Deepest Derby Field

[The Indomitable DrugS]

I don't think there's any doubt that the deepest Derby field from this decade coming into the race was 2001.

Point Given dismantled the Santa Anita Derby field.

Monarchos dismantled the Florida Derby field.

Congaree dismantled Monarchos and everyone else in the Wood Memorial

Balto Star was coming into the race having won the 600K Spiral by 13 lengths with a 112 Beyer and the Arkansas Derby by 5 lengths with a 109 Beyer in his final two starts.

Millennium Wind came into the race after dismantling the Blue Grass stakes field with a 114 Beyer figure.

Express Tour came into that race with an amazing victory over Street Cry at 9fs in the UAE Derby. The older Lido Palace, who was 3rd beaten 6 lengths in that race, would come to America and sweep the Woodward and Whitney later that summer. Street Cry romped in the Dubai World Cup over that same track the next year.

And Thunder Blitz came into that race having romped to a 7 length victory in the Flamingo Stakes in his final prep.

There were some scary sharp horses coming into that race - and the pace of that race was absolutely ruthless! Monarchos and the grinding Invisible Ink were the only two left not fully run into the ground by that killer pace.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

I don't think there's any doubt that the deepest Derby field from this decade coming into the race was 2001.

Point Given dismantled the Santa Anita Derby field.

Monarchos dismantled the Florida Derby field.

Congaree dismantled Monarchos and everyone else in the Wood Memorial

Balto Star was coming into the race having won the 600K Spiral by 13 lengths with a 112 Beyer and the Arkansas Derby by 5 lengths with a 109 Beyer in his final two starts.

Millennium Wind came into the race after dismantling the Blue Grass stakes field with a 114 Beyer figure.

Express Tour came into that race with an amazing victory over Street Cry at 9fs in the UAE Derby. The older Lido Palace, who was 3rd beaten 6 lengths in that race, would come to America and sweep the Woodward and Whitney later that summer. Street Cry romped in the Dubai World Cup over that same track the next year.

And Thunder Blitz came into that race having romped to a 7 length victory in the Flamingo Stakes in his final prep.

There were some scary sharp horses coming into that race - and the pace of that race was absolutely ruthless! Monarchos and the grinding Invisible Ink were the only two left not fully run into the ground by that killer pace.

man i miss that race!

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

2008......lol!

1987
ALYSHEBA
BET TWICE
CRYPTOCLEARANCE
GULCH
CAPOTE
DEMON'S BEGONE

[miraja2]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

1987
ALYSHEBA
BET TWICE
CRYPTOCLEARANCE
GULCH
CAPOTE
DEMON'S BEGONE

I think '87 was certainly the best in my lifetime.
Primarily because of the ones you mentioned of course, but I am also pretty sure that On the Line was in the Derby that year too, and he was a very good horse at ages 3, 4, and 5.

[Danzig]

i heard that race replay yesterday...that was a thrilling race. of course the caller missed alysheba clipping heels and almost going down.

[Danzig]

actually, grindstones field is nothing to sneeze at.

[ARyan]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

2008......lol!

1987
ALYSHEBA
BET TWICE
CRYPTOCLEARANCE
GULCH
CAPOTE
DEMON'S BEGONE

I agree, 1987 was a very deep year.