Wasn't the Derby Future Wager this past weekend a referendum on the topic?

This was how the betting closed among the three:

Justify 6.20-1
Bolt 7.10-1
McKenzie 9.40-1

This is a good point.
I was aware of the Derby finals for pool two when I posted.
I'm basing my opinion on how I've seen the public bet over the years in a certain situation.
And yes, I think it's a fair point to say that if the public likes Justify in the Derby future 2.........they would make him the chalk @ SA.
But I also think the Derby futures speculators are assuming Justify cruises in his final Derby prep.........he may very well,but with his two race resume I just don't think he'd do it as the chalk if Bolt/McKinzie were in the same race.
I'll add on here....
I'm pretty sure Justify isn't going to FLA.........but I wonder if he'd be favored against that bunch over the Gulfstream oval ?
More: I can see Justify rolling in his final Derby prep...........but I believe in the Derby his lack of seasoning will catch up with him.
And I'll be curious how Mr. White(I think he still makes the ML @ SA)sorts out his line.....

Though not involved in the ownership directly, Justify breeder John Gunther tweeting that Arkansas Derby is the target..

Louisiana Derby

1) Bravazo 7-2 - Gary Stevens
2) Noble Indy 7-2 - John Velazquez
3) Marmello 50-1 - Jack Gilligan
4) Givemeaminit 20-1 - Javier Castellano
5) Retirement Fund 12-1 - Shaun Bridgmohan
6) Hyndford 8-1 - Joe Bravo
7) Snapper Sinclair 9-2 - Jose Ortiz
8) Lone Sailor 20-1 - James Graham
9) My Boy Jack 5-2 - Kent Desormeaux
10) Dark Templar 12-1 - Florent Geroux

mixing him in a little hope the 8-1 holds up

Solomini to the Wood per Zayats..

I think you get all of that.

At least 19 want to run Sunday.. First preference is graded stakes earnings; Second is highest lifetime earnings.

3/25/18 ~ Sunland Derby (1 1/8M) Sunland Park (50-20-10-5)

1. All Out Blitz, Martin Garcia
2. Dark Vader, Stewart Elliott
3. New York Central, Ricardo Santana, Jr.
4. Hollywood Star, Robby Albarado
5. Peace, Drayden Van Dyke
6. Shane Zain, Terry Thompson
7. Prince Lucky, John Velazquez
8. Seven Trumpets, Luis Contreras
9. Choo Choo, Mario Gutierrez
10. Dream Baby Dream, Alfredo Juarez, Jr.
11. Runaway Ghost, Tracy Hebert
12. Fortified Effort, Ry Eikleberry

Excluded from field: Restoring Hope, Hyndford, Trigger Warning, Trooper, Sphene and Bocefus.

3/25/18 ~ Sunland Derby (1 1/8M) Sunland Park (50-20-10-5)

Peace(Mandella)


Mandella seems to have a lot of faith in this one. Especially going off of two weeks.

Just one man’s take but I went from very uninspired about the Kentucky Derby to frothing out of the mouth for it to come.

Seemingly overnight.

I don’t know if it has anything (or all) to do with Justify’s emergence to the scene or if it was the stretch drive between Bolt & McKinzie. Just seems with each passing weekend lately, i’ve grown more fond for this crop as a whole.

All i know is that all of a sudden, I caught a major case of the Derby Fever. It’s on a much smaller scale than the type that owners of hopeless longshot’s sometimes catch.

My top 5 as of today’s snow day:

1) Good Magic
2) Bolt D’Oro
3) McKinzie
4) Justify
5) Greyvitos :o

"9. Solomini Bob Baffert 14 $616,000"

A typo--it should be 34 points.

You can always count on some dreck to fill up the field.

Any word on Nero for Baffert?

I agree - this is a good format for tracking the Derby contenders. Good job Steve.

End of March and one of the favorites for 5/5 has yet to run in a race that has Derby Points attached to it.

Has to be a first, no?

I imagine the folks at Keenland will be watching this race quite closely.
It might not be a reach to think that Promises Fulfilled & Mississippi fill in 2/3rds of the trifecta Saturday.
Suddenly the connections of Audible/Catholic Boy/Strike Power might be eyeballing the Lexington Stakes{now worth more Derby points}.

Hopefully the goal is the Woody Stephens.

Back to 10!

FL Derby

Audible (Pletcher)
Catholic Boy (Thomas)
Promises Fulfilled (Romans)
Storm Runner (Romans)
Strike Power (Hennig)
Tip Sheet (Gold)
Mississippi (Casse)
Millionaire Runner (Mejia)
Speed Franco (Delgado)
Hofburg (Mott)

I believe Speed Franco is out. Hard to believe, as he looked great on paper.

Odd move by Mott rushing Hofburg. Hard to believe Juddmonte is pushing him but I guess anything is possible. Good horse but unlikely to get a major piece here.

Mississippi.........he's the mystery horse to me.
I've always thought he's wildly talented...........just haven't seen much of him.
Considering how lightly raced he is,the FLA Derby sure is a tough spot for him.
I just don't see Casse ever run his horses where they don't belong,he must have something with this Colt.
Giant ownership line don't ya know.
Noble Indy flattered him.
Storm Runner didn't.