Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

The Bid — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 03:53:03 GMT

STEVE, PLEASE HELP!!!!SOS...

I have been reading posts on other articles written by yourself. Well done by the way! What in the WORLD are people referring to regarding MO's stomp?????????????????? Last time I checked, his fractions and most importantly RESULTS are un-matched...as a 2yr. old with a TON of room for improvement @ 3yrs.old! Can you remember another contender recent or one "down memory lane" that has ever won The Derby on STYLE????? Granted, his gate is "different??"...My point is this...In-different or different, whatever...MO is a RESULTS oriented colt that WINS!!! Regardless of Style or Stomp, I guess people have to come up with some sort of excuse to dismiss MO as a fluke! Like my namesake...There will NEVER be another Bid!...I am positive that MO's race history, age and even pedigree(some have taken issues with it), can significantly improve and The word "special" will be used by YOU in the very near future, when describing Uncle MO!! I sincerely enjoy all your work and stories, especially the one you wrote about The Bid and your daughter!! Continue your great work and tell Lenny to get a haircut...Just kidding!!lol

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Coldfacts — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:03:57 GMT

Billy's Empire,

Name me a June foal that has won the Derby. The colt does not have a derby pedigree and should be put away until late summer. He is likely to get hurt against the big boys. Remember Second Of June.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

blackgold77 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:56:12 GMT

@Coldfacts, do you realize every time I go to the track and bet on the fastest horse in the race according to the program.... I lose!!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Billy's Empire — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 22:04:20 GMT

Coldfacts, you do realize MMM is a June foal, 17 hands, and is only going to keep getting better? Dismiss him if you want, but you may be sorry

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Coldfacts — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:30:06 GMT

Ranagulzion,

“Right now Dialed-In and Mucho Macho Man are the biggest dangers to Uncle Mo”

Let me see if I understand. Mucho Macho Man who was soundly beaten by twice by THS; whose victory in the Risen Star was achieved with fractions 24.67, 49 .24,1:13.65; who defeated slow derby pretender Santiva is part of a duo that represents the biggest danger to Uncle Mo. Well I thought you were racing. The three quarters of the 2011 Risen was the second slowest in the last five renewals. They better only those recorded in the RS won by Pyro run a drying out track. Bind ran 1:08 plus for 6F he was 5 seconds faster for 6F than all the derby pretenders in the RS. The Bob Lewis had fractions of 22.45, 45.64, and 1:09.22. Even if these splits are adjusted upwards by two seconds they are 2 to3 seconds faster than those of the RS. The average Derby splits in the last 10 years excluding those run on sloppy tracks are 22, 46, 1:10 . Do you honestly believe horses that a horse that wins in splits of 24.67, 49 .24,1:13.65 is a serious derby horse with the speed shown by class on 2011?

Santiva won KJC in 1:45 plus. The previous year Super Saver won in 1:42 plus a full three seconds faster. Santive came back from his break and ran about 1:44 plus in the RS. Uncle Mo ran 1:42 plus in the BCJ. Riveting Reason came back from his break and ran 1:48.63 for 9F a distance Mr. Pletcher would not dear to sent the gifted Uncle Mo. The router Sway Away came back from 6 months break and got beat in 1:20 plus,. I the time is adjusted upwards by 2 seconds it’s about 1:22 to 1:23. I continue to laugh at the various comments about the RS contingent. They are very slow horses who have no chance of winning the derby baring an Act Of God.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 03:39:48 GMT

Linda in Texas,

Yes, can you believe it, Zenyatta could be in foal as we speak! The "wedding" took place at Darley this morning. I wonder if they brought Street Cry out to give his daughter away! And Rachel could be in foal as well. Interesting how the two mares had to travel to Darley and Lane's End respectively and the stallions stay put. Very exciting that two superfoals are in the making! I wish them both well during their pregnancies. Wonder how Pirate Queen is doing?

Steve's got a lot of photos to take on his next visit! I like the Bernardini photo up on Zen's site too.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Scott's Cause — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:44:56 GMT

New, but highly enthuised on Santiva. Be very aware. Also if Phd. of Pyscology Bob Baffert can get Jaycito's head on straight who knows--Belmont? Thanx for the after the wire info on The Factor. Go Steve Byk.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Arlene — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 00:49:02 GMT

The-only-negitive-I-noticed-with-Mucho-Macho-Man..he-seems-to-be-a-heavy-footed-stricker.Not-light-on-his-feet.Could-cause-firmness-problems.He-doesn't-really-skim.Even-Smarty-Jones-who-skimmed-came-up-with-some-cannon-bone-briuses.Sorry-for-the-comment-presentation-my-space-bar-is-out-of-commission!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:30:34 GMT

Fran,

Keep spreading your sunshine. You stay positive always and I admire that because I've got one foot hanging off Elite Alex's bandwagon, ready to jump off. Talk me back on! I have a lot of respect and faith in Tim Ritchey though.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Alex'sBigFan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:43:21 GMT

I stepped outside of this party, too smoky inside. I'm over in the barn area teaching Dr. D's horse "Wilbur" this song:

Macho Macho Man

I've got to be a macho man

Macho Macho man

I've got to be a macho! Hey!

Somebody in a post said the disco era and I could not help remembering this thing!

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Aspercel — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:56:15 GMT

Alexfan:

that is if his legs hold up. I have no problems with his performances, but I called eskendereya's issues after he ran in wraps in the wood. No one wanted to believe me! It just worries me to see front wraps on a 3yr old that's just gotten started in his racing career. I wish him and his connections luck because I do like the horse.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Linda in Texas — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:01:38 GMT

Yes Dr. Drunkinbum, you may certainly have some tea and would you entertain a bit of Brandy to go with, or just a cube of sugar!!!

Yepper, going to be a long wait til

May, that is for sure, and plenty of time for me to get my comeuppin's again! I'm gonna try and watch my p's and q's.

Dr. Drunkinbum, Z and B are proud parents to be as of this morning.

And Dottie used Steve's Photo of

Bernardini on Zenyatta's web site and credited Steve as the photographer.

I thought that was such a nice thing for her to do for Steve.

You are a people person so i thought you would enjoy knowing that if you don't know already.

Be safe.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Karen in Texas — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:12:28 GMT

Fran L.---I really enjoy reading your enthusiastic posts celebrating the sons of Afleet Alex! Calvin seems to believe Elite Alex has what it takes to be competitive on the Derby trail, and he is certainly knowledgeable in that area. The strong performance by Sway Away was an unexpected bonus, wasn't it?! Maybe Zenyatta John should start his own, separate blog for all those deemed by him to be "serious horse players" only. I can only imagine what a dull, tedious place that might be.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:26:20 GMT

Wow, I can not believe that someone did not correct my mistake with Sway Away. I thought that he was still a maiden. I did not see his maiden breaking performance at Pleasanton.

Ranagulzion,

Steve and Zenyatta John are correct when they say that Dialed In needs two more races before the KY Derby. There is still time for another race other than the F.O.Y., maybe the T.B. Derby. Either way, Dialed In is still learning and for an inexperienced horse to perform like he does, the sky is the limit for him.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:16:00 GMT

Linda In Texas

Great post. That room is smokey !!! And they're getting a little too drunk. I don't mind putting on the gloves, but they want to go out and have real duels with real pistols and real bullets to settle The Derby List, whether it should be a dozen or a baker's dozen !!!! Can I have some tea?

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Ranagulzion — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:12:54 GMT

Forbidden Apple,

Like you, I see no problem with Dialed-In training up to the Florida Derby. I'd never second guess an experienced trainer like Nick Zito who has already won two Kentucky Derbies (Strike The Gold & Go For Gin). So far D-I's races have been spaced out and he's doing fine. No problem at all. Win or lose the Florida Derby will set him up perfectly to peak in the Kentucky Derby. Right now he and Mucho Macho Man are the biggest dangers to Uncle Mo. Sweet Ducky and Santiva are not far behind IMO and I'm watching Soldat and Gourmet Dinner with a lot of interest in the upcoming Fountain Of Youth Stakes.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Alexfan — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:04:17 GMT

This was the third start of Elite Alex's life...Going 10 wide beaten two lengths in graded company doesn't seem terrible. You'll see his best going more than a mile.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Linda in Texas — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:57:34 GMT

Fran - would you like to join me in the drawing room for tea and violin music, Zenyatta John has ushered the gentlemen to the study for brandy and cigars to discuss horse racing.

You go Fran - you cheer and raise heck about every horse you like. And thank you so will i, i was impressed with Sway Away. Maybe i should have said as fast as i could count to 3 Sway 'might' have caught The Factor. Not 3 seconds = 15 lengths.

I could also mention that Sway looked a lot like Skip Away the way he raced with his head held high and pounding the ground so hard.

I am not a numbers person, and i am a novice and i don't bet as i have stated. I leave the numbers, the furlongs and all that other to the real handicappers, Footlick. Dr.D.Lazmanick,jayjay,SaratogaDreamin, and most of all to Steve. For me, it is all about the 'heart' of the matter.

Maybe Zenyatta John has calmed down today. Meanwhile, i wonder if i can come out of my room yet??

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Footlick — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:52:11 GMT

PedigreeAnn- he is not a stallion prospect in the US. There are plenty of other markets in the world who still value a horse that can stay 12 furlongs. Australia would be a nice fit for him I think.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Forbidden Apple — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:43:43 GMT

Zenyatta John,

Your recent post was right on the money on every point. I made a call and found out what little information that I could. The only good news was that Dialed In is safe and not injured. The goal is still the FL Derby, another prep before April 2 is not out of the question and to me it is a must. Uncle Mo being entered in the Timely Useless race is definitely a concern. I would not be the least bit surprised if something is a bit off with this colt. Last year I made several comments as to why every single Afleet Alex colt was being considered a Triple Crown threat. Although this year I am quickly jumping on the Sway Away wagon.

Alexs Big Fan,

Sway Away will be guided with the very alert hands of Garret Gomez, no worries here.

Pedigree Ann,

I agree with your comments about Victory Gallop as a stallion, however Prince Will I Am is an all together different package. And yes it is true that turf horses command a much lower stud fee than dirt horses. I just see talent in Prince Will I Am, he can run on dirt or turf, just like my old friend Einstein. I don't buy into the fact that a trainer enters a horse with fear of losing. Almost all stallions have lossed during their racing careers. My point was that I am a fan of horse racing and horses that happily race instead of being overly trained and then stuck in their stalls. I tend to follow more turf horses because they stick around longer than their 3 year old campaigns.

Is their a book that you might recommend to someone interested in studying bloodlines more closely?

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Trebloc — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:24:23 GMT

If your were Mike Repole where would you rather have Uncle Mo's victory party, South Beach or Ybor City?

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Pedigree Ann — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:11:59 GMT

"I am starting to get much more interested in horses that like to race, like Prince Will I Am. He raced 11 times last year as a 3 year old."

But Will I Am is not a stallion prospect because a) sire Victory Gallop has been branded 'a failure', and b) he stays 12f. So his people can campaign him to his best advantage, even if he risks losing, instead of worrying that a loss will reduce his future stud fee.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Footlick — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:55:07 GMT

On another note, Old Vic just died. He was from the first crop of Sadler's Wells and won the French and Irish Derbys. After standing in Japan, he came back to stand in Europe and became a top sire of jumpers, his offspring won two Grand Nationals and a Chet Gold Cup among many others. RIP

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

Footlick — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:52:24 GMT

Fran's enthusiasm for Afleet Alex's offspring is at least something positive and not cynical and snide. If you can't appreciate her enthusiasm, then don't read her posts. Her posts remind me that there are fans who just love the horses. Keep it up Fran!.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Mucho Gracias

nickie — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:43:12 GMT

Alex bf, I think you may have hit the nail without realizing, when you said "what is Pletcher thinking"...me thinks that Mr. Repole is his "guide" here, and as we all know, like the patient telling the dentist which tooth hurts, and which one to pull is a giant leap, that as fans we all like to playout. In the case of Mo's connections, they should talk to Dutrow and ask him about 'Brownie and his perils thru the Triple Crown race....translation; too many cooks spoil the broth...very interesting to watch this play out!