Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

LDP — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:11:29 GMT

Steve, I just want to know when TTP original flight was shedueled. Not for argumental purposes, i'm done with that. I just like to have all the facts, and i preffer them to be right, that way i can anaylize the race better. So i know that after TTP original flight was cancled he was reshedueled and got in two days i think before the sham, do you know when he was originally suppose to be flown out for the sham?

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

the_wiz — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 13:02:39 GMT

draynay,

At this point in his career Big Brown had run only once and put up just ok fractions. We had not seen the type of splits you describe until his Mar. 5th. Allowance Race. He was way under the radar the first week in February. I think that's a good point to remember. There are going to be some more surprises on the way to the Derby just like there was last year.

slyder made a good point and you missed it. He pointed out that there have been a number of first out maidens who ran faster than Big Brown did in his first out. I don't see anywhere where he said he thought there was another Big Brown out there. He just said it is possible that just like last year the Derby winner may still be a relative unknown at this point.

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2 time valley player of the year — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:36:07 GMT

Where are the entires for the Whirlaway?

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2 time valley player of the year — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:24:34 GMT

Should be a exciting saturday with the 3 yr old prep races. We should see talented colts who are ready to run.Too bad for saratoga s, that's the sad part about racing but he lives.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

ElusiveQuality8 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:52:29 GMT

Steve: Thanks again for all you do! Do you have any insight into QUALITY ROAD's next race. Although he lost his 3 year old debut, he did fight and can improve with some relaxing early (i.e. Candyman's recent performance). Jimmy Jerkens is always one to respect and I do not recall him much on the Derby trail before. I'm also interested in your thoughts on the horse, perhaps beyond what you've already shared. Thank you!

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Abbie Knowles — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:43:14 GMT

I am another Fitzaslew fan (I would be!!!!)so would be interested to know what you think of him too. He sounds to have courage and that is always a help!

Your new article on the website today is a great read too as ever!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

Wanda — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:47:38 GMT

Read Steve's comments about times at Gulfstream this year, I thought the same thing. They have done something to the track to slow things down.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

Bargainblueblood — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:51:51 GMT

Mr. Haskin: Would Fitzaslew crack your top 100? He looked awfully good and almost held off Brave Victory in his first start since the Cradle. Plus, he's bred to get the Derby distance.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

draynay — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:00:55 GMT

Slyder what are you talking about? Why don't you name all the horses at Gulfstream this year that have posted times of 45.31 1:09.87 and then glided to a 1:35.66 like Big Brown did. Thinking you are going to find another Big Brown this year is reaching for the stars... maybe in the next 20 or 30 years but I doubt it. Again, I will be here waiting let me know when you see any horse CLOSE to Vineyard Haven.

The fact that he is in Dubai means nothing. Great horses usually win the Derby and they need a little luck along the way. In the past the horses they have chosen have not been the best. Vineyard is without doubt the best this year... look out.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

slyder — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:45:56 GMT

draynay,

It's already February and you are still waiting and you think the Derby race may be over b4 it gets started? Nobody aside from Vineyard Haven has shown talent yet? You have a very short memory. Last year at this time Big Brown was a only a maiden winner and didn't hit the track until March for his 3 yr old debut. His one race to date was on turf and he had only recorded a 90 beyer fig in that one. Big Brown didn't even hit Mr. Haskins "Derby Watchlist" until March 14th. and was a "pool" horse in the first two Futures Bets.

Give it a chance, most of the top prospects have yet to race this year and there are many first out maiden winners who ran faster than Big Brown did in their first out that may not have hit the radar yet. If this year's 3 yr olds who show up for the Derby are as weak as last years group that went to post it could happen again that most will not have heard of the eventual winner until later.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

phoenixky1 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:03:34 GMT

Yeah, Take the Points moved up on the list to 24. Hopefully after the Fountain of Youth, which I think will be his stakes debut, he will be in the top 12...

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

phoenixky1 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:02:05 GMT

Wanda, I think you will get your money back and then some on Take the Points. I am an equine therapist and I have laid my hands on some of the best bred horses in the country and the good ones always have an air about them that you can't explain. He has had that since the day he hit the ground.

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lucky leo — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:36:23 GMT

is there a list of nominated horses for the triple crown?

and where can i find it?

thanks

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Abbie Knowles — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:32:39 GMT

Plenty Seattle Slews in the mix and yes you were impressive Mr Hot Stuff just like your brother Colonel John is!

With more and more of the Seattle Slew line appearing on the radar all the time, think I will wait until the 1st Saturday in May and cheer along any who turn up!!!! It is a long way ahead and a lot can happen between now and then but hope as many as possible of Slew's progeny do make it!!!

After all Slew did have 6 of the runners in The Travers and got the 1st, 2nd and 3rd! i think. Pyro was 3rd wasn't he? Delighted The Colonel and Mambo in Seattle remain in training! Hope they each have a stellar year and more epic encounters!

Enjoyed the new article on the Bloodhorse.com and the new top 30!!! Plenty of my favourites listed there!

God Bless

Best wishes

Abbie

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2 time valley player of the year — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:44:10 GMT

Too bad vineyard and midshipman are in dubai, they looked so good last year. If godophin wants to win the Derby so bad why do they keep the horses over there,when they have a great trainer like bobby Frankel under contract here? I would be very surprised if they come back in the spring and show the same talent they had as 2 yr olds.

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Yando Stable — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:40:15 GMT

Keep an eye out for the return of Cribnote who looked tremendous at saratoga last Summer.

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

Wanda — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:29:29 GMT

phoenixky1: I'm headed to Vegas on the 5th. Just for fun cause your so passionate about the horse you bred, I'm going to put $ on him for the Derby Futures! What the heck I'd just put it in a slot machine anyway right?

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xoxobrooke — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:33:38 GMT

I think this is the year for Kenny McPeek also (about time!). I think Free Country looks great! =]

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draynay — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:28:19 GMT

We are now into February and I still have not seen a horse as good as Vineyard Haven was back in October of 2008. Unless something breaks from the pack I see no sense in looking past Vineyard Haven. The Derby race may be over this year before it ever gets started. Yes, it is early but no horse has shown as much talent yet. I am still waiting...

re: Ky. Derby Trail: Sneak Preview

phoenixky1 — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:07:07 GMT

I am hoping since Take the Points won his allowance race on Sat beating Well Positioned, Masala and Copper Cascade, he will move up on the Derby list :)

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Mr. Hot Stuff — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:01:07 GMT

Did you see my move today at SA in the 5th? That was off of two weeks rest and I was 10 length ahead 150 yards past the wire. That is because I am a 1 1/4 colt, this California boy is going to Kentucky!!!!

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Wanda — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:22:11 GMT

Nice to see a Harlan's Holiday take a Derby prep. Dion's horse lost nothing in defeat, he was dead game right to the wire. Danger to Society looked to be in tight on the backside and I'd give him another shot down the road.

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Dreamer's Mom — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:13:05 GMT

Holy Cow! I thought my job was hard-training horses and raising teenagers, but I wouldn't trade places with you for anything! Do you get motion sickness flipping through the DRF?

Thanks for the list-so happy to see "family" represented so well-our "babies" are Seattle Slew line so I follow them like a crazy person. Can't wait for an A.P. Indy to win the Derby (presented by Yum!) this year! I have to do that don't I? The "presented by Yum!"thing, right?

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BittelRoad — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:28:05 GMT

Hey Steve

What did you think of Take the Points and Masala? do you think they can stretch out or is one mile the limit? I don't know what to think of Idol Maker, he always seems to quit in his races lately.

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Thompson House Residents — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:17:30 GMT

Hi Steve...Residents of Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro, Vt. follow your blogs...We love reading your comments...thanks to Ken and Cal, we feel we know you....go Giant Oak....