30pm had Verrazano got a 95 BSF
The Gazelle which was run at 4:39pm had Close Hatches got an 85 BSF.

Splits
Wood :24.89 49.62 1:13.74 1:37.72 1:50.27
Gazelle :24.23 47.47 1:10.95 1:36.50 1:50.53

Did the track slow down that much in 2 hours? I know it was windy at times yesterday. The horse who figured to set the pace in the Wood did not get out of the gate so I believe the early pace would have been quicker.

I personally had very distinct variant splits on the card, one before the 10th and one after the 4th or so, don't remember exactly.

[HaloWishingwell]

Originally Posted by pick4

The Wood which was run at 6:30pm had Verrazano got a 95 BSF
The Gazelle which was run at 4:39pm had Close Hatches got an 85 BSF.

Splits
Wood :24.89 49.62 1:13.74 1:37.72 1:50.27
Gazelle :24.23 47.47 1:10.95 1:36.50 1:50.53

Did the track slow down that much in 2 hours? I know it was windy at times yesterday. The horse who figured to set the pace in the Wood did not get out of the gate so I believe the early pace would have been quicker.

Judging by these splits and final time was Verrazano lucky to be getting a 95 Beyer?

[pick4]

Originally Posted by HaloWishingwell

Judging by these splits and final time was Verrazano lucky to be getting a 95 Beyer?

I do not know the answer to that question. I do know that the person who assigned the BSF did project that the track slowed down by about 4 lengths between 4:39 and 6:30.

It was windy in New York on Saturday and I know the wind off the Bay is very strong at times. I was not at Aqueduct so I cannot verify the effects of the wind. My opinion is they projected downward the BSF of the Gazelle based on the recent final BSF's assigned to the fillies in their races.

I do not believe the track slowed down 4 lengths between the Gazelle and the Wood. I think Verrazano will be a vulnerable favorite and will not hit the board in the Derby.

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Calzone Lord

101 for the Baffert maiden, I assume?

Yup..