2/20 (GP): Hutch, Fountain (G2's), Honey Fox, CDN Turf (G3's)

[declansharbor]

My brother's first born (Jan. 3rd) is named Jackson...He wants to know the odds he might get on Jackson Bend in the FOY. He wants to know what the posttime odds will most likely be. I told him maybe 7/2 to 5-1 range...Correct or am I off?

[hockey2315]

Maybe a little lower - 5/2?

[declansharbor]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

Maybe a little lower - 5/2?

He'll go off the same as last race? Interesting. This field is saltier, right? Im sooo off base with the Derby contenders this year it isnt even funny. Thanks

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by declansharbor

He'll go off the same as last race? Interesting. This field is saltier, right? Im sooo off base with the Derby contenders this year it isnt even funny. Thanks

He went off 8/5 in his last start. I think he's going to be the 2nd choice and that'll put him somewhere in the 5/2 to 3-1 range.

NT

[RolloTomasi]

Ridiculous. The Hutcheson on the same day as the Fountain Of Youth. Looks like GP took a page out of Santa Anita's owner's manual (of course its the same). Why are these tracks intent on dismantling their once logical and organized 3yo stakes?

For those who might care, and this is by no means all-inclusive:

Spectacular Bid, Lord Avie, Swale, Forty Niner, Fly So Free, Holy Bull, Unbridled's Song, Cat Thief, Coronado's Quest, First Samurai, etc. ran in both races back in the day, not to mention the Florida Derby.

I guess the Hutcheson (a Grade 2) is now relegated to prep status for the Grade 3 Swale (another traditional starting point for 3yos a little behind the eight-ball, eg Chief's Crown, Summer Squall, Easy Goer, Favorite Trick, Thirty Six Red, Seeking The Gold).

To complete the trend, maybe Churchill will move the Derby Trial to the first Saturday in May.

[The Indomitable DrugS]

^ Good take as always.

I'm very confused about more than a few of the Fountain of Youth runners. It's one of those Derby preps where you feel foggy going in - but you expert to learn a whole lot after it's done.

[NTamm1215]

Originally Posted by RolloTomasi

Ridiculous. The Hutcheson on the same day as the Fountain Of Youth. Looks like GP took a page out of Santa Anita's owner's manual (of course its the same). Why are these tracks intent on dismantling their once logical and organized 3yo stakes?

For those who might care, and this is by no means all-inclusive:

Spectacular Bid, Lord Avie, Swale, Forty Niner, Fly So Free, Holy Bull, Unbridled's Song, Cat Thief, Coronado's Quest, First Samurai, etc. ran in both races back in the day, not to mention the Florida Derby.

I guess the Hutcheson (a Grade 2) is now relegated to prep status for the Grade 3 Swale (another traditional starting point for 3yos a little behind the eight-ball, eg Chief's Crown, Summer Squall, Easy Goer, Favorite Trick, Thirty Six Red, Seeking The Gold).

To complete the trend, maybe Churchill will move the Derby Trial to the first Saturday in May.

I agree and it all stems from the fact that Gulfstream's new configuration has them completely hamstrung. Last year they ran the Hutcheson and Holy Bull on the same weekend with the HB being a race for horses who were ahead of the curve and ready to go 9fs. The Hutcheson was a prep for the Fountain of Youth, which was run at a mile instead of 1 1/8 miles.

Now the Hutcheson is kind of in no man's land as far as theoretical Derby preps go.

It can't just be a coincidence that the Sam Davis and Tampa Derby gained in popularity after GP re-configured it's main track. The ability to run 8.5 furlongs is pretty big for 3YOs. Just imagine if GP hadn't extended the chute and their longest possible distance was the 7.5 furlongs they originally planned!

NT

[RolloTomasi]

Speaking of Tampa Bay Downs, their derailing of Gulfstream doesn't stop with the 3yo division.

Anyone notice that well-bred BC Mile runner-up Courageous Cat is making his return to the races in the Grade 3 $150,000 8f Canadian Turf, a mere 2 hours after BC Classic runner-up Gio Ponti makes his comeback in the Grade 3 $150,000 8.5f Tampa Bay BC?

We've come a long way since '89 BC Turf winner Prized and '89 BC Mile winner Steinlen made their '90 debuts when locking horns in the Grade 3 8f Arcadia Handicap at Santa Anita (Prized ripped the very flat Steinlen a new one in that race).