This will hurt the pool, the trickle down effect will be huge.

The first quarter crack was a non-factor in terms of making the race, this second one was the blow.

I prefer things like this to surface now than him to win the race and develop one between the Derby/Preakness or Preakness/Belmont.

I assume the horse most impacted from a betting perspective will be POTN and maybe F Fire, the 11-1 for POTN in the third leg of futures is looking like a steal right now.

I have Mr. Hot Stuff at 150-1 in the future book. Lucky he got in on earnings, and was glad to get Nakatani off, and now he might get JV with QR withdrawal. Now just need a IWR type improvement moving to dirt, and a hot pace which it doesn't look like he'll get. Still can easily envision him in the 3rd or 4th slot.

Right now my top 3 are FF, POTN, and IWR. Someone commented above how much FF works resemble Hard Spun and I thought I read that Jones didn't want to go that fast with FF in his work today. I plan on keying around FF in the exotics.

Yeah me too.

It's a shame because Jimmy Jerkens was going to win a Derby for his dad with this horse.

this hurts my win price on others , but it simplifies the exotics...
Was leaning towards others, but didn't have the guts to totally exclude him, especially if weather played a role.

The quality pace of this race has fallen apart. At the risk of advocating something I am usually against, if I had Rachel Alexandra I'd think long and hard about this race now. But I'd have run her in the Ark. Derby first to size her up against the boys in a softer spot.

And hey you Dubai sycophants, one major contender is now out of your way--hooray.

Is Join in the Dance is now going? If so, the pace scenario is totally different than it was 5 hours ago.

Hate to see Quality Road out of the Derby. I was really anticipating seeing him go against IWR.

Hope he heals in time for the Preakness and/or Belmont.......

Join the Dance should add too the pace with his quick early speed.

I would think this free's up Johnny for Dunkirk.

Prado's on Dunkirk...JV on Mr. Hot Stuff.

NT

Gotcha,,Thanks.

Although I'm sure Pletcher and JV would both rather he be on Dunkirk (myself included), it's too late in the game to decide that now.

This will be interesting, Cordero will probably be working hard to get JV the mount. I remember there was another similar situation from a past derby that etiquette wasn't followed causing some ruffled feathers.

Saw talk of Take the Points showing interest in going, if enough fall by the wayside.
Article in local newspaper (Daily Gazette, Schenectady)

How so?!

Only means the prices on the Sheik's horses will be going down!!!

Also this adds speed out front. Question is does it help the closers or the late pack stalkers?

If Pletcher runs Join in the Dance, Take the Points, and Advice, he's probably odds-on to saddle the last place finisher for a fourth year in a row (following Keyed Entry, Cowtown Cat, and Monba).

Pretty sure Take the Points isn't under consideration. . .