Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Cassandra.Says — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:15:48 GMT

Creative Cause appears to be bitless in your fine paddock shot. He gets extra credit for deportment wearing only a common halter and no chain over the nose or steel on the gums.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Alex'sBigFan — Thu, 03 May 2012 22:19:18 GMT

Linda in Texas,

Loved your post! Now I have the mental image of Steve and Lenny scooting about in golf carts trying to see every barn and having a ball!!! I loved the "And They're Off" segment Steve with the audience, cute.

It's amazing how good all of the colts look this year. Dullahan is beautiful, Alpha is adorable and little, IHA looks like he owns the place and Daddy Nose Best looks like a prince. And they all seem to love Steve and know he is taking their photos and posing! The post positions don't seem too bad, Hansen and Gem seem to be fine, Bode may have to step it up a bit earlier, and IHA hopefully will save ground early and not get too wide coming out of the 19 hole.

Calvin doesn't have far to go if he wants to skim the rail out of Post 3.

Thanks for the paddock school photos Steve. Still picking:

Bodemeister

I'll Have Another

Union Rags

Hansen

Gemologist

Good luck to all betting and may all the horses stay safe.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

El Kabong — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:50:25 GMT

Pedigree Ann,

I couldn't have said it better about Creative Cause. I just had that conversation with my bro right after the draw and I will not have him on my tickets. This is no race for a horse with those type of issues and I do not feel this race and that post(imagine the funnel to the turn) will enable him to show his talent. You can't make mistakes in the Derby, and with this field of talent, you will not be able to recover if you do.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Lamar — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:44:20 GMT

I have all kind of systems. Steve gave me a new one last year..."GEORGE COSTANGA" theogy LAST YEAR. Give me "BODE"

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Pedigree Ann — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:49:43 GMT

I have been behind Creative Cause all spring, but I find his draw less than ideal. After he was mugged in the Del Mar Futurity, he has shown a dislike of being close between horses, as he was at the finish of the SA Derby. I would have preferred to see him farther outside. His performance is going to be strongly determined by his trip - not getting close between horses at any point.

I must add: in a logical world, I'll Have Another would be favored over Bodemeister. After all, AHA defeated the horse who blew by Bode in a few strides in his previous race.

Liaison excelled on Cushion track but has done little on real dirt this spring. Healthy he may be, but his ability to handle these must be open to considerable doubt.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Linda in Texas — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:37:18 GMT

Steve great up close photo of Creative Cause, takes two men with their heels dug in just to hold him back on a morning walk over!

His name should be Don't Hold Me Back! He is amazing. Union Rags and Take Charge Indy, sure like their looks. And Dullahan, what can i say?

On the post position draw, i found it quirky that Pletcher's 2 horses are running side by side, 15 and 16. (reminders of Stay Thirsty and Uncle Mo). I'll Have Another at post 19 i like along with another poster, keeps him out of the fray, he can observe the initial stampede and hopefully position himself appropriately. Creative Cause Post 8 is fine, lots of my picks are for the 8 spot horse, and of course The Gray. Always bet on the gray. And Hansen, will he set the pace? Also whichever horse has the longest shot, were i there, that would be a given when it comes to betting. And Daddy Long Legs will handle Post 1 just fine. No problemo.

Just want to take a moment to state that this group of Kentucky Derby Contenders is absolutely breathtaking, every darn one of them. And the industry, the owners, trainers, jockeys, stable care givers are to be commended for having this many beautiful specimens at their peak in the merry month of May for Kentucky Derby Day. Congratulations to everyone.

Have fun Steve, i hope you have a golf cart so you can get to every stall in every barn pronto, and don't peak too soon, we need you all the way to Saturday at 5:24 cst and then some. 54 1/2 hours to go. All the handicappers are sure being quiet. Dr. D., Bob from Boston and so many more. Ya'll have a super time.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

ZephyrHawk — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:25:46 GMT

Tht photo of Creative Cause almost makes mewant to change my choices. You can see how hard those two big guys are working to keep him steady. Reminds me a bit of old footage of Native Divcer.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Biglyrics — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:14:44 GMT

The last two Kentucky saw the least talk about horse taking the title as derby winner.A far as this year go Liaison and Rousing Sermon are the ones to watch to spring a surprise. As for the well know i am sticking with Alpha i think he is a great horse.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Biglyrics — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:03:39 GMT

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

steve from st louis — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:39:23 GMT

Steve, Liason is a must use if he's your "dappled coat" pick. Over the years, you always have a knack for picking a Derby surprise just on his physicality. Your talent is probably wasted on picking horses in the paddock and would be better used at the yearling sales.

The coach, D.W.L., always bases his yearling purchases on the same at the sales and a horse has to fit his bill in conformation and looks before he falls in love with the pedigree page in the catalogs. Some stable should hire you as their agent. Seriously.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Matthew W — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:29:26 GMT

The two faves didn't draw so well--Ragsy will need to work out a trip from down there, and Bode, while he draws between two slow early runners, also draws inside the speed, so he'll likely need to go faster early than preferred--I think both will go off at higher odds than the morning line, while Creative Cause and Rosario will be lower, perhaps 8-1 from 12-1, and 12-1 on I'll Have Another, at 12-1, looks about right from the nineteen--15-1 on Daddy Nose Best from the ten hole? Not happening! Daddy Nose is the wiseguy play, and he'll drop down to 10-1...I'm standin' pat, gonna play I'll Have Another, w/p/s, big---and Daddy Nose Best, w/p/s, small, maybe tossing in four others in an exacta box: Dullahan, Union Rags, Creative Cause and Gemologist!

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

ksweatman9 — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:16:41 GMT

Well, the focus is no longer on how they will start the triple crown quest, but how they will finish it. Lucky break, Hansen. Hope your luck stays with you through Saturday. 30% of the horses who won the triple crown shot from the 1 hole in the Derby, so hang in there Daddy Long Legs, you're in good company. Don't get yourself hurt Trinniberg, you have a bright future as a top sprinter if this don't work out. Good luck and a safe trip to all, that's most important. There's always life after the Derby. Keep those ponies safe and sound.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

didleyzip — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:42:41 GMT

I am rooting for Gemologist, just have to Love Tiznow and always have and my husband is a jeweler, not to mention he is undefeated. However I also love Union Rags, there is not a better looking horse, he's absolutely gorgeous, wouldn't mind seeing him win either. I'm from California so have to add I'll Have Another to the list. Good luck to all.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

francis — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:53:45 GMT

Take Charge Indy is 1 nice looking animal! Re: CC: I saw him for a bit in the paddock prior to the San Felipe, & he was definitely a handful, then, too. It seems to be just the way he is. I remember his daddy trying to kick the gate handlers in the 2000 BCC.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Don from PA/DE — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:30:07 GMT

Thanks for the photo of "Gem" Steve, you gotta admit, he is looking right at you or your camera or both, this guy is #1 right now, just look at your photo again, and if you were looking at him bet he gave you a nod, he is the winner, Saturday. Don

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Oldie — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:24:39 GMT

Steve, your photo of Creative Cause is reminiscent of the fiery steed of yore, just breathtaking! Thanks for the mention of Mucho Macho Man. I have heard he looks terrific, quite grown into himself. I couldn't pick from this group for anything right now. You are quite right in saying confusion reigns :) The breeders, owners, trainers, grooms, and riders of this group have a lot to be proud of. From what I read earlier, so do you - nice award at the Trainers Dinner! Congratulations! We've all known forever you are the best, but it never hurts to have tangible proof, eh?

Thanks for all you do for those of us who long to be there, but cannot.

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Bill Two — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:17:34 GMT

I like Gemologist and his post position. I also love having Castellano up on him. This guy makes a lot of good decisions in races and seems unphased by pressure. Not bad having Todd Pletcher as a trainer either. I like Walden's confidence in the horse and rider as well. With two wins at CD under his belt and seemingly in the bloom of health, what's not to like???

re: Haskin's Derby Trail: Summer School

Kevin — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:06:05 GMT

I love the #19 hole for I'll have another. Keeps the rookie jockey out of trouble. He's now my bet