4/3 (HAW): Illinois Derby (G3)
 

7th (4:35) Illinois Derby (G3)

1 1/8 Miles | Open | 3 Year Olds Stakes | Purse: $500,000

1 American Lion Flores D R 122 Blk-Off L
2 Stephen's Got Hope Garcia J A 122 L
3 Boulder Creek Emigh C A 122 L
4 Yawanna Twist Prado E S 122 L
5 Turf Melody Rose J 122 L
6 Dave in Dixie Valdivia J Jr 122 L
7 Backtalk Mena M 122 L
8 Game Ball Martinez W 122 L

8 horses for a $500,000 race. WTF?

I know this is a little off topic but.. what did they ever do with Sportsman Park?

I actually thought it was a decent race.

Schoolyard Dreams connections need their heads checked.

They must think very highly of Ramon D.

I would think WinStar could send American Lion on a permanent vacation if he loses this race, that is provided Flores puts him on the lead.

NT

I have to agree.

Now, after that comment, I suggest everybody here bet him in the Wood.

If he can't win here then where is he ever going to win?

Tore it down.
http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/sho...tsman%27s+park

It is dust, wrecked it years ago.

I think his point was just that....

Riding Rose last out cost them $120k. Wonder whose idea that was.

I don't think this is a bad move at all.

Are you saying he can win or even come in second in the Wood?

I don't even know who's in the Wood. And, he'll be half the price with Ramon up, which probably makes him a no play. I do know, however, that this was, arguably, the worst ride of the year to date, and SD would've won for fun in the TBD. Why not see if he's any good? Can't fault the connections for that.

IF I was an owner... I would be looking for the easy :$: screw running the against the very best in a prep, just to get the jockey of your choice.
I'm sure Rajiv Maragh would have jumped at the chance to ride the Fav in the 500k Ill Derby.

Tell me about it

Recapturetheglory would be 1-9 against this bunch.

I would hope they would let him run his race this time. I mean they added blinkers in last, then rated him into submission. I have no idea if he is any good..

Im guessing hes not very good, even if he wins this, what does that really tell us?

The Wood got 6 horses for $750k. I hope nobody scratches.

I like Game Ball here...

Is there any way to verify Backtalk's 6F workout at FG.....1:09:3 breezing???? Anyone ever see a horse breeze 6F this fast???

1-9? Maybe 9-1. Besides winning the Ill. Derby, what did he ever do?

*searches for head banging on keyboard icon*

Looks like rain
 

Could be a bit wet, but might be drying out if the rain stops late morning as some weather forecasters are predicting. The drying track at Hawthorne can get real deep, so take a look at the surface an hour before the race.

Sportsman's Park
 

The plan is to make it mixed use shopping center and condos, if the economy ever gets going again. Lots of potential up and down Cicero Ave., but not at the moment.

Interesting that Leparoux gave up the mount on American Lion to go to New York up against Eskenderaya with Awesome Act. Given the lack of pace in the Illinois Derby, one has to wonder if that will come back to bite Leparoux.

Game Ball?
 

I think Awesome Act has a great chance in the Wood, especially with a big closing effort. No one better that the Flyin' Frenchman to do it.

Raining here in Chicago, but it should stop by race time. I still think it will be a drying track, and this could play into the hands of Game Ball. Martinez gets booted off of Schoolboy and gets his revenge on Game Ball?

Surface at Hawthorne is currently listed as "good".

Rain has stopped and VERY windy..might be a tad fast, which is like saying that I am a tad slow

Hawthorne is pretty priceless. I rolled down there for a couple minutes today as I was in the area and I see Tom Amoss decked to the nine's, sitting next to a guy that looked like he just woke up at the local Cicero homeless shelter.

That could be just about anyone in the Hawthorne grandstand.

.....the french strangler, what a butcher job on A.A.

Not only was that an awful ride, he could've been on American Lion.

Maybe the real reason he went to NY was for Warrior's Reward.

I disagree. I have watched it 20 times, Julians thinks hes sitting on a ton and just had nothing. Its not like AA was fighting him, I doubt it took anything out of him. There was no excuse at all not to outfinish that trash bucket Jackson Bend for second, even though he had a soft trip. Turning for home Durkin notices how much Julian appears to have on AA, but guess what JV was already looking around and really had the same hold on his horse.
I was really high on AA but unless he comes out of this with an injury or some major excuse I am convinced he is simply not good enough. His running style might be suited for a mile, or a change back to turf.

i also thought there was a bit of fighting going on with awesome act and the jock, he didn't look like a happy horse, especially coming around the far turn.

At no point in the race did I saw AA resist Julian, he was just over confident. A cutback, or turf will do this horse good. If he comes out of this ok, I dont see how they could beat him in the Withers.

Trash bucket, eh?

Poorly placed for sure-but far from a trash bucket. Then again-the horse probably would do back flips if someone were to inform him of your past and tht you lumped him in with trash. Keep pulling RHT's shorthairs out of your mouth that keep piling up from all the times you've had his hammer in your mouth. They call you Big Joey- the guy who can be found with a cardboard cutout of Giant Causeway's shlong framed above his bed.