I was pretty damn close!
(Although of course I cheated and looked it up before posting)

I dont trust many jockey's ability to distinguish between horses that have a better chance in a race. I recently recall all the fuss about Out of Gwedda and Johnny V. is aboard and gets rocked by Roxy. Pletchers backup in the race. Damn is Pletcher loaded or what...

It was a good tough run. Those were killer fractions but he handled them well. I think the other poster may have meant he was all out in the middle part of the race, it was not a hand ride. (but I should not speak for others)

But you are right playa, after his one foe started to fade he did a bit of a waltz on in. And he appeared not to be weary legged after galloping out. But one always has to question a maiden winner at 6f going two turns against stakes company for the first time. Luckily this is a good spot. Not a tough field at all. I think the Rebel would present a much tougher challenge.

I was wrong about his age; he was five. Perhaps it was a weak year, but he just missed the award. My point was that he was not a sprinter and Golden Missile is by a sire known for getting longer distance horses.

Post time in 3 minutes. Got Cobalt singled for the late double.

Rooting for ya PP...$67.80 for $1. Hope you have it heavy...

He looked like he can go the distance... very nice win.

I've got Derby Fever!!!! WHOOO!

atta boy PP...not sure if you could hear me...but I had the fingers snapping rooting for ya.:D

Nice ride by Victor to rate him...

Kev I got the 3,5,9 in the late double for $5, not this one. BUT i'm confident and had a nice win wager on Cobalt.

Way to go brother. I have no betting interest in this race...so will be pulling for you.

There it is again.

Gomez gets off the winner after consultation with his agent. Good call guys.

Air Commander still does not have it together. Funky on the turn. And before the race they show Air Commander working out on a turn and stated that Baffert says he is coming together and he is on the wrong lead... oh that was on purpose, not.

Cobalt Blue looked very composed but he is really not ready for the big guys. This was a super weak field. OH congrats to puffy pants.

If the ride is idiotic, why is the agent to blame?

5 horse field, and he needs to be in the 4 path? Why?

(no telling where he was on the backside, cause SOuthern Cali tracks need to save money by only 'headoning' a single turn (the first in routes) and the stretch)

He loses by 2 and he's in at least the 4 all the way around the track. Yeah, the winner was real tough today.

Good thing the MIG was in the race and, for some reason, decided that he absolutely had to be OUTSIDE of Gomez.
Now, that's heady riding. Way to go, boys.

Still would not have won imo. The horse is goofy. He probably had him wide on the turn because he would have veered out into the stands on the inside. Air Commander likes to see the crowd in the stretch.
Gomez got off the better animal. It will happen again.

well i said a couple months ago he was my early derby pick and some thought i was way off but hes makin me proud and makin me some money@the windows but obviously his owners more in both respects LOL! whats really awesome tho is hes comin here to run in the ILL derby next:)

1) Air Commander was coming off short rest to try and get GS earnings
2) Cobalt Blue was ridden perfectly and was allowed to do what he wanted, while Gomez was where he 'had' to be given the way the race was run. If Gomez sits the rail behind CB, he loses by even more
3) Gomez doesn't think that horse will get 10 panels and I agree with him, he got what he needed today, earning. My guess is that Air Commander runs a strong 2nd or wins the SA Derby and is the 'now' horse at the Derby

I think they will ship AC, he's a big horse, he couldn't get in gear.

I don't expect much out of him though, probably another Point Determined clone.

I think Blue has a way to go but he looks like a lot more than cheap speed. With him in the picture The pace factor will be a real concern by most of the contenders because most are stalkers and or closers. Who other than Blue will wing it on the front. With a comfortable uncontested lead can he withstand the large group of closers. With most of the true contenders being the off the pace type, dosent this mean that some are doomed just because of the numbers and only 2 or 3 will be able to carve a trip with a field of the size of the derby?