Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:28:25 GMT

You assume trainers know everything....they dont.....you cant tell , alot of times a horse has a problem.....thats the point im making! remember fresian fire? he tanked in derby...the looked him over...ran again...he tanked again...then finally found the reason.....

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Fri, 13 May 2011 23:25:51 GMT

Did you see arch3 bobble at 1/8th pole in ark derby? yes or no? Was is a lucky guess by me? that something was wrong w him? watch the video...

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Slew — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:21:01 GMT

KY vet: You're not teaching anyone anything. You make suppositions that have no basis. You already called yourself "the greatest handicapper in the world". Dr. Bramledge already confirmed that Archx3 fractured his leg when he stumbled coming out of the gate; he was running on pure adrenaline. Or don't you take the time to read the informative articles in Bloodhorse?

We saw what Go For Wand did after her fracture. She got up and ran with that broken leg flapping around. It was horrendous. But YOU were accusing the connections of Archx3 of running a lame horse....and if you're as knowledgeable as you claim, you have no excuses. And if you were actually a veterinarian, you would also know you've already violated your oath. So I have to assume you're some other kind of vet.

As far as handicapping goes...Lazmanick is much better by miles....and doesn't your keyboard have a lower case?

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Tue, 10 May 2011 20:23:53 GMT

JAYJAY...I BET 100W60P MMM.....I LIKED MY BET...I WAS IMPRESSED....SOMETIMES YOU LOSE...ITS FINE...SLEW! I TOTALLY DISAGREE...IM TRYING TO TEACH PEOPLE THIS....YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND...HORSES CAN RUN HURT..UNDERSTAND THIS! HE DIDN'T ROLL HIS ANKLE...IT IS A FRACTURE...DID HE RUN THE WHOLE RACE WITH IT? YES!!! THAT'S MY POINT.. HORSES BREAK THEIR LEGS,EVERY RACE....THOUSANDS OF MICRO FRACTURES HAPPEN...THEY HEAL..DO YOU THINK FRACTURE JUST HAPPENS? OR IT IS A SERIES OF STRESS(FAST RUNNING) ? AND YES I THINK HE WASNT RIGHT...WHY DO YOU THINK I POSTED IT AFTER ARK DERBY? HE HAS HISTORY OF NO LEAD CHANGE/ THEN CHANGED LEADS 3 STR. RACES..DID YOU SEE THE BOBBLE AT 1/8TH POLE? WHY DO HORSES BOBBLE? IS THAT NORMAL? NO! THEY SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT AND BEEN CAUTIOUS!! HOW ABOUT THE OTHER HORSE THAT GOT HURT? SEE HIM DRIFT OUT BADLY IN HIS LAST RACE?(COMMA TOP)..THIS IS SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO LEARN....THE THING IS, EVEN A BAD ANKLE DOESNT MEAN A HORSE CANT WIN! HORSES CAN RUN HURTING....YOU JUST SAW IT!!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Slew — Tue, 10 May 2011 11:11:32 GMT

KYVET: Please stop shouting. Archarcharch stumbled badly coming out of the gate. It looked as though his ankle turned right then. I really don't know how he got through the rest of the race.

His workouts at Churchill were amazing as he covered the slop like a gazelle...so please stop the doom and gloom and recriminations. Most reviewers felt he had the best work outs before the Derby, and looked great doing it. A lot were switching their picks to favor Archx3. So what you have to say is ill-conceived and unfounded.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

JayJay — Mon, 09 May 2011 23:42:47 GMT

KY VET : You're right, you're the king of the derby (when analyzing the previous years)....now let's see you pick some winners before the race is actually done. You're starting to sound like the other guy.

Steve H : I missed this blog prior to the Derby. I don't know if I had played Animal Kingdom based on this but I probably would. Sometimes when things aren't going my way, I do bet against my picks lol.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Mon, 09 May 2011 20:07:49 GMT

MIKE...I NEVER SAID I KNEW EVERYTHING....BUT, YES I THINK I KNOW THE GAME WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE A LIVING OFF IT...I LIKE MY BET ON MMM...AND YES...I POSTED ARCH ARCH ARCH TOOK BAD STEP AT EIGHTH POLE IN ARK DERBY....THATS WHERE HE WAS HURT.....HE HAD HISTORY OF NOT CHANGING LEADS, UNTILL LAST 3 RACES.....TRAINERS CAN'T TELL ALOT OF TIMES...THAT HORSE HAS A PROBLEM...HORSES THAT BOBBLE IN THE STRETCH, DO SO FOR A REASON....HOW ABOUT COMMA TO THE TOP? SEE HIM CHANGE LEADS LATE, AND DRIFT OUT BADLY IN SA DERBY?.....I'M JUST POINTING OUT, THESE ARE BAD SIGNS TO LOOK FOR.....

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:00:53 GMT

Costanza's Mother- "He's a bum, he still lives at home. Where do you get your information from !!! My son hits the exacta. Ridiculous !!"

George-"Yeah, did you hear Kramer, I hit the exacta. It was really quite simple actually."

Kramer-"So you're buying lunch at the coffee shop. Great. Let's go."

George- "Not so fast Kramer. I didn't really win very much. It was nothing really and I've got an important interview today. I'll be seeing you Kramer."

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

hank — Mon, 09 May 2011 09:55:26 GMT

Hey whata great article mr haskins, now i go into withdrawls no derby dozen to read, your articles r the best. I am very dissapointed in the handling of Uncle mo, that was selfish as hell on Repoles side if horse was not right on Wed what made them think he would be right on sat, then course there would not of been the need for this outlandish press conference, and the feel sorry for me because i can't race my horse, then people who owned the 21 st horse could of gone into race, and experienced the thrill or running in derby sick of hearing all year Zito and his horse pletcher and his, neither were around at the end. Glad for Mr Motion very classy guy. like i said thank you for all the expertise, and your witt and humor

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Slew — Sun, 08 May 2011 12:51:47 GMT

Wow! I had 9 favorites and 4 possibles. AK was one of my possibles. Rosie had POF sitting pretty the entire race, but he really tired in the last 2f. She simply had no horse left. I feel terrible for Archx3 and all of his connections. That stumble out of the gate may have been the reason for the saddle slipping, but I have to wonder just when the fracture came. I love that horse. And the biggest, youngest colt, MMM proved he belonged there, as did Nehro. Shackleford looked as though he was going gate to wire, and he looked great doing it. MOH surprised me by doing well on dirt also, coming in 5th. Midnight Interlude was terribly disappointing, and CTTT never should have been there.

Happy Mothers' Day to all.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

MikeM — Sun, 08 May 2011 11:49:48 GMT

KY VET - YOU REALLY HAVE THIS GAME ALL FIGURED OUT.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

tcc — Sun, 08 May 2011 02:53:23 GMT

Steve:

The Apollo curse is still in place.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Sun, 08 May 2011 01:47:09 GMT

I TOLD MY FRIEND, WHO LIKED ARCH ARCH ARCH...THAT HE WOULD LIKELY RUN BAD....WATCHING ALL OF HIS RACES, YOU SAW HIM NOT CHANGE LEADS IN THE STRETCH...THEN HE STARTED TO CHANGE LEADS,INDICATING HE WAS FEELING BETTER....THIS IS A GREAT HANDICAPPING TOOL...ARCH THEN RAN 3 GREAT IMPROVING RACES....NOW, USUALLY A HORSE HAS PROBLEMS FOR A REASON...CONFORMATION/STRIDE ETC. THE 3 GREAT IMPROVING RACES PUT ALOT OF STRESS ON A HORSE...WHATEVER WAS BOTHERING THE HORSE, IS LIKELY TO RETURN.....THREE GREAT RACES PLUS THE FACT THE HORSE BOBBLED RIGHT AT 1/8 POLE= TROUBLE.......I POSTED THIS BAD STEP..AND ASKED PEOPLE IF THIS BOTHERED THEM...IF THEY SAW IT....THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW HORSES CAN RUN WITH AN INJURY....IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY...ALOT OF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS....YOU MIGHT ASK HOW CAN I KNOW HE IS HURTING, AND NOT THE TRAINER...BECAUSE YOU CANT TELL ALOT OF THE TIME...HORSES CAN'T TALK....LOOK HOW ARCH RAN THE WHOLE RACE! YOU SAW HE WAS HURT ALREADY AT THE START....BUT HE STILL RAN THE WHOLE RACE....HORSES ARE CRAZY HUH?.....I POSTED SAME CONCERNS ABOUT DIALED IN....LUGGING ...SHOWING BAD SIGNS..IT IS REASON HE WAS TRAINED SO LIGHTLY...PLAIN AND SIMPLE....I LOVED THE HORSE/ DIDNT LIKE THE BAD SIGNS..THEN MY BACKSTRETCH GUYS TOLD ME HE WAS NOT LOOKING GOOD....I BET 2 HORSES...3RD AND 5TH.....LOOK FOR THESE BAD SIGNS...TOBYS CORNER WASNT CHANGING LEADS, THEN DID....LOOK WHAT THAT DID FOR HIM.....LOOK AT THE GOTHAM..STAY THIRSTY...HE WON BUT CHANGED LEADS, THE BACK TO WRONG LEAD LATER IN STRETCH....ONE OF THE WORST SIGNS....I WONDER WHY HE ALL OF A SUDDEN CANT RUN?....LEARN THIS...IT MAY HELP YOU!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Linda in Texas — Sun, 08 May 2011 01:10:48 GMT

Well Steve, pat yourself on the back. You mentioned in your first group, Animal Kingdom, Shackleford and Mucho Macho Man and a few others and then later you mentioned Nero.

I am going back to read all the posts over to see who had Animal Kingdom. Shackleford was a trooper leading the pack for as long as he did. Of course,my choice of Pants on Fire, Dialed In, and Watch me Go didn't!

But i did mention Shackleford and Mucho Macho Man so i didn't do badly psychologically. Nero and Animal Kingdom were not on my radar screen. You just never know but i am happy for the winner.

At least my weather forecast was right! The rain cleared out by 3:15 pm.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Dee — Sun, 08 May 2011 00:47:18 GMT

So close on so many big payouts, had 3 out of 4 but didnt have Nehro anywhere, and nice efforts by all of them. At least I had the winner across the board and MMM. Too bad Dialed In didn't have that big kick today. Great race, except AAA- what terrible luck but hopefully he will make a speedy recovery.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

KY VET — Sat, 07 May 2011 20:13:51 GMT

I HATE THIS DERBY!!!! MY MO SCRATCHED! TOBY SCRATCHED!!! I WAS GONNA BET DIALED IN, THEN MY GUYS IN BACKSTETCH SAID HE LOOKED BAD! SO IM OFF THE SHIP!! HE LUGS IN TOO MUCH.......IM BETTING 3 HORSES!! MMM, HOH, MIDNIGHT INTERLUDE....NOT SURE WHO YET.....HATE THIS RACE.....BUT IM KING OF THE DERBY!!!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

El Kabong — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:50:48 GMT

Ok,

For the record, I am sticking with SOLDAT. He has the running style, foundation, speed, and works leading up. I like MMM, Arch, Nehro to play under and will toss them in third with some shots, brilliant s, stay thirsty, twinspired animal K, and santiva for a tri. Flip soldat with group two for the backup tri and get a cocktail. Man what a tough year but I hope it pays. Oh yes, the costanza special, 2,16, with 12,17, with2,4,7,16,19. I would be remiss if I didn't place one of those.

Steve, once again, my thanks to you for having all us on board for the ride to the roses. Your articles are truly the most insightful and enjoyable available anywhere. Good luck today. Whatever happens, I'm looking forward to hearing your take on the results.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Sue MacGray — Sat, 07 May 2011 17:35:52 GMT

@el kabong - you're killin' me over here!! :):)

Steve - great idea. As a longtime Seinfeld (and horse racing) fan, I can totally understand your logic(?).

My sister-in-law and I spent 2 hrs yesterday making paltry bets ($2-5) on POF, Nehru, MMM, DI, and then some longshot bets to win on MI, BSpeed, and Animal Kingdom. I usually can pick winners, but my knowledge of the actual betting part is slim to none - although this past year I've been trying to learn a little more. We just do it for fun anyway. Really enjoyed your column. We're heading off to a Derby party here in Ohio at the Toledo Museum of Art in a couple of hours.

Good lucky everybody!!

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Dee — Sat, 07 May 2011 16:36:58 GMT

The weather has really thrown some big questions into my list.. but I am going to go with trifecta boxes on the following based on who I've liked, how theyve looked this week and chances in the slop:

ArchArchArch

Shackleford

Pants On Fire

Dialed In

Animal Kingdom

MuchoMachoMan

Might kick myself for not using Soldat but something tells me to stick with the above list. I'll have a few exactas with the longer prices on the board, and pants on fire has me newly intrigued. Hopefully some big prices for my win bet on Animal Kingdom, ArchArchArch, and Shackleford.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Linda in Texas — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:57:43 GMT

Pants On Fire, Dialed In, Shackleford, Watch Me Go, Mucho Macho Man. No particular order, just sayin'. And if betting i would add Comma to The Top at 43 to 1 in the mix.

The view from the top watching Rosie come out of the gate yesterday on St. John's River was nothing short of perfection. She had to go outside at the end or she would have won. Only lost by a 'short neck.' :)

And good for the 2 grays, Zazu (3rd) and Joyful Victory (4th).

And in The Alysheba, my old pal First Dude. A win is a win. Good for you and his connections.

As for the doppler radar map over Louisville today, shows the rain will be passing over Louisville and clear out by 3:15 PM. I hope that stands. And good luck to everyone. Hope you make a mint!

That was corny, sorry, just seemed to be the thing to say.

Where is Dr. Drunkinbum??? What is he betting i wonder.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

jbluesbeatle — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:15:15 GMT

I like Master of Hounds, who last ran 1 3/16 miles in Europe, finishing 2nd, so distance may not be an issue. I also like Midnight Interlude, Archarcharch, and Nehro, who screams longer distances. He comes off the pace and has just missed while rallying, so he needs longer distances.

If anyone caught the news about the tragic death of Devil May Care, the news was sobering. She had a mystery illness, just like Uncle Mo, elevated enzymes, etc. She turned out to have Lymphosarcoma. When Pletcher mentioned that MO has a similar issue-ie elevated enzymes, mystery illness, I am suspicious, given the parallels to Devil May Care. I am concerned that he had not really been himself this year, so who knows when he got sick. Devil May care was in poor form in the DErby last year. so I bet she was sick, then. My grandfather had Lymphosarcoma when I was little, so hearing of Devil May Care was sobering. If Mo has a mystery illness, and was truly very sick in the Wood, then his 3rd place finish makes him all the more the champion. I think Reple and Pletcher balanced the health of the horse with his popularity, but scratching probably saved his life. Compare that to Barbaro, who was not acting right in the starting gate, and ended up injured. He should have been scratched since he clearly did not want any part of The Preakness. He probably had a hairline fracture, twisted an ankle in the gate, and reacted to the pain by breaking through the starting gate. Mo's handlers did the right thing. Health is more important than fame or money.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Giddyup — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:07:46 GMT

I love your approach Steve. The Derby trail this year has been so crazy, why not have a little fun with it. If we are going with the "Costanza" theory then I think there can only be one logical pick. George being "master of his domain" would undoubtedly be investing in Master of Hounds.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Dawn in MN — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:07:07 GMT

From The Soul of A Horse Life: Lessons from the Herd by Joe Camp.

Camp writes that the following quote was found in a New York Times editorial following the euthanasia of Barbaro.

"You would have to look a long, long time to find a dishonest or cruel horse. And the odds are that if you did find one, it was made cruel or dishonest by the company it kept with humans. It is no exaggeration to say that nearly every horse is pure of heart."

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

Dawn in MN — Sat, 07 May 2011 15:02:59 GMT

I always play some heart bets. Money aside, every one of the derby horses has reason to win, the Thoroughbred heart, and will to win. I truly believe that it is anyone's race. I will play the horses like votes to root for the ones that catch my fancy...

on ArchArchArch -I love his looks, and his moves make him appear to be a colt that has the heart and mind to win, even from the one.

on PantsOnFire -if speed holds this is one of those horses that will run on and the jockey will decide his fate, I believe he has the heart and the speed. Loved Rosie's ride in the Oaks.

Dialed In, everyone loves a closer and this colt has more versatility than he gets credit for. He has the heart of a closer and I expect him to do well.

on Shackleford and Dialed In, I believe the heart is figurative and literal with these two, what a beauty of a stretch run between Shackleford and Dialed in the Florida derby. Would love to see a repeat.

Safe journeys to all and to all a good Derby.

Condolences to Uncle Mo, and connections, he sure looked a sad sight standing in his stall during the Oaks coverage. I hope for a full recovery and return to the flash of brilliance we saw in the Breeders Cup.

re: Haskin's Derby Report: Thank You, George Costanza

steve from st louis — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:55:53 GMT

After all that has gone on in Egypt this spring, I think Nehro, owned by the Egyptian Sayat, is the circumstantial bet. After spending millions on his thoroughbred operation, he has finished second with Pioneerof The Nile and had the solid Derby favorite last year, Eskendereya, scratch late. And even better, Draynay hasn't put the curse on him. Sometimes you have to toss out the Racing Form and go with the aligning stars.