Old Fashion or Friesan Fire, who's the player

[Gate Dancer]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Pyro was 'exposed' by not winning on PolyTrack? What did that expose him as exactly other than a horse that was better running on authentic main track dirt surfaces?

And the Derby is a singularly bizarre event where even if Friesan Fire runs a lifetime best he could be 6th for any number of reasons or legitimate Derby excuses. Ultimately, performance in the Derby is meaningless to everyone but the winner.

I'm not crazy about Friesan Fire's chances to do anything in the Derby, but sweeping the Fair Grounds sophomore stakes is a nice accomplishment and brandishes the colt as one of the very solid and high quality members of this class of 3 year olds.

In my opinion Pyro was exposed by facing a better quality field and not running worth a darn. I noted the surface switch because that may have also been the cause of the poor performance. Apparently, it was a precursor of things to come as evidenced by his 8th place finish in the Derby.

There is no question that the 'sweep' by FF is notable accomplishment. I'm just convinced that his Derby performance will be more like Pyro's than one of the top 3-4 more likely winners.

[cakes44]

I believe Friesan Fire is the real deal and I will be surprised if he doesn't finish in the top3-4 in the Derby, barring being stuck in the 1-3 or 18-20 hole, which is obviously a big qualifier.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by cakes44

I believe Friesan Fire is the real deal and I will be surprised if he doesn't finish in the top3-4 in the Derby, barring being stuck in the 1-3 or 18-20 hole, which is obviously a big qualifier.

i find the seven week gap in racing troublesome. the lack of a 1 1/8th race in his pp's is as well.

but i think he'll finish ahead of square eddie.

[cakes44]

I hear ya, but Eight Belles didn't have a prior 9f race either, and I think FF is better than she was at the same time and is bred to go longer.

A little tangent on Square Eddie...would it be so wrong to sneak an allowance into this horse before the Derby or something? Honestly, what are those people thinking?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by cakes44

I hear ya, but Eight Belles didn't have a prior 9f race either, and I think FF is better than she was at the same time and is bred to go longer.

A little tangent on Square Eddie...would it be so wrong to sneak an allowance into this horse before the Derby or something? Honestly, what are those people thinking?

if he's not in good enough shape to run once preceding the derby, how can they expect he can handle the derby itself?
i'm thinking he doesn't run.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by cakes44

I hear ya, but Eight Belles didn't have a prior 9f race either, and I think FF is better than she was at the same time and is bred to go longer.

A little tangent on Square Eddie...would it be so wrong to sneak an allowance into this horse before the Derby or something? Honestly, what are those people thinking?

eight belles didn't come in off seven weeks rest either. it's the two together i don't like.

[AeWingnut]

Friesan Fire - wish he would have had a prep. Don't understand the thinking. I guess it is vogue to run fresh. Eight Belles 8.5f prep. - should have told them a couple things. Apparently it only told them that if it weren't for Big Brown they had a winner.

Old Fashion - only if the Derby is completely void of all other speed and then it is still a question mark.

Square Eddie is nominated for the Queen's Plate
maybe he should pass on the Ky Derby and try the Canadian Derby