The Preakness looks like a road show of Derby wanna B's

[Better Than Honour]

It is a terrible field, much like the derby. Thank goodness for Casino Drive or Big Brown could win a TC having beaten some of the slowest horses in recent memory.

It looks like Harlem Rocker, Casino Drive, and Unbridled Heart are going to be the big 3 with Big Brown. So we have 4 big-time 3yr olds. That is pretty much par for the course.

I have never seen such a crop though that is really Ohio Derby/West Virginia Derby type material.

It's fascinating that the star of YouTube sensation 'My New Haircut' has a shot to be an owner of the next triple crown winner.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

It's fascinating that the star of YouTube sensation 'My New Haircut' has a shot to be an owner of the next triple crown winner.

Iavarone in his younger days

[CSC]

What of Denis of Cork? Seems like a lot of people have forgotten him. He reminds me of Birdstone abit, perhaps more because of his smallish stature but if he does decide to go in The Belmont he would be worth a look. He was not properly handled going into the derby with not enough foundation yet he ran a promising third, he could now be ready to run his career best effort at Belmont Park.

[Better Than Honour]

Originally Posted by CSC

What of Denis the Cork? Seems like a lot of people have forgotten him. He reminds me of Birdstone abit, perhaps more because of his smallish stature but if he does decide to go in The Belmont he would be worth a look. He was not properly handled going into the derby with not enough foundation yet he ran a promising third, he could now be ready to run his career best effort at Belmont Park.

I like him but his Illinois Derby was terrible and his derby was nice but not spectacular. He could be nice. Maybe win a big race like the Haskell if the top horses don't show up. He looks like a horse that might win a decent race like the Northern Dancer or Dwyer.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Better Than Honour

I like him but his Illinois Derby was terrible and his derby was nice but not spectacular. He could be nice. Maybe win a big race like the Haskell if the top horses don't show up. He looks like a horse that might win a decent race like the Northern Dancer or Dwyer.

Good luck in the Dwyer against horses like Unbridled's Heart and Biker Boy.

[Better Than Honour]

Originally Posted by blackthroatedwind

Good luck in the Dwyer against horses like Unbridled's Heart and Biker Boy.

Biker Boy is a 93 beyer, 3 rag horse. Unbridled's Heart beat nothing and had everything go his way. Denis of Cork ran a solid third in a race you might have heard of called the Kentucky Derby. He also threw up a 96 beyer at Oaklawn in a 8.5f race, like the Dwyer. So he probably doesn't need luck. He fits there perfectly.

The Dwyer is about a month after the Belmont and if he likes the Belmont track I would suspect you see Denis of Cork there. They still might pass on the Belmont and go to the Northern Dancer at Churchill though.

Denis of Cork is definitely in the Any Given Saturday category of horses.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by Better Than Honour

I like him but his Illinois Derby was terrible and his derby was nice but not spectacular. He could be nice. Maybe win a big race like the Haskell if the top horses don't show up. He looks like a horse that might win a decent race like the Northern Dancer or Dwyer.

The Belmont will be Denis of Cork's best chance to win a G1 or big G2 this year. He can ration his speed which is necessary to win the Belmont. He's not that good at shorter distances so would likely get dusted in the Dwyer.

He's actually the complete opposite of Any Given Saturday. AGS would crush him up to 9 furlongs and Denis would probably be better from 10 furlongs and up. Jazil or Birdstone are better comparisons to DoC.

[CSC]

Originally Posted by SniperSB23

The Belmont will be Denis of Cork's best chance to win a G1 or big G2 this year. He can ration his speed which is necessary to win the Belmont. He's not that good at shorter distances so would likely get dusted in the Dwyer.

He's actually the complete opposite of Any Given Saturday. AGS would crush him up to 9 furlongs and Denis would probably be better from 10 furlongs and up. Jazil or Birdstone are better comparisons to DoC.

We had a great crop last year, other than Big Brown there's a drop off in talent but perhaps much less depth than last yr though I do like Harlem Rocker he seems to be an up and comer, in his third race he beyers a 106 under less than optimal conditions closing into a moderate pace. With continued expected improvement he could be a nice horse.

Like you I like Denis of Cork's running style for a race as long as the belmont, however it's fair to say maybe he just isn't fast enough. I think there is room for improvement from his derby, not sure why he didn't run in The Oaklawn preps, Caroll almost even missed the derby due to lack of earnings. Indicating to me maybe he hasn't been managed the best this spring.

Originally Posted by philcski

Iavarone in his younger days

4-3-1-2

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

4-3-1-2

F-A-A-C