Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

the_wiz — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:44:12 GMT

KY VET,

Sir Bond goes in the 7th at the Fair Grounds on Friday. I've had my eye on him as well. The race looks tough, alot of horses coming into the race off career bests including one who beat Sir Bond in his last race so if he takes that one he's looking even better. I'm looking to make some money keying "Bond" but returns on bonds these days are pretty paltry.

Steve,

Looking forward to your article on Sir Bond.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Scott's Cause — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:37:30 GMT

Love the way recent comments are being expressed. You don't always have to stand on a chair and thump your chest to get your opinion/point across. Sometimes cool and articulate grammar is all that is really needed. "Did I mispell grammar?" Hope you get my point. Go Sabercat, but really leaning towards a Raise a Native line colt....??

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Bigtex — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:31:09 GMT

El Kabong

Hilarious!

Pedigree Ann

Totally agree. I think someone should hire me/us to scout horse talent. I could get into that! Who needs me in Italy???

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

El Kabong — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:15:11 GMT

Steve, Bigtex

I singled Chappy over Daddy Nose Best and was waiting for the photo to determine the fate of my superfecta. With 3rd and 4th place visibly mine, I needed the bob. I lost, but I got a good look at the photo and yes, I was overwhelmed by the size of DNB's mellon:O. What was I thinking. That horse will never lose a photo.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Pedigree Ann — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:57:43 GMT

"Team Valor is incredible. A homebred, a Tattersalls pinhook, a $13,000 yearling and a horse from Italy. So hard to come up with a good horse and they just keep finding ways to get it done."

This is why Team Valor makes money; they don't follow the crowd and don't think that only hyped bloodlines and expensive purchases have racing talent. Remember - Seattle Slew cost $17,500 as a yearling; Mine That Bird was a $9500 yearling, Singletary (BC Mile, etc.) was a $3200 yearling; Amazombie was the unwanted part of a package deal.

Once one gets past the conceit that only the expensive offspring of leading sires and blue-blooded mares can have talent a whole world of possibilities opens up.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Tiz Herself — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:03:25 GMT

Will be rooting for the Smarty Jones gelding Isn't He Clever this weekend in the Borderland Derby also. Would love to see a Smarty baby at the Derby this year!

Oh and also for the list is Fed Biz!

And also not TC but looking forward to The Factor vs Amazombie this weekend, too!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Tiz Herself — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:54:28 GMT

Oh and add to my growing list of course is El Padrino. He looks like he could be a monster.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Tiz Herself — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:53:44 GMT

I think with the chance of having a full field of 20 this year with the also eligibles will make things interesting as well!

My Derby picks (not in any order)

Union Rags

Hansen

Sabercat

Creative Cause

Dullahan

Alpha

Out of Bounds

Discreet Dancer

Prospective

I'll Have Another

Algorithms

Battle Hardened

Gemologist

Mr. Bowling

Longview Drive

Take Charge Indy

Junebugred

In The Beat

Motor City

Empire Way

This all changes every other week :) It has been a long time since I have been so excited about the three year olds this time of year. Last time was when Curlin, Street Sense, Hard Spun, Rags to Riches, Octave, Indian Blessing,etc. were coming on.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Tiz Herself — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:48:25 GMT

Can't wait for the Fountain of Youth this weekend! Union Rags vs Discreet Dancer and Algorithms! Should be a good one. I cannot wait to see how Julien Leparoux does in his debut ride with Union Rags. I do like Fort Loudon as well and Casual Trick was an impressive Churchill - he has ability being by Bernardini and Zito will get him right too. Should be a good one!

Steve, what is your view on Sabercat? He is one that is kind of under the rader. His Delta Jackpot was well done.

Also really like Battle Hardened, who broke his maiden in the Sam F. Davis @ Santa Anita for the Coolmore connections. Anyone know where he is at?

Looking at the Earnings list, I wonder if there is a chance if Coolmore will bring Wrote over and run him in the Derby?

Also, I know it is not Triple Crown, but welcome back to two oldies Awesome Gem (9) and Musketier (10).

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

KY VET — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:14:37 GMT

Alot of horses out there that no one is talking about.....another is SHARED PROPERTY.....beaten fav of the keebreedersfuturity.....one prep this year.......

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Shelby's Best Pal — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:33:33 GMT

I enjoyed reading this article. No one does it better, Mr. Haskin.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Bigtex — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:24:37 GMT

Steve

I agree with you. If HOWE GREAT was a chestnut, I'm not sure if I could tell a difference between him & ANIMAL KINGDOM.

Do you know how tall AK is??? I think he'll win in Dubai just as he did the Derby. Even though he didn't get there I think he's a triple crown talent.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

KarenToga — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:00:56 GMT

Thanks Steve for your insightful look at the possible up and comers for the Derby. It makes it all the more intriguing and also gives new hope for the Derby trail as it not necessarily being a means to an end for the horses career.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Baby Jane Towser — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:06:55 GMT

Team Valor is incredible. A homebred, a Tattersalls pinhook, a $13,000 yearling and a horse from Italy. So hard to come up with a good horse and they just keep finding ways to get it done. Great pedigrees too. Hat Trick is the real deal as sire. Great move breeding to him. Went the Day Well looked like Derby material in the El Camino Real. His pedigree is pretty nice. He is by Proud Citizen and is out of a Tiznow mare. Proud Citizen's 4th dam is Natalma, the dam of Northern Dancer, while Tiznow is 4x4 to Northern Dancer. I wonder what grade the True Nicks boys would give this guy. I hope they can all stay healthy. Good Luck to Team Valor.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

hopalong — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:15:56 GMT

Currency Swap's 47:0 last weekend at Gulf, keeps showing promise. Did anyone say Preakness?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

txhorsefan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:25:29 GMT

What an entertaining and informative article! I love learning the back story as you've told us here - thank you. I will definitely be watching these colts you have mentioned. The story on Howe Great's name alone is wonderful, but I love the ring to Went The Day Well. I was very impressed with Lucky Chappy in the El Camino Real - if his head was as big as the horse who won, he most likely would have won that race or called it a dead heat - lol! His smaller stature sure made a noticeable difference there, but wow, was he fighting for it. Impressive!

Thank you, Steve, for all your wonderful insight!

Celeste

txhorsefan

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Slew — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:25:29 GMT

I really like Howe Great. I'm not as familiar with the other colts, but I'm certain I'll catch up on them soon.

I'm still trying to come down from the high I felt watching Animal Kingdom's return to the track. Wow! What a great rehab job. He looked better than ever...and that stride...again...wow!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:37:47 GMT

Steve

I agree with your comments on "And They're Off" AKA "Out on a Limb" show about Animal Kingdom quite possibly being a Superstar Monster. He's got it all and it's great to have him back. Game On Dude is also special and I'm looking forward to seeing what Ultimate Eagle is going to do in the Big Cap. He's been pretty special too.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:23:45 GMT

Bigtex, I love the way Howe Great moves. It was on grass. but he has a beautiful stride,

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Steve Haskin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:21:41 GMT

Sir Bond was spectacular in his last start. I'm planning on writing about him next week. I hope Neil Howard gets him to the Derby. He's one of the real good guys.

Yes, they were higher on Crimson China because he was farther advanced.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

iceman92 — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:03:28 GMT

thanks KY VET for sir bond. back at you with fly alexi fly at santa anita in april and discreet dancer front end win this weekend at the gulf

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

Bigtex — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:36:27 GMT

Great article!

Do any of these sleepers have a way of going as well asAnimal Kingdom?

Also, was Valor higher on Crimson China than AK at this time last year?

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

arlingtonfan — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:18:44 GMT

I was at Golden Gate for the El Camino Real and was extremely impressed by Lucky Chappy. With his short stature and unusual roan color, he looks more like a child's pony than a racehorse--but can he ever run! Keep an eye on this guy; he's going places.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: "Veni, Vidi, Valor"

KY VET — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:03:10 GMT

People, check out a horse called SIR BOND....not on anyones list. Check out his leg speed in the stretch compared to others....up and coming talented horse...big closer...