Someone here close to the connections says Wood the likely place for him to try for a Derby passport.

I think that's a mistake. Why rush?

Because this crop is very weak and he fits with the better ones?

He fits off one race? Bernardini had a similar race, they took their time and won the Preakness and went on to have a huge year.

So did Big Brown. They didn't take their time and won the Kentucky Derby.

And 2 races later BB was a cripple. Or likely before.

Bernardini's race was a MSW and he was soundly beat sprinting in his first start.

This horse won an alw.

You really think Bernardini's campaign would have turned out differently if he had gone Derby Prep/Derby start instead of Withers/Preakness start?

I sure don't.

Not exactly true.

Bernardini broke his maiden in his second start and then ran in the Withers for his second win. This horse already won two races.

I don't totally disagree with you about Tiz the One, though he's pretty good, it's just different than Bernardini.

Yes, but a Kentucky Derby winning cripple who average people actually remember and he started his stud career standing for $65000(I know that's not a real #, but they are all relative).

We'll never know, will we.

You think Big Brown was managed wrong?

His closing odds to win the Belmont and sweep the triple crown were 1/5.

Should they have given him time after the Preakness and pointed for the Jim Dandy instead?

Of course not, he won didn't he. I have no problem striking while the iron is hot, especially when you can vet yourself to the moon....until you can't.

:tro: :D :tro:

Fla. Derby
 

Tom Albertrani just said on ATR that another option for Odysseus is the Street Sense approach to Derby via the Blue Grass. He said while he isn't a fan of racing on synthetics, the benefit is a single ship to Kentucky rather than one to NY for Wood and then a second one to KY for Derby. They are also seriously considering traing Odysseus up to the Derby without another start.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/111464.html

Huh, apparently for Matz it's not 'do we try Lentenor in a G1 Derby prep?' but 'which one?' Here I was thinking they just decided not to go and it turns out they're still thinking. The interview was before we learned Eskendereya wasn't going in the FL Derby, so I wonder if it's more likely that he'll do that now, but it could be the Wood where of course Esky IS going.

Apparently he will run Lentenor in the FL Derby..

After Esken dropped out you had to figure that.

FLORIDA DERBY DRAW

1 Soaring Empire (Castro/Gambolati)
2 Lentenor (Garcia/Matz)
3 Pulsion (Nakatani/Biancone)
4 Pleasant Prince (Leparoux/W. Ward)
5 Game On Dude (Rose/Mareina)
6 First Dude (Dominguez/Romans)
7 Rule (Velazquez/Pletcher)
8 Ice Box (Lezcano/Zito)
9 Miner's Reserve (Desormeaux/Zito)
10 Best Actor (Castellano/Catalano)
11 Radiohead (Prado/R. Dutrow)

I knew this would happen.
Added Fast Alex in one of my R2R stables today (earlier than I need to) and then see he's out of the LA Derby an hour later.

Typical.

According to the Santa Anita barn notes, Alphie's Bet has been sold for $1 million. The purchaser was not identified in the blurb. Supposed to remain in the care of Alexis Barba.

Anyone know who bought him?

Isn't Sidney's Candy and Caracortado probable for the SA Derby?

Paul Pompa was very close to a deal earlier this week.

What is Radiohead's current graded earnings?

Nevermind, I got it. Looks like he's safe at about $195000 after being stuck in the Gulfstream parking lot for this race.

Story was broken on ATR last week during Hammerle segment. Heard it was "interesting" negotiation.

Probable for the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby:
Alphie’s Bet, Caracortado, Interactif, Setsuko, Sidney’s Candy and Who’s Up.

According to the latest Santa Anita barn notes, Alphie's Bet in fact has NOT been sold.

Also, Interactif is not heading to the Santa Anita Derby, instead he's pointing to the Blue Grass.

It would appear the Ark Derby would be a better fit. 1-1/8 test with 4 weeks rest, and 3 weeks to the Derby. If they are even thinking Derby.

Big Brown made it look easy from the 12 post, which must be on the other side of the parking lot!

--Dunbar

Questionable/Interesting.

A potential private sale of Alphie's Bet, the Sham Stakes winner, fell through this week. Nick Sallusto and Paul Pompa were at Hollywood Park, where Alphie's Bet is stabled, on Tuesday.
http://www.drf.com/news/article/111549.html

Nominations close Saturday for Wood Memorial

Nominations close on Saturday for the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1) going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on April 3, and Gotham S. (G3) winner AWESOME ACT (Awesome Again), Fountain of Youth S. (G2) winner ESKENDEREYA (Giant's Causeway) and the runners-up from both races form a talented core of Kentucky Derby (G1) hopefuls likely for the 86th running of New York's final major stepping stone to the Triple Crown.

http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/edito...e.cgi?id=17857

SA Derby notes..

LOOKIN AT LUCKY MAY STAY HOME...

“It depends on how he’s training,” Baffert said on a sun-filled Saturday morning at Clockers’ Corner. “If he’s training really well here, it (running in the Santa Anita Derby) would give him an extra week for the (Kentucky) Derby. If he needed the extra week (since the Rebel), I’ll go to Arkansas. If he doesn’t need the extra week, I’ll stay here.”

OUTLAW PASSING SA DERBY

Going in the Lanes End instead..

LA DERBY has last years entries posted...

Were actually the New Orleans H., but thanks for the heads up.. :o

Citrus Kid to The Rushaway instead of the Lane's End.

They must be worried about 'squeezing the lemon dry...'

You didn't. :mad:

But orange you glad I did...?