Derby horses

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I actually think a strong comparison could be made between Hard Spun's loss in the Southwest Stakes and Giacomo's loss in the Sham Stakes.

Both horses had outside draws, against pretty shaky fields, as clear-cut favorites. Both horses were taken out of their preferred running style, and both horses got hung up very wide (4-to-5 wide) on both turns, over tracks that had both been playing very kindly to inside-speed.

Because of the way the track was playing, Giacomo was gunned by Mike Smith to seek out a good tactical position, he never got one, but he was hung up very wide into the 1st turn, while just one length off of a 46 and change pace. He ended up finishing a competitive 3rd and running a 98 Beyer, when he had ABSOLUTLEY every reason in the world to spit the bit with the trip he got...considering what style a horse he was.

However, everyone made a big deal about him losing to the shaky sprinter Going Wild, who was stretching out 3 furlongs in distance, as well as the maiden Papi Chullo, who closed up the rail for 2nd...and was the only horse to ever pass him in a race leading into the KY Derby.

Looking back, I understand why I had such excitement for that performance of Giacomo's. But, as bad as Going Wild and Papi Chullo would become, I understand why that performance was being so strongly held against Giacomo.

Hard Spun earned a number 3 points less, a 95, and was beaten by some horses who might become every bit the turkeys that Going Wild and Papi Chullo were....however, there is every reason to expect marked improvement from him.