1/10-11 (SA): San Pasqual H. (Gr. II); Santa Ysabel (Gr. III)

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by mbahadur

John Velazquez thinks enough of Cowboy Cal (2nd in the G1 Bluegrass in his last start on a synthetic surface) to come across the country from Florida to ride. In his last race, Cowboy Cal finished ahead of Gio Ponti on the turf and we know what Gio Ponti did in his most recent race trying synthetic.

Great analysis. First, with the call on the jockey. That's an angle I've long played (along with where is the trainer when he has entries at different tracks). And with the way this course favors runners with grass form and after watching Gio Ponti on it, you had a number of factors that led to believing Cowboy Cal had a big chance. I wish I had bet him but I didn't.

[eajinabi]

With Cowboy Cal and Gio Pionti winning next out makes Court Visions win in the Hollywood Derby even better even though it was on Turf.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

It does? Did you see who ran second today? The race was awful.

I can't dispute that the runner-up was seemingly not much on paper, but Cowboy Cal did run a pretty good race, all things considered. He got the lead that it seems like he needs to have to be successful but set fast fractions in order to hold it. As the rest of the pace pressers either hung or dropped out completely he stayed on, which made the effort a bit more impressive.

I mean you have to remember, CC was PG1985's 94th and final 2008 Derby pick, so he clearly has a ton of talent and he did run like a horse who had had a lot of weight taken off his shoulders.

NT

P.S. I'm not sure that Gio Ponti flying home in a race where the pace collapsed or Cowboy Cal beating a good N3X field says much about the Hollywood Derby other than that turf form holds up on the Pro-Ride.

[eajinabi]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

It does? Did you see who ran second today? The race was awful.

We will have to see wont we?